La Charite aces CIFCA Funny Car final at The Strip at LVMS;

Cannavo, Martin, Winters, Whitenack, Kimball, Jones also scored big wins

 

            The California Independent Funny Car Association (CIFCA) made its first visit to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and made quite an impression.  The touring west coast group set a club record for number of Funny Car entries (27) and when the smoke cleared on a busy night of racing, Dennis La Charite of Torrance, Calif., clutched the winner's trophy in victory lane.

            La Charite's "Back In Black" '69 Corvette Funny Car faced Jim Maher of Whittier, Calif., in the final round.  Maher's "Good Vibrations" Camaro lit the red bulb at the starting line and the win belonged to La Charite.

            In Jerry's Nugget Championship Drag Racing Series action, the red light (foul start) also determined the winner in the Super Pro category.  Carl Cannavo of North Las Vegas claimed the title after final-round opponent Brian Miller of Las Vegas fouled.

            Drew Martin, who is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base across the street from The Strip, won the Pro finale over Michael Edmonds of Henderson.  Ron Winters of Las Vegas defeated Nick Ariotti of Boulder City for the final-round Street win.  The Motorcycle final saw neither defending champion Leo Shaver nor current point leader Andy Lewis as Henderson's Jason Whitenack defeated Dave Phillips of Las Vegas.  Aaron Kimball of Las Vegas claimed the Sport Compact win over Sandra Darby.  The California Super Eliminator Association final was won by Pat Jones of Norco, Calif.

 

            All Jerry's Nugget Championship Drag Racing Series final-round winners also received a $200 gift certificate from Blazin' Bell Tech.

            Jerry's Nugget Reaction Time Bonus Awards were earned by Randy Holly (Super Pro), Mike Edmonds (Pro), Nick Ariotti (Street), Jason Whitenack (Motorcycle) and Aaron Kimball (Sport Compact).  The bonus is awarded to the racer posting the best reaction time on a winning run in the first round of eliminations.

            On Saturday afternoon, Jon Irving (Thunder division) and Taylor Campbell (Lightning) scored victories in the Short Line Express Market NHRA Jr. Dragster Series.

            On Friday, June 20, The Strip at LVMS will present a special edition of Midnight Mayhem.  Gates will open at 7 p.m. for the Summer Kickoff, featuring a burnout contest, bikini contest, DJ, midway attractions, car show and late-night street racing.  There will be no increase in admission for the special event: $10 to race, $5 for spectators.

            For more information on events at The Strip at LVMS, visit the speedway's website at LVMS.com or call (702) 632-8213.

 

CIFCA FUNNY CAR

Winner: Dennis La Charite (Torrance, Calif.) "Back In Black" '69 Corvette 7.503 sec./180.81 mph

Runner-up: Jim Maher (Whittier, Calif.) "Good Vibrations" Camaro (foul) 7.441 sec./186.25 mph

No. 1 Qualifier: "Fast Jack" Beckman (North Hills, Calif.) 7.508 sec./192.93 mph

 

SUPER PRO

Winner: Carl Cannavo (North Las Vegas) '95 Yancer dragster 8.050 sec./169.13 mph

Runner-up: Brian Miller (Las Vegas) '82 Camaro (foul) 10.780 sec./121.80 mph

 

PRO

Winner: Drew Martin (Las Vegas) '86 Chev. S-10 12.906 sec./102.79 mph

Runner-up: Michael Edmonds (Henderson) '78 Monza 10.567 sec./128.27 mph

 

STREET

Winner: Ron Winters (Las Vegas) '68 El Camino 16.722 sec./79.50 mph

Runner-up: Nick Ariotti (Boulder City) '72 Duster 12.635 sec./104.25 mph

 

MOTORCYCLE

Winner: Jason Whitenack (Henderson) '96 Kawasaki 10.064 sec./124.96 mph

Runner-up: Dave Phillips (Las Vegas) '77 Kawasaki 9.705 sec./134.47 mph

 

SPORT COMPACT

Winner: Aaron Kimball (Las Vegas) '92 Nissan 16.153 sec./75.73 mph

Runner-up: Sandra Darby (Las Vegas) '78 Datsun 18.521 sec./73.27 mph

 

CALIFORNIA SUPER E ASSOCIATION

Winner: Pat Jones (Norco, Calif.) '96 Frame Works dragster 8.060 sec./161.69 mph

Runner-up: Del Cox Jr. (Downey, Calif.) 8.051 sec./172.67 mph

No. 1 Qualifier: Tracy Quinlan (Yucca Valley, Calif.) 8.047 sec./172.74 mph

 

SHORT LINE EXPRESS MARKET NHRA JR. DRAGSTER – THUNDER

Winner: Jon Irving (Boulder City) 11.132 sec./53.81 mph

Runner-up: Justin Ebel (Las Vegas) 12.906 sec./47.65 mph

No. 1 Qualifier: Tori Miller (Kingman, Ariz.)

 

SHORT LINE EXPRESS MARKET NHRA JR. DRAGSTER – LIGHTNING

Winner: Taylor Campbell (Sandy, Utah) 8.360 sec./76.99 mph

Runner-up: Adam Weathersbee (corrected June 18, 2003)

No. 1 Qualifier: Jessica Ruell (Las Vegas)