Tony Bartone won the NHRA Nostalgia AA Fuel Dragster final at the New England Dragway. (Credit: NHRA photo)
By Lou Modestino
The NHRA Motorsports Museum New England Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance concluded on Sunday with racing taking center stage. Eliminations in each of the categories were contested with winners crowned during the course of the thrilling day.
Before eliminations began, the legendary Cacklefest kicked off the day. Dozens of classic cars including front engine dragsters, Funny Cars, and classic nitro burning machines came to life down the length of the track.
Following the Cacklefest all eyes turned to the track and the nostalgic quarter mile drag racing. In Top Fuel Tony Bartone took top honors; William Masiello won 7.5 Index; Bob Schneider won 7.0 Index; Competition Eliminator winner was Don Nave; Gas Eliminator was Jared Kinson; the winner of Modified Eliminator was Ronald Childs; Nostalgia Super Stock was won by Serge Courterier; Top Stock Eliminator was Jody Noble; Hot Rod Eliminator winner was Richard Dispirito; Pro Comp was James Gifford; Mark Keenan won Flat Head Inline Eliminator; East Coast Gassers winner was Pete Boyer and Alan Borowski won AA/Gas.
Also honored during the day were the owners of the classic cars that were on display during the course of the event. Winners of the show and shine competition were:
Grand Marshal – Denny McKay, 1934 Chevy sedan
Memory Lane – Ducky Duckworth, 1941 Willys Coupe Gasser Coolest Competition – Chip Brown, 1964 Chrysler 300
Directors Choice – Tony Feil, 1940 Pontiac custom convertible Dynamat Pick – Dick Mills, 1939 three-quarters scale Ford convertible
New England Dragway Favorite – Michele Feil, 1941’s Willy AA/Gas
Timeless Tradition – Ron & Laura San Giovanni, 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster
Killer Kustom – Jim Cushman, 1950 Ford Custom Blue
Most Uninsurable Entry, AAA Insurance – Stephen Viveiros, 1933 Ford Coupe radical chop
Honoree Pick – Scott Cave, 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster
Thrilling 30’s – Hank Genthner, 1935 Chevy Standard
Fabulous 40’s – Paul White, 1949 chopped Chevy fastback custom
Sensational 60’s – William Loconzolo, 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder
turbocharged convertible
Dazzling Deuce – Frank Dagostino, 425 Buick five speed
Best Shine & Detail – Fred and Anita Kemmerer, 1963 blown Split window Corvette
Modern Muscle – Mike Williams, 1962 Galaxie M-Code 390/401-HP
Cam Snapper’s Pick – Tom Brung, 1931 Ford Coup
Curator’s Pick – Gene Scribner, Joe Nitti 1932 Ford Roadster
“The 2014 NHRA Motorsports Museum New England Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance came to a successful conclusion on Sunday,” said Larry Fisher, executive director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum. “It was once again great to be at New England Dragway and see the dedicated fans of the history of the NHRA.”
Sunday’s final results from the NHRA Motorsports Museum New England Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance at New England Dragway.
NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
Tony Bartone, 5.709, 271.19 def. Jim Young, 5.897, 246.17.
7.0 PRO
Bob Schneider, 7.077, 192.88 def. Tony Lombardi, 7.141, 151.09.
7.5 PRO
William Masiello, 7.574, 168.47 def. Jim Blake, 7.682, 169.70.
COMP ELIMINATOR
Don Nave, 8.466, 155.72 def. Glenn Lever, 7.895, 161.65.
GAS ELIMINATOR
Jared Kinson, Camaro SS, 9.490, 142.67 def. Scott Lucky Hudson, 9.433, 139.29.
FLAT HEAD INLINE
Mark Keenan, 11.134, 115.57 def. Bob English, foul.
MODIFIED ELIMINATOR
Ronald Childs, 10.372, 128.84 def. Kirk Duprie, foul.
EAST COAST GASSERS
Pete Boyer, 11.235, 114.89 def. Steve Wieserner, 10.503, 124.55.
PRO COMP
James Gifford, 6.468, 207.15 def. Bill Sexton, broke.
NOSTALGIA SUPER STOCK
Serge Couterier, 10.586, 124.78 def. Jeff Roell, foul.
TOP STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jody Noble, 11.626, 111.93 def. Cliff Carey, 12.099, 103.87.
HOT ROD ELIMINATOR
Richard Dispirito, 11.233, 115.47 def. Ray Rice, foul.
FACTORY EXPERIMENTAL
Bill Atwood, 11.621, 113.90 def. Earl Storey, broke.
EPPING, N.H. — Final round-by-round results from the New England Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance at New England Dragway, the of three events in the NHRA Motorsports Museum:
NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
ROUND ONE — Tony Bartone, 5.714, 238.01 def. Lincon Hassell, 11.651, 79.13; Jim Young, 6.024, 234.90 def. Jerry Kumre Jr, 7.923, 125.58; FINALS — Bartone, 5.709, 271.19 def. Young, 5.897, 246.17.
7.0 PRO
ROUND ONE — Tony Lombardi, 7.106, 152.16 def. Sammy Daghir, 7.230, 180.31; Bob Schneider, 7.100, 191.57 def. Tim Steed, 15.048, 76.18; FINAL — Schneider, 7.077, 192.88 def. Lombardi, 7.141, 151.09.
7.5 PRO
ROUND ONE — William Masiello, 7.449, 178.28 def. Jim Ditucci, foul; Jim Blake, 7.772, 168.58 def. Cody Hesler, broke; Herbert Roby Jr., T, 8.757, 166.89 was unopposed; SEMIFINALS — Blake, 7.636, 169.66 def. Roby Jr., 8.051, 171.84; Masiello, 7.389, 167.30 was unopposed; FINAL — Masiello, 7.574, 168.47 def. Blake, 7.682, 169.70.