Sun, Spray, and Speed: Lebanon Valley Dragway Delivers Again

We almost did it at Lebanon Valley Dragway in West Lebanon, NY. Mind you, the weather went to blazing, humid and did grace us with a downpour on Friday, June 12, 2026 but it wasn’t until after racing was over, that the sky opened up, and came down the track. Fortunately, the drifting event was well underway through half of the event and as a bonus, they run in the rain so the sixty plus drifters continued their event with a little pizazz of added sprays of water instead of smoke.

On to the weekend report. Beginning on Friday, the track hosted an open track rental test session that had a light attendance probably due to the threat of storms and the high humidity and temps. If you weren’t there, you missed out. Sorry. Not sorry. There are more Friday events coming up for testing if you have the day off, want to play hookie from work and come and play or just because you have a new combo that you want to try out. Watch the schedule as the times are often different.

This coming Friday you could be racing under the lights as it runs from 5pm-10pm. There are few weeks off from the Fridays as they will be filled with events. The Night of Fire is Friday, June 26 and guess what racers???? You can race! We have a great opportunity to get you on the track in classes such as Super Eliminator, Pro Eliminator, Motorcycle and Junior Dragsters. Top Dragster/Top Sportsman will be running sponsored by Langenbach  Companies and have a great shootout event scheduled. You can get all their info on their Facebook page or on the dragway website. Check out the schedule page for more information.

The following Friday will be the NHRA Division 1 Regional Race that will begin on Wednesday, July 1 with parking. Reminder to all racers who leave their trailers/campers etc in the pits. Everything MUST be removed from the facility to designated parking areas out of the pits by the end of racing on Sunday, June 28 or it will be moved for you. Since there is no street night that Wednesday, no excuses for the Wednesday night participants. You have until Wednesday June 24 to get your stuff moved out. Areas in the field at the racer entry and mud bog area will be available if you don’t wish to take your vehicles home. These areas will be on a first come, first served basis.

There will be NO parking permitted in the field past the go-kart track by the electrical company. If you are racing the event, check with the tower as to parking, as you will be permitted to leave your vehicles in the appropriate designated areas. If you think that you will be paying for the event just to leave your vehicles, think again. You will lose your future parking privileges if you try to pull this prank.  

I really hate housekeeping tips that people seem to forget but I will do it again. If there is an event running on a Friday and you decide to come up on said Friday while the event is running, plan on stopping at the racer gate as the front gate is closed and paying to enter the facility. Please do not give our gate people a hard time as they are just doing their job.  Remember it is a privilege not a right to keep your belongings at the track. Don’t ruin it for everyone by blowing through the gate at 50 mph and thinking it is your “right” to just show up without paying.

So back to the events for the weekend. On Saturday, we hosted the Northeast Super Street Association (NESSA), SuperCars. Northeast Old Drag Racers and Musclecar Association (NODRAMA) and held ¼ mile gamblers races in Box (electronics) and No-Box (Non-Electronics).

Jason Heintz sent a report on NODRAMA- “Another Saturday, another NODRAMA race day. Summer is right around the corner and, the temperature is not the only thing heating up. After a 3rd round rain-out at event Three, the sun was shining and folks were ready to do battle at NODRAMA event Four.

As The Backstreet Boys once said, Bye Bye Bye... 33 on the ladder sets up lots of Comp Byes. 6 round day ahead. Let's go!

Marching through the NODRAMA field was veteran Michael Charron meeting in the finals against "the new guy" Edward Martelli. Down came the tree and a nailbiter at the stripe...

CONGRATULATIONS Mike Mad Stache Charron taking the win and newcomer Ed Martelli making a great showing in capturing a runner-up finish.

With the win, Mike jumped 3 spots to the NODRAMA Mountain Top, pushing Darren Cubit down to Top3. Shane Shahinian held strong with another day of consistency holding down the number 2 spot.

A long break ahead before our return for event number Five on July 11. Plenty of time for catching up on routine maintenance, upgrades, alternative event support with Bob Seaman and others. Get out there, support the sport during this down time. Support each other lending a helping hand when needed.

4 weekends of downtime, stay tuned...”

The NODRAMA current points are posted on the dragway website if you’re curious as to where everyone stands.

Mike Fitts of Groton, MA took the top honors in NESSA on Saturday when he defeated Matt Ticconi of Marlboro, NY. Mike Shinault of Waterford, CT finished his day in the semi-finals.

Steve Salvas of Feeding Hills, MA took his first ever trophy when he defeated Michael Saccone of East Northport, NY in the final round of No Box Gamblers. Lars Adams finished his day in the semi-finals.

Grant Nichols Sr of Marlborough, CT took home the win in Box Electronics when he defeated Matt Gazaille of Whitinsville, MA who made his first appearance this year on his motorcycle. TJ Gennett of Portland, CT finished his day in the semi-finals.

On Sunday, we had the Summit ET Points Series sponsored by Dynamic Racing Transmissions along with SuperCars and guess what? We finally presented the final two lonely Wally trophies to go to their new homes (instead of in my office)!

The first one went to Kimberlee Snell of Fort Hunter, NY in Super Eliminator when she defeated Frank Volpe III of Poughkeepsie, NY in the final round. Herb Wagner of Ravena, NY finished his day in the semi-finals.

The second Wally went to Denis Boyle of Wappingers Falls, NY in Pro Eliminator when he defeated Warren Wright of Salem, CT. Paul Lattarulo of South Windsor, CT finished his day in semi-finals.

In Motorcycle/Sled ET Shawn Rainey of Waterford, CT was back on the bike when he defeated Adam Sheran of Blandford, MA. Jonathan Tisdale of Napanoch, NY and Kim Kiniry of Saugerties, NY finished their day in the semifinals.

Junior Dragster was won by Mason Spinelli of Latham, NY when he defeated Giuseppe Porfilio of East Longmeadow, MA. Joey Foster of Cortlandt Manor, NY and Jayden Rogers of Fort Edward, NY finished in the semi-finals.

Junior Street was won by Gavin Russo of Norfolk, CT when he defeated Ryleigh Morgan of Ballston Spa, NY in the final. John Couture of Manchester, CT finished his day in the semi-finals.

Open trophy was won by Steven Paul of Marlborough, CT when he defeated Mark Reed of Canajoharie, NY in the final rounds. Chuck Geroux of Greenwich, NY finished in the semi-finals.

Remember, whether you race, wish to race, love to watch racing, we have a ton of events coming up in the next few weeks. Please check out our schedule at www.dragway.com to see what is coming up. Don’t Miss Out! See ya soon!!