The two-race NHRA Western Swing concluded at famed Sonoma Raceway last weekend, and for five-time Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world champion Justin Lamb, the summer tour concluded on a high note at the Sonoma Nationals. Driving the Larry and Carol Stone-owned RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet COPO Camaro, the Henderson, Nev., resident was incredibly quick in Super Stock qualifying to claim the No. 1 position. He followed up with a strong performance in eliminations to reach the 47th final round of what continues to be a very successful career.
Lamb’s 8.595-second pass (1.005-second under the 9.60 SS/AS index) locked down the top spot and set the tone for the weekend at the event he won for the sixth time last season.
“That was a great start to the weekend,” said Lamb, who drove the COPO to victory at the Division 7 season-opening double header in Phoenix in February. “We’ve worked so hard with this car for two years, and it’s finally doing what it’s supposed to be doing. My dad, Chris, and Larry Stone have been super supportive as we’ve tried to figure it out, and this weekend was validation that we’re heading in the right direction.”
Also racing in Stock Eliminator driving a second well-performing RAD Torque Systems-branded COPO Camaro, Lamb cashed out in the third round with a painstakingly close-to-perfect .001-second red light. His performance in Super Stock was far more fruitful, despite a series of challenging elimination rounds.
In the opening act, his .018-second reaction time – paired with an 8.782-second pass on an 8.59 dial – topped Evan Kowalski’s .007 and 9.456 (9.08) in his FGT/C ’08 Cobalt. In exchange for winning the well-played finish-line game, a charging Lamb scored the round-two bye, and there on the solo run, he stretched into a pleasing 8.634 at 155.61 mph.
Well into Saturday evening, the 31-time national event winner wheeled the RAD Torque Systems COPO to an 8.668 on his 8.63 dial following a .034-second launch. Randy Loge and his SS/KA ’72 Demon left with an .011 light but broke out with a 10.508 (10.52).
The defeat of Loge sent Lamb ahead to Sunday and the Sonoma semifinals, where he would come face to face with defending NHRA Pacific Division Super Stock champion Ryan McClanahan and his SS/AM ’08 Cobalt. In a round of well-matched abilities, multi-time division champ Lamb was off the starting line with a .020 reaction time to his opponent’s .041, and he gained access to the final with an 8.650 (8.63) to McClanahan’s 8.282 (8.26).
With his sights set on the Wally, Lamb was on target with his starting-line performance in the final, tripping that first timer with a .015-second start. Years of experience were used to run right on his 8.63 target with an 8.633, but Jim Grossi Jr. was .004 and raced to a perfect 8.500 (8.50) in his FGT/B ’69 Corvette. It was an incredible final round in Super Stock that held spectators in keen suspense, and it was one that Lamb certainly won’t forget, even though the win light flashed in the other lane.
“Jim Grossi was driving well all weekend, and he earned that win. It was a great final round, it just didn’t go my way,” said Lamb. “Overall, I’m really happy with the performance of the RAD Torque Systems Super Stocker – and the Stocker, too. I’m looking forward to what we’ll be able to do in the future.
“We’ve put so much into this car in every way, and to finally see it performing and doing what it’s supposed to do is very rewarding. I have to thank Jon Richardson, who has been building my Super Stock engines for a decade and put a lot of time and effort into this. My dad and Larry have been so patient through everything with this car, and Dan Provost from RAD Torque Systems has been consistently supportive, as well as SilverState Plumbing, Goodyear, and all of our awesome partners. It’s been a long road, and it feels good to have come this far – but we’re not quite where we’re going yet with this car. We’ll keep working toward the next win.”
This story was originally published on August 1, 2024. 
