Ed Alessi wins Super Gas at Mopar Express Nationals

September 22, 2019September 22, 2019

Ed Alessi Jr. won his second NHRA national event at the Mopar Express Lane Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

READING, PA – Driving one of the larger cars in the 9.90 index class, Ed Alessi drove through the field to claim his second NHRA national event title. Alessi defeated first-time finalist Jake Barbato in the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

For his second win at the famed Maple Grove facility, Alessi used a series of great reaction times including three .00x lights to reach the winners circle. This included a perfect .000 reaction in round four along with a near-perfect .001 in the final in his ’63 Catalina.

Ed’s path to the winners circle kicked off with a 9.90 to 9.91 victory over Robert Handschuh in round one. He then survived the math of a close double-breakout race with John McLean in round two. Alessi’s 9.872 was .002 closer to the index than McLean’s 9.870.

2019 Maple Grove Nationals Super Gas Final

The close races continued for Alessi in round three where he took a .005 margin of victory over Joseph Gallucci III. Ed’s .009, 9.912 was just .005 better than Gallucci’s .011, 9.911.

In round four, Alessi used a perfect .000 light and a 9.919 to turn back the .021 initiated 9.911 of Richard Grenier. This advanced Alessi to the semifinals where he paired against Lauren Freer.

Freer let go first .017 to .027 but came up .002 short at the finish line. In taking .013 stripe, Freer broke out .002 more than Alessi (9.872 to 9.874). This moved Alessi into his fourth national event final round.

Jake Barbato was looking for his first NHRA national event win after making his way past Len Riotto, Iggie Boicesco, Tom Goldman, and Leon Marshall.

In the final round, Alessi grabbed a huge holeshot. .001 to .048, and extended his lead down track. His 9.937 to Barbato’s 9.958 sealed win number two for the big red Pontiac.

Congratulations to Ed Alessi Jr. and his team on their big win at Maple Grove.