Goldman hit’s the jackpot with 1st MASGA Championship, Mille

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Atco Raceway – Atco, NJ – The 2011 Mid Atlantic Super Gas Association closed out their season at Atco Raceway on September 17th & 18th. Going into the final 2 races 4 drivers had a shot at staking claim to becoming the 2011 MASGA Year End Champion but, after the smoke had cleared it would be Tom Goldman and his “Bullets to spare” 1958 Corvette holding the year end honor.

On Saturday 33 Cars rolled through gates to take one last shot at becoming a 2011 MASGA Event winner. Recent Cecil County NHRA Divisional event winner Matt Schurman would lay down a 9.902 to become the #1 Qualifier for Saturday’s event and earn a 1st round bye-run. Following Schurman would be Jim Dimaio, Steve Sisko, Paul Schoneberger & Mike Lauria.

As eliminations got underway it would be a new face in the winner’s circle as Wellsville, Pa resident Don Miller and his chop-top 1968 Camaro would be the lone car standing after the sun went down. Miller started his quest to his first MASGA win with victories over Sisko, a red-lighting Lucky Luciano, a bye-run in the 3rd round, Schurman in the Quarterfinals to earn another bye-run into the finals. His opponent in the finals would be the one and only Ed Alessi Jr. and his 1963 “Rat in the Cat” Select Performance Catalina. Alessi’s started off the day with victories over 1986 World Champ Ron Orbin, Don Knoblick, 2006 World Champ Iggie Boicesco, a bye-run in the Quarter-finals, and finally a victory over Orange, NJ resident Larry Edwards 1968 Camaro.

As the finalist rounded the corner we would be guaranteed a 1st time winner as neither Miller nor Alessi had ever won a MASGA event. As the 2 drivers took their time staging Miller adapted to the dark conditions better then Alessi as he was .009 on the tree to Alessi’s .065. As the 2 cars traveled down the ¼ mile Alessi started to reel in Miller but, took too much real-estate and ran out with a 9.882 to Miller’s winning 9.928.

On Sunday overcast skies greeted the racers as they awoke and most of them knew it would be a tricky day trying to dial in their throttle stops. After 2 qualifying shots it would be Rob Keister and his 64 Nova Wagon who would lay down a perfect 9.900 to claim the #1 Qualifying position and a 1st round bye-run. Following Keister would be Oscar Olt, Don Knoblick, Sisko & Derek Clark.

Once again as eliminations got underway a first time winner would adorn the winner’s circle as local resident Walter Olt from nearby Medford, NJ would wheel his “Team Advantage” 03 Corvette to the victory. Olt started his day from the #14 qualifying position and took down Schurman in the 1st round, Kelli Barbato in the 2nd, dashed the hope of Lucky Luciano championship bid in the 3rd and took care of Clark in the Semi-Finals. His opponent in the final round would be local Super Street racer Steve Sisko who was borrowing Scott Albrecht 1963 Corvette for the weekend. Sisko started his day out with victories over Ed Alessi Sr in the 1st round, Earl Nichols in the 2nd, Dan Northrop in the Quarter-finals and Iggie Boicesco in the Semi-Finals.

So the finals were set and once again we would have a first time winner as neither Olt nor Sisko had ever won a MASGA Event. At the flash of the green both drivers were tardy with Sisko getting the advantage .031 to Olt’s .048. As both drivers traveled down the track and got closer to the finish line it would be Olt who played the game better and made up the difference at the starting line with a 9.879 to 9.867 victory over Sisko.

With the Mid Atlantic Super Gas Season coming to a close the top 5 finishers for the season will be honored at the year end banquet in February. The Top 5 will consist of Tom Goldman, Pete “Lucky” Luciano, Earl Nichols Jr, Iggie Boicesco & Shawn Harp. Look for updates on the 2012 season in the near future and if you would like to become a sponsor or member please e-mail Leanne @ leanneluciano@hotmail.com or call Lucky at 610-246-6081.