New England Dragway hosted it’s 3rd edition event for NHRA’s Hot Rod Heritage Series nostalgia drag racing circuit….
The 2015 New England Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance concluded at New England Dragway on Sunday, providing a final day of exciting quarter-mile drag racing and classic car browsing to fans in the Northeast.
Eliminations in each of the racing categories took place during the day with exciting on track action. Winners of the car show portion of the event were announced as well.
In Nostalgia Top Fuel, Tony Bartone continued his winning ways with solid performances all weekend. The defending winner posted a 5.601-second pass at 248.93 mph to defeat Dusty Green, who fouled out on the starting line.
NHRA’s 2015 Nostalgia Top Fuel points leader Tony Bartone continued his winning ways at New England.
In the other categories raced during the weekend, Rick Bernasconi won 7.0 Pro, William Masiello took home the top spot in 7.5 Pro. In Competition Eliminator, Stephen Broad was the winner, Scott Lucky Hudson took the title in Gas Eliminator and Norbert Viveiros Jr. was the Modified Eliminator champion. Nostalgia Super Stock was secured by Earl Storey, Mike Clifford won Top Stock Eliminator with Jason Mazzotta winning the Hot Rod Eliminator category. Wayne Hofmann was victorious in Pro Comp, Doug Adams took home the victory in Flat Head Inline and Frank Silva picked up the victory in East Coast Gassers. Fred Clark was the winner in Top Sportsman.
The deserving winners of the car show were presented their awards following the conclusion on racing on Saturday. The winners were:
Honorees Pick – Peter Gibson, Gorham, Maine, A/A Top Fuel
New England Dragway Favorite – Chip Brown, Pennsville, N.J., 1964 Chrysler 300k
Favorite Competition Car – Chip Brown, Pennsville, N.J., 1964 Chrysler 300k
Coolest Competition –Jean Felix Bouchard, Saint-Eustache, Quebec, 1968 Pontiac Beaumont
Dynamat Pick – Paul White, Portland, Maine, 1956 Chrysler Imperial
Early Iron – Peter Hussey, Southboro, Maine, 1927 Ford “T” Roadster Pickup
Thrilling 30’s – Cam Soles, Epping, N.H., 1930 Ford Model A Coupe
Fabulous 40’s – John Forman, South Portland, Maine, 1940 Ford Tudor
Finest 50’s – Donald Philla, Mattapoisett, Mass., 1950s Olds Convertible
Sensational 60’s – Mike Souliere, Dayton, Maine, 1967 Ford Ranchero 427
Killer Kustom – Dick Edwards, Exeter, N.H., 1950 Merc
Best Shine & Detail – John Beam, Fitchburg, Mass., 1955 Chevrolet 2 Door 150
Timeless Tradition – Chris Boutilier, Lakeville, Mass., 1934 Roadster
Director’s Choice – Ron Perkins, Paxton, Mass., 1932 Stubebaker Rockne Coupe
Curator’s Pick – Ron Normann, Hebron, Ill., 1939 Willys Coupe
Dazzling Deuce – Alex Finnegan, Leominster, Mass., 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe
The day came to a thrilling conclusion when the final exhibition of jet cars rocketed down the dragstrip, officially ending the third edition of the New England Hot Rod Reunion.
“We’ve had great weather and it really puts people’s attitudes in a good place,” said Steve Gibbs, event director. “There was something for everybody at this Reunion. It was a car show, a race and a social event. It was a chance to rub elbows with legendary racers of the past. It was definitely a one-stop shop to see the better elements in drag racing.”
Posted by: NHRA Communications
To view images from the Northeast Hot Rod Reunion Photo Gallery (featuring the expert Motorsports art of Dave DeAngelis and Steve Bell) – click: HERE
