Two incredible days of National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) action has come to an epic conclusion at Dragway at The Bend this evening, with the Aeroflow Spring Nationals living up to its record-breaking reputation in front of packed grandstands.
The championship ledgers were opened in NDRC Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car and Top Doorslammer, while a stellar list of Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship competitors did battle for the 2023/2024 title as well as new season points, NDRC Christmas Trees, and a share in a $25k prize purse.
When all was said and done in the group one brackets, it was the quickest man in Australia, Phil Read (Top Fuel), third-generation champ Josh Leahy (XPRO Nitro Funny Car) and Lisa Gregorini and her groundbreaking all-girl team (Top Doorslammer) who claimed the NDRC Christmas Tree trophies over runners-up Wayne Newby (Top Fuel), Adam Murrihy (XPRO Nitro Funny Car) and Ronnie Palumbo (Top Doorslammer).
Kyle Putland (Top Fuel), defending champ Justin Walshe (XPRO Nitro Funny Car), and 11-time champ John Zappia (Top Doorslammer) claimed third place for their respective brackets by winning their B-Finals.
In Top Fuel, Read was the toast of the town as not only the holder of the quickest Top Fuel pass in Australian history (3.72 seconds set in qualifying last night) but also as the Top Qualifier and Winner of the Aeroflow Spring Nationals A-Final against Newby, with a 3.762/516.74kph effort over Newby’s 8.035/80.52kph pass.
Read, who was racing while raising funds for Snap-On’s Socket to Breast Cancer campaign this weekend, secured his place in the A-Final with a 3.793/486.2kph win over Damien Harris in round one.
“That proves (the record) wasn’t a fluke!” enthused Read after taking the victory. “It felt good, it felt really good from start to finish, it just took off and it was flying.“A 3.76 is great, we thought it would run 3.77. I think we are starting to get a handle on this at this track, so hopefully we can keep it going!“This place (Dragway at The Bend) is the mecca of drag racing – it is so, so smooth, and is just a great place to be,” Read added.
For the full listing of events, please visit: https://nationaldragracing.com.au/calendar/
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