Nichols Takes Summer Showdown at Atco!

[BKSG1198]

The Mid-Atlantic Super Gas Association ran race number 3 and 4 of its 2009 season this past weekend at New Jersey's Atco Raceway. On Saturday 34 cars showed up for action but due to the 3 straight days of rain in New Jersey and all the efforts of Joe and his crew scraping, dragging and spraying the track the decision was made to cancel the MASGA race that day due to the fact only 1/8th mile racing was going to be run and many racers just didn't have the information to set their throttle stops up properly. So race # 3 was put in the books and will not be made up unless needed too.

Sunday once again brought sunny skies and a well groomed race track for the racers. A nice turnout again for MASGA as 33 cars made the first qualifying shot down the quarter mile. After the 2 qualifying shots Derek Clark from Maugansville, Md took the pole with a 9.905 following Clark was Lance Kreiger of Dover, Pa with 9.908 and in 3rd Tom Goldman of Allentown, Pa with a 9.911.

On the first side of the ladder was Earl Nichols and his 1982 Corvette. Nichols qualified # 10 and was match up against last year’s winner Jack Donnelly in the 1st round. Nichols took a nice advantage off the line (.013 to .042) and used that advantage all the way down the track to a 9.887 to 9.875 win. Next round he had the task of taking on Clark. At the flash Nichols took a slight advantage (.010 to .014) and both cars were set-up well below the 9.90 index but, Nichols took the win 9.893 to Clarks 9.880. Nichols received a bye-run in the 3rd round due to some mechanical issues from Frank Tatarynowicz's roadster. The 4th round match-up with Rob "BJ" Keister and his 1964 Nova Wagon meant a trip to the final round as whoever won the matchup got a bye-run to the finals. Both drivers had not so stellar lights (Nichols .096 to Keister's .103) but, Nichols was right on point with the dial as he took a 9.913 to 9.972 victory and a trip to the finals.

On the other side of the ladder was # 2 Qualifier Lance Kreiger and his awesome looking 2004 Corvette. In the 1st round Kreiger took on John Malcolm and 38 Roadster. At the flash Kreiger was behind (.051 to .049) but, proved the qualifying run was no fluke as he ran a 9.900 to Malcolm's 9.811. Second round Kreiger took a bye-run into the 3rd match up with Bob Phillips and his 02 Neon. In what might have been the best race of the day both cars were on their game. Phillips took a .003 to .006 advantage at the tree but, at the stripe it was Kreiger holding off the hard charging Phillips 9.911 to 9.918. The 4th round Kreiger matched up against Mac Starks Jr's 1967 Camaro. At the start Kreiger took a .042 to .045 advantage and put up a 9.912 to Starks 9.924. In the only race in the Semi's Kreiger took on Iggie Boicesco's 02 Corvette. Krieger found himself in trouble the first half of the race as Boicesco took a .003 to .052 advantage at the green but Kreiger put up another .90 run as he took the win with a 9.903 to Iggie's 9.959.

So the finals were set as it would be a battle of old verses new for Corvette lovers as it would be the 82 Corvette of Nichols against the 04 Corvette of Kreiger. As the 2 did their burnouts and staged for the finals the race was practically decided on the start as Nichols took a .022 to Kreiger's .198. Nichols knew that he had a huge advantage and took a 10.088 victory over Kreiger's hard charging but just not enough 9.982. Nichols would like to thank the Nichols Family, Ron Orbin, Tom & Kathy Goldman and Chuck & Deb Rothermel for the motor in the winning Corvette.

MASGA takes a 6 week break before the race everyone looks forward to at Cecil County Dragway the annual MASGA "Pig Roast" July 18th and 19th. Look for details at the Atco D-1 race the week of the 19th to 21st of June.

[Lynn Hoosigian]

Way to go "My Earl" !!!