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JEGS Allstars Preview: A closer look at each of the contenders in each class

Every year for the last 38 years, NHRA’s best Sportsman drivers have come together for the annual JEGS Allstars competition. They will compete for more than $125,000 in prize money at the upcoming Texas NHRA FallNationals. Here is a closer look at this year’s contestants.
10 Oct 2023
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
JEGS Allstars

Every year for the last 38 years, NHRA’s best Sportsman drivers have come together for the annual JEGS Allstars competition. They will compete for more than $125,000 in prize money at the upcoming Texas NHRA FallNationals. Here is a closer look at this year’s contestants.


TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER


Jackie Fricke        East Region
Previous JEGS Allstars winner (2020) is making her fourth straight Allstars appearance. She's also having a solid 2023 season with a win and five final-round finishes and ran 5.11 during preseason testing in Florida.


Matt Cummings        East Region
In his fourth season as a member of the McPhillips team, he already banked four wins this season, and it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t have one of the best cars in the entire class.

Matt Sackman        North Central Region
Normally competes in Top Dragster, but he is making steady progress in transition to Top Alcohol Dragster, including a runner-up at the Norwalk regional event.

Mike Coughlin        North Central Region
Flying the JEGS banner, he’s certainly no stranger to the JEGS Allstars event, and he’s got four victories this season, including last weekend at the St. Louis regional event. Also won the Charlotte four-wide race on a rare triple holeshot.

Julie Nataas        Central Region
Two-time and defending JEGS Allstars winner is also the current favorite to capture the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world title as part of Randy Meyer Racing. She’s got six victories this season.

Aaron Cooper        Central Region
Hasn’t raced much this year, but he’s got a win and a runner-up, which should be enough to help the Central Region stay in the hunt for the regional title. Clinched Allstars berth with an impressive 5.21, 280-mph run in Topeka.

Joey Severance        West Region
Four-time JEGS Allstars winner is also in the midst of a solid season with two victories in five final rounds with his supercharged entry.

Shawn Cowie        West Region
He’s won a lot of races, but the JEGS Allstars is one that has thus far eluded him. Could easily change that this year because he’s already got four victories to his credit.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR


DJ Cox Jr            East Region
Already a three-time finalist this season, the East Region veteran is seeking his first JEGS Allstars title.

Matt Gill            East Region
Came out of the gate swinging this year with wins in three of his first four events. Currently, ranked No. 4 in the country and coming off a runner-up finish in Reading.

Andy Bohl            North Central Region
Won the JEGS Allstars title in 2017, and it’s worth pointing out that he’s also a five time NHRA national event winner, including the 2015 NHRA U.S. Nationals. Looking to get a nitro Funny Car license next season, and a win here would look good on a résumé.

Sean Bellemeur        North Central Region
Well on his way to becoming one of alcohol racing’s all-time greats, he’s got six victories this season, but oddly enough, he’s never won the JEGS Allstars race. Of course, it's worth noting that this will also be his first JEGS Allstars appearance.

Bob McCosh        Central Region
Finally got his first national event win earlier this season in Norwalk, he’s also bagged a pair of regional wins, including the event held at the Texas Motorplex.

Kyle Smith            Central Region
Defending JEGS Allstars champion hasn’t exactly been quiet this season with a pair of victories in four final rounds. A three-time Allstars qualifier and a two-time finalist.

Brian Hough        West Region
The 2021 JEGS Allstars winner has help from tuner and builder Jonnie Lindberg. He’s also got two wins and two runner-up finishes on the season.

Chris Marshall        West Region
Three-time national event winner will have a chance to represent the West Region and is capable of competing with any other team in the country, albeit in a borrowed car.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR


Joseph Carnasciale    DIVISION 1
Won the fall Charlotte event last season and has been to the final round at a pair of Northeast Division events this season with record-holding I/SMA entry that was previously raced by Rodger Brogdon.

Wes Leopold Jr        DIVISION 2
Got off to a great start earlier this season with back-to-back victories at Division 2 events in Orlando and South Georgia Motorsports Park. Didn't realize he'd made the Allstars team until spot was officially clinched.

Scott Chamness        DIVISION 3
Part of a family that has been racing for a half-century, he was the winner of the 2022 Norwalk event and has a chance to help the Division 3 team win a ninth overall team title at this race.

Chase Williams        DIVISION 4
The competition in Division 4 is incredibly tough, and this guy was able to earn a spot on the Allstars squad and win the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals this season.

Jim Greenheck        DIVISION 5
With a win in four final rounds, he’s not only a suitable JEGS Allstars qualifier but a lock to make the Top 10 and an outside title contender. Another driver who didn't know he'd made the Allstars race until spot was clinched.

Cody Lane            DIVISION 6
Versatile driver who not only went to the final round of his home national event in Seattle but also won the Pacific Raceways Divisional race. Claimed three Division 6 wins in 2022 to help seal his spot on the roster.

Ryan Priddy        DIVISION 7
Reigning NHRA Comp world champion recently took down his third victory of the season at the Division 7 event in Bakersfield, Calif.

David Eaton        Blocker
Defending JEGS Allstars winner is also just 42 points back in the battle for the 2023 Comp world title with his quick A/AA '32 Bantam that he's raced for more than two decades.

SUPER STOCK


Joe Lisa            DIVISION 1
Won the Charlotte four-wide race last season and kicked off 2023 with a runner-up at the Cecil County Division 1 event with former Michael Iacono Camaro.

Hugh Meeks        DIVISION 2
Past world champion clinched his spot on the Division 2 team thanks to a clutch win at South Georgia Motorsports Park earlier this season with a "lucky round" that included a .000 finish line margin.

Jeremy Duncan        DIVISION 3
Fighting for a spot in the Top 10 thanks to a pair of final-round finishes at the North Central Division events in Columbus and Indianapolis. Father, Elwood, began racing family's '69 Camaro in 1984.

Brandon Bakies        DIVISION 4
He’s won three national event titles, and all of them have been in Dallas, including last year’s Texas NHRA FallNationals. Also a competitive Stock eliminator racer.

Tyler Wudarczyk        DIVISION 5
A racer since the age of 17, he's now a five-time national event champion who can help the Division 5 team pick up their first overall team title since 2020.

Troy Olsonawski        DIVISION 6
Newlywed celebrated with a win at the Woodburn Division 6 event earlier this season with his feared station wagon.

Ryan McClanahan    DIVISION 7
The 2010 Super Stock world champ currently sits in 10th place in Super Stock thanks to a win, a runner-up, and a bunch of late-round finishes.

Mike Crutchfield        Blocker
Few people have enjoyed more success in JEGS Allstars events than this guy, who has wins here in 1990, 2013, 2014, and 2022. Returns for a shot at a fifth title.

STOCK


Ken Robinson        DIVISION 1
Division 1 rep is enjoying a solid season thanks to a win at the Cecil County Divisional event and a few other late-round finishes. Bought his car for $500 nearly four decades ago and spent two years turning it into a competitive Stock eliminator entry.

Jeff Longhany        DIVISION 2
Two divisional wins and two semifinals will not only earn you a spot on the JEGS Allstars team, but also a strong Top 10 finish nationally. Took the lead at the first qualifying race and never looked back.

Brent Darroch        DIVISION 3
Reigning Division 3 Stock champ and past NHRA U.S. Nationals finalist will get a shot to enhance his résumé with a JEGS Allstars title and possibly his first national event win.

Jeff Lopez            DIVISION 4
Having already won a world championship and five national events (including Indy), he knows how to handle high-pressure situations.

Tom Cain            DIVISION 5
Has been to the semifinals or better in five events this season, which helps explain why he’s almost a lock for a Top 10 finish.

Joe Sorensen        DIVISION 6
Another drive who is fighting to make the Top 10, he’s already banked a victory in Seattle to go with a pair of semifinals.

Parker Theobald        DIVISION 7
Pacific Division wins in Phoenix and Las Vegas was enough to help punch his ticket to the JEGS Allstars race.

Larry DeForrest        Blocker
Did a masterful job in winning last year’s JEGS Allstars race and recently had a solid weekend at the Division 3 doubleheader in St. Louis.

SUPER COMP


David Long        DIVISION 1
Veteran racer came up big with a clutch win at the Northeast Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Maple Grove Raceway earlier this season. Also won Epping event in his S&W Race Cars dragster.

Sherman Adcock Jr.    DIVISION 2
Two-time Allstars winner is the odds-on favorite to capture the Super Gas world title, he’s also a consistent threat in the Super Comp class.

Derek Denney        DIVISION 3
A runner-up finish at the Division 3 Indianapolis race was a big help when it came to making the JEGS Allstars squad. Also won Super Comp Shootout at SFG big-money event earlier this season.

Mark Powers        DIVISION 4
Won Dallas event in 2022 and kicked off the season with a win in Belle Rose, La., and now he’s got a chance to help the Division 4 team do some damage in the overall competition.

Chris Bishop        DIVISION 5
After a slow start to the season, past Brainerd Super Pro track champ has come to life with a runner-up in Denver and another strong finish at the Topeka doubleheader.

Garrett Sides        DIVISION 6
Won the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle this season and then went to the semifinals in Action, Mont. Also had a win and a runner-up last season to get the ball rolling towards Allstars berth.

Tanner Theobald    DIVISION 7
He’s got a stunning number of late-round finishes this season in his Miller Race Cars dragster, which helps explain why he’s ranked No. 3 in the nation with a shot at the title.

Devin Isenhower    Blocker
The defending Allstars champ has won two national events this season, including Indy, and is currently the No. 2 driver in the country.

SUPER GAS


Rich Price            DIVISION 1
Racing against big fields in Division 1, he went to the final earlier this year in Numidia, Pa., and also has a semifinal in Reading. A consistent Top 10 finisher in the Northeast Division.

Sherman Adcock Jr.   DIVISION 2
Made headlines earlier this year with five wins in his first six events. Nearly a lock to win the world title.

Bob Locke            DIVISION 3
Defending world champ has consistently scored enough points this season to earn a spot on the Allstars team. A win and a runner-up at last year's St. Louis double was also a big help.

Austin Williams        DIVISION 4
He’s already got 19 wins, including two in Indy and a pair of world titles. Also won Dallas event in 2021. Now, he just needs a JEGS Allstars victory.

Roger Sauder        DIVISION 5
In 2014, he won the JEGS Allstars Super Street title and played an instrumental role in the West Central Division’s first team title. Vintage Barracuda race car has competed in High School, Brackets, Super Street, and now Super Gas.

Michael Dalrymple    DIVISION 6
Two-time Seattle national event winner has claimed a pair of divisional wins this season, and he’s in contention for a Top 10 finish. Won two of the final three qualifying events to seal his invitation to Dallas.

Steve Parsons        DIVISION 7
A winner earlier this season in Las Vegas, he’ll have the opportunity to help the Division 7 team claim their first overall victory since 2012. Finished second, but jokingly claims he took Allstars spot from Mike Wilblishouser by popping his tires.

Rusty Cook        Blocker
Defending Allstars champ has enjoyed success in 2023 with a runner-up in Charlotte and three semifinal finishes. Also won the JEGS Allstars in 2011, his debut season in the special event.

SUPER STREET


Jay Neville            DIVISION 1
Division 1 is tough for Super Street racers, but he’s managed to make the team with a win and two semifinal showings this season. Clinched his spot on the team at Numidia Dragway event with a race car running on seven cylinders.

Doug Ramsey        DIVISION 2
Reigning Division 2 champ will have a shot to compete on what is arguably the biggest stage for a Super Street racer. Punched his ticked in 2022 with big finishes in Galot Motorsports Park and Rockingham Dragway.

Philip Smida        DIVISION 3
Four national event wins in Super Comp and Super Gas and a JEGS Allstars berth in Super Street make him one of the sport’s most versatile Super class racers. Also claimed the JEGS Allstars title in 2018.

Regan Wilson        DIVISION 4
He’s already won a race this season at the Texas Motorplex with a victory during the Division 4 doubleheader in May. Made his first JEGS Allstars appearance in 2008.

Donnie Durenberger    DIVISION 5
Known mostly for his success on a motorcycle, he’s also a strong Super Street racer who is leading Division 5 thanks to a win in Topeka as a member of the successful Seafoam team.

Josh Dalrymple        DIVISION 6
Comes to the JEGS Allstars as the current Northwest Division Super Street leader thanks to a pair of final-round finishes this season.

Art Hoover        DIVISION 7
Drove wife's car to a win  in Boise, Idaho, and a runner-up in Woodburn, Ore., have him in first place in the Pacific Division with a shot to bring home a JEGS Allstars title as well. Also races a 230-mph Top Dragster.

John Dexter        Blocker
Defending event champ has been to five Super Street events this season and has been to the semi’s in three of them. Won last year's event after breaking an engine. Hoping for a much smoother outing this time.

RIGHT TRAILERS TOP DRAGSTER
 

Al Kenny            DIVISION 1
Past world champ win this event in 2021, and he’s currently in the Top 10 this season thanks to three final-round showings.

Clint Riley            DIVISION 2
Won the 2023 season opener in Orlando, Fla., and then followed with a runner-up a few weeks later at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

Al Peavler II        DIVISION 3
A win in Norwalk and a semifinal in Bowling Green, Ky., has helped kick-start a solid 2023 season that includes a JEGS Allstars berth.

Rusty Baxter        DIVISION 4
You don’t win a pair of NHRA U.S. Nationals titles without being able to handle pressure, which makes him perfectly suited for the JEGS Allstars race. Claims he made team with "good finishes in 2022 and perseverance in 2023."

Matthew Kreft        DIVISION 5
Enjoyed a big weekend at the Topeka doubleheader with a runner-up and a semifinal to seal a spot on the Division 5 squad. Reigning Division 5 Top Dragster champion.

John Chitwood        DIVISION 6
A runner-up finish in Woodburn, Ore., earlier this season helped punch his ticket to Dallas for the prestigious JEGS Allstars event. Got in as an alternate, but that doesn't speak to his potential to win the event.

John Richardson        DIVISION 7
Won the Sonoma national in 2018 and 2021, and he’s done fairly well this season with a host of late-round finishes. Car was recently repaired following an accident in Pomona.

Brandon Miller        Blocker
Part-time Pro Stock racer and defending Allstars winner. He’ll have a rare shot to double as he’s also qualified in Top Sportsman.

RIGHT TRAILERS TOP SPORTSMAN
 

Brandon Miller        DIVISION 1
Any double in drag racing is a rare feat, but he’s got a chance to join Division 5 racer Trevor Larson with a pair of JEGS Allstars titles.

Jacky Bennett        DIVISION 2
Divison 2 champ claimed a pair of wins last season and recently enjoyed some more success with a solid semifinal finish at the Division 2 event at Galot Motorsports Park.

Curtis Fredrich        DIVISION 3
Two-time national event winner is currently ranked No. 14 in the Right Trailers Top Sportsman points standings. Used a win in Joliet, Ill., and a semifinal in Bowling Green, Ky., in 2022 to kick-start his trip to the Allstars.

Lance Abbott        DIVISION 4
The defending world champ hasn’t exactly been quiet this season with a pair of runner-up finishes to his credit, and he’s got a shot at the Top 10.

Allen Firestone        DIVISION 5
A win in Denver and a runner-up in Noble, Okla., have the Division 5 ace set up for a strong Top 10 finish and possibly a second JEGS Allstars title. Won first Division title and JEGS Allstars in 2020.

Robert Strohm        DIVISION 6
The winner of the 2021 JEGS Allstars Top Sportsman title gets to make a return trip thanks to a win in Boise, Idaho, and a pair of semifinals. Claims Allstars spot is result of "Rare moments of brilliance combined with luck and consistently making one less mistake than opponent."

Dean Hall            DIVISION 7
A winner earlier this season in Phoenix, he’s got a chance to help the Division 7 team break a long drought in the overall team competition. Has owned Corvette race car for 17 years.

Ron Riegel            Blocker
Defending champ hasn’t let up with a runner-up finish at Cecil County Dragway and another solid showing in Gainesville to start the season. Also won Division 1 title two years ago.