NHRA Midwest Nationals Sportsman Preview
NHRA Lucas Oil sportsman preview for the AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway.
ST. LOUIS – The NHRA traveling road show rolls into St. Louis later this week for the AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals. Lucas Oil sportsman racers come to St. Louis in search of championship points, the coveted Wally trophy, and monies.
The AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals will showcase 270 Lucas Oil sportsman racers competing in seven different classes. The schedule includes Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman, and Factory Stock Showdown.
The three-day NHRA schedule is in place this weekend. This includes sportsman time trials and qualifying on Friday morning with eliminations on Saturday and Sunday.
2018 NHRA AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals Champions
Competition Eliminator – David Rampy
Super Stock – Greg Stanfield
Stock Eliminator – Drew Skillman
Super Comp – Rick Hughes
Super Gas – Tim Nicholson
Top Sportsman – Glenn Butcher
Top Dragster – Jennifer White
Factory Stock Showdown – Leah Prichett
2019 NHRA AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals Predictions
With each NHRA national event DragChamp’s sportsman preview includes an overview of each class. In addition, we select the DragChamp Picks to win the race. Here are this week’s picks.
Competition Eliminator – 21 Car Field
The Comp field is loaded with talented racers this week including David Rampy, Craig Bourgeois, Greg Kamplain, Troy Galbraith, and more. Last season Rampy came to the event chasing win #100. Brainerd event winner Jim Greenheck is looking for win number two this week.
DragChamp pick to win:
Todd Frantz – Fast car and talented driver are a win waiting to happen.
Super Stock – 48 Car Field
Jacob Pitt and Jeff Dona will be looking to add to their national points totals as both will claim full points at St. Louis. Pitt is currently ranked 14th nationally but would make a huge move with a late round showing this week.
Dona is further back in 28th although he still has a number of events left to claim. This weekend could start a championship run for the Division 3 ace.
Route 66 Nationals champ Vic Penrod sits 9th in the world and should also improve his total at St. Louis. He is currently replacing a 10 point outing at the U.S. Nationals.
DragChamp picks to win:
Jeff Dona – He’s been red-hot this season, look for him to come up big.
Brett Speer – Coming off a win and a runner up at Brainerd.
Darrin Christen – The Spring Nationals runner up has been making rounds everywhere this season.
Stock Eliminator – 49 Car Field
Tyler Wudarczyk, Chris Knudsen, and Jacob Pitt come into the event chasing the national title. Like in Super Stock, Pitt will be adding full points this weekend to his Stock total.
Red-hot racers Drew Skillman and Randi Lyn Shipp are also on hand this week looking to add to their already impressive seasons.
DragChamp picks to win:
Chris Knudsen – Stick shift to the front! Chris has been driving the heck out of his Camaro. I don’t seeing him slowing down anytime soon.
Randi Lyn Shipp – She just keeps winning so I keep picking her!
Jacob Pitt – My man has been crazy good in the ‘Cuda this year.
Super Comp – 50 Car Field
Points leader Luke Bogacki will be looking to distance himself from the pack this week. The top four in points are only separated by eight points.
Gary Stinnett, the recent Brainerd winner, looks to move up the points standings at St. Louis.
Recent winners Phil Smida and Chris Dodd are also entered this week.
DragChamp picks to win:
Luke Bogacki – Two-time world champ has a third within reach and he almost doubled in Brainerd.
Devin Isenhower – Reigning Super Gas champ has been pretty good in Super Comp this year.
Jay Bunce – My good friend from Oklahoma is deadly in about anything. He’s overdue for another big win.
Super Gas – 50 Car Field
Division 4 racers Jim Rod Capp and Koy Collier look to make moves in the national points chase. Jim Rod will add to his points total if he wins the first round. Koy on the other hand will claim full points for the race which could propel him into the championship chase.
DragChamp picks to win:
Jacob Elrod – Coming off a runner up at the JEGS Sportsnationals!
Robert Rowan – This guys lays down awesome laps. Looking for a repeat of his Spring Nationals victory.
Larry Bernshausen – Vega Wagon driver knows how to find some win lights.
Top Sportsman – 34 Car Field (32 Qualify)
Two of the hottest drivers in the class are scheduled to attend the Midwest Nationals this week. Allen Firestone has won two LODRS events recently and Larry Demers who won back-to-back nationals look to extend their recent hot streaks at St. Louis.
DragChamp picks to win:
Darian Boesch – JEGS Allstars champ has been really good this year.
Lester Johnson – Hard to pick against this guy after a huge weekend at Route 66 Raceway earlier this year.
Factory Stock Showdown – 21 Car Field
Although the Skillman Motorsports team has dominated the class this season, Mark Pawuk flexed his muscle at the U.S. Nationals. The question is can the Mopar’s or COPO’s stop the Skillman team?
DragChamp pick to win:
Mark Pawuk – The DSR Team driver has the power to win and he’s definitely overdue.
DragChamp is your source for NHRA Lucas Oil sportsman drag racing news and drag race results. Follow DragChamp for daily updates throughout the weekend.
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