Second JEGS SPORTSnationals in Ohio this weekend

The Buckeye State will be the place to be this weekend as the eighth annual JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals unfolds at historic National Trail Raceway in Hebron, near Columbus.

Anthony Bertozzi  (Ron Lewis photo)

The second of three annual events designed specifically to showcase NHRA’s grassroots racers, the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals will crown champions in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman. There will also be a Jr. Drag Racing League event held on Sunday.

As one of the final national events of the 2012 season, the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals will represent one of the final opportunities for competitors to earn points towards national and divisional championships. Among the contenders that are expected to compete at this year’s event are current Comp leaders Bruno Massel and Frank Aragona, and Super Comp leader Alan Kenny.

The eighth annual JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals will also mark the second of three races in the ongoing battle for the coveted JEGS Crown. The final event will be at Las Vegas for the JEGS Pacific SPORTSnationals on Oct. 12-14.

Three drivers who appear to be well positioned to win the JEGS Crown are Arnie Martel, Steve Mikus, and Bertozzi, who won the Belle Rose event in Comp, Super Comp, and Top Dragster, respectively. Martel is a constant threat to win any event he attends while Mikus has long been one of the North Central Division’s strongest competitors. Bertozzi is also a former national champion who has previously been to the final round of the Hebron event.

Should any driver win the JEGS Crown, he would become just the second driver to accomplish the feat. [9/18/2012]

Moser Sportsman Shootout set for Northern Sportsnationals

Also at National Trail, the Moser Engineering Sportsman Shootout will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Stock racer Daryl Bureski and Top Dragster driver Craig Sullivan were drawn to fill the two wild card position for the event. The racers complete a 16-car ladder consisting of the top two points finishers in Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman.

The Shootout will be run at the eighth mile with a full Tree. The winner will receive $5,000 with $2,000 to the runner-up. [9/18/2012]