Racers set 126 records in Montgomery

National Dragster, Jan 30, 2004 by McKenna, Kevin

MONTGOMERY MOTORSPORTS PARK, Montgomery, Ala. (Nov. 29-30) - For many of the Super Stock and Stock racers who attended the annual Southeast Division Thanksgiving National Open at Montgomery Motorsports Park, the goal was not only to win the race but also set NHRA records. Among the winners were Joe LoCicero (Super Stock/Stock Combo), Darryle Modesto (Super Comp), and Jeff Brown (Super Gas). In addition, 35 other drivers had reason to celebrate after establishing 126 quarter- and eighth-mile records for elapsed time and speed.

LoCicero, who finished the 2003 season as NHRA's fourth-ranked Super Stock driver, was solid for seven rounds in his GT/CA Camaro. The Snellville, Ga., runner opened eliminations with a .004 light against Brian Oakes. Later, he matched his dial in a 9.60 win over Scott Bailey's F/S Mustang. LoCicero's best run might have come in the fifth round, where he downed Paul Mercure's A/S Camaro with a .015 light and a 9.64 (9.62 dial).

LoCicero was again solid in the final, cutting a .021 light and running a .01-over 9.62 to beat chassis builder Gary Wisecarver, who red-lighted in his SS/CS '91 Camaro.

Though he did not set a record, former Pro Stock and Modified racer Mercure accomplished his mission in Montgomery when he became one of the few Stock racers to run in the nine-second zone with a 9.98 from his A/S '68 Camaro. Mercure joined Robert Pond, Joe Aluise, Bobby DeArmond, and Al Corda in the exclusive club. - Kevin McKenna