Postponed SuperNationals resume at Raceway Park

Elimination races are Saturday at 2 p.m.

By tim morris

Staff Writer

 

TThey will try and complete the rain-delayed Matco Tools Spring SuperNationals at Raceway Park this week.

Rain and unseasonably cold weather in May forced the postponement of the $2 million National Hot Rod Association event, which was celebrating its 31st year at the famed Old Bridge Township race track.

Competition resumes on Saturday at 2 p.m. with the first of the elimination races. On Friday, qualified teams will be able to test during two time-trial sessions at 3 and 7 p.m.

Since the postponed SuperNationals, the NHRA season has heated up, and this weekend’s action could play a deciding role in who wins NHRA titles this year.

One title has been decided since May and that is the record for most career event victories. Funny Car champion John Force has eclipsed the old mark of 85 set by Bob Glidden. Force, who is the current Funny Car points leader, has won eight events this year and now has 89 career wins.

Before the Matco Tools SuperNationals were postponed, qualifying was completed and that has set up some crucial first round match-ups for Saturday.

Larry Dixon is second in the chase for the Winston Top Fuel championship, and he will lead the 15-car field into the eliminations. The Miller Lite dragster has a first-round bye and will face the winner of the Steve Smith-Jim Bailey race.

One of the biggest first-round matchups will feature points leader Gary Scelzi of Team Winston against arch rival Kenny Bernstein, the King of Speed, who drives the Bud King dragster. Defending champion Tony Schumacher will try to keep his repeat championship hopes alive when he squares off with Rookie of the Year candidate Don Lampus.

The Funny Car eliminations will begin with a first-round match pitting Jim Epler and his WWF Racing Camaro against Ron Capps’ U.S. Tobacco Camaro in an all-Chevrolet match. Points leader John Force and his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang will battle journeyman Gary Densham in the first round. Jerry Toliver and his WWF Racing Pontiac Firebird will meet Dale Creasy Jr. in the first round. If Force and Toliver win, they will resume their season-long duel in the second round. Force won the Raceway Park event last year.

Local fans will have someone to cheer for in the Pro Stock Division, Farmingdale’s Tom Martino, who drives the Century 21 Firebird. Martino is one of just 14 Pro Stock drivers who have done 200 mph with a pass of 200.75 last year in Ennis, Texas. Martino will start action against Jim Yates in the Splitfire/Peak Firebird in the first round.

Other first-round matches in Pro Stock included a big first round race between contenders Jeg Couglin Jr. and Kurt Johnson while Warren Johnson, the defending points champion, and his GM Goodwrench Pontiac Firebird meet up with Allen Johnson’s Amoco Dodge Avenger.

Matt Hines will be looking for an NHRA national elapsed time in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Back in May, Hines set a low qualifying time of 7.138 seconds on his Eagle One Suzuki and needs a time of at least 7.209 (within 1 percent) to back up the record as required by NHRA rules. Hines will meet Clarence Markham in the first round.

Defending event champion and current points leader Angelle Seeling who rides for Team Winston Suzuki will open eliminations against the 12th qualifying Chris Reuter.

Tickets are available for the Matco Tools Spring SuperNationals by calling Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800 or Ticketmaster. Tickets purchased for Sunday, May 21 will be honored on Sept. 9 only.