New Orleans Magazine / myneworleans.com coverage of NHRA drag racing.
2020 Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals Presented By Pennzoil
The penultimate event of the abbreviated 2020 NHRA national event season was conducted over the weekend of October 23 – 25 in Baytown, TX. The Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals Presented By Pennzoil was greeted with just about every type of weather you could imagine. Friday started warm until heavy rains came down followed by a cool front that provided nearly perfect racing conditions for the remainder of the weekend. Louisiana racers were out in force once again, led by Metairie’s Craig Bourgeois who took home the trophy in Competition Eliminator. Bourgeois’ win also helped him secure the 2020 World Championship in the category, the second of his career. For complete coverage of the race, log onto https://www.nhra.com
Donaldsonville’s Jimmy Hidalgo Jr drove his 2002 Firebird to a second round finish in Super StockBrett Candies of Thibodaux made an early exit from competition in Stock Eliminator, losing in round one in his 2010 MustangFollowing a solid #6 qualifying effort, Jerry Savoie of Cut Off, the winner of the most recent race on the tour, lost in round number two in Baytown.Tony Schumacher returned to the winners circle in Top Fuel for the first time since 2018 when he defeated Steve Torrence in an epic battle, 3.669 / 330 mph to Torrence’s 3.687 / 330 mph run.Darian Boesch drove his beautiful Kenner, LA based 2018 Camaro to a third round finish in Top SportsmanPaul Kimble brought his dragster from Metairie to compete in Super Comp, advancing to the second round.Arron Stanfield from Shreveport captured his first ever “WALLY” in Pro Stock. It was a huge weekend for the 25 year old as he also captured the title in Factory Stock, sealing up the 2020 World Championship in the class.David Latino of Donaldsonville fell in round one of Stock Eliminator driving his 2000 CorvetteMetairie’s Craig Bourgeois drove his A/ND to a win in the Competition Eliminator category at the 2020 Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals Presented By Pennzoil. The win also sealed up Bourgeois’ second World Championship in Comp Eliminator. Paul Candies II of Des Allemands, managed a second round finish in Super StockTommy Johnson Jr helped Don Schumacher Racing continue it’s dominance of the Funny Car category. DSR has claimed every funny car title this season.Brett Candies advanced to round two of Super Stock competitionJimmy Hidalgo Sr drove the Country Dog Corvette to a round two finish in Stock Eliminator Angelle Sampey suffered mechanical problems in round number one of Pro Stock Motorcycle, ending her day early.
