Atco Friday summary

NHRA INVADES ATCO FOR SEASON FINALE

ATCO, N.J. -- In the opening rounds of qualifying at Atco Raceway for the final event in the NHRA Northeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Jake Crimmins of Farmingdale, N.J., grabbed the No. 1 qualifying position in Comp Eliminator with a pass of 6.422 seconds at 219.58 mph.

Crimmins is followed by Vinny Barone of Dix Hills, N.Y., in his '34 roadster and Doug Doll Jr. of Lititz, Pa., in the second and third spots respectively.

In the Super Stock class it was Angelo Ditocco running out of Mohopac, N.Y., leading the field in his '02 Firebird while Bill Hawk is number one in Stock Eliminator out of Manassas, Va. Joseph Franco of New Babylon, N.Y., is second in Super Stock while Gary Richard, of PC Richard & Son who is sponsoring this weekend's event, is qualified No. 3.

In the division's Foxwoods Top Sportsman Series John Benoit clocked in at 209.92 mph in 6.638 seconds for the top spot in his '57 Bel Air. The Montpelier, Vt., resident is followed by Ronnie Proctor of Harpers Ferry, N.Y., in his '02 Mustang.

Ernie Kendall and Alan O'Brian are one and two in the Top Dragster class. Kendall of Doylestown, Pa., drove to a lap of 6.672 seconds at 209.65 mph with O'Brian of Roncerverte, W.Va., running 6.802 seconds at 195.56 mph.

Racing continues Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Gates open at 7 a.m. Tickets are $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 6-11 are just $1 and kids 5 and under are free with a paid adult. Atco Raceway is located at 10000 Jackson Drive in Atco, N.J. For more information, call (856) 768-2167.

-credit: nhra