Mon, 16 Mar 2026, 16:41 PM Bartone Bros. Racing Sweeps Florida with Baby Gators Win

Courtesy of Kyle Chura “Killer B’s” Take Truckload of Hardware Back to NYC

 

Sean Bellemeur

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Bartone Bros. Racing added to its Florida haul over the weekend, winning the Top Alcohol Funny Car class at the Baby Gators regional event at Gainesville Raceway.

The victory capped a remarkable two weeks in the Sunshine State for the team known as the “Killer B’s” — owner Tony Bartone, crew chief Steve Boggs and driver Sean Bellemeur.

During the Florida stretch:

• Steve Boggs was inducted into the International Hot Rod Hall of Fame.

• Sean Bellemeur was named one of the NHRA’s Top 75 Drivers in history.

• The team won the Top Alcohol Funny Car title at the Gatornationals, earning the class’ first silver Wally trophy.

• The “Killer B’s” followed up by winning the Baby Gators regional.

Driver Sean Bellemeur powered the “Pirate Ship” to a final-round pass of 5.40 seconds at 267 mph to defeat Phil Esz in the Baby Gators final. The victory added another 75th NHRA Anniversary silver Wally to the New York-based team’s collection.

Bellemeur put together a trio of 5.40-second runs to complete the Florida sweep, following up the team’s season-opening win at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Gatornationals.

“The Baby Gators gave us a couple gifts that the Gatornationals didn’t provide: better weather and a much better racetrack,” Bellemeur said. “Steve (Boggs) and the team have been trying to sniff out a little issue that has popped up early in the year. It’s tough to find when you’re constantly adjusting to changing conditions.

“I have to commend the Division 2 crew. They kept us right on schedule and kept the track tight. As far as the car goes, Boggs had that look on his face when the weather came around. It’s a happy race car right now, and I’m confident that our team has gained the upper hand on our issue.”

Bellemeur praised the team’s resilience through challenging conditions at the national event.

“The past two weeks has had it all,” he said. “It started with a wonderful celebration for our own Hall of Famer Steve Boggs. The on-track performance of the car just proved once again the men and women who make up the ‘Killer B’s’ are second to none. What I was so impressed with was the mental and physical fight this team put up. We were pushed around in the schedule multiple times at the national event. Put in 16-hour track days twice in a row, and this team just pushed through and never lost sight of the goal. That is a sign of true professionalism.”

Bellemeur credited the team’s success to its preparation and personnel.

“The season is off to a great start, but now it’s time to focus on the race. The preparation, the plan — and as always, there’s no one I’d rather travel this journey with than this team,” he said. “It’s a long season, and I just can’t wait to go again.”

Bellemeur specifically recognized owner Tony Bartone, crew chief Steve Boggs, and team members Troy Green, Nick Stoms, Justin Taylor, Garret Bateman, Brian Gawlik, Lauren McMaster and Matt Krebs.

The team extended a heartfelt thank you to its sponsors: Red Line Synthetic Oil, Roger Dean Chevrolet, Talon Air LLC, and NGK Spark Plugs and along with product supporters McLeod and Taylor Motorsports Products.

For more information on Bartone Bros. Racing, including race recaps and photos, please visit the team site at www.BartoneBrosRacing.com

Steve Boggs, left, and Sean Bellemeur.