Crowning the 2013 Champions

TAN Original Content
Photos courtesy of David Smith, TAN

TAD National Champion – Jim Whiteley

Whiteley took his Norm Grimes-tuned YNot Racing blown dragster to national event wins at the Winternationals, U.S. Nationals, Dallas, and Las Vegas2 to claim his second consecutive national title. Another regional title was earned thanks to wins at the Denver, Tulsa, and both Las Vegas regional races. Jim will step away from the driver’s seat in 2014 to support wife Annie (TAFC) and son Steven (PM). 

 

TAFC National Champion – Frank Manzo

The Ace’s 2013 national scorecard was winless until Brainerd, adding wins at Indy, Charlotte2, and Las Vegas2 before retiring with a win at the Finals at Pomona. “Uncle Frank” also scored at the Maple Grove regional early in the season. Manzo ends the 2013 season with an unmatched 17 national titles, 22 divisional championships, and over 220 event wins to his name. 

TAD East Region Champion – Dan Page

Noted chassis builder/driver/tuner Page drove his self-built, Arthur Gallant owned and tuned A/Fueler to three regional final rounds, winning the first at Maple Grove. Dan will likely forfeit the seat to a TAD rookie in 2014.

TAFC East Region Champion – John Anderika

Anderika enjoyed a phenomenal regional season, reaching the finals at five of six events, winning the last two. He has decided to step away from the seat of his converter-equipped East Coast Auto Electric TAFC to focus on a recently opened restaurant, Anderika’s All American Grill. 

TAD North Central Region Champion – Brandon Booher

Booher won his first hard-fought regional championship in just his third full season in the class. The former Pro Top Outlaw champion drove his torque converter-equipped blown AB Construction dragster to wins at Joliet, Columbus, and Cordova, the first of his career. He also added his first national event win to his resume at Charlotte2. 

TAFC North Central Region Champion – Andy Bohl

Bohl locked up his first regional championship after racing to victories at Indy, Columbus, and Bowling Green, the first and last coming over class legend Frank Manzo. 

TAD Central Region Champion – Gord Gingles

Canadian A/Fuel driver Gingles won just a single event – Topeka – to take his second consecutive regional championship. He also scored his first national event win at Brainerd, driving one of two “The Bull” cars for Clif Bakx. 

TAFC Central Region Champion – John Lombardo Jr.

Second generation flip-top driver Lombardo earned regional wins at Woodburn and Noble, locking up his second regional/divisional title at the latter. He opened the season with a win at the Winternationals. Lombardo will partner with Rick Jackson Racing to form a powerhouse one-car team in 2014.

TAD West Region Champion – Jim Whiteley

TAFC West Region Champion – Jay Payne

“Thunder Slug” reached the money round at five regional events, winning at Firebird and Topeka. Payne and his Peak Motor Oil team attended the most events of any TAFC driver – ten nationals and seven regionals.