Gainesville, Florida (March 21, 2016) – Jeff Strickland had an impressive weekend and doubled-up in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at the 47th annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Stock Eliminator and Top Dragster; while John Lombardo Jr., picked up his seventh national event Top Alcohol Funny Car title.
Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., first worked his way through the field in Top Dragster and posted a winning run of 6.443 seconds at 209.20 mph. He faced off against Casey Spradlin, Ranburn, Ala., who had a runner up finish of 6.460 seconds at 211.00 mph. Strickland then went into the final against Sal Biondo, Middle Village, Fl., in Stock Eliminator and posted a winning run of 10.313 seconds at 123.62 mph. This was Strickland’s 13th national event win; two in top dragster, five in Stock, four in Super Comp and two in Super Stock. This was the first time that Strickland has doubled-up making him the 20th different driver to double up and the 33rd time it has happened.
Lombardo, Brea, Calif., worked his way through the field and ran 5.474 seconds at 272.12 mph in his final round victory over Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., who clocked in at 5.508 seconds, 268.01mph. Lombardo had a slight starting line advantage and never lost the lead. This is Lombardo’s seventh national event win.
Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., faced off against Megan Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., and posted a winning run of 5.567 seconds, 266.95 mph. McPhillip’s was out of the gate first and went right down the lane for the holeshot win. This is McPhillips third win in nine final round appearances.
In the Comp Eliminator final, Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg, Ind., took home the Wally over Jim Greenheck, Schofield, Wis. Kamplain scored a winning run of 6.850 seconds at 187.08 mph. Greenheck and his ’12 Camaro had a small advantage off the line but could not hold off the charging Kamplain in his Spitzer.
Denver Maltba, Newland, N.C., took home the Wally in Super Comp. Maltba faced off against Leo Zynda, Clinton Twp, Mi., and had a winning run of 8.890 seconds, 179.23 mph. This was Maltba’s first national event final appearance and win. In Super Gas, Jim Perry, Niota, Tenn., gained his third national event win. Perry gained his second win from this track; adding to his 2012 title.
Other racers visiting the winner’s circle this weekend were David Barton, Robesonia, Pa. in the School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown and Tim Hunt, Boynton Beach, Fl., in the division’s Summit Pro Bike.
The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series 47th annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Rich McPhillips, 5.567, 266.95 def. Megan Meyer, 5.564, 273.55.
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
John Lombardo Jr., Chevy Camaro, 5.474, 272.12 def. Doug Gordon, Camaro, 5.508, 268.01.
COMP ELIMINATOR
Greg Kamplain, Spitzer, 6.850, 187.08 def. Jim Greenheck, Camaro, 7.356, 169.47.
SUPER STOCK
Daniel Young, Camaro, 10.627, 119.50 def. Merrill Schrimscher, Chevy II, 9.967, 129.52.
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jeff Strickland, Camaro, 10.313, 123.62 def. Sal Biondo, Mustang, 8.964, 145.67.
SUPER COMP
Denver Maltba, Dragster, 8.890, 179.23 def. Leo Zynda, Dragster, 8.880, 175.55.
SUPER GAS
Jim Perry, S-10, 9.893, 168.60 def. Ray Miller, Camaro, 9.875, 166.99.
TOP DRAGSTER
Jeff Strickland, Dragster, 6.443, 209.20 def. Casey Spradlin, Dragster, 6.460, 211.00.
FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN
David Barton, Camaro, 8.390, 162.78 def. Kevin Skinner, Mustang, Foul - Red Light.
SUMMIT PRO BIKE
Tim Hunt, Kawasaki, 5.690, 118.08 def. Ken Konter, Kawasaki, 5.872, 110.96.
