The 2018 SuperCar Shootout season will bring together 33 of the best cars of the Musclecar era ranging from a 1963 Impala to a 1979 Trans Am. Over the span of 15 races they will battle to the last day to crown a champion. The first race itself brought together 5 former SuperCar champions battling for available points.

APRIL 7
ATCO DRAGWAY

The 2018 SuperCar Shootout season started by recognizing their 2017 Champion Tom TNT Tarzwell, who along with his part time Driver Gary Castagna, drove a 1973 340 Duster past all competitors and earned the big trophy.

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Not one to rest on his laurals Tom built a new competitor for the 2018 season and he's not taking any prisoners this year. Nothing less than a 1969 Dodge HEMI Charger 500 would do for his encore.

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Festivities completed it's time to get on track and qualify. After three laps down track the dark green 1969 Nova of Ted Daros secured the top spot with a stout 10.99 @ 128.35. Ralph Barbagallo and Bill Atwood took the second and third spots respectively in their 6 Bbl 1970 Road Runner and GTX ,with Rhett Moody slotting into the 4 hole in his 1968 340 Formula S Barracuda.

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Bill DiCicco earned his 12 second sticker in his 1968 383 Road Runner duing qualifying while getting the number eight qualifying slot.

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With qualifying in the books it's time to start racing. First down the track is number one qualifier Ted Daros battling against the 6 Bbl four speed 'Cuda of Steve Tate. Steve ran a strong 12.19 but found himself a second behind the Nova of Daros.
Next up to the line is the burnt orange multicarbed big block of Ralph Barbagallo facing the 327 Chevy II of Hal Oaks. Ralph's 11.44 was plenty to gap the Chevy as it lit the scoreboard with a 12.49.
Bill Atwood with lane choice over reigning champ Tom Tarzwell were third to the line. Atwood ran a solid 11.88 while Tom's HEMI was experiencing some new build bugs putting up a 12.83.
Last down the track in the first round Rhett Moody and his Barracuda bested Bill DiCicco's Road Runner 12.06 to 12.64.
Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Round two brings together the two dark green cars of Ted Daros and Bill Atwood. The finish line finds The Nova ahead of the GTX 11.15 to a close 11.61.
Ralph brings his Road Runner to the line to face Rhett Moody's small block for a trip to be finals. The Barracuda ran a strong 12.16 but trailed the 6 Bbl's 11.36.

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr
Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

The inagrual final round of 2018 brings number one qualifier Ted Daros and number two Ralph Barbagallo to battle. Ralph would need to pull a rabbit out of his Simpson race helmet as the Nova has been constantly half a second quicker throughout the day. As the lights flash, Ted is off like a rocket lighting the scoreboard with another low 11 second time. But that's not the only place he was quick. He was quick off the line as well. Too quick, redlighting with a -.006 reaction. Ralph takes the first race of the season running an 11.56.
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The consolation rounds found Steve Tate shifting his AAR past the ailing Charger 500 of Tarzwell with a winning 12.38 and Hal Oaks running an identical 12.38 to get by Bill DiCicco's Road Runner.
The consolation final had Hal picking up his pace to a 12.24 as Steve only matched his last run giving the little Chevy II the win.

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After day one of racing the points look like this:

1. Ralph Barbagallo. 1970 Road Runner. 440/6 auto. 28
2. Rhett Moody. 1968 Barracuda S. 340 auto. 27
3. Hal Oaks. 1967 Chevy II. 327. Auto. 27
4. Bill Atwood. 1970 GTX. 440/6 auto. 26
5. Tom Tarzwell. 1969 Charger 500. HEMI auto. 26
6. Steve Tate. 1970 AAR Cuda. 340/6 4 SP. 26
7. Bill DiCicco. 1968 Road Runner 383 auto. 26
8. Ted Daros. 1969 Nova. 396 auto. 25

April 8
ATCO DRAGWAY

The SuperCar crew regathered on Sunday for race two of the championship. Like every race morning it starts with a good cup of coffee from Hal Oaks motorhome followed by one of Billy Atwood's fresh made breakfast sandwiches. Anyone who knows the series knows it's as much about social interaction as it is racing. Bellies full the cars line up in the staging lanes for qualifying.
The top half of qualifying went as it did first race with Ted Daros putting his Nova in the top spot with a stout 10.89 @ 128.93. Ralph Barbagallo put his Road Runner in the two hole with Billy Atwood and Rhett Moody rounding out the top four.
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Ted Daros' number one qualifying matched his 396 against the 1970 AAR Cuda of Steve Tate. Ted laid another 10 second run on Steve knocking him to the consolation race. Ralph Barbagallo gave the same fate to Hal Oaks outrunning the little shoebox Chevy 11.54 to 12.86. Bill Atwood slowed to a 12.33 as Tom Tarzwell's 1969 HEMI 500 slowed and went to the trailer. In the final first round matchup Rhett Moody put his 68 340 Barracuda into round two by beating Bill DiCicco's green 68 Road Runner, 12.07 to a tire spinning 13.17.

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Round two starts with Ted Daros and his brutal Chevy Nova continuing his string of 10 second runs putting down the 1970 GTX of Bill Atwood. Ralph Barbagallo then dispatched the last small block in contention by dropping an 11.37 on Rhett Moody who could just go 12.18.

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Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

In a rematch of yesterday's final Ted Daros lined up next to Ralph's Plymouth. Ralph has watched Ted run 10 second ETs all day and meant to try to even the odds. Pulling a perfect .000 reaction time the big 6 Bbl stormed down the track. But Ted was again ahead right from the lights. That's called a red light, again handing the win to Ralph and earning himself a season of redlighting jokes.

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In the consolation Finals the 1967 327 Chevy II of Hal Oaks took the win running a 12.26 to a close 12.59 put up by Bill DiCicco's Road Runner.

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Points standings

1.Ralph Barbagallo ........................1970 Road Runner.................440/6 auto............56
2.Rhett Moody.................................1968 Barracuda S.................340 auto................54
2.Hal Oaks........................................1967 Chevy II........................327 auto...............54
4.Steve Tate......................................1970 AAR Cuda....................340/6 4 SP...........52
4.Tom Tarzwell..................................1969 Charger 500................HEMI auto...........52
4.Billy Atwood....................................1970 GTX.............................440/6 auto..........52
4.Bill DiCicco......................................1968 Road Runner..............383 auto..............52
8.Ted Daros.............................,..........1969 Nova SS......................396 auto.............50

April 28
New England DRAGWAY

Race three of the SuperCar Shootout championship has our racers heading north to New England DRAGWAY in Epping New Hampshire. The top eight racers from the Atco races were joined by three making their first appearance of the year. The white 1970 440 6 Pack four speed Challenger of Kevin Davies is the making his first event. A solid 11 second car that is always in the hunt for points and wins. Next we have Jacob Marquis. Jacob built one of the newer cars included in the SuperCar rules which allows cars up to 1979, the year of his Trans Am, to fully compete for points and a championship. Our third new driver is Bob Davies. Bob is using an exception in the rules that allows modern Musclecar to compete in races if the driver is not yet able to compete with a class legal car. So for today Bob's modern Challenger will have a go at the SuperCar regulars.

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Qualifying had a familiar face at the top were Ted Daros and his 1969 396 Nova did it's thing putting an 11.07 on the scoresheet. Bill Atwood put his 1970 GTX into the number two spot, and Ralph Barbagallo's Road Runner fitted into the third hole. Tom Tarzwell put his 1969 HEMI Charger 500 into the top half of the qualifying field.
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Kevin Davies first competitive run down the track is next to the SS Nova of Ted Daros. Kevin shifted his Challenger to a 12.0 ET exactly one second behind the storming Chevy.
Next up are the two Plymouths of Ralph Barbagallo and Steve Tate. Ralph's 440/6 was too much for Steve's small block 6Bbl getting there first with an 11.36 to Steve's hard shifting 12.24.
Hal Oaks was next to heat his tires and stage his 1967 Chevy II with Bill Atwood in the opposite lane. Bill Atwood's tripple carbed big block had all he needed to get to round two defeating the small block Chevrolet 11.32 to 12.12.
The final matchup of the first round pits the 1969 Charger 500 of Tom Tarzwell against the deep blue Barracuda of Rhett Moody. Rhett pulled a great light and he needed every bit of it as his 340's 12.26 was able to hang on over the flying Hemi's 12.01 that had the 500 passing the Barracuda by a full 7 mph only just passed the stripe.
url=https://flic.kr/p/23rhkJk][/url]Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Round two starts with a familiar matchup as Ralph Barbagallo and his Burnt Orange 70 Road Runner pulls up next to the Nova of Ted Daros. Ted gave away the first two meetings with redlights and may have been trying to avoid a third. Ralph took advantage of his caution and pulled a .071 light on the Nova and made it stick combining it with an 11.26 ET to the Chevy's quicker but losing 11.16 putting Ralph in his third consecutive final round.
In the second matchup Bill Atwood made short work of the overachieving 340 of Rhett Moody lighting the scoreboard with an 11.29 to the Formula S's 12.16.

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Coming into the final Ralph held lane choice by .03 of a second which should make for a massive battle. Neither car made a clean run and tire squeal was everywhere but the cars were side by side as they raced down New England DRAGWAY. When the win light came on it was Bill Atwood and his GTX just a head 11.55 to an 11.67.

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Our first pairing in the consolation race pitted the Vanishing Point Challenger of Kevin Davies against the B5 blue AAR Cuda of Steve Tate. The two multicarbed MOPAR drivers, pistol grip shifters in hand tear down the track with the Dodge getting the win. Steve left a bit on the table slowing to a 13.0 to Kevin's 12 flat.
In the second matchup Hal Oaks might 327 was tasked to do battle with the HEMI of Tom Tarzwell. Tom shoed the big Dodge to an 11.98 getting passed the ChevyII and into the finals.

The consolation Finals find the two Dodges of Kevin Davies and Tom Tarzwell. A 440 6 Pack Challenger and a 426 HEMI Charger. Both cars Ave been right around the 12.00 mark all day setting up another great matchup. As in the main finals both cars has some difficulty getting down track with Kevin Davies Challenger just nipping the aero nosed Charger, 12.66 to 12.73.
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In the best of three round robin Bill DiCicco's mid 12 second running 383 Road Runner outdistanced the 1979 Trans Am of Jacob Marquis and the modern Challenger of Bob Davies.
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Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Points standings

1. Ralph Barbagallo,.........................1970 Road Runner,......................440/6 auto..........82
2. Rhett Moody..................................1968 Barracuda S.......................340 auto..............81
3. Hal Oaks.........................................1967 Chevy II.............................327 auto..............80
3. Billy Atwood..................................1970 GTX....................................440/6 auto..........80
5. Tom Tarzwell.................................1969 Charger 500...................... HEMI auto..........78
5. Bill DiCicco.....................................1968 Road Runner.....................383 auto.............78
7. Ted Daros.......................................1969 Nova SS............................396 auto.............74
8. Steve Tate.......................................1970 AAR Cuda........................340/6 4SP...........64
9. Kevin Davies...................................1970 Challenger R/T.................440/6 4SP.......... 27
10 Jacob Marquis..............................1979 Trans Am.........................400 auto..............15

April 28
New England DRAGWAY

With Saturdays race in the books and Sunday looking like a washout it was decided to run the Sunday event on Saturday afternoon. Getting permission from the good folks at New England DRAGWAY and using our best ETs from eliminations as our qualifying for race two we were reset and prepared for battle again.
The late start did cause Ted Daros and his 10 second Nova to head out and the Marquis also decided to forego the extended racing with the car just put together.

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The top of the qualifying ladder had Ralph Barbagallo and his 6 Bbl 70 RoadRunner inheriting the spot.second quickest was Bill Atwood Jr in the 70 GTX, followed by Tom Tarzwell's Hemi 500 and Kevin Davies in his 4 speed Challenger.

url=https://flic.kr/p/23rtrLt][/url]Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

By right of his number one qualifying possition Ralph was matched against the small block Barracuda of Rhett Moody. In a close battle where the 340 was running near it's best the Road Runner was just able to get to round two, 11.73 to a 12.15.
Second through the burnout box is Hal Oaks and Tom TNT Tarzwell. Hal's little Chevy runs a strong 12.35 just enough to take advantage of the Hemi's 12.50. Atwood Jr, who's been doing all the driving so far this year pulls the GTX to the line to face his father behind the wheel of Steve Tate's AAR Cuda. Sr shifted the four speed small block to a 12.22 just a tick behind the big block Plymouth's 11.61.
In the last matchup Kevin Davies brings his four speed 6 pack Challenger to meet Bill DiCicco's 383 Road Runner. The Road Runner left first and hung on as Kevin missed third gear, 12.64 to 12.80

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr

Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr
In round two matchups we first get Ralph Barbagallo and Hal Oaks. Hal always seems to go only as fast as nessissary and he saw it nessissary to step on it to the tune of 12.0. Ralph's Plymouth had the little II covered though with an 11.48.
Bill Atwood had it easy as Bill DiCicco had to try to get a jump at the light and fouled. Going for lane choice Atwood push his 6Bbl to an 11.50, just missing it by .02.
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In the battle of 1970 6 Bbl Plymouths it was Ralph putting all he pieces together for an 11.28. Bill Atwood slowed to an 11.50 giving another win to Barbagallo.
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Doing battle for the consolation points Rhett Moody took advantage of Tom Tarzwell's redlights start to coast down the track with a 15 second winning run.
Bill Atwood Sr took Steve Tate's Cuda and throttled it to a 12.26 running away from the slowing Challenger of Kevin Davies.
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In the consolation Finals the two blue Plymouths stage up. Atwood Sr in Steve Tate's AAR and Rhett Moody in his 4 barrel 340. In a mild upset, Bill Atwood improved the 70's time down to a 12.07 hich was faster than the consistent 12.17 put on the timesheet by Moody.
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Point standings

1. Ralph Barbagallo..................1970 Road Runner................440/6 auto............111
2. Hal Oaks................................1967 Chevy II.......................327 auto................107
2. Rhett Moody..........................1968 Barracuda S................340 auto................107
4. Billy Atwood...........................1970 GTX............................440/6 auto.............106
5 Bill DiCicco.............................1968 Road Runner...............383 auto...............105
6. Tom Tarzwell..........................1969 Charger 500............... HEMI auto...........104
7. Steve Tate...............................1970 AAR Cuda...................340/6 4 SP...........91
8. Ted Daros...............................1969 Nova SS......................396 auto...............74
9. Kevin Davies...........................1970 Challenger R/T...........440/6 4 SP............53
10.Jacob Marquis......................1979 Trans Am...................400 auto................15

very enjoyable read!!

June 3
ATCO DRAGWAY

Race five of the 2918 SuperCar Shootout season brings the crews back to ATCO DRAGWAY in New Jersey. Tricky weather again limited the racers willing to make the trip but a field of die hards entered through the gates to head down the quarter mile.
Cars making their first appearance of the season include Bryan Doyle who built himself a 1971 B7 blue 440 6 pack four speed Challenger R/T. Don't be deceived by it's looks, this cars is all about racing not sitting in a grassy feild or parking lots on Sunday afternoons.
Also hitting the track is long time SuperCar Shootout regular Dom D'Alonzo in his 1963 Impala. His full size Chevy is powered by a 327 mouse motor tied to a four speed tranny.
Mark Sikora, who was still in the building stage on his own 383 Road Runner was drafted into service to drive Bill DiCicco's Plymouth, helping keep DiCicco in the important points hunt.
Another change for the Atco race is the further development of Jacob Marquis' 1979 Trans Am. Showing up on 1979 type tires and quicker ET's, a theme he will continue all season!

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JACOB MARQUIS

Late morning brought the call to the staging lanes and qualifying. Bill Atwood Jr after three runs put his 1970 GTX at the top of the list. Right behind him was Bryan Doyle shifting his Challenger R/T to the second spot. Ralph Barbagallo in his triple carbed 70 Road Runner was third and the Barracuda of Rhett Moody filled out the top half of the ladder.
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BILLY ATWOOD

In the first time down the track in proper anger, Bill Atwood drove his F8 Plymouth to a 11.54 in a bye run to the second round.
Ralph Barbagallo next up faces the burgundy Impala of Dom D'Alonzo. Dom is on a mission this year to finally get the big Chevrolet into the 12's. At the end of the track Dom was double disappointed, losing to Ralph's 11.61 running bird and putting up an oh so close 13.04.
In a Pontiac verses Dodge battle the Trans Am of Jacob Marquis put a 13.21 on the light up scoreboard while Bryan Doyle in his 6 Pack got there first with an impressive 11.78
For the final slot in round two Rhett Moody took on Bill DiCicco's 68 driven by Mark Sikora. A tall order for Mark as the Road Runner had yet beaten the Formula S of Moody. That trend continued as the A Body went 12.16 to Mark's Mid 14.


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RHETT MOODY

The second round begins with two heavyweight of the series ready to battle. The two 1970 440/6 auto Plymoth B Bodies of Bill Atwood and Ralph Barbagallo. These cars have taken turns all season running quicker times and this time it was Ralph's Road Runner outdistancing the GTX, 11.45 to 11.84.
In the battle of dark blue Mopars Bryan Doyle dropped the clutch and the hammer with a strong 11.98 to Rhett Moody's 12.26.
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BRYAN DOYLE

In the all 440/6 final Bryan Doyle picked up his pace and delivered an 11.75 ET while next to him Ralph was able to get in front and hang on running an 11.49 to win his fourth race out of five!
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RALPH BARBAGALLO

The consolation race began with Dom D'Alonzo taking it easy while getting a bye to the final. To get a chance at Don's Impala Mark Sikora would need to get by the quickening disco era Musclecar of Jacob Marquis. In a very close race, 13.71 to 13.84 the Plymouth was just able to nip the Pontiac.

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MARK SICORA DRIVING FOR BILL DICICCO

Mark knew that in the final he'd have to get more of the performance out of the 383 if he was to keep up with D'Alonzo's Chevy who is on the verge of that elusive 12 second sticker. Mark did step up and delivered a good 13.29 putting the Beep Beep right next to the Impala. The scoreboard lit up on the Chevy's side however as Dom shifted to a 13.21
url=https://flic.kr/p/23t7SPe][/url]Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr
DOM D'ALONZO

Point standings Top 10

1. Ralph Barbagallo...............139
2. Rhett Moody......................134
3. Bill Atwood........................132
4. Bill DiCicco........................131
5. Hal Oaks............................107
6. Tom Tarzwell....................104
7. Steve Tate......................... 91
8. Ted Daros......................... 74
9. Kevin Davies..................... 53
10Jacob Marquis.................41

Great job on the write up. This takes a lot of time to put together. Looking forward to the rest of the narrative.

SEPTEMBER 22
Lebanon Valley Dragway
The Dover Drags Reunion

After the interminable months long summer break the SuperCar Shootout series reajorns in the hills of eastern New York at Lebanon Valley Dragway. A pair of brand new racers, a racers with a brand new car and another SuperCar regular making his season debut are added to the 2018 core group. The veteran joining is Jeremy Benson who campaigns a 1969 Pontiac LeMans convertible with a 350 cubic inch power plant. Mark Sikora, who drove Bill DiCicco's Road Runner at Atco brought his own 383 Road Runner to the Reunion, and it's quite the beauty, but let's see how it runs. The two first timers include Steve HRACS and Will DUFFY. Steve came loaded with a 1964 HEMI 4 speed Plymouth Fury and Will with a gorgeous 1969 Chevelle SS with 350 horsepower coming from it's 396 cubic inch engine.

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WILL DUFFY

Introductions and hellos out of the way it's time to head to the track and set the matchups. Three runs each down the strip and the Chevrolet or Ted Daros again takes the top of the ladder storming down the track to the tune of a 10.97 @ 128.04. Second and third are Ralph Barbagallo in his burnt orange 1970 Road Runner and Bill Atwood Jr in the same vintage GTX. Filling the final spot in the top half is the 340 fish of Rhett Moody. Moody all year has been out running some serious machinery making it into the top 4.
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TED DAROS

Ted Daros' first challenger is in fact a Charger. A hemi Charger 500 driven by Tom Tarzwell. The epic battle that followed left the big Dodge in the consolation race and the Nova going to round two with an 11.01 beating an 11.94
Mark Sikora's first round of competitive racing is against 2016 SuperCar Champ Bill Atwood's 440/6 GTX. Mark built a good running 383 putting down a 12.67 but the 11.53 of Atwood put Mark into the consolations.
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BILLY ATWOOD
The third pairing is a duo of Road Runners, the 1968 of Bill DiCicco and the 1970 of Ralph Barbagallo. In the second consecutive 383 vs 440/6 battle the 440 has had it's way dispating of it's little brother 11.44 to 12.54.
Last up is Rhett Moody in his Formula S Barracuda to face Jeremy Benson and his LeMans in a battle of the small blocks. With a 12.09 the Barracuda punches his ticket to round two while the Pontiac's 12.67 puts him right in the mix with the consolation group.
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RHETT MOODY
The final four features two matchups we've had before and come out with three different winners, Ted Daros and his 396 Nova vs the three Holley Topped 440 of Bill Atwood, and the 68 and 70 Plymouths of Rhett Moody and Ralph Barbagallo. Down the track first Daros pilots his Chevy to an 11.03 car kegths ahaed of the X who crosses the line with an 11.95. Rhett Moody, who has been flirting with an 11 second run for the last to seasons lined up next to the solid 11 second Road Runner of Barbagallo. Having nothing to lose Moody goes for broke running a 12.003 ET! Adding insult to injury, Ralph's Bird went 11.36 getting the win and the pass to the finals where the Nova of Ted Daros will be waiting.
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RALPH BARBAGALLO
In a Titanic battle both musclecars launched hard and barrelled down track with the Chevy just nosing out the Plymouth at the end. And I didn't make any redlighting jokes... Just saying...
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TED VS RALPH
In the first of the consolation races Mark Sikora brings his Black 69 to the beams to meet the shark in the kiddie pool, the Hemi Charger of Tom Tarzwell. Make delivered a solid mid 12 second pass which gave him the best seat in the house to watch Tom's 500 cross with a high 11. Next in a battle of silver/green musclecars the Road Runner of Bill DiCicco was able to out running the droptop of Jeremy Benson with both cars running good mid 12 times.
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JEREMY BENSON
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MARK SIKORA
Vying for the final point to be won in competition the 68 Plymouth of DiCicco will have to get by the 69 Dodge of TNT Tarzwell. The Green beep beep went a solid 12.46 but was no match for the Hemi even as it slowed to a 12.26.
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TOM TARZWELL
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BILL DICICCO
In the best of three match race Steve Hracs shifted his Hemi Fury by the big block Chevelle of Will DUFFY two strait using his mid 13 times to outgun the mid 14's of the Chevy.
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STEVE HRACS

Point standings top 10

1. Ralph Barbagallo....................165
2. Rhett Moody............................161
3. Billy Atwood.............................157
3. Bill DiCicco...............................157
5. Tom Tarzwell............................131
6. Hal Oaks...................................107
7. Ted Daros..................................102
8. Steve Tate.................................. 91
9. Kevin Davies.............................. 53
10.Jacob Marquis.......................... 41

SEPTEMBER 23
LEBANON VALLEY DRAGWAY
DOVER DRAGS REUNION

Day two at the Dover reunion brought out huge crowds a car show in the pits and hundreds of vintage racing iron. The night before featured a cacklefest at the track club along with some amazing food served up at the Atwood motorhome. Food is nearly as big a part of the SuperCar Shootout as the racing. Each racer brings an item to help feed the group, wether marenated chicken, chili, hamburgers or boxes of HoHos and Twinkies. Along with the new day we welcomed another new racers for 2018. The maroon 1968 383 Road Runner of Frank Hoefling. Frank has been campaigning his bird for several years and is now looking to get serious and start moving up the time sheets.

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Frank

Leading the cars in qualifying is once again the 396 Nova of Ted Daros. Ted wheeled his Chevy to an 11.02 @ 127.26. Behind Daros is the familiar lineup of Ralph Barbagallo in his Road Runner, Billy Atwood's GTX and again the small block Barracuda of Rhett Moody.
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Ted

By right of his number one qualifying possition Ted gets to race the number 5 qualified car, in this case, Tom Tarzwell. Tom's been fighting some new car blues but in testing the Friday before the event it showed it had something extra. The testing paid off, when combined by a very good reaction time Tom made his 11.83 good enough to get to the stripe just ahead of the roaring Nova's 11.72.
Billy Atwood is next to stage up with the evil black Road Runner of Mark Sikora in the opposite lane. Atwood piloted his 1970 Plymoyh to an 11.53 easily outrunning the 383 of Sikora as Mark spun and only could muster a 13.25.

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Bill D

The third pairing making passes are the Road Runners of Bill DiCicco and Ralph Barbagallo. It what can only be called an act of charity, DiCicco got a full second head start at the tree. Ralph came storming back though and nearly caught the fleeing 383. The 68's 12.42 was just enough to get to round two over the 11.47 of Barbagallo.
Vying for the final spot in round two is Rhett Moody shoeing his 1968 340 Formula S against the small block Pontiac convertible of Jeremy Benson. Both of these guys has been racing their cars for years and have them constantly in the 12's. Moody, still looking for that dlusive 11 second time slip dropped a 12.03 on the LeMans who was trailing with a 12.75.

url=https://flic.kr/p/2e7XC38][/url]Untitled by cudadude2, on Flickr
Tom

We start round two action with Bill Atwood burning his tires in the water box next to the Hemi powered Charger 500 of TNT Tarzwell. Tom fresh off the holeshot upset win over Ted Daros is feeling confident as he stages next to the 6 barrel GTX. Billy shot down the track with an 11.49 while Tom went looking for traction his lane didn't have coming in with a 12.19.
Looking to meet the GTX in the finals is Rhett Moody,s Barracuda but first he has to beat the Road Runner of Bill DiCicco. DiCicco kept getting quicker each time down the track, and will continue that till the last race if the season, but even a personal best of 12.41 wasn't enough to get ahaed of the A Body of Moody who ran a bracket racing type 12.03 again.
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Rhett
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Billy

Sundays main final had Billy Atwood's GTX gunning down the 340 of Moody putting an 11.70 on his side of the timeslip compared to the 'Cudas 12.19. Points in SuperCars are earned by showing up for a race, bringing your car to a race and by winning rounds. To give each racer a chance to stay competitive for the championship cars slower than 11.70 earn an extra point for each round win than the faster cars.

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Not a beauty pageant. No, really.

Down in the kiddie pool we find the two great whites of Ralph Barbagallo and Ted Daros. Having to face these beasts are Mark Sikora and Jeremy Benson. First out of the gate is Daros in his green 69 to end Mark Sikora's race day his 10.94 easily gapping the 12.96 put up by the midnight Road Runner. Meeting a similar fate was Jeremy Benson who's 12.74 was no match for Ralph's Plymouth's 11.59.
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Mark
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Jeremy

The consolation Finals, looking a lot like a main finals with the 10 second Chevrolet of Ted Daros and the point leading Road Runner of Barbagallo facing off under the Lebanon Valley Dragway lights. Ralph's Plymouth hooked hard and took advantage of the cooling air to pound out an 11.36. A time that would beat anyone at the track, anyone but Daros. The SS Nova again dropped into the ten second zone with a 10.89.
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Ted Vs Ralph

Points standings top ten

1. Ralph Barbagallo..................189
1. Rhett Moody..........................189
3. Billy Atwood...........................185
4. Bill DiCicco.............................184
5. Tom Tarzwell..........................158
6. Ted Daros........,.......................127
7. Hal Oaks..................................107
8. Steve Tate................................ 91
9. Kevin Davies............................. 53
10. Jeremy Benson.......................52
10. Mark Sikora.............................52

October 6
Lebanon Valley Dragway
Bracket Challenge

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As we swing into October the SuperCar schedulers have brought us back to Lebanon Valley Dragway but this time instead of the feirce heads up competition we are going to have a spot of fun. Suggested and put together by Hal Oaks a feild of racers gathered to try an alternative form of drag racing.

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Joining the fray for his first ever race was Gunther Catral. While he was new his car is well known and respected chariot. Having a car that's capable of putting up 10 second times and combining that with a four speed transmission and the requisite tiny bias play tires, Gunther has definitely dove into the deep end of the pool.

Hal, a long time bracket guy, gave everyone a heads up as to what we were doing, still starting from a pro tree, break outs, how best to pick your dial in. It all sounded easy enough. It's not. It's a whole different skill set that some of us heads up racers found flummoxing. Pairings were made by pulling numbers out of a hat and bye runs when nessissary will be by best reaction times the previous round.

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There are no points on the table for today's race, this is just a fun get together for the SuperCar group. A chance to relax race your car and have fun with the other enthusiasts. Every year the SuperCar schedule will have one or two "just for fun" races, usually a New vs Old race where people can bring their modern muscle to see how they compare to their older cousins. It's also a good opportunity for new people to get a taiste of what SuperCar has to offer.

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Another new racers today that looks to become a regular for next season is James Warthman. James came from New York with the 1968 396 Nova of Ted Daros in tow. The black Chevy has been raced before and like anything prepared by Ted is going to be a solid racer.

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One of the favorite going in was Frank Heofling. Frank went several rounds bracket racing his 68 Road Runner to the finals the last time he tried showing his cars ability to remain consistent and his aptitude for cutting good lights.

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Jacob Marquis again brought out his late 70's pony car and boy has it changed. No longer a 13 second car but now on the verge of running in the 11's. Dave Marquis, Jacob's father took out his 1968 Firebird 400 convertible for the first time this year. Dave's car also has picked up from the first time he's raced. Then his green and white Poncho was a 15 second stocker then but now it's a on and off 12 second car.

All the top SuperCar racers were also on hand to play bracket racer, Bills Atwood and DiCicco, Rhett Mooly, Ted Daros, TNT Tarzwell and Kevin Davies.

After all the shouting and burnouts the finals came down to Ralph Barbagallo who brought out for the first time in years his sinister black 1970 Hemi Road Runner. He drove his dual quad Plymouth through three rounds on the top side of the ladder to get to the finals.

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Meeting Ralph's black 70 Road Runner, in what can only be embarrassing to the rest of the SuperCar group was the orange 1970 Road Runner of Ralph Barbagallo. Yes, he entered two cars and drove them both though their respective trees to the finals.

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Let's get back to heads up racing!

October 7
Lebanon Valley Dragway

Day two of the race weekend brings the SuperCar guys back to their normal format and heads up Musclecar racing like it should be. 14 cars and drivers are on sight to battle for points and wins. Jeremy Benson brought his son Eric Benson to race in his full size Pontiac. Though not the quickest car on track it did do good burnouts and I can guarantee that Eric had a ball.
Of the ways to gain points in the SuperCar Shootout the best way it to qualify in the quick eight. The difference between eight and nine is over 10 points. As qualifying develops it looks like 6 cars will be vying for that last two quick 8 spots. Jacob Marquis, James Warthman, Hal Oaks, Bill DiCicco, Mark Sikora and Jeremy Benson are all within just a couple tenths. In the end it was Hal's small block Chevy II and the surprising Pontiac of Jacob Marquis making the big show. .

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Battling to make the 8

At the top of the ladder is as has been usual, Ted Daros. Ted drove his dark green SS to an 11.25 just a couple tenths ahaed of the two 6 Bbl's of Ralph Barbagallo and Billy Atwood. In the four slot we find the Hemi Charger 500 of Tom Tarzwell. Tom's charger is getting quicker and moving up the order running 11.76 @ over 120 miles per hour

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Ted dominating qualifying in 2018

First round of competition brings Billy Atwood next to the 1979 T/A of Jacob Marquis. Jacob has found some magic and poured it into his Pontiac motoring it to a 12.18. Jacob will need to find a bit more to keep up with the GTX though as the Plymouth's 11.46 kept it in the main race.
Ralph Barbagallo's Plymouth matched Atwoods running a near identical 11.45 while dispatching of the 340 Barracuda of Rhett Moody who put up a respectable 12.08.
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Atwood takes out upstart

Tarzwell staged his NASCAR derived Dodge beside the blue baby shoebox of Hal Oaks. The little II got out of it as the Charger went 11.76 and there was no catching it.
Ted Daros warmed up his tires and pulled even to Kevin Davies four speed Challenger. Kevin goes at it hard putting a 12.07 on the board as Ted had difficulties and couldn't run down the Dodge.

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Kevin takes out #1

In round two Kevin managed to equal his winning 12.07 of round one but it wasn't enough against the 11.49 put up by Bill Atwood's Plymouth.
Ralph followed up one Plymouth over Dodge win by running an 11.58 witch was just enough to keep ahead of the 11.83 of Tom Tarzwell.

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Tom getting deeper into the 11's

In another final round matchup of Billy Atwood and Ralph Barbagallo the GTX enters off an 11.4 in the last round where as Ralph's Road Runner was over a tenth slower. Ralph's Plymouth had a small lead at the sixty and just hung on as the GTX was storming back Barbagallo trips the lights in 11.58 seconds just ahead of. Atwoods 11.71
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Ralph seems unbeatable this year

In the first of the consolation rounds the two equally matched small blocks of Hal Oaks and Rhett Moody pull to the stripe. In a heroic side by side battle that lasted the whole if the quarter mile Oaks' Chevy dialed up a 12.10. Moody's Plymouth lit the lights to the tune of a 12.13 but getting the win, and the paddle, at the tree by way of a holeshot.
Racing to meet Moody's Plymouth in the finals it Jacob Marquis's late 70's F body against the 10 second beast of Ted Daros. Ted had issues in the first round and thought he had then sorted when coming to meet Marquis in the semis. The Trans Am put a respectable 12.42 in the sheets whereas Daros wasn't as repaired as he'd hoped not even getting to the finish.

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Jacob surprising everyone

The consolation Finals are between the old hand of Rhett Moody and the new comer of Jacob Marquis. Moody will not let the Pontiac surprise him now having seen it put up numbers comparable to his own. The Barracuda always strong to the 60' got out ahead and easily maintained the lead down track giving the Plymouth another championship point.

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Rhett beats the old master on a holeshot

In the best of three. Atch races Dave Marquis drove his convertible Firebird past the full sized Pontiac of Eric Benson three strait with a series of 13.1 second times.
Mark Sikora had a slightly harder time against the 68 396 Nova driven by James Warthman. Using reaction times and 12.8 second times to just edge the Chevrolet's 12.9's.
In the final match race the 350 LeMans of Jeremy Benson was paired with the 383 Road Runner of Bill DiCicco. After Benson took the first round the Plymouth came back with a pair of 12.5's to out match the 12.7's the convertible was running.

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Bill wins best of 3 match

During the event, long time racer Rhett Moody finally earned his 11 second sticker by going deep into the 11's with an 11.98! Deep. Very deep.

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Both James Warthman and Mark Sikora got their 12 second stickers today also. Congrats for your achievements!

Points top 10

1. Ralph Barbagallo.........................217
2. Rhett Moody.................................216
3. Billy Atwood.................................211
4. Bill DiCicco...................................198
5. Tom Tarzwell................................185
6. Ted Daros......................................150
7. Hal Oaks........................................133
8. Steve Tate...................................... 91
9. Kevin Davies.................................. 79
10 Jacob Marquis............................. 67

October 14
Lebanon Valley Dragway

SuperCar Shootout has the most competitive people you will find when out on the track, but off the track they're a big family. As a whole that are always pleased when a fellow competitor acheves a long time goal. It's a big day when a racer earns his "Second" sticker, whether it's a 13 or a ten second sticker it's understood the dedication that went into getting it. There may even be a small party as part of the celebration.

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Congratulating our racers

Dom D'Alonzo has been campaigning his, and before him his dad's, 1963 327 four speed Impala for years. Slowly improving it's track time while not ruining it's street usefulness. Last year he managed a 13.001 ET then followed it up with a run with a quicker short time only to be imoeaded by a Mustang wandering into his lane. This weekend though Dom finally broke through. Not by a little but by a bunch collecting a timeslip reading 12.85. Congratulations Dom!

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Dom reaching a long time goal

Ted Daros has been dominating qualifying all season in his 396 Nova but today went and dug his 1970 LS6 Chevelle out of street use and back on the track. Not the beast his Nova is it still managed to qualify in the quick 8. The top of the order was facinating as the top two cars, a regular to qualifier and a small surprise vyed for the spot. Tom Tarzwell muscled his slippery Charger 500 through the traps in 11.36632 second where it could be no closer to Ralph Barbagallo's Road Runner's time of 11.36631!! Billy Atwood took the third spot and Rhett Moody peddled his Formula S into the final rung in the top of the ladder.
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Tom makes a big run at Q1

Following the tight qualifying session the racing looked to be amazing and it was. Starting with Bill Atwood piloting the 1970 GTX along side the Chevy II of Hal Oaks. Billy pounded out a very good 11.50 while Hal decided to preserve his parts once he determined the outcome and coasted down track in the 15's.
Fresh off the Aero Dodge's best run Tom Tarzwell met up with the LS6 of Ted Daros in the first round. Ted drove his rat motor to a solid 12.59 managing to stay ahead of the struggling but closing Hemi's 12.40.
Ralph next went down the quarter mile in his 440/6 to the tune of an 11.37 eclipsing the 12.03 Kevin Davies shited his R/T to.
Going deep into the 11's again Rhett Moody defeated Bill DiCicco's 383, 11.99 to 12.33

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Ted pulls upset in Chevelle

Round two starts with the Atwood Plymouth motoring to a finals making 11.43 ending Daros' day as his big 454'could only pull a 12.92.
.

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Billy to meet Ralph in Finals


Matching up with the big Plymouth of Atwood will once again be Ralph Barbagallo after he dropped an 11.35 on Moody who dropped back into the twelves with a 12.10.

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Moody trailered after a remarkable weekend

As has been the case all year Barbagallo stuck another pin in his Atwood voodoo doll running a consistent 11.37 to the green cars 11.98

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Ralph collecting another one

In the kiddie pool of cosolation pairings was another great side by side drag race. The 327 of Hal Oaks did it's damndest to stay ahead of the Hemi Dodge in the other lane. Not preserving any parts Oaks' Chevy went 12.15 with the Mopar just nipping him with a 12.08.
The other battle to the finals pits the four speed Challenger of Kevin Davies against the 1968 Road Runner of Bill DiCicco. The little 383 went a strong 12.39 but the 6 pack answered with a 12.17 putting Davies into the trophy round.

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DiCicco continues to get closer to top racers

In the all Dodge final the Vanishing Point car of Davies found a weak spot in the Hemi Chargers day besting it with a 12.45 as Tarzwell also slowed and moreso mid track to a 12.69.

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Kevin with a big comeback win

With just one trophy up for grabs and three drivers wanting it the round robin format was set. Dom D'Alonzo fresh off his first 12 second runs managed to finish second to the 383 Road Runner of Mark Sikora. Rounding out the race was the 68 Plymouth of Frank Hoefling.

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Mark taking home trophies

Point standings Top 10

1. Ralph Barbagallo..............245
2. Rhett Moody.....................243
3. Billy Atwood.....................238
4. Bill DiCicco.......................224
5. Tom Tarzwell....................211
6. Hal Oaks...........................159
7. Ted Daros.........................150
8. Kevin Davies.....................106
9. Steve Tate......................... 91
10. Mark Sikora.................... 82