Sat, 19 Sep 2026, 20:12 PM Top Alcohol Funny Car Round 3 Eliminations

By Rick Green

MARTIN, Mich. - Results of round 3 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals:

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
        Bye                                   1 Sean Bellemeur               
E3                                            ****WINNER****  0.012  5.435 266.27
 Prior rounds:
E2                                           (S Westerfiel) 0.019  5.435 267.06
E1                                           (B Mullins   ) 0.021  5.479 267.86
 Qualified:                                                       #3  5.483 268.02

Bellemeur with the bye run, he is straight down the groove with a good looking pass. He is advancing to his 71st final round, seventh this season.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    6 Phil Esz                              238 Mick Steele                  
E3   ****WINNER****  0.008  5.494 244.43                     0.033  5.476 239.74
 Prior rounds:
E2                   0.030 16.213  48.59      (C Menapace  ) 0.041  5.446 261.93
E1    (C Foster    ) 0.024  5.475 259.82                     0.077  5.432 261.93
 Qualified:             #2  5.481 259.67                        #1  5.413 258.92

This is the first time Esz and Steele have faced each other in eliminations.

Esz with a great light and the power to hold on for the hole shot win in a close one. Phil Esz's MOV: 0.0070 seconds (approximately 2 feet). He will give up lane choice to Bellemeur in the final. He is advancing to his fifth final round.