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Sean Bellemeur, Bartone Bros. Racing Win Fifth NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car World Championship

Bartone Bros. Racing captured its fifth NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Funny Car World Championship on Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The team, led by driver Sean Bellemeur and tuner Steve Boggs, secured the title during the first round of eliminations. After qualifying No. 1 with a weekend-best run of 5.43 seconds at 267 mph, Bellemeur advanced by defeating Kirk Kuhns with a 5.46-second pass at 265 mph.

The championship was clinched moments later when points rival Brian Hough lost to Steve Gasparelli in the subsequent pairing. The result mathematically eliminated Hough, awarding the 2025 title to Tony Bartone’s team, known as the “Killer B’s.”

“I am a little shocked; I didn’t know we were that close to finishing it up,” Bellemeur said. “The competition out here is tough. Brian and Maddi are great drivers. Tony Bartone gives us everything we need. He just says, ‘Don’t let up.’”

Bellemeur praised the team’s versatility and skill. “Steve Boggs, what can you say, the guy is a wizard. He tuned two different engine combinations this year and dominated in both. Boggs is unbelievable. The guys, all of them, and the best part is I get to call all of them my friends. We crisscross the country fighting this NHRA fight.”

He extended thanks to the team’s sponsors, “especially Park Miller, who has been a huge part of this in 2025 and is here to celebrate with us.” Additional sponsors include Red Line Synthetic Oil, Roger Dean Chevrolet, Talon Air, LLC, NGK Spark Plugs, Mastercam, Simpson Performance Products and Taylor Motorsports Products.

“To hoist this trophy with Tony Bartone, Steve Boggs, Troy Green, Nick Stoms, Justin Taylor, Garret Bateman, Brian Gawlik, Lauren McMaster, and Matt Krebs is the best,” Bellemeur said. “I am the luckiest guy in the world!”

Bartone Bros. Racing 2025 Season Highlights

  • Baby Gators Regional WIN – Injected Nitro TAFC
  • Gatornationals National WIN – Injected Nitro TAFC
  • Z-Max Four-Wide Nationals WIN – Injected Nitro TAFC
  • Indy Cleetus and Cars Regional WIN – Injected Nitro TAFC
  • Summit Motorsports Park Nationals WIN – Blown TAFC
  • Brainerd Nationals WIN – Blown TAFC
  • Worldwide Technology Regional WIN – Blown TAFC
  • Texas Motorplex National WIN – Blown TAFC
  • The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, round one elimination win

The team will stay at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for next weekend’s regional event.

The team extends a huge thank you to its incredible sponsors: Red Line Synthetic Oil, Roger Dean Chevrolet, Talon Air, LLC, NGK Spark Plugs, and Mastercam, along with product supporters Simpson Performance Products and Taylor Motorsports Products.

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For more information on Bartone Bros Racing, including race recaps and photos, please visit the team site at www.BartoneBrosRacing.com

This story was originally published on November 3, 2025. Drag Illustrated

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