2022 NHRA Gatornationals Sportsman Preview
2022 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Sportsman Preview from Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida
Cover photo courtesy of NHRA.tv
GAINESVILLE – With the first two events on the West Coast behind us, the NHRA tour heads to the East Coast for the prestigious Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals. This is historically the first major event of the year for racers on the East Coast which always makes for big crowds and exciting racing. Now that the Gatornationals comes on the heels of the Baby Gators divisional, the race becomes even more of a must attend event than ever before. Racers can pick up two races in seven days and enjoy lots of fun in the sun.
The NHRA Gatornationals will showcase over 320 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 Top Dragster.
Before we look ahead to the 2022 NHRA Gatornationals, let’s look back at the 2021 event champions.
2021 NHRA Gatornationals Champions
Competition Eliminator – Greg Kamplain
Super Stock – Sterling Simmons
Stock Eliminator – Jimmy Hidalgo
Super Comp – Ray Miller
Super Gas – Jonathan Anderson
Top Sportsman – Brandon Miller
Top Dragster – Jeff Strickland
2022 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals 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.
Comp Eliminator – 22 Car Field
Greg Kamplain took home the Wally last season and also snagged a runner-up finish at the Baby Gators last weekend. That could spell trouble for the rest of the field.
DragChamp picks to win:
Greg Kamplain – Riding the hot hand right now, should be in the mix on Sunday.
Super Stock – 53 Car Field
Sterling Simmons picked up a well earned victory last year, we’ll see if he can hold off the field for a repeat performance on Sunday.
DragChamp picks to win:
Anthony Bertozzi – So hard not to pick AB, he’s so good at this race.
Pete D’Agnolo – East Coast hitter always starts the year strong.
Stock Eliminator – 54 Car Field
“Cootah” got it done last year at the Gator’s to make it two straight seasons the Wally went home to South Louisiana (David Latino doubled in Stock and Super Stock in 2020).
DragChamp picks to win:
Steve Foley – Expecting big things out of Steve and his 572-powered COPO Camaro.
Jeff Adkinson – Veteran D2 runner always seems to make some noise at the Gators.
Super Comp – 61 Car Field
The Laris Motorsports Insurance team of Trene Cressonie and Holden Laris squared off in the 8.90 final at the Baby Gators with Trene taking home the Wally. Look for the Laris team to be in the mix on Sunday as they’ve enjoyed huge success at Gainesville over the last few years. Last year’s champ, Ray Miller III made the semifinals at the Baby Gators so don’t sleep on him this weekend.
DragChamp picks to win:
Ray Miller III – Ray Ray is just too good at Gainesville, couldn’t imagine not picking him.
John Labbous Jr. – Lil John should be tough this week after picking up the SG win at the Baby Gators.
Super Gas – 61 Car Field
Jonathan Anderson seems to have a lock on the Gatornationals after collecting multiple Wally’s over the last few seasons. I’d expect more of the same this season.
DragChamp picks to win:
Edmond Richardson – The King came out firing with his new roadster late last season. I expect more of the same this season.
Jonathan Anderson – Dude wins like every other race he enters. Looking for a repeat performance from 2021.
Top Sportsman – 33 Car Field
There’s so many good cars in Top Sportsman this week, going to be difficult to select just one.
DragChamp pick to win:
Ron Riegel – Always near the top of the points chase, looking for a breakout victory this weekend.
Top Dragster – 29 Car Field
The fast dragster class should be interesting this week as the Laris Motorsports Insurance team is back for another shot at glory along with last year’s champ Jeff Strickland. Throw in Anthony Bertozzi and Steve Furr and you have the makings of a great race.
DragChamp pick to win:
Team Laris – Going to pick Holden and Ross to win this week as they’ve performed so well in Gainesville over the last few seasons.
DragChamp is your source for NHRA Lucas Oil sportsman drag racing news and drag race results. Click here for more NHRA sportsman news and race results.
Click