Sportsman Winners from NHRA Arizona Nationals

PHOENIX – Bart Smith picked up his second win of the season after winning Top Sportsman for the second straight national event. Smith defeated Joe Roubicek in the final round of the NHRA Arizona Nationals. Although, he wasn’t the only racer making his second national event final appearance of the year.

After a runner-up finish in Pomona, Rick McKinney made his way to a second straight final round in Super Stock. Rick once again found the runner-up spot after world champ Justin Lamb took the win.

Kevin Wright, Super Comp winner at the Winternationals, also found himself in another final round today. Wright, a four-time national event winner, lost in the final round for the first time when Craig “Bighead” Anderson edged him by just .0022-second.

2019 Magic Dry NHRA Arizona Nationals Sportsman Preview

Additional sportsman winners at the NHRA Arizona Nationals included Bill Kent (Competition Eliminator), Cody Lane (Stock Eliminator), Ron MacKenzie (Super Gas), and James Warden (Top Dragster).

Competition Eliminator – Bill Kent Wins First National

Texas racer Bill Kent drove his B/D dragster to his first national event win in Phoenix. After qualifying 12th in the 14-car field, Kent found the tune up on his yellow dragster. In the second and third rounds, Kent was outstanding at the tree posting .008 and .001 lights respectively.

In the final, Kent outran veteran Comp racer Ralph Van Paepeghem, 6.657 (-.543) to 7.318 (-472).

Super Stock – Justin Lamb Wins Again

World Champ Justin Lamb continued his domination on the Super Stock class at the Arizona Nationals. Justin collected his 25th national event Wally and did so with good friend Kyle Seipel at his side.

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To pick up win #25, Lamb took out Rick McKinney in the final round. McKinney started 2019 on a roll as he also took runner-up at the season opening Winternationals.

In the final Lamb was .025 at the tree to McKinney’s .059. This advantage combined with a dead-on 8.589 forced McKinney under the dial with a 10.672 on his 10.69 dial. The difference at the stripe was just .007.

The win was Lamb’s second straight at the Arizona Nationals. He also won the 2018 event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

Stock Eliminator – Cody Lane wins first in Stock

Cody Lane earned his fifth national event Wally at the Arizona Nationals. Although this was his first national event victory in Stock Eliminator. To get reach the winners circle, Lane defeated multi-time world champion Jimmy DeFrank in the final round.

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Both drivers posted great lights but Lane was slightly better with a .012 to .018 advantage. At the stripe, Lane posted a dead-on 11.358 to secure the win after DeFrank ran a .025 over 9.905.

DeFrank was appearing in his 50th NHRA national event final round.

Super Comp – “Bighead” Wins!

Division 4 ace Craig “Bighead” Anderson won his ninth national event Wally in his 15th final round appearance. Standing between Anderson and the Wally was four-time winner Kevin Wright. Wright, who had never lost a NHRA national event final, was appearing in his second final in a row.

Anderson let go first taking a .018 to .028 advantage at the tree. At the stripe, the 190-mph charge from Anderson was just enough as his 8.918 edged out Wright’s 8.910 by .0022-second.

Super Gas – MacKenzie picks up first Wally

Appearing in his third national event final round, Ron MacKenzie finally captured the Wally at the 2019 Arizona Nationals. To reach the final round MacKenzie posted a dead-on 9.900 in round three and a 9.908 in round four.

Waiting in the final was four-time national winner Ken Mostowich. MacKenzie left first with a .041 to .050 advantage. MacKenzie won the double-breakout affair when his -.007, 9.893 edged out Mostowich’s -.018, 9.882.

Top Sportsman – Bart Smith goes back-to-back

The story of 2019 so far is Bart Smith. After winning the season-opening Winternationals, Smith captured his second Wally of the season after winning the Arizona Nationals.

To capture Wally number two, Smith defeated Joe Roubicek in the final. Smith won both ends of the track taking a .0.27 to .065 advantage at the tree and running closer to his dial. Smith’s .025 over 7.015 easily took down the .055 over 6.615 of Roubicek.

With two wins in the first two events, Smith has the makings of a championship season.

Top Dragster – Warden wins first Wally

James Warden defeated six-time winner Ed Olpin in the Top Dragster final to earn his first national event Wally. Warden was deadly at the tree posting .00 reactions in four of five rounds.

Warden’s .023-pack in the final left Olpin mathematically ineligible after Olpin had a .028 reaction. Warden left first in the final posting a .002 reaction. Combined with a .021 over 7.261 lap, Warden forced Olpin under the dial by -.002 with his 6.748.

After a miserable start to the race weekend, the 2019 edition of the Magic Dry NHRA Arizona Nationals turned out well. The rain that washed out Friday’s activities moved out of the area allowing for a tremendous weekend of racing.

Congratulations to all of the winners! Visit DragChamp daily for more drag race results from all of the NHRA national events.