The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is in town this weekend for it’s double header at Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kan. Chad Voges, Jeff Strickland, and J.R. Baxter celebrated with their teams in the winner circle Friday night following their final round victories, ending the first half of the double header.
 
Voges, racing out of St. Peters, Mo., lined up against former Lucas Oil World Champion and current NHRA host on FOX, Bruno Massel, Elmhurst, Ill. Massel cut the better light but Voges was able to chase him down for the competitive victory in the Comp Eliminator final round; posting a winning run of 7.601 seconds, 162.27 mph. Bruno Massel came in a close second at 6.950 seconds, 197.91 mph.
 
In the Stock Eliminator final round both drivers were quick on their launch, however defending World Champion Strickland hailing from Red Bay, Ala., tripped a perfect light, running 9.943 seconds, 111.53 mph. Tim Ames, League City, Texas, fouled all the line ensuring Strickland’s victory.
 
In a Texas v. Texas final round, Hunter Patton racing out of Highlands mounted a huge a lead but it proved to be surmountable. Baxter out of Waxahachie, scored a .001 second reaction time on the tree and powered his way down the dragstrip to spoil Patton’s lead for the victory in Fineline Graphics/Madcap Racing Top Dragster.
 
Local fans in attendance witnessed two local racers defeat Texas opponents, in their respective final rounds. Mark Grame from Overland Park upended Austin Williams of Burleson, Texas, running closer to his 8.90 index for the Super Comp event Wally. Sportsman Motorcycle standout John Fitzpatrick, from Park City, emerged victorious in a double breakout, defeating Micheal Nash of Texarkana, Texas.
 
The other drivers visiting the Lucas Oil winner’s circle were Kevin Helms in Super Stock; Raymond Miller in Super Gas; Brian Percival in Super Street; and Jeffrey Barker in Top Sportsman.
 
The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series continues its tour in the West Central Division at Heartland Park Topeka, Kansas and then hits Brainerd International Raceway August 12. The following are Friday’s results from the NHRA West Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Heartland Park Topeka:
 
 
COMP ELIMINATOR
Chad Voges, St. Peters, Mo., N&P, K/AA, 7.601, 162.27 def. Bruno Massel, Elmhurst, Ill., '10 Cobalt, DD/AT, 6.950, 197.91.
 
SUPER STOCK
Kevin Helms, Plant City, Fla., '10 Challenger, FSS/E, 9.070, 146.34  def. Greg Stanfield, Bossier City, La., '15 Copo, FSS/C, 8.615, 151.49.
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., '15 Copo, FS/D, 9.943, 111.53 def. Tim Ames, League City, Texas, '71 Plymouth, E/S, foul.
 
SUPER COMP
Mark Grame, Overland Park, Kan., '11 Fritz, 8.909, 181.03 def. Austin Williams, Burleson, Texas, '15 Miller, 8.897, 164.99.
 
SUPER GAS
Raymond Miller, Spring City, Tenn., '68 Camaro, 9.918, 163.20 def. Kevin Moore, Littleton, Colo., '34 Chevrolet, 9.934, 159.38.
 
SUPER STREET
Brian Percival, Lakewood, Colo., '69 Dart, 10.905, 141.88 def. Tony Jones, Gilmer, Texas, '67 Camaro, 10.885, 144.41.
 
SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
John Fitzpatrick, Park City, Kan., '82 Suzuki, 8.508, 153.53 def. Micheal Nash, Texarkana, Texas, '12 Koenig, 7.957, 156.86.
 
TOP SPORTSMAN
Jeffrey Barker, Kathleen, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 7.131, 145.14 def. Rick Wilson, Independence, Mo., '69 Camaro, foul. 
 
TOP DRAGSTER
J.R. Baxter, Waxahachie, Texas, '16 Miller, 6.171, 208.68 def. Hunter Patton, Highlands, Texas, '09 TNT, 6.438, 199.79.