Tue, 25 Aug 2009, 10:24 AM Manzo Makes It Ten in a Row

Courtesy of NHRA Field Marketing Photo copyright 2009 Auto Imagery, Inc. Fletcher Family Scores Twice at Toyo Tires Nationals

MOHNTON, Pa. --

Duane Shields, Billy Upton, Thomas Fletcher, Dan Fletcher and Donny Sabin

Frank Manzo put a cap on a perfect decade of racing at this weekend's Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway as he captured the Top Alcohol Funny Car crown for the tenth year in a row. Manzo, Morganville, N.J., used a holeshot starting line advantage in holding off the hard charging Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., in his Lucas Oil Monte Carlo Funny Car with a pass of 5.604 seconds at 257.04 mph to White's 5.593, 257.04.

In the Top Alcohol Dragster class it was Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., picking up his third national event win of the year as he out ran defending event champion Mike Lewis with a 5.333 second 259.91 mph lap down the quarter mile. Shields qualified sixth and ran a string of 5.30's and a 5.20 on his way to the win.

Dan Fletcher scored an emotional win in Comp Eliminator joining his son Thomas in the winner's circle as Thomas grabbed his first ever national event win over Kevin Fogerty in Stock Eliminator. This was Dan's 63rd national event win as the pair became just the third father and son to win at the same national event. Dan drove to victory over Charlie Greco as Greco left early taking the red light foul start.

In the final two categories, Donald Sabin Mespeth, N.Y., won in Super Stock over Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Billy Upton, Taylor, S.C., beat out Ricky Hall, Yorktown, Va.