NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series was in Atlanta this past weekend for the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga. Champions celebrated in winner’s circle with their teams.

In the Top Alcohol Dragster final round, Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., took a large starting line advantage. Megan Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., was able to close some of the distance but she was unable to catch Hart, as he secured the national event Wally trophy. Hart ran, 5.313 seconds, 269.40 mph; Meyer came in second at 5.318 seconds, 269.94 mph.

Ulf Leanders, Viksjofors, Sweden, took the lead from the starting line but could not hold off the charging Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., who came from behind for the Top Alcohol Funny Car final round win. Payne recorded a winning pass of 5.557 seconds, 260.81 mph. Leanders runner upped at 5.645 seconds, 263.20 mph.

2016 Lucas Oil Stock World Champion Jeff Strickland of Red Bay, Ala., triggered the win light in the Stock final round, running 9.280 seconds, 141.85 mph. His opponent Robie Shaw, Bowdon, Ga., fouled at the starting line.

In the Top Sportsman Presented by Racing RV’s final round, Bob Mandell Jr., Culleoka Tenn., ran 6.856 seconds, 191.97 mph holding off Vince Hoda, D'Iberville Miss., for the final round victory. 
Les Feist, Clearwater, Minn., ran 6.089 seconds, 226.73 mph to mount the come from behind victory over Larry Roberts, Laurens, S.C., in the Top Dragster Presented Racing RV’s final round.

The other drivers visiting winner’s circle were Van Puckett in Comp Eliminator, Kevin Helms in Super Stock, Gene Quinn in Super Comp, Tommy Turner in Super Gas, and Keith Mayers in Super Street.

The following are Sunday’s final results from the NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
 Josh Hart, 5.313, 269.40 def. Megan Meyer, 5.318, 269.94. 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Jay Payne, Chevy Camaro, 5.557, 260.81 def. Ulf Leanders, Camaro, 5.645, 263.20. 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
Van Puckett, Chevy Cavalier, 8.682, 127.19 def. Brian Browell, Dragster, Foul - Red Light. 

SUPER STOCK 
Kevin Helms, Olds Achieva, 8.869, 148.92 def. Byron Worner, Chevy Camaro, Foul - Red Light. 

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Jeff Strickland, Chevy Camaro, 9.280, 141.85 def. Robbie Shaw, Pontiac Firebird, Foul - Red Light. 

SUPER COMP 
Gene Quinn, Dragster, 8.907, 152.88 def. Lauren Freer, Dragster, 8.926, 181.84. 

SUPER GAS 
Tommy Turner, Chevy Corvette, 9.922, 172.83 def. Carl Watts, Chevy Cavalier, 9.867, 160.35. 

SUPER STREET
Keith Mayers, Porsche, 10.926, 143.58 def. Jesse McKnight, Chevy Camaro, 10.884, 127.17. 

TOP SPORTSMAN PRESENTED BY RACINGRVS.COM
Bob Mandell Jr., Chevy Bel Air, 6.856, 191.97 def. Vince Hoda, Chevy Camaro, 6.779, 202.70.

TOP DRAGSTER PRESENTED BY RACINGRVS.COM
Les Feist, Dragster, 6.089, 226.73 def. Larry Roberts, Dragster, 6.202, 225.33.