It seems so elusive, that national event double — and statistically, it truly is. But there are some notable patterns, if you will, and a couple of them have risen to the surface as the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and a slew of Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors head to New England Dragway this weekend for the 13th annual NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto.
When considering the possibility of a driver leaving the event with a pair of sparkling 75th Anniversary Diamond Wallys in hand, the first observation is that we may actually be due for a double. We haven’t seen a driver raising two trophies for one shot since Aaron Stanfield won both Pro Stock and Factory X at the 2024 Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals. Over the course of the 35 years since the first double in NHRA national event history — Topeka 1991, Pat Austin in Top Fuel and Top Alcohol Funny Car — there has been at least one occurrence of the feat in all but 11 seasons.
The longest double-free stretch was from 2002 through 2004, and 2005 made up for the drought with three dual winners on the season: Kevin Helms went mile-high to double in Denver, Peter Biondo discovered his first two-for-one celebration in Columbus, and David Rampy doubled down and came up aces in Las Vegas. (A lot of clichés for one paragraph, but they were just so ripe for the pickin’.)
Just prior to Stanfield’s Indy accomplishment, 2023 brought two double-ups: Anthony Bertozzi logged his second with wins in Super Stock and Top Dragster at the Lucas Oil Winternationals, and Lauren Freer became the first woman to accomplish the feat with her Super Gas and Super Comp victories in Norwalk.
Bertozzi’s first double came in Epping in 2013, and yes, he is on the entry list in both categories for this year’s go-round at New England Dragway. So is Ken Moses, who won both Super Comp and Top Dragster in Epping in 2019. Mr. Moses entered for Super Comp and Super Gas this time around.
The fact that New England Dragway has twice been host to a double is sort of remarkable, really, when you consider the fact that this is only the 13th annual running of the event in its current form. Thirty different drivers have been credited with the 47 national event doubles on record, and the accomplishments have come at 22 different facilities. The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been the site of the most — it’s happened six (!) times there — and Phoenix is second-most with four twofers. Columbus, Denver, Norwalk, Pomona, and Seattle have each hosted three.
Legendary racers Edmond Richardson (5) and Rampy (4) are the only two drivers to have doubled more than twice, and two-time world champ Bertozzi has shown over nearly 25 years of winning that he is more than capable of turning that elite duo into a group.
He won’t be alone in the quest, though, as there are 30 drivers double-entered for the New England Nationals this weekend. A name like Tom Stalba pops out on the list — he doubled with a JEGS Allstars win in Super Comp alongside the Texas FallNationals trophy in Super Gas in 2024 — and Monty Bogan is another; he’s doubled at a divisional more than once.
With 255 entries across eight categories, Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competition is going to be a grand affair with plenty of opportunities for unforgettable moments — possibly even another double, if a little of that New England Dragway pixie dust blows in the right direction. Wait and see.
Members can watch live on NHRA.tv
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If you find an error in this story or have anything to add, please contact WinLight News editor Kelly Wade: kelly@winlightnews.com. Thanks for reading!
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