In the final that no one saw coming Bob Bertsch and Mike Bruno – with a combined one career final round between them – faced off in the final of the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock class Sunday at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.

And this time, Bertsch got the win he has been waiting for.

Bertsch came into this weekend’s race with one career victory, but that win was slightly tarnished as he was the only car in the field that afternoon after unforeseen circumstances placed him as the lone Pro Stock in the field.

In the final that no one saw coming Bob Bertsch and Mike Bruno – with a combined one career final round between them – faced off in the final of the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock class Sunday at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.

And this time, Bertsch got the win he has been waiting for.

Bertsch came into this weekend’s race with one career victory, but that win was slightly tarnished as he was the only car in the field that afternoon after unforeseen circumstances placed him as the lone Pro Stock in the field.

On Sunday, however, Bertsch finally made that win legit.

Bertsch (Willis, Mich.) knocked off Bruno (East Hazel Crest, Ill.) in Sunday’s final running a 6.333 elapsed time at 220.19 miles per hour to Bruno’s 6.467 E.T. at 219.47 mph to claim the win he has been waiting for at the Amalie Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.

“The one in Edmonton was for John and there is no question about that. This one I was able to earn,” Bertsch said. “This one I will cherish always. This is my first one and maybe now I can start collecting a few more.”

Along with the win over Bruno, Bertsch also recorded victories over defending world champion Pete Berner and Carl Baker to claim his second career victory.

“It was a good day. We just worked at it all weekend and the last run was the fastest run all weekend,” Bertsch said. “The weather played a factor and it was kind of hit and miss with that, but I can’t say enough about Rislone and how they have stood behind me even after the year we have had.

“Maybe this one and the next couple races we can start adding to our collection.”

While Bertsch was dominant on the track, he certainly had his share of problems in the pits, one of which almost cost him a round.

“We had a couple of problems in the pits. Twice when we put the clutch in it locked up and we were a little late to get in the lanes and they were screaming at us to get up there on time,” Bertsch said. “Thankfully they were understanding and we got up there and made our runs.”

The Rislone Ford Mustang ran consistent numbers throughout the afternoon and had no trouble knocking off Bruno in the final.

In semifinal action Bruno stunned John Montecalvo who was hoping to make up some ground in the Pro Stock points race. Despite a very close battle, Bruno was able to get the best of the New Yorker with a holeshot win on his way to his first semifinal of the year.

Thanks to Bruno’s upset victory, Frank Gugliotta retained his points lead despite a first round exit. With two races to go Gugliotta holds a narrow 14 point edge over Montecalvo.

In other second round action Berner nipped J.R. Carr at the line, Martino got around John Konigshofer and Bertsch received a bye run.

In what might go down as the biggest win of the year, John Montecalvo took advantage of a stunning first round matchup with point leader Frank Gugliotta after rain positioned the top two in points together right off the bat.

With soggy conditions giving the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock bunch only one round of qualifying over the weekend, Gugliotta found himself in the unfamiliar position of starting on the bottom half of the ladder while Montecalvo found himself fourth.

That single pass placed Gugliotta against the No. 2 man in points and Montecalvo made the most of the situation.

With both cars struggling off the line, Montecalvo was able to get back in the groove first on his way to a huge first round victory over his nemesis, but a stunning second round loss allowed Gugliotta to retain his lead. 

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