(Photos by Rich Pasley) – The second of a three race back to back to back stretch on the east coast for NHRA teams the NHRA New England Nationals was another success for the venerable drag plant in Epping, New Hampshire. The fans came from all over the region and Canada for a weekend of fun in the hot June sun and they got a great show throughout. The unrelenting NHRA Mello Yello season continues on though and I am actually writing this from my hotel room in Bristol, Tennessee where this weekend’s event will be run. The fans will long be talking about John Force’s funny car triumph in Epping. Facing down Tommy Johnson Jr. it was as emotionally charged as we have seen Force in years. The place went nuts when his win light came on as well.
Rich Pasley was everywhere last weekend and this is the most varied collection of his photos we have shown you yet. From candids of drivers chatting it up to fan photos, and everything else you can imagine including great on-track action the whole scene is well rounded here. New England Dragway is a veritable postage stamp as compared to some of the tracks on tour but that intimate setting means that everyone is quite literally closer together. Yes, that can present some issues but overall it gives a fan experience like none other on the tour. This is really a race that any hardcore fan should put on their schedule!
NHRA fans meet your next star announcer not heard or seen since Steve Evans and Bob Frey. Brian Lohnes did an incredible/colorful job at Epping that had fans rolling in the stands with his quick mention of the action at every point of the track. Hats off to Bangshift for providing us with his pro level of round to round results and interviews with drivers.