Driving his 2014 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet in Super Stock FSS/B, Anthony Bongiovanni of New Jersey bested the field at Epping Dragway during the NHRA Mello Yello New England Nationals to claim his first national title.
Bongiovanni, a former NHRA national open and Lucas Oil event winner, lasted through six rounds of intense competition, winning races against Mike Letellier, Scott Gove, Scott Albrecht and Tom Boucher in the final. He received one competition bye in Round three.
“I had a .021 light against Mike Letellier, then I caught him early and pedaled him for the win,” said Bongiovanni, who ran 8.45 on an 8.41 dial. Bongiovanni then faced the 7-second Dodge of Scott Gove. “I have never been chased in my Super Stock car and [Gove],” admitted Bongiovanni. “I set up my mirror so I could see him and I watched him come at me. I wear a HANS, so I can’t turn my head very far. I don’t have a lot of runs in my memory bank to be good at being chased,” he said. “He was coming and I pedaled it near the stripe and got the win, but it was tight. Both drivers ran dead on (8.41 for Bongiovanni and 7.86 for Gove), but a better light gave the edge to Bongiovanni. Defeating Gove earned Bongiovanni a bye, followed by a meeting with the ever-tough Byron Worner in Round four. “This was a good, close race,” said Bongiovanni. “I was .025, he was .022, I ran dead on with a four, and he broke out.”