NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The JEGS Allstars, the annual inter-division shootout of the best of NHRA’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, was a war again as part of the Texas NHRA FallNationals with Division 4 and the Central Region winning the team titles.

The Regional battle between the stars of the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny car classes came down to the last run, the final round of Top Alcohol Dragster, where the Central Region’s Melanie Johnson defeated East Region rep Jackie Fricke on a holeshot in a winner-take-all final, 5.218 to 5.211.

Johnson had raced her way past West Region blocker Joey Severance, who broke in round one, and the East Reion’s Jamie Noonan, the current world championship points leader. Fricke had worked her way past East Region teammate Megan Smith and West Region racer Jon Bradford.

A day after clinching his sixth Top Alcohol Funny Car championship, Sean Bellemeur added an Allstars trophy to his mantle to help boost the Central Region’s score, defeating West Region rep Chris Foster, 5.392 to 5.605.

Bellemeur reached the final by besting third-generation racer Tobin Gasparrelli, the West blocker substituting for Annie Whiteley, and former world champ Shane Westerfield, also out of the West. Foster took down Central Region ace Bob McCosh and East Region rep Phil Esz to make the final.

The Division 4 team won the championship, their ninth, on the strength of wins by world champ Jeff Taylor in Comp, Kyle Secrest in Super Compo, and JR Baxter in Top Dragster, and runner-ups by Jimmy Hildado Jr. in Super Stock and Charlie Stewart in Super Gas.

Taylor and crew chief David Nickens, both members of NHRA’s Top 50 Sportsman Racers list, combined to put the J&A Service A/Econo Dragster in the winner’s circle over Division 2 blocker Glen Treadwell, (-.65) 6,54 to (-.68) 7.65, for his fourth Allstars win.

To reach the final, Taylor took down Division 5’s Brian Stufflebeam and defending event champ Monty Bogan Jr. out of Division 2. After a first-round bye for Division 7 Kevin Carter’s no-show, Treadwell beat points leader Joe Carnasciale, running for Division 1, in the semi’s.

Secrest won the Super Comp title over past Allstars winner Tom Stalba, running for Division 1 in a double-breakout final, 8.896 to 8.891.

Earlier in eliminations, Secrest bested defending event champ Tanner Thorp and Division 2’s Chris Childress. Stalba, an Allstars winner if 2003 and 2024, defeated Division 5’s Jordan Pratt and Division 3’s Jeremy Mason

Baxter won the Top Dragster final over Division 6’s Dylan Hough with a 6.14 on his 6.3 dial-in to Hough’s breakout 6.17 on a 6.18 target.

Baxter started his run with a victory over Division 7’s Andy Spiegel, then trailered Division 3 racer Devin Isenhower. Hough took down Division 2’s Robert Houston and Division 1 rep Kevin Robb.

Division 3 also had a trio of winners, with Larry Hodge titling in Super Stock, Bo Butner winning in Super Gas, and Kevin Myers bagging Super Street.

Hodge took down a tough customer in Division 4’s Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. with a near-perfect 9.738 while Hidalgo broke out with a 9.33 on his 9.36 prediction.

Hodge started his day with a win over Division 6’s Brad Burton, then claimed a huge win over multi-time world champ Justin Lamb, who was running for Division 7. Hidalgo took down defending event champ Jeremy Duncan from Division 3 and Division 5’s Brett Speer.

Butner claimed his first Allstars win, taking the Super Gas crown over Division 4’s Stewart, 9.92 to 9.93.

Butner stopped Division 6 champ Nathan Huber in round one, then beat Division 2’s Tim Powell Stewart took out Division 5’s Bill Cawsey and Division 1‘s Josh Eastburn.

Myers won Super Street for Division 3 over Division 5’s Logan Diggs with a near-perfect 10.909 to Diggs’ breakout 10.893.

Myers got to the final round with triumphs over defending event champ Donald Webb of Division 2 and Division 7’s James Brown while Diggs conquered Division 2’s Chip Johnson and Division 6’s Tony Hopkins.

Stock was won by Division 2’s Jeff Strickland with a final-round decision over Division 6 racer Brad Burton, who fouled by .003-second.

Prior to the final, Strickland had beaten Division 5’s Tim Mosbek and Division 4’s Will Emmons, who crossed the centerline. Burton had taken down Division 3’s Cody Herron and defending event champ Steve Foley out of Division 2.

Top Sportsman honors went to Division 5’s Michael Chitty over Division 6 racer Benji Martin.

Chitty had survived mechanical issues in round one, where he beat Division 7’s Joe Stannard, then took down Division 4’s Lance Abbott. Martin defeated Division 1’s Jeff Brooks and Division 4 rep Lance Abbott.

FINAL STANDINGS

REGIONAL
East — 600
Central — 400
West — 200

DIVISIONAL
South Central (4) — 1500
North Central (3) — 1100
Northwest (6) — 700
Southeast (2) — 600
West Central (5) — 600
Northeast (1) — 500
Pacific (7) — 200