Atco Saturday summary

ALCOHOL RACERS WINWARD, RAY WINNERS AT ATCO

ATCO, N.J. -- Final eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are complete at the Franklin Trailers, Inc. NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Event being held this weekend at Atco Raceway. Ken Winward took the trophy in Top Alcohol Dragster while, David Ray reigned supreme in Top Alcohol Funny Car. All other categories finished qualifying today and will continue eliminations on Sunday.

Winward of Wilmington, Del., was the outstanding Top Alcohol Dragster racer upsetting No. 1 qualifier Aaron Olivarez of Sandy, Utah. Winward was able to get passed the quick start of Aaron Olivarez finishing with a time of 5.492 seconds at 256.94 mph. Olivarez finished with a pass of 5.549 seconds at 265.22 mph.

Ray of Plaistow, N.H, topped the Funny Car field with a victory in the Semi final over 10-time National Champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., and then getting the win over Bob Tasca III, of Cranston, R.I., in the final. Ray ran a final pass of 5.748 seconds at 252.80 mph, while Tasca III ran a time of 5.973 seconds at 251.25 mph.

In Comp Eliminator, Allyn Armstrong finished qualifying in good shape with the top spot over Vinny Barone of Dix Hill, N.Y. Armstrong ran a time of 8.806 seconds driving a '72 Opel GT. Also qualifying at the top of the ladder was Super Stock driver Joseph Franco III of Babylon, N.Y. Franco held off the Williamstown, N.J., resident, Brian Oakes who was driving a '69 Camaro.

Richard Adkins of Willingboro, N.J., driving a '67 Mustang was able to hold off Tex Miller of Fayatteville, Pa., to clinch the No. 1 qualifying spot in Stock Eliminator. Miller drove a '71 Mustang qualifying with a pass of 10.867 seconds, while Adkins qualified at 10.207 seconds.

Gates open on Sunday at 7 a.m. Final Eliminations for all remaining categories begins at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and children age 5 and under are free. For more information please call the track at 856-768-2167 or visit www.atcorace.com

-credit: nhra