Goldman, Barbato Draw 1st Blood at MASGA Season Opener

[BKSG1198]

Goldman, Barbato Draw 1st Blood at MASGA Season Opener

Cecil County Dragway May 21st & 22nd – The Mid Atlantic Super Gas Association kicked off its 6th season in style at Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun, Md on May 21st & 22nd. On the first day 23 cars showed up to take a shot at becoming the 1st winner of the season. After qualifying was complete Lance Kreiger from Dover, Pa laid down a perfect 9.900 to claim the #1 Qualifying spot. Following Kreiger was Rob Keister, Bernard Weaver, Frank Tatarynowicz and Larry Edwards.
As eliminations got underway it would be a pair of Top 5 Division 1 players who would meet up in the finals to battle it out for the victory. On one side of the ladder was 2010 Division 1 Top 5 finisher Tom Goldman and his 1958 Chevy Corvette. Goldman started his march to the finals from the #17 Qualifying spot and claimed victories over Mike Lauria, Kelli Barbato, Pete Luciano and Tatarynowicz in the Semi-Finals. On the other side of the ladder was 2010 Division 1 Champion Matt Schurman and his 1996 Chevy Beretta. Schurman started from the #11 Qualifying spot and claimed victories over Earl Nichols, George Donhauser and Derek Clark to receive a bye-run into the Finals.
In the finals Goldman took a slightly large advantage at the tree (.007 to .036) over Shurman. Goldman then held that advantage all the way down the track to claim victory with a 9.961 over Matt’s 9.968.
Tom would like to thank Kathy Purcell, Holly, Uncle Buck and the Donhausers for the great cookout on Saturday Night.
On the second day at Cecil County Dragway the series had 22 cars looking to become the 2nd winner of the season. Mike Lauria and his Mike’s Service Center 1968 Camaro would take the #1 qualifying spot with a 9.901. Following Lauria was Earl Nichols, George Smith, Derek Clark & Don Miller.
As Eliminations got started out NHRA Super Street Regular Kelli Barbato was on a mission to prove that she could play with the big boys in Super Gas. Barbato and her 1968 Camaro started her march to victory from the #7 Qualifying spot. Barbato then claimed wins over Gary Laird, Lauria, Pete Luciano and Nichols in the Semi-Finals to punch her ticket to the final round. On the other side of the ladder was MASGA Regular George Smith and his “Livewire” 1968 Camaro. Smith, who started from the #3 spot, started his march to a date with Barbato with victories over Bernard Weaver, Delaney Richardson and Darlene Staub to claim a bye-run into the finals. As the two lined up for the finals and with rain approaching both drivers played it safe on the tree as Barbato claimed a .026 to .027 advantage at the tree. As both Camaro’s traveled down the track, Smith dialed a little too hard and broke out with a 9.887 to Barbato’s winning 9.922.
Kelli would like to thank her Dad Jake for building me a killer motor, my wonderful fiancé Don for all the help and support, Mom, Mike, and Jessie rooting me on from home, Preppy rooting me on from the motorhome, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Susan, the Harnsberger Family, D2, Margo, Rob and Bob Keister, Jenkins Competition, King's Racecars, all the .90 guys and gals that stuck around Sunday afternoon, Lucky and Leanne for putting on a great race, Uncle Buck for the excellent dinner Saturday night, and a very special thanks to Steve at Hudson Performance http://www.hudsonperformance.com.
The Next race for MASGA group will be up at beautiful Numidia Dragway on Father’s Day Weekend June 18th & 19th. Track owner Bob Dimino is stepping up to the plate and guaranteeing the $1,000 payout to the winners on both days. If we happen to happen to have over 30 Cars the Payout will be upped to $1,500 per day. For more information please visit www.midatlanticsupergas.com, facebook.com or www.numidiadragway.net.

[SG1809]

Congratulations Tom & Kelli, Great job!
Pat I.