NETO race 16 completed October 15 at Island Dragway

The 2017 season came to a close on Sunday October 15 at Island dragway. The NETO Fall Finals attracted forty competitors to the race sponsored by Fidelity Alarm Co of Philadelphia PA. Jerry and Therese Hillier presented the trophies.

  The championship chase in both categories came down to this last race.

Comp Eliminator

Lou Laferrara Jr entered the day in first place 175 points ahead of Ronnie Baker. Lou needed to win two rounds in order to lock up the championship. Ronnie needed to win the race with Lou going out before the third round.

In round one, Lou took the victory over Vinnie Scicchitano with a 7.65 on a 7.60 index (and putting up a .002 reaction time). Ron kept his hopes alive  by besting Dennis Quitoni in a double breakout, running a 8.985 on a 9.00 index. In round two, Ron caught a break when his opponent was unable to race. In a single run, Ron ran a 8.92 on a 9.00 index for the win. Now it was up to Lou Jr. A win in round two would give him his third NETO Comp championship. But this would not be easy as his opponent was past champion Vinny Laurita. In one of the closest races of the day Lou was victorious by 5 thousandths (.005) of a second, turning a 7.623 on a 7.60 index. The 2017 Comp champ was Lou Laferrara Jr. Lou continued his winning ways in round three when he defeated Ron Baker with a 7.612 on a 7.60 index. Lou then had a bye run into the final. In the final, Lou capped a perfect day by defeating past champ and two time Wally winner Brian English. Lou ran a 7.623 on a 7.60 index to beat Brian who ran a 8.637 on a 8.60 index.

  Here is Lou Jr, along with the whole crew and family and friends and Willie Johnson accepting the trophy.

Here is runner up Brian English with the entire Mike Petrole entourage receiving his trophy.

Nostalgia Eliminator

Steve Consentino entered the day as the points leader in one of the closest Nostalgia fields in NETO history. Steve held a 25 point lead over second place Frank Paradiso and only a 125 point margin through fifth place. The possibilities were many with five competitors still in the running. But as long as Steve won rounds he could not be caught.

In round one Steve defeated Christian Huebner running a 10.64 on a 10.60 dial to Christian’s 11.03 on a 11.00 dial. Frank Paradiso saw his championship dream end in round one as he ran a breakout 11.983 on a 12.00 dial to lose.  Three racers still had a chance to catch Steve going into round two. Steve took out one of the contenders in round two as he beat a red lighting Jody Kenly with  a 10.584 on a 10.61 dial. Contender Frank Martinez went out in round two with a losing 10.729 on a 10.70 dial to Rich Mauceri’s 10.288 on a 10.25 dial. In round three Steve paired up with the last contender, Rich Mauceri. If Steve wins he is the 2017 Nostalgia champion. If Rich wins, Steve could still win the championship unless Rich won the two more rounds and the race. Steve took matters into his own hands racing to the win with  a 10.592 on a 10.57 dial over a breakout 10.242 on a 10.25 dial for Rich. In round four Steve continued his winning ways with a 10.582 on a 10.57 dial defeating Frank Pisani’s breakout 10.193 on a 10.20 dial. Steve wrapped a perfect day in the final by beating Scott Hall with a 10.579 on a 10.57 dial over Scott’s breakout 11.736 on a 11.79 dial.

  Here is Steve receiving the trophy.

Here is Scott with his Dad receiving his trophy.