Lane Automotive

Concord North Carolina Sept 20, 2009 - Owosso's own Bill Reichert put in another impressive performance at the Second Annual NHRA Carolinas Nationals at ZMax Raceway this past weekend, scoring his 20th national event win in Top Alcohol Dragster. This was his 40th career final round appearance, placing him third on the all time list, behind Rick Santos and the late Blaine Johnson.

After qualifying his Bars Leaks/Rislone/Lane Automotive A/Fuel Dragster second among 16 cars with a 5.323, 269.89, Bill got off to an easy round one win when his opponent, number 15 qualifier, Don Fiorelli, was a no-show. Fiorelli was unable to repair damage from running off the end of the track after an engine explosion during his successful qualifying attempt.

In the second round, Bill overcame Darvin Martinet’s quicker reaction time (.036 to .043) to post a 5.315, 266.69 win over Martinet’s 5.59, 253.90 pass. Third round action found Bill facing Arthur Gallant who also got the jump off the line with a .078 reaction time to Bill's .107. It takes more than reaction times, however, and Bill drove on by with a fine 5.35, 261.27 pass which netted him lane choice in the final against Ken Perry.

In a repeat of last year's final round, Bill drove straight on down the track to a 5.27, 268.97 win over Perry’s 5.39, 260.46 effort. This win puts Bill atop the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster points standings with 765 points.