Thu, 11 Oct 2012, 10:36 AM Nichols, Orbin Claim Victory at Atco

Courtesy of Rob Keister Goldman Takes Series Championship

ATCO, N.J. --

Tom Goldman

Tom Goldman came into Atco knowing what he had to do to claim his 2nd MASGA Championship in as many years but, the competition was not going to make it so easy for the Allentown, Pa resident. With Lance Kreiger and George Smith closely behind Goldman, Tom would need both competitors to go out early for the championship to officially be clinched.

On Saturday Race # 9 out of 10 George Smith took the #1 qualifying spot with his "Live Wire" 1968 Camaro. Starting from the #11 spot was Wilmington, De Earl Nichols Jr. and his 1978 Corvette. Nichols defeated Dave Burket in the 1st round, Ron Ross in the 2nd, Larry Edwards in the 3rd and took down the 2012 Champion Tom Goldman in the Semi-Finals. With the semi-finals finish and Kreiger, Smith & Luciano all going out in the 1st round Goldman automatically clinched the championship. On the other side of the ladder was #18 qualifier Bob Keister and his 1964 Chevy Nova Wagon. Keister from Vineland, NJ took down Iggie Boicesco in the 1st, Donhauser in the 2nd and put an 11 thousandths package down on Joe Eckel in the 3rd to receive a bye to the finals. With the finals set Keister strapped a .022 to .038 advantage on Nichols at the start. As they traveled down track Keister started to get loose and had to lift giving the win to Nichols 9.918 to 10.085.

Sunday saw 18 cars compete for the chance to take the final MASGA trophy of the 2012 season. Pete Luciano took the #1 spot followed closely by Derek Clark, Jake Barbato, Dave Burket and Lance Kreiger. 1986 Super Gas World Champion Ron Orbin made the trip up from Pennsville, NJ with his 1977 Vega worth the haul as he would claim victory at day's end. Orbin would take down Clark in the 1st, Saturday's night winner Nichols in the 2nd, a bye-run in the 3rd and finally James Alston in the Semi's. On the other side of the ladder was Race #1 winner Walter Olt and his "Team Advantage" Corvette. Olt would take down his father Oscar in the 1st round, Kreiger in the 2nd and George Smith in the 3rd to earn a bye to the finals. In the finals Orbin was looking for his 1st ever MASGA victory and he was up to the task as he strapped a 10 thousandth package on Olt in the finals. Orbin was .005 - 9.905 to Olt's .008 - 9.917.