First Time Winners Shine at NHRA New England Nationals

Several first time winners were crowned at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, NH to make for a memorable weekend.

EPPING, NH – There is nothing like your very first NHRA Wally! Eric Merryfield, Robert Hyatt, Ted Leahy, & Fast Freddy Perkins all took home their first NHRA National event Wally’s at the NHRA New England Nationals over the weekend.

Joining them in the winners circle were Timothy Stickles, John Olson, and Brandon Beauregard.

Read the race recap below for more.

2022 NHRA New England Nationals

Stock Eliminator – Timothy Stickles

Photos from AutoImagery

Timothy Stickles defeated Jean Philippe Tremblay in the final round to take home his second career NHRA National event Wally. Tremblay turned on the red bulb by -.031, handing the win over to Stickles who was .110 on the tree and ran a 11.913 at 106 mph on his 11.90 dial-in.

Katie Sepanek and Todd Bednaz were the semi-finalists.

Super Stock – Eric Merryfield

Photos from AutoImagery

Eric Merryfield took out tough competitor Joe Santangelo in the final round to take home his first NHRA National event Wally. Merryfield was .023 and coasted to a 10.802 at 101 mph after Santangelo had problems downtrack.

Vic Cagnazzi was the semi-finalist.

Super Comp – Robert Hyatt

Photos from AutoImagery

Robert Hyatt won his first career NHRA National event Wally after defeating Brad Coryell in the final round. Coryell turned on the red bulb by -.010, handing the win over to Hyatt who was .014 and ran an 8.879 at 167 mph on the 8.90 index to visit the winners circle.

Kyle Cultrera was the semi-finalist.

Super Gas – Ted Leahy

Photos from AutoImagery

Ted Leahy took out Mike Sawyer in the final round to take home his first NHRA National event Wally. Leahy had the starting line advantage, .015 to .018, and ran a 9.899 at 162 mph on the 9.90 index to breakout less than Sawyer for the victory.

Frank Altilio was the semi-finalist.

Super Street – John Olson

John Olson defeated Keith Mayers in the final round to take home his second NHRA National event Wally. Mayers turned on the red bulb by -.005 to hand the win over to Olson who was .009 and ran a 10.867 at 140mph on the 10.90 index.

Mayers was actually defeated in the semi-finals, but after Michael Reynolds went across the scales and was too light Mayers was reinstated back into the race.

Douglas Wood was the other semi-finalist.

Top Sportsman – Fast Freddy Perkins

Fast Freddy Perkins defeated Dennis Gaboriault in the final round to take home his first NHRA National event Wally. Perkins had the starting line advantage, .023 to .046, and ran a 7.594 at 179 mph on the 7.58 dial-in to go to the winners circle.

Brandon Miller was the semi-finalist.

Pro-Stock Sled – Brandon Beauregard

Brandon Beauregard defeated Keith Culley in the final round to take home the trophy. Beauregard had the starting line advantage, .065 to .148, and ran a 5.607 at 119 mph to head to the winners circle.

Nicholas Jose and Cody Philippon were the semi-finalists.

Megan Bohannon is a 25 year old Super Comp racer from Louisville, Kentucky. She races a 2015 American Dragster with a 648 Oakley Motorsports Engine. Growing up at the racetrack, drag racing is all she has known and never plans to give up on it. Megan works with TB Promotions in promoting their races and keeping entries straight, as well as keeping their social media pages updated.

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com