Nevermind the new injected-nitro combination the Bartone Brothers Racing and driver Sean Bellemeur ran over the weekend at the NHRA’s “Baby Gators,” there’s a strong likelihood they would have still won with any combination and did so in dominating fashion.
Even so, all Bellemeur did was put an even larger exclamation mark on a dominating weekend.
Bellemeur won the Top Alcohol Funny Car title at the NHRA Division 2 Lucas Oil Regional at Gainesville Raceway, running a 5.37-second elapsed time at 280 mph to beat Annie Whiteley in the final round.
This victory marks the first since NHRA legalized the injected-nitro combination in Top Alcohol Funny Car. It had been previously legal in Competition Eliminator before the creation of Pro Comp in 1974, where it was optional until NHRA split the dragsters and Funny Cars.
The weekend was one of record marks and milestones as Bellemeur established a new elapsed time standard for Top Alcohol Funny Car at 5.33-seconds, and the first TAFC flopper over 280 mph with a record-setting speed of 281.42.
“We went into the weekend knowing that there were going to be a lot of eyes on us,” said Bellemeur. “Steve (Boggs, tuner) and the team did what we had to do to get those win lights this weekend.”
Bellemeur noted the unique handling characteristics of the Nitro Injected car. “In the middle of the track, it just flies. The best way I can describe it is it gets weird, and I just hang on and stay with it. I am learning the weird,” he said.
The “Black Pearl” made its debut under test conditions two weeks prior, clocking an unofficial time of 5.28 seconds at 283 MPH. The team’s official run solidified its historic status as the first Top Alcohol Funny Car to achieve over 280 MPH.
“The car is so different than the alcohol car,” Bellemeur explained. “It leaves soft and then gets about 150 feet out, wakes up, and lets you know who’s in charge.”
Despite the challenges, Bellemeur expressed confidence in his team. “There are so many unknowns with this Nitro Injected car, but to turn on win lights early is just good momentum moving forward. We will keep our heads down and stay focused.”
Bellemeur expressed gratitude to team owner Tony Bartone for his support and to the crew for their efforts. He thanked crew members Troy Green, Nick Stoms, Justin Taylor, Garret Bateman, Brian Gawlik, Lauren McMaster, and Matt Krebs.
The team also acknowledged their sponsors, including Red Line Synthetic Oil, Roger Dean Chevrolet, Talon Air, LLC, NGK Spark Plugs, and Mastercam, along with product sponsors Simpson Performance Products and Taylor Motorsports Products.
