2021 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Sportsman Preview
2021 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Sportsman Preview from Reading, PA.
READING, Penn. – With the legendary U.S. Nationals in the books, the NHRA traveling road show heads east to Maple Grove Raceway for the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals. Maple Grove is a historic track that always seems to produce outstanding racing.
For the sixth consecutive event, the DragChamp crystal ball accurately picked at least one winner. At the U.S. Nationals, we accurately picked Edmond Richardson to win in Super Gas. Who will we get right this week at Reading?
The Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals will showcase over 270 Lucas Oil sportsman racers competing in six different classes. The schedule includes Comp, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Top Dragster.
Before we look ahead to the 2021 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals, let’s look back at the 2019 event champions.
2019 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Champions
Competition Eliminator – Christopher Piston
Super Stock – Herbie Null
Stock Eliminator – Joe Santangelo
Super Comp – Kyle Bigley
Super Gas – Ed Alessi Jr.
2021 Mopar Express Lane NHRA 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 – 19 Car Field
The Comp Eliminator field includes class heavyweights like Frank Aragona Jr., Lee Zane, Al Ackerman, and 2019 winner Chris Piston.
DragChamp pick to win:
Tom Martino – Former Pro Stock racer doesn’t race much but tends to have tons of success at this event.
Super Stock – 59 Car Field
Last season’s #1 and #2 ranked drivers, Bryan and Byron Worner lead the Super Stock class into battle this weekend. Other hitters include Joe Lisa, Shane Oakes, Mark Alvey, and 2019 champ Herbie Null Jr.
DragChamp picks to win:
Michael Iacono – D1 hitter has been quiet lately, seems overdue to make some noise.
Marty Rinehart Jr. – Class veteran always seems to be in the mix on Sunday at the Division 1 national events.
Stock Eliminator – 70 Car Field
Joe Santangelo returns as the defending event champion. He’s joined this year by class favorites Allison Doll, Todd Hoven, Ed Longhany Jr. and more.
DragChamp picks to win:
Shane Oakes – Tough racer that has a history of success at Maple Grove.
Joe Santangelo – Going to stick with the defending champ to repeat.
Super Comp – 57 Car Field
The always stout 8.90 field includes stars such as Shawn Fricke, Amanda Boicesco, Joey Cambria, Chris Garretson and Mike Robilotto.
DragChamp picks to win:
Amanda Boicesco – Quickly becoming one of the best Super Comp drivers in D1.
Chris DePascale – Talented racer knows who to find his way to the winners circle.
Super Gas – 50 Car Field
In 2019, Ed Alessi Jr. drove his land yacht, I mean Pontiac GTO, to the Super Gas title at Maple Grove. Racers such as Jason Kenny, Justin Lopes, Tom Stalba, and Frank Altilio look to prevent a repeat performance.
DragChamp picks to win:
Jason Kenny – This guy always seems to be hanging around on Sundays!
Peter Biondo – When the Terminator is in the Super Gas field, you pick him. Dude wrecked the class the last time he competed on a regular basis.
Top Dragster – 18 Car Field
The small but talented Top Dragster field looks like it may be the most entertaining class to watch this week. The entry list includes Anthony Bertozzi, Alan Kenny, Troy Coughlin Jr., Peter Biondo, Dan Fletcher, and D7 hitter Taylor Vetter.
DragChamp pick to win:
Dan Fletcher – This will be the weekend Fletchburg gets off the slide and turns on the final win light.
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