JOLIET, Ill. – In the final results from Route 66 Raceway and the 17th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals, Chris Demke, Tujunga, CA, and John Lombardo Jr., Brea, CA, took home the wins in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car respectively. This event also marked the 30th year where the best racers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series face off in the Jegs Allstars. Any Allstars representative who wins the Allstars event and goes on to win the national event will have their Allstars prize money doubled, and that is just what Lombardo accomplished this weekend at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals.
Lombardo faced off against Kris Hool, Casper, WY, and posted a winning run of 5.590 seconds, 260.16 mph in his '14 Mustang. Hool drove to a 5.642 second, 256.80 mph lap for his runner up finish. Lombardo is 2-0 against Hool in prior events and it's the first time they have faced eachother in a final round. Lombardo had the starting line advantage and pulled away for his quickest run of the event to take the win. Not only did Lombardo take the win at the national event but he also won at the Jegs Allstar event on Saturday and will get bonus money for the double-up. In the Jegs Allstars final, Lombardo faced off against Dan Pomponio, Berlin, NJ. Lombardo posted a winning run of 5.663 seconds, 256.89 mph. Pomponio, who received the runner-up finish posted a run of 5.763 seconds, 253.28 mph.
Demke, worked his way through the field and ran 5.313 seconds at 270.59 mph in his final round victory over Michael Manners, Willis, TX, who clocked in at 5.305 seconds, 267.48 mph. Demke is 3-0 against Manners in previous events and Demke is 1-0 against Manners in prior final rounds. Demke was first off the line and had the power to hold on for the holeshot win. This win made it back to back victories for Demke here in Chicago. This is also his 12th national event win and his second this year.
In the Super Stock final, Larry Hodge, La Place, IL, faced off against Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, AL. Crutchfield was looking to double-up since he also received the win at the Jegs Allstars event. Crutchfield has won the Jegs Allstars event two years in a row and his third time in his career. Crutchfield went red off the line and Hodge, who was the runner up here last year, took home the win and the Wally. Hodge posted a winning run of 10.518 seconds, 125.71 mph.
Other racers visiting the winner's circle this weekend were Troy Galbraith, Indianapolis, IN, in Comp Eliminator; Trevor Larson, Starbuck, MN, in Super Comp; Luke Bogacki, Carterville, IL in Super Gas; Justin Lamb, Henderson, NV in Stock Eliminator; and Nick Folk, Durand, IL in Super Street.
The following are NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series final results from the O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway:
Top Alcohol Dragster -- Chris Demke, 5.313, 270.59 def. Michael Manners, 5.305, 267.48.
Top Alcohol Funny Car -- John Lombardo Jr., Ford Mustang, 5.590, 260.16 def. Kris Hool, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.642, 256.80.
Competition Eliminator -- Troy Galbraith, Dragster, 7.602, 129.70 def. Brian Browell, Dragster, foul.
Super Stock -- Larry Hodge, Chevy Monte Carlo, 10.518, 125.71 def. Mike Crutchfield, Pontiac G5, foul.
Stock Eliminator -- Justin Lamb, Chevy Camaro, 10.936, 119.22 def. Austin Williams, Plymouth Duster, 11.280, 114.49.
Super Comp -- Trevor Larson, Dragster, 8.907, 168.30 def. Britt Cummings, Dragster, 8.853, 163.87.
Super Gas -- Luke Bogacki, Chevy Corvette, 9.924, 146.21 def. Ray Miller, Corvette, 9.902, 155.47.
Super Street -- Nick Folk, Chevy Cobalt, 10.960, 128.09 def. Andrew Field, Chevy Corvette, 10.961, 134.08.
