Most NHRA drivers don’t have a lot of experience racing at Epping, New Hampshire’s New England Dragway.

That’s because the track’s first season on the NHRA national circuit was just last year.

Top Fuel driver Dominick Lagana wasn’t at the 2013 race, but he isn’t planning on making up for lost time when he competes in the New England Nationals Friday through Sunday, because he’s quite familiar with the facility.

Lagana, 28, competed at the track when it was an IHRA venue as did his older brother Bobby, 36. Their father, Bobby Lagana Sr., also raced there for years in nitro Funny Cars and dragsters. Bobby Sr. passed away Sept. 5, 2013, at the age of 72.

“I’m racing in my dad’s honor this weekend,” said Dominick, who resides in Westchester, N.Y., which is four hours from Epping. “I grew up here and my dad loved racing here and he had a huge fan following up here in Epping. We will have a lot of family here this weekend. I also was here when my brother was racing and I personally drove here in 2009 when my brother and I match-raced against each other. I didn’t get to race here last year because my dad got sick, so I’m really excited to be back here.”

Dominick made his 2014 NHRA debut at Englishtown, N.J., May 29-June 1. He qualified No. 15 and lost to eventual race champ Richie Crampton in the first round.

“We ran a 3.89 in qualifying and we were real happy with that,” Lagana said. “Then we ran a good first round. This possibly will be my last NHRA race this season. We have a bunch of match races booked over the summer. I also will be working on Billy Torrence’s (dragster) here and there. I’m also doing some stuff overseas, working with Anita Mäkelä and her husband Tommi, who have their own Top Fuel team in Finland.”

After Epping, Dominick will be working on Billy Torrence’s dragster at the NHRA national event at Chicago June 26-29. Bobby Lagana works on Steve Torrence’s Top Fuel crew. Steve is Billy’s son.

“Billy is a really good guy to work for,” Dominick said. “It’s cool to get to see him and Steve get to race alongside each other. I worked for them for the last six races of 2013 and this is something I enjoy.”

During the NHRA’s Norwalk, Ohio, race July 3-6, Dominick will be working with Anita and Tommi.

“We got hooked up with Anita and her husband Tommi through Donnie Bender,” Dominick said. “I just try to guide them a little bit and I enjoy the racing over there a lot. They are a very competitive team. During the Norwalk race, I will be in Finland working on their cars because Tommi is going to drive as well.”

According to Dominick, he will be helping his brother Bobby when he match-races against Bruce Litton July 11 at Buffalo, N.Y. Dominick said he will probably drive in a match race July 16 against Litton at Englishtown, N.J.

“The big match race will be Aug. 8-9 when Bobby and I race against each other at Martin, Mich.,” Dominick said. “The last time I raced against my brother was at the Epping race in 2009. We have won one race each against each other.”

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