Thu, 21 Aug 2014, 11:10 AM 4th Annual Empire Nostalgia Gold Cup Results

Courtesy of Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Car Circuit

LEICESTER, N.Y. -- Under the new ownership of Jerry & Clare Scaccia Empire Dragway is looking like it did in its golden years.

The new ownership is in its first year but it is easy to see the visual improvements. New York International Dragway as it was once known, was home to The IHRA Empire Nationals that pulled in many household drag racing names back in the 70's, 80's & 90's.

The track has been the host to the Governor's Cup race for the last three years. This year along with a host of nostalgia cars they also brought in four cars from The Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Car Circuit to bring funny cars back to Empire Dragway.

It was mid-day when the funny cars came up for their first run. The first pair was the Shyster Corvette driven by Bill Hallet taking on the Stranglehold Vega driven by Mike Hall.

As the funny cars fired up the crowd came to a roar. Mike came out with a few hard dry hops with the Corvette burping out a few also. Both cars moved at about the same time with the Vega fighting to stay straight. Bill took the win with a 7.70/171. Next up was the Funny Farmer Pinto driven by Bob Rosetty against the Sweetman Brothers Citation driven by Drew Sweetman. Drew was first off the line with a .074 but the Pinto caught up and crossed the stripe with a 7.38/178 to the Citations 7.65/178.

Second round the Sweetman Brothers took on the Stranglehold Vega, both cars came out with great burnouts and sounded like they were ready to do battle. Drew was out first this round also except the light was red. Mike ran a strong 7.40/182.

Next up was the classic Ford versus Chevy with the Funny Farmer Pinto taking on the Shyster Corvette. The Corvette left first but it was not enough to hold off the Pinto which ran a 7.49/180 to the Corvette's 7.70/172.

This set up the Final between the Funny Farmer Pinto and the Stranglehold Vega which would be ran on Sunday.

Sunday greeted the racers and spectators with another sun filled gorgeous day. After a full morning of qualifying and eliminations it was time to start the show.

First out for the GLNFCC was the Shyster Corvette taking on the Sweetman Brothers Citation. Both cars came out with strong burnouts and staged. The Citation shut off on the line which was later found out to be due to a broken mag drive. Bill took off on a single with the Corvette sounding very strong, running another 7.70/172.

It was time for the final, pitting driver against car owner. Bob Rosetty fields both the Stranglehold and the Funny Farmer with Mike Hall being the hired gun to drive the Vega. On paper it was set to be a good race with Bob qualifying with a 7.38 and Ken Hall running a 7.40.

The crowd was up on their feet for the finals with both cars doing great Smokey burnouts and several strong dry hops. The Pinto moved first and never looked back. Mike did a spectacular driving job with the Vega as it did not want to go straight.

This was the GLNFCC's first trip to Empire Dragway, all of the racers had a great time and look forward to going back. The track personnel and spectators were great. The spectators seemed real pumped up to have the funny cars at Empire Dragway and we hope to be back with a bigger show next year.

The Peak Products Winner Trophy goes to Bob Rosetty.

The Good Vibrations Motorsports Reaction Time Award goes to Bob Rosetty with a stunning .033.

The S & W Contingency awards go to Winner Bob Rosetty and Runner Up Mike Hall.

Thanks again to our great sponsors: Peak Products, Blu Def, Good Vibrations Motorsports S & W Race Cars and Pace Performance.

The Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Car Circuit www.glnfcc.com

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