International Hot Rod Association - IHRA

Andy Kelley Captures First Career Nitro Funny Car Ironman
Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Jim Halsey (Pro Modified), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car) and Jeff Dobbins (Pro Stock) also claim class championships at IHRA Torco Northern Nationals

MARTIN, MI (August 3, 2008) – Andy Kelley was thinking about parking his car a little early this season. Heading into the Torco Northern Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park, Kelley knew his race team was up against the wall financially. He also knew how quickly things could change.

Kelley, a Piedmont, S.C. resident, defeated Paul Lee in the Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car final round to claim his first career national event victory and get the financial boost he needed to be able to compete at the Sooner Nationals later this month.

“We were broke and thinking about quitting,” Kelley said. “Now we did something silly and won some money so we pretty much can’t quit. We have to keep on going. I’m glad I was able to win this and glad to be a part of IHRA. When the president of the sanctioning body comes over and shakes your hand to congratulate you…that makes you feel pretty special.”

Kelley qualified #5 and knocked off #1 qualifier Cory Lee in the first round. He then defeated John Lawson, who was driving the car Dale Creasy Jr. drove to the world championship last year, in the semifinals to move into the final-round match-up with Lee.

Lee (Wynnewood, Pa.) hazed his tires in the final round while Kelley made a clean pass right down the groove. He posted a 5.544 at 263.20 to grab the Ironman.

Spencer Massey (Fort Worth, Tex.) won the first two national events of the 2008 IHRA Nitro Jam season. He built an early lead in the Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel points chase, only to see defending world champion Bruce Litton wrestle it away after the President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek, Md. After knocking off Terry McMillen in the final at US 131 Motorsports Park Massey took the points lead back. He will pull out of the facility with a 41-point advantage.

“This is a dream come true, it’s just unbelievable,” Massey said. “With three races left we’re 41 points in the lead, so I guess we kind of control our own destiny. It’s because of this whole Mitch King racing team, they are the best.”

Massey took over the points lead in the semifinals when he was able to slip past Litton. He then knocked off McMillen, who shook his tires at mid-track. Massey clocked a 4.741 at 312.57 to take the win light.

“I always say I just have to take things one race at a time, one round at a time,” he said. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We just have to keep our focus and not worry about the points, they will take care of themselves.”

The blower vs. nitrous debate has raged in the Torco Pro Modified ever since the class was instituted for the 1990 season. In recent years the supercharged drivers have had the advantage but, if the Northern Nationals are any indication, the tide may be turning. Mike Castellana and Jim Halsey qualified 1-2 before each marching through their side of the ladder to set up an all-nitrous final round.

Though Castellana had the quicker car all day Halsey was able to get his Yellowbullet.com ’68 Camaro into the winner’s circle at US 131 Motorsports Park. Castellana had the advantage at the tree, .026 to .057, but he did not have enough power left to hold Halsey off on the track. Halsey clocked a 6.088 at 235.64 mph to better Castellana’s 6.124/229.12.

“Some of the blower guys were asking me if they were going to put a weight penalty on us,” Halsey said with a chuckle. “But if it’s our time it’s our time. They’ve had a run at it for awhile now so we’ll enjoy it while we can.”

Halsey defeated current points leader Kenny Lang in the first round, Steve Salvadore in the quarterfinals and Jason Hamstra in the semifinals to advance to the final round.

“Mike Castellana and that entire team work very hard and they’re good at what they do,” he said. “I think they had a motor that was a little less than perfect because they hurt it a little bit in the semifinals. And he cut a good light on me. He was way out in front of me…I saw a lot of that maroon car for a long time.”

Most Alcohol Funny Car drivers have seen a lot of Laurie Cannister’s Kalbones ’99 Camaro for a long time this season. Cannister has been dominant in the class this year, and her victory over Paul Noakes in the final round at US 131 Motorsports Park marked her fifth national event victory in seven tries this season.

Cannister coasted to the finish line after Noakes lit the red-light by -.162 of a second.

“It’s incredible because we’ve been trying to figure the car out because there’s something wrong with it,” Cannister said. “It’s been a bug-fogger all weekend and we’re thrilled we were able to get this win.”

While Cannister has been dominating the rounds of eliminations this season, recently her qualifying efforts have been less than stellar. She wants to turn that around. She qualified in the bottom half of the field in Martin, ending up #5 on the ladder, before turning up the heat in eliminations.

“That’s happened at the last couple of races, we’ve struggled in qualifying,” she said. “We had some kind of gremlin and ended up changing engines for today. For some reason this engine liked the track a little better. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Jeff Dobbins (Wilmington, N.C.) has seemingly righted the ship after a second-round red-light in Grand Bend two weeks ago cost him his points lead. Frank Gugliotta won the Ironman in Grand Bend and entered US 131 Motorsports Park as the points leader. While a red-light cost Dobbins the points lead in Canada, one gave it back to him in Michigan. Pete Berner, who had the quickest car all weekend, jumped the gun in the final round to hand the win to Dobbins.

Berner out-performed Dobbins in the final, clocking a 6.383 to Dobbins’ 6.387, but his -.021 red-light start rendered his performance advantage useless.

“I saw it when I went by the tree, I knew he red-lighted, but we wanted to make another good run,” Dobbins said. “That made it eight good runs this weekend so we were pretty happy with how the weekend turned out.”

Dobbins historically has not done well at US 131 Motorsports Park, so he was pleased he was able to get that monkey off his back.

“We had never done really well here,” he said. “We had done well at the other Michigan track (Milan Dragway) but this was our first final round here. In fact this was our first semifinal here, so we’re happy with how things turned out this weekend.”

MARTIN, Mich. -- Sunday's final results from the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park. The race is the seventh of 10 in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:

Nitro Funny Car -- Andy Kelley, Chevy Camaro, 5.544, 263.20 def. Paul Lee, Camaro, 6.556, 144.43.
Top Fuel -- Spencer Massey, 4.741 seconds, 312.57 mph def. Terry McMillen, 11.957 seconds, 82.72 mph.
Pro Modified -- Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.088, 235.64 def. Mike Castellana, Pontiac Firebird, 6.124, 229.12.
Alcohol Funny Car -- Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 9.899, 86.66 def. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, foul.
Pro Stock -- Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.387, 220.26 def. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, foul.

MARTIN, Mich. -- Final round-by-round results from the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park, the seventh of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Kevin Jones, 5.003, 294.95 def. T.J. Zizzo, 8.214, 99.51; Bruce Litton, 4.815, 296.96 def. Mike Strasburg, 4.810, 305.22; Terry McMillen, 4.672, 309.98 def. Tim Boychuk, 4.795, 293.35; Spencer Massey, 4.727, 306.74 def. Bobby Lagana Jr., foul;

SEMIFINALS -- Massey, 4.782, 267.59 def. Litton, 7.345, 115.05; McMillen, 5.185, 264.60 def. Jones, 5.396, 252.76;

FINAL -- Massey, 4.741, 312.57 def. McMillen, 11.957, 82.72.


NITRO FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Andy Kelley, Chevy Camaro, 5.152, 291.95 def. Cory Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, 8.485, 100.64; Paul Lee, Camaro, 5.374, 205.29 def. Todd Simpson, Camaro, 25.492, no speed; John Lawson, Chevy Impala, 5.094, 271.90 def. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 5.137, 283.49; Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.142, 291.01 def. Jeff Diehl, Monte Carlo, broke;

SEMIFINALS -- Kelley, 5.189, 279.61 def. Lawson, DQ; P. Lee, 5.193, 272.72 def. Haddock, foul;

FINAL -- Kelley, 5.544, 263.20 def. P. Lee, 6.556, 144.43.


PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Jason Hamstra, Chevy Camaro, 6.277, 220.66 def. Rickie Smith, Chevy Corvette, broke; Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.207, 225.97 def. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.790, 196.82; Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.161, 226.58 def. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.255, 228.23; Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.095, 233.84 def. Tim O'Hare, Camaro, 6.126, 230.65; Mike Janis, Firebird, 6.127, 235.31 def. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 16.271, 53.76; Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.075, 230.92 def. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 13.810, 70.28; Mike Castellana, Firebird, 6.000, 235.56 def. Carl Spiering, Corvette, 12.446, 79.29;

QUARTERFINALS -- Janis, 6.094, 233.92 def. Patterson, 6.275, 196.50; Hamstra, 6.188, 229.00 def. Hoover, 8.848, 108.68; Halsey, 6.099, 233.24 def. Salvadore, 6.200, 223.50; Castellana, 6.051, 235.72 def. Cannon, 6.221, 229.12;

SEMIFINALS -- Halsey, 6.101, 234.70 def. Hamstra, DQ; Castellana, 6.113, 219.47 def. Janis, foul;

FINAL -- Halsey, 6.088, 235.64 def. Castellana, 6.124, 229.12.


ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.740, 243.77 def. Dale Brand, Camaro, 5.803, 245.05; Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.810, 244.07 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.919, 131.61; Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.859, 238.85 def. Thomas Carter, Monte Carlo, 7.801, 116.48; Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.872, 240.34 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.851, 241.67;

SEMIFINALS -- Noakes, 5.846, 240.34 def. Atchison, 14.660, 53.79; Cannister, 5.849, 242.71 def. Munroe, 5.883, 238.93;

FINAL -- Cannister, 9.899, 86.66 def. Noakes, foul.


PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Richard Freeman, Chevy Cobalt, 6.428, 215.68 def. Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, 6.417, 214.48; Robert Patrick, Mustang, 7.003, 185.92 def. John Konigshofer, Mustang, 7.865, 167.43; Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.416, 214.69 def. Michael Bruno, Pontiac GTO, 10.566, 81.25; Rob Mansfield, GTO, 7.974, 191.13 def. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 12.424, 69.26; John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.387, 216.86 def. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.422, 216.65; Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.413, 217.07 def. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 10.629, 92.94; Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.393, 216.76 def. Dean Goforth, Cobalt, 6.419, 216.65; Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.373, 217.88 def. Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.430, 213.81;

QUARTERFINALS -- Patrick, 6.429, 217.00 def. Spiess, 6.409, 218.87; Dobbins, 6.386, 219.40 def. Morton, 6.423, 217.42; Montecalvo, 6.396, 219.83 def. Freeman, 6.625, 199.91; Berner, 6.386, 218.51 def. Mansfield, foul;

SEMIFINALS -- Berner, 6.393, 219.65 def. Patrick, 6.848, 161.71; Dobbins, 6.400, 220.40 def. Montecalvo, foul;

FINAL -- Dobbins, 6.387, 220.26 def. Berner, foul.


About IHRA

Headquartered in Norwalk, Ohio, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), a division of Live Nation, promotes professional, semi-professional and local-level racing opportunities for drivers at all levels. The $21.5 million Knoll Gas Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series is a 10-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2008, the series will be comprised of eight events in major cities throughout the United States and three in Canada. The Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Championship presented by Mr. Gasket consists of competition at national events and 40 events in six regional divisions, while IHRA’s Summit SuperSeries is conducted nearly every weekend at over 85 IHRA-sanctioned tracks. Providing a safe environment to develop future stars, IHRA offers the Junior Dragster Racing Series for youths ages 8-17. Stand-alone events include Live Nation’s entertainment-filled “Thunder Jam” shows and the street legal racing and lifestyle event series Street Warriorz. More information can be found at www.nitrojam.com.


About Live Nation

Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We strive to create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues® music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”
 

Record Crowd sees Record-Setting Performances at US 131 Motorsports Park
Three track records fall as fields finalize for Sunday eliminations at Torco Northern Nationals

Martin, Mich. (Aug. 2, 2008) – Cory Lee knew his team was in trouble. Following the Saturday afternoon qualifying session they were on the bottom of the qualifying sheet and had major problems to work through in the pits.

“We were lost,” Lee said. “We had some problems with our computer and also had some problems with some engine parts. We had a lot of work to do.”

The team was able to come through under pressure. They thrashed away to get ready for the evening qualifying session, then went out and moved to the #1 qualifying position. Lee’s 5.053 at 292.90 mph put him on the pole and set up a first-round match-up with Andy Kelley Sunday.

“It was a pretty good run,” Lee said of his Saturday evening pass. “It had to be. We went from being the worst car out here to being the best. We figured some things out and should be ready for eliminations Sunday.”

Mike Strasburg (Linden, Utah) moved to the top of the Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel qualifying list with an impressive 4.659 pass at 326.32 mph during Saturday evening qualifying. Sitting fourth in the points standings heading into the Northern Nationals, Strasburg will have to face points leader Bruce Litton, who qualified fifth, in the first round of eliminations Sunday.

Terry McMillen, the winner in Grand Bend two weeks ago, ended up second in qualifying with a 4.659/316.01 shot. He will face Tim Boychuk in the first round Sunday.

Mike Castellana (Westbury, N.Y.) red-lit his chance at a $50,000 payday in the final of the Torco Pro Modified Shootout, held in conjunction with Pro Modified qualifying, but his track-record 6.009 at 238.05 mph put him on top of the field heading into Sunday’s eliminations. Jim Halsey (Street, Md.) posted a 6.045 at 233.76 mph to claim the #2 spot, marking the first time this season a pair of nitrous-powered Pro Modifieds ended up 1-2 on the qualifying sheet.

Castellana’s 6.009 pass was the quickest nitrous-assisted Pro Modified pass in IHRA history.

Ed Hoover, who qualified #4, won the $50,000 first prize by knocking off Castellana in the final qualifying session.

“This was a great deal,” Hoover said. “I’ve never been involved in a race with this much money at stake. I’m really happy I was able to get the job done.”

Hoover’s 6.073/233.96 pass gave him the Shootout title and secured him the largest single-day Pro Modified payday in drag racing.

Dale Brand (Sully, Iowa) set a track record in the Alcohol Funny Car class, using a 5.729 pass at 245.05 mph to claim #1 qualifying honors. Brand will pit his ’01 Camaro against current points leader Laurie Cannister (Johnstown, Ohio) in the first round Sunday.

Rob Atchison (London, Ont.), Thomas Carter (Victoria, Tex.) and Paul Noakes (London, Ont.) rounded out the top half of the Alcohol Funny Car qualifying field.

Pete Berner (Crete, Ill.) captured his second #1 qualifying position of the season, using a track-record 6.365 at 218.69 mph to move to the top of the qualifying sheet. Berner is very comfortable at US 131 Motorsports Park.

“This is our home track and we test here all the time,” he said. “It’s a beautiful facility and the track is always in awesome shape. It was a nice run tonight. I knew, right when I let the clutch out, that it was going to be a nice run.”

Berner entered the Northern Nationals fourth in the championship points standings. He will get the chance to make up some ground on points leader Frank Gugliotta Sunday because the two will square off in the first round of eliminations. Coincidentally it was Gugliotta who previously held the track record at US 131 Motorsports Park with a 6.386.

MARTIN, Mich. -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park, the seventh of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Mike Strasburg, 4.612 seconds, 326.32 mph vs. 5. Bruce Litton, 4.704, 307.02; 2. Terry McMillen, 4.659, 316.01 vs. 6. Tim Boychuk, 4.754, 294.24; 3. Spencer Massey, 4.683, 313.88 vs. 7. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.860, 307.02; 4. T.J. Zizzo, 4.691, 298.60 vs. 8. Kevin Jones, 4.863, 295.08.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Cory Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.053, 292.90 vs. 5. Andy Kelley, Chevy Camaro, 5.166, 296.18; 2. Paul Lee, Camaro, 5.064, 286.07 vs. 6. Todd Simpson, Camaro, 5.168, 252.95; 3. John Lawson, Chevy Impala, 5.131, 259.91 vs. 7. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 5.192, 279.50; 4. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.132, 295.27 vs. 8. Jeff Diehl, Monte Carlo, 5.221, 252.24.

Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Castellana, Pontiac Firebird, 6.009, 238.05 vs. 9. Carl Spiering, Chevy Corvette, 6.123, 232.11; 2. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.045, 233.76 vs. 10. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.124, 234.90; 3. Mike Janis, Firebird, 6.065, 236.55 vs. 11. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.129, 224.88; 4. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.073, 234.17 vs. 12. Tim O'Hare, Camaro, 6.133, 231.12; 5. Scott Cannon, Firebird, 6.091, 232.47 vs. 13. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.140, 231.40; 6. Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 6.095, 231.79 vs. 14. Steve Salvadore, Camaro, 6.162, 233.76; 7. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.117, 234.25 vs. 15. Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.166, 229.12; 8. Rickie Smith, Corvette, 6.118, 232.59 vs. 16. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 6.168, 227.00.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Dale Brand, Chevy Camaro, 5.729, 245.05 vs. 5. Laurie Cannister, Camaro, 5.856, 240.72; 2. Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.794, 245.32 vs. 6. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.872, 246.89; 3. Thomas Carter, Monte Carlo, 5.801, 245.00 vs. 7. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.887, 238.55; 4. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.851, 238.30 vs. 8. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.945, 239.57.

Pro Stock -- 1. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.365, 218.76 vs. 9. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Mustang, 6.399, 219.15; 2. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.376, 220.33 vs. 10. Dean Goforth, Chevy Cobalt, 6.405, 219.08; 3. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.378, 219.36 vs. 11. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.416, 217.74; 4. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.384, 219.01 vs. 12. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.420, 216.90; 5. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, 6.392, 218.58 vs. 13. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.427, 218.97; 6. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.396, 218.23 vs. 14. Michael Bruno, GTO, 6.427, 217.91; 7. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.397, 218.09 vs. 15. John Konigshofer, Mustang, 6.440, 217.00; 8. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.398, 218.80 vs. 16. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.457, 219.76.
 

Huge Crowd at US 131 Motorsports Park sees Terry McMillen Jump to Top of Provisional Top Fuel Qualifying List
Andy Kelley (Nitro Funny Car), Mike Castellana (Pro Modified), Tom Carter (Alcohol Funny Car) and Jeff Dobbins (Pro Stock) also claim provisional #1 qualifying spots at Torco Northern Nationals

Martin, Mich. (Aug. 1, 2008) – Prior to the Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, veteran crew chief Doug Kuch joined up with Terry McMillen’s Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Top Fuel team. Early returns are in and the numbers do not lie…Kuch has made a world of difference.

McMillen, from Elkhart, Ind., grabbed his second career Ironman by defeating Spencer Massey in the final round two weeks ago at Grand Bend Motorplex. He followed that up Friday at the Torco Northern Nationals by vaulting to the top of the provisional Top Fuel qualifying sheet, posting a strong 4.659 at 316.01 mph. McMillen also claimed five bonus points for being the quickest driver who also turned on his win light as part of IHRA’s “Last Man Standing” program.

“We really needed the points and my hat’s off to my crew,” McMillen said. “Doug Kuch, what can I say? He has this car running very well. Doug and the crew make my job so much easier, I just have to worry about getting the car down the track.”

Mike Strasburg (Lindon, Utah) was right behind McMillen after Friday’s qualifying session, recording a 4.669. His 317.94 mph speed was the fastest speed of the Top Fuel session. Current points leader Bruce Litton (Indianapolis, Ind.) was third on the qualifying sheet with a 4.705/297.81 pass while Spencer Massey (Fort Worth, Tex.) rounded out the top half of the provisional field with a 4.734 at 304.53 mph.

Veteran Top Fuel driver Luigi Novelli (Crete, Ill.) ended up sixth on the provisional Top Fuel qualifying sheet with a 4.866. But his 315.49 mph speed was a career best.

Todd Simpson was the sole survivor of a difficult Nitro Funny Car qualifying session as ideal weather gave the racing surface at US 131 Motorsports Park more bite than most NFC crew chiefs were banking on. Simpson registered a 5.168 at 252.95 mph to move to the top of the provisional qualifying sheet as nearly every other driver had difficulty keeping power to the track, resulting in tire shake.

“That was tough,” Jeff Diehl, who ended up third on the provisional sheet with a 6.189 at 160.06 mph, said of the Friday evening qualifying session. “A lot of guys will be making some serious adjustments before tomorrow’s afternoon session.”

Mike Castellana (Westbury, N.Y.) cleaned up during Torco Pro Modified qualifying. The grocery store owner ended up on top of the provisional qualifying sheet with a career best 6.031 pass at 237.00 mph, also claiming “Last Man Standing” honors and five bonus points. Jim Halsey (Street, Md.) was second on the provisional qualifying sheet with a 6.063/232.99 pass, putting two nitrous cars at the top of the ladder. Ed Hoover (Gilbert, S.C.), who won in Grand Bend, was the top qualified supercharged car Friday, ringing up a 6.077 at 233.96 mph.

Castellana’s 6.031 pass was the second-quickest nitrous-powered pass in history, second only to Pat Stoken’s 6.022 set at Maryland International Raceway this June.

Dr. Tom Carter (Victoria, Tex.) moved to the top of the provisional Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sheet when he posted a 5.801 pass at 245.00 mph. Carter, in his ’08 Monte Carlo, was followed by Larry Dobbs (Welland, Ont.) who clocked a 5.872/246.89 pass. Dobbs claimed Last Man Standing honors, garnering five bonus points.

Jeff Dobbins (Wilmington, N.C.) drove his ’06 Escort to the top of the provisional Torco Pro Stock qualifying sheet, clocking a 6.399 at 218.80 mph. Dobbins was a thousandth of a second quicker than both John Montecalvo (Center Moriches, N.Y.) and current points leader Frank Gugliotta (Mt. Airy, Md.) who both checked in at 6.400. Montecalvo, who matched Dobbins’ speed at 218.80 mph, was second on the provisional sheet due to his speed advantage over Gugliotta’s 217.07.

Pete Berner (Crete, Ill.) was fourth in provisional qualifying with a 6.401/218.02 while Steve Spiess (Manhattan, Ill.) rounded out a tightly-bunched top five with his 6.405 at 218.34…the fastest time clocked of the round. Gugliotta, who had the quickest ET of the evening session while also winning against the car in the other lane, won the Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge. He will gain five bonus points and receive a $500 check from Rick Jones at Quarter-Max.

MARTIN, Mich. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park, seventh of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Terry McMillen, 4.659 seconds, 316.01 mph; 2. Mike Strasburg, 4.669, 317.94; 3. Bruce Litton, 4.705, 297.81; 4. Spencer Massey, 4.734, 304.53; 5. Kevin Jones, 4.863, 295.08; 6. Luigi Novelli, 4.866, 315.49; 7. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.890, 275.28; 8. Chris Karamesines, 5.064, 286.44. Not Qualified: 9. Smax Smith, 5.860, 229.08; 10. Tim Boychuk, 8.056, 98.86.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 5.168, 252.95; 2. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.407, 269.51; 3. Jeff Diehl, Chevy Monte Carlo, 6.189, 160.06; 4. Justin Schriefer, Camaro, 9.016, 96.62. Not Qualified: 5. Tim Cullinan, DQ; 6. Paul Lee, DQ; 7. Steven Macklyn, broke.

Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Castellana, Pontiac Firebird, 6.031, 237.00; 2. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.063, 232.99; 3. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.077, 233.96; 4. Mike Janis, Firebird, 6.105, 234.17; 5. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.117, 234.25; 6. Scott Cannon, Firebird, 6.131, 231.28; 7. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.140, 231.40; 8. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.155, 233.76; 9. Carl Spiering, Corvette, 6.162, 230.41; 10. Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.166, 229.12; 11. Rickie Smith, Corvette, 6.201, 230.06; 12. Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 6.205, 223.62; 13. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 6.212, 227.00; 14. Steve Salvadore, Camaro, 6.220, 230.41; 15. Tim O'Hare, Camaro, 6.223, 229.90; 16. Jason Stock, Corvette, 6.273, 219.54. Not Qualified: 17. Chris Russo, 6.277, 232.11; 18. Steve Vick, 6.286, 224.70; 19. Quain Stott, 6.313, 232.11; 20. Burton Auxier, 6.386, 220.66; 21. Mark Nielsen, 6.737, 200.83; 22. Steve Bareman, 7.060, 153.72; 23. Pat Stoken, 9.929, 80.48.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Thomas Carter, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.801, 245.00; 2. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.872, 246.89; 3. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.928, 242.23; 4. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.943, 238.60; 5. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.945, 239.57; 6. Tim Stevens, Dodge Stratus, 5.973, 236.22; 7. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.974, 236.42; 8. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 6.039, 202.73. Not Qualified: 9. John Hart, 6.310, 227.23; 10. Wayne Mellinger, 6.322, 181.98; 11. Tony Bogolo, 7.864, 113.33; 12. Dylan Hache, 12.157, 68.40; 13. Jason McKnight, 13.479, 74.33; 14. Rocky Hummel, 15.029, 69.05.

Pro Stock -- 1. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.399, 219.04; 2. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.400, 218.80; 3. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Mustang, 6.400, 217.39; 4. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.401, 218.02; 5. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.405, 218.34; 6. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, 6.409, 217.98; 7. Dean Goforth, Cobalt, 6.416, 217.91; 8. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.418, 215.68; 9. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.423, 216.03; 10. John Konigshofer, Mustang, 6.440, 217.00; 11. Michael Bruno, GTO, 6.441, 216.69; 12. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.444, 216.86; 13. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.445, 215.65; 14. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.457, 217.53; 15. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.469, 218.02; 16. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.472, 216.58. Not Qualified: 17. Brian Gahm, 6.488, 218.97; 18. Ron Miller, 6.488, 214.59; 19. Chuck DeMory, 6.516, 214.21; 20. Scott Hintz, 6.548, 213.70; 21. Trevor Eman, 6.589, 216.24; 22. Mark Martino, 6.589, 211.76; 23. Sylvester Barnes, 6.701, 210.14.
 

Don’t Call it a Showdown
Bruce Litton not looking at Top Fuel points chase as a two-driver battle

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (July 31, 2008) – With four events remaining on the 2008 schedule and just two points separating Top Fuel points leader Bruce Litton from upstart rookie driver Spencer Massey, one might be tempted to make a big deal of the tight points chase heading into the Northern Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park.

Bruce Litton, who leads Massey 499 points to 497 points, will not make that mistake. Litton, a Top Fuel veteran of 20 years, knows how quickly things can change. He also knows, considering the talent level of the drivers in the top five of IHRA’s points standings, it would be foolish to count anyone out.

“Spencer and I are neck and neck, but look right behind us. Bobby Lagana is right there, Mike Strasburg is in the hunt and Terry McMillen, coming off a win in Grand Bend, has some momentum,” Litton said. “Heck, even Kevin Jones, who is in sixth place right now, has every opportunity to make some noise before all is said and done. I can’t worry about Spencer, can’t worry about Bobby, can’t worry about anybody else. I have to worry about my race car, my race team and concentrate on qualifying and going rounds. If I do my job the points race will take care of itself.”

Litton has been to three final rounds in six events this season. His only win, however, came when he knocked off Scott Palmer in the final round of the Motor City Nationals in Milan, Michigan. Aug. 1-3 he will be on the other side of Michigan, in Martin, hoping to duplicate that success. Litton will be the defending champion at the Northern Nationals. Last season he defeated J.R. Todd in an emotional final at US 131 Motorsports Park. Todd started his Top Fuel career driving for Litton.

“Last year was very special for me,” Litton said. “I have known J.R. for a long time and words cannot describe how proud I am of what he’s accomplished in this sport. Going up against him in the final last year was bittersweet, I always want to win but at the same time I always root for J.R. It meant a lot to me that I was able to go up against him in the final round of a national event.”

After his win over Todd, Litton went on a tear the rest of the season…culminating in Rockingham where he clinched the 2007 world championship at the IHRA World Finals. He had to chase down T.J. Zizzo to clinch the title last season and expects the points chase to be equally as tight down the stretch this season.

“Only 128 points separate the #5 guy (McMillen) from me, so every round the rest of the way will be huge,” he said. “And with the five Last Man Standing bonus points there Friday and Saturday nights at these events every qualifying pass is critical as well. Think about it, we have four races left…that’s 40 total Last Man Standing bonus points up for grabs. That could be the difference between winning a championship and finishing in fourth or fifth place. That’s a lot of pressure every time you stage the car.”

Litton wanted to thank Lucas Oil, United Trailer and Autolite for their support.

“I get such great support from these companies,” Litton said. “I could not do this without them in my corner. I’m truly blessed to have such strong support from these companies, who have made incredible commitments to the sport of drag racing.”

The Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals will start Friday, August 1 with on evening Top Fuel qualifying session. Final qualifying will take place Saturday with a pair of Top Fuel sessions, one during the day and one as part of the Night of Fire. Final eliminations will be held Sunday, Aug. 3 as part of Wolverine Boots & Shoes Championship Sunday.
 

McMillen Thunders to Top Fuel Ironman at Grand Bend Motorplex
Paul Noakes’ Alcohol Funny Car win completes dream weekend for McMillen’s Hoosier Thunder Motorsports

Grand Bend, Ont. (July 20, 2008) – Terry McMillen was not satisfied with one Ironman. After watching Paul Noakes, driving his Amalie Oil InstiGator, claim the Alcohol Funny Car championship at the Mopar Canadian Nationals, McMillen figured he might as well put the icing on the proverbial cake. He knocked off rookie Spencer Massey in the Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel final round to put a second Hoosier Thunder Motorsports car in the winner’s circle at Grand Bend Motorplex.

“What a weekend…this is something you can just dream about,” McMillen said. “Getting both cars to the finals was a goal, to be fortunate enough to have both cars win is really amazing.”

McMillen (Elkhart, IN) defeated Spencer Massey in the Top Fuel final while Noakes knocked off Larry Dobbs in the AFC class. Noakes drives the car McMillen left behind when he stepped into a Top Fueler, a car McMillen never took to the winner’s circle.

“My hat is off to Les Mellows, Paul’s crew chief, and his entire crew for what they were able to accomplish this weekend,” McMillen said. “I also have to give the credit to my team here and the entire gang at the shop back home. (Crew Chief) Doug Kuch gave us the power and all my guys busted their butts and they never gave up their faith in this team. And here we are. They deserve all the credit, I’m just the nut behind the wheel.”

McMillen, who broke Clay Millican’s 2-year-old track speed record in his first elimination round against Kevin Jones, ran a 4.867 at 278.52 mph in the final to top Massey’s tire-spinning 5.393/201.43 pass. His first-round 322.42 pass set the new Grand Bend Motorplex speed standard.

Noakes (London, Ont.) had a rough road to the finals, but it was not as rough as it could have been. He had to knock off #1 qualifier Tom Carter in the first round before facing three-time world champion Rob Atchison in the semifinals. He was up to the task, eliminating Carter when Carter rolled through the beams and lit the red-light before outrunning Atchison with a 5.900/238.22 to his opponent’s 5.903/241.50. Laurie Cannister, a four-time winner on the IHRA circuit this season, was on the other side of the ladder and fell to Dobbs in the semifinals.

“We had a plan when we got here,” Noakes said. “Les has really high expectations of me and he’s amazing at tuning these cars…he’s the best in the business.”

Noakes left the car he owns to step into McMillen’s ’99 Avenger this season.

“This is a new car for me so there’s a lot on me,” he said. “I’m starting to figure the car out but it’s not as easy as people think to move from one Funny Car to another. I could not do this without my guys, they keep making this car easier and easier for me to drive.”

Amalie Oil is the primary sponsor on both cars, something McMillen did not want overlooked.

“Amalie Oil has made such a great commitment to this team, but they’ve also made a huge commitment to IHRA in general,” he said. “They sponsor two races as well as this team. Andy Bornstein and everyone at Amalie have been so supportive. They are the ones who let Paul and I come out here and chase our dreams. I can never thank them enough.”

Terry Haddock (Woodville, Wash.) won his second career national event Ironman when he stopped Steven Macklyn in the Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car final. Haddock’s other win also came in Canada, as he won the Rocky Mountain Nationals championship in Edmonton last season.

Haddock drove through Matt Hagan, a two-time winner on the tour this season, in the first round before defeating Motor City Nationals champion Paul Lee in the semifinals. Before the final he did not know if Macklyn was going to be able to make the call due to severe damage to his clutch in the semifinals against Jack Wyatt. He did get there in time but could not top Haddock’s 5.183/254.38 pass.

“You never underestimate anybody and you run your own race…that’s what we were doing,” Haddock said. “There have been plenty of times when it was us back there thrashing in the pits. We waited for them and the fact that they were able to make it says a lot. They had help from other teams back there and that shows how much teams work together out here. There were people back there helping Macklyn, but we also had people from other teams helping us. IHRA is such a great organization to race with. On the other side you would have never seen that.”

Haddock qualified #2 on the ladder and, with the victory, took over the 2008 NFC points lead from two-time defending champion Dale Creasy Jr., who suffered a season-ending injury in Edmonton two weeks ago.

“The points are really tightening up at the top, but we really miss Dale out here,” Haddock said. “If he was here he would have been over there working on our car to help get us to the finals with everyone else.”

It has been a long time between wins for Canadian Nationals champion Ed Hoover. He last claimed an Ironman last season in Edmonton, but was able to snap his dry spell in Grand Bend where he edged Tommy D’Aprile to win the Torco Pro Modified title.

“This was a great weekend and a real tribute to Al Billes, my crew and everyone who works on this car,” Hoover said. “They work so hard night after night, day after day, giving up their free time to come with me. I mostly have a volunteer crew and it’s great to win for them.”

Hoover (Gilbert, S.C.) qualified in the top half of the field, ending up #5 on the sheet, and defeated Mark Nielson, Jason Hamstra and Mike Janis to reach the final round. He was very consistent in eliminations, carding 6.107, 6.118 and 6.092 ETs during eliminations. He was able to step it up even more in the run for the championship, clocking a 6.062/234.53 pass to top D’Aprile’s 6.873/220.22.

“We went to the finals at Budds Creek and didn’t give it enough to get the win,” he said. “This time we leaned on it a little bit because we didn’t want to fall short. You have to have a consistent car and have to get down the track. We were able to do that this weekend.”

Hoover wanted to thank his car owner Paul Trussell.

“Paul is a motorhead, a car enthusiast, and I knew if I ever got him to a drag race and got him on the starting line he would be hooked,” Hoover said. “I wouldn’t do this for anyone else. Paul has always been a gentleman and a man of his word. That’s how he and I operate and there couldn’t be a closer friend to me than him.”

Frank Gugliotta (Mt. Airy, MD) ended up in the winner’s circle for the second time this season when he stopped Pete Berner in the Torco Pro Stock final. It wasn’t easy as the final round was the closest Pro Stock race of the weekend, with Gugliotta lighting the win light by a mere four thousandths of a second.

“I saw him the whole time,” Gugliotta said of Berner in the final. “He was in front of me, then I got around him and held on. Pete and I have had some battles over the years, really good races, and the track was awesome the whole week long.”

After a sluggish start Friday, Gugliotta and his ’07 Mustang turned things around.

“We struggled in the beginning and the car was not running very well, but it really started picking it up as the weekend went on,” Gugliotta said. “I have a great group of guys who really work hard and I can’t say enough about (car owner) Bob Yoak. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. I’m lucky he gave me the opportunity to do this and I can’t thank the man enough.”

The IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam will continue Aug. 1-3 at US 131 Motorsports Park for the IHRA Northern Nationals, the seventh event on the 10-event 2008 schedule.


GRAND BEND, Ont. -- Sunday's final results from the Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol at Grand Bend Motorplex. The race is the sixth of 10 in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Terry McMillen, 4.867 seconds, 278.52 mph def. Spencer Massey, 5.393 seconds, 201.43 mph.

Nitro Funny Car -- Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.183, 254.38 def. Steven Macklyn, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.821, 183.19.

Pro Modified -- Ed Hoover, Chevy Camaro, 6.062, 234.53 def. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.873, 220.22.

Alcohol Funny Car -- Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.869, 238.55 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.934, 237.75.

Pro Stock -- Frank Gugliotta, Ford Mustang, 6.389, 217.14 def. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.398, 217.00.


GRAND BEND, Ont. -- Final round-by-round results from the Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol at Grand Bend Motorplex, the sixth of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:



TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Spencer Massey, 4.768, 306.33 def. Bruce Litton, 4.896, 302.21; Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.905, 154.94 def. Mitch King, foul; Terry McMillen, 4.665, 322.42 def. Kevin Jones, 4.997, 249.30; Mike Strasburg, 10.066, 90.10 def. Todd Paton, foul;

SEMIFINALS -- Massey, 4.726, 310.41 def. Lagana Jr., 4.859, 272.01; McMillen, 4.864, 247.93 def. Strasburg, 6.714, 134.91;

FINAL -- McMillen, 4.867, 278.52 def. Massey, 5.393, 201.43.


NITRO FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Jack Wyatt, Dodge Stratus, 5.047, 270.59 def. Jeff Diehl, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.321, 241.02; Terry Haddock, Stratus, 5.435, 209.26 def. Matt Hagan, Monte Carlo, 5.580, 215.75; Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 5.261, 277.72 def. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, broke; Paul Lee, Chevy Camaro, 5.604, 207.66 def. Cory Lee, Firebird, 5.997, 178.45;

SEMIFINALS -- Haddock, 5.177, 255.92 def. P. Lee, 5.425, 256.41; Macklyn, 5.977, 178.87 def. Wyatt, 21.435, 73.76;

FINAL -- Haddock, 5.183, 254.38 def. Macklyn, 5.821, 183.19.


PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.803, 226.47 def. Gary Irving, Chevy Corvette, 8.749, 108.69; Carl Spiering, Corvette, 6.143, 230.92 def. Pat Stoken, Chevy Camaro, 8.435, 109.41; Jason Stock, Corvette, 6.480, 223.73 def. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 10.448, 85.24; Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.107, 231.04 def. Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 14.795, 82.77; Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.178, 235.60 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.245, 231.00; Mike Janis, Firebird, 6.141, 235.76 def. Mike Castellana, Firebird, 8.387, 106.41; Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.233, 214.48 def. Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.232, 219.15; Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 6.129, 228.65 def. Raymond Commisso, Camaro, 6.015, 237.38;

QUARTERFINALS -- D'Aprile, 6.287, 218.48 def. Stock, 6.433, 225.79; Lang, 6.398, 231.40 def. Cannon, 7.149, 180.43; Janis, 6.404, 230.57 def. Spiering, 8.366, 117.90; Hoover, 6.118, 226.62 def. Hamstra, 6.344, 225.79;

SEMIFINALS -- D'Aprile, 6.146, 233.08 def. Lang, 6.270, 234.09; Hoover, 6.092, 230.25 def. Janis, 8.500, 103.75;

FINAL -- Hoover, 6.062, 234.53 def. D'Aprile, 6.873, 220.22.


ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 6.748, 150.45 def. Thomas Carter, Chevy Monte Carlo, broke; Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.879, 239.44 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.906, 238.17; Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.923, 240.21 def. Tim Stevens, Dodge Stratus, 19.278, 47.60; Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.084, 228.85 def. Dylan Hache, Pontiac Firebird, 6.139, 227.77;

SEMIFINALS -- Noakes, 5.900, 238.22 def. Atchison, 5.903, 241.50; Dobbs, 5.893, 240.04 def. Cannister, 5.897, 237.71;

FINAL -- Noakes, 5.869, 238.55 def. Dobbs, 5.934, 237.75.


PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 6.399, 216.06 def. Ron Miller, Chevy Cobalt, 8.708, 113.32; Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.421, 215.44 def. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.484, 213.23; John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.397, 216.20 def. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.413, 218.09; Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.408, 215.24 def. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.459, 213.81; Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, 6.396, 216.03 def. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.479, 214.45; Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.502, 214.69 def. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.937, 155.02; Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.417, 213.30 def. Dean Goforth, Cobalt, 6.514, 201.31; Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.388, 217.67 def. John Konigshofer, Mustang, 6.413, 216.10;

QUARTERFINALS -- C. Goforth, 6.406, 217.32 def. O'Brien, foul; Gugliotta, 6.390, 215.13 def. Montecalvo, 6.388, 217.32; Mansfield, 6.392, 216.97 def. Gahm, broke; Berner, 6.392, 216.72 def. Dobbins, foul;

SEMIFINALS -- Berner, 6.390, 216.51 def. C. Goforth, 6.400, 218.16; Gugliotta, 6.368, 217.25 def. Mansfield, foul;

FINAL -- Gugliotta, 6.389, 217.14 def. Berner, 6.398, 217.00.


GRAND BEND, Ont. – Unnoficial point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol at Grand Bend Motorplex, the sixth of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1. Bruce Litton, 499; 2. Spencer Massey, 497; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 445; 4. Mike Strasburg, 438; 5. Kevin Jones, 354; 6. Terry McMillen, 351; 7. Scott Palmer, 222; 8. Chris Karamesines, 118; 9. Mitch King, 99; 10. Tim Boychuk, 74.

Nitro Funny Car

1. Terry Haddock, 408; 2. Dale Creasy Jr., 392; 3. Steven Macklyn, 380; 4. Matt Hagan, 374; 5. Paul Lee, 344; 6. Andy Kelley, 249; 7. Jack Wyatt, 242; 8. Jeff Diehl, 226; 9. Cory Lee, 177; 10. Todd Simpson, 165.

Pro Modified

1. Kenny Lang, 450; 2. Tommy D{Aprile, 360; 3. Scott Cannon, 344; 4. Mike Janis, 334; 5. Mike Castellana, 329; 6. Ed Hoover, 299; 7. Jim Halsey, 287; 8. Jason Hamstra, 246; 9. Thomas Patterson, 240; 10. Pat Stoken, 199.

Alcohol Funny Car

1. Laurie Cannister, 647; 2. Rob Atchison, 480; 3. Paul Noakes, 457; 4. Thomas Carter, 428; 5. Mark Thomas, 272; 6. Larry Dobbs, 265; 7. Dale Brand, 232; 8. Tim Stevens, 155; 9. Terry Munroe, 120; 10. Tony Bogolo, 107.

Pro Stock

1. Frank Gugliotta, 407; 2. Jeff Dobbins, 388; 3. John Montecalvo, 335; 4. Pete Berner, 331; 5. Elijah Morton, 324; 6. Bob Bertsch, 240; 7. Rob Mansfield, 227; 8. Cary Goforth, 224; 9. Richard Freeman, 206; 10. Robert Patrick, 191.
 

A Double Dip for Richard Hartman
Tunes Bruce Litton (Top Fuel) and Andy Kelley (Nitro Funny Car) to #1 qualifier positions at Mopar Canadian Nationals

Grand Bend, Ont. (July 19, 2008) – Richard Hartman spend a good portion of the day running back and forth between the pits of Bruce Litton and Andy Kelley. As Crew Chief on both cars he has little idle time, working with both teams to get them ready between afternoon and evening qualifying sessions.

At Grand Bend Motorplex for the Mopar Canadian Nationals Hartman was on his game. He put Andy Kelley on top of the Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car qualifying sheet with a 5.013 at 294.31 mph. Then, when rain washed away the final Top Fuel session, Bruce Litton became the second Hartman-tuned nitro car to find the top of the qualifying sheet…this time in the Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel class.

“Richard is so great for our team,” Kelley said. “He is such a great tuner who really knows how to get a car down the track, but he also knows how to tune on a budget. We don’t try to set any records or set the world on fire, we just try to get from A to B effectively. Richard put us on the right track this year and things are paying off.”

Kelley, from Piedmont, S.C., will square off with #5 qualifier Steven Macklyn (Layton, Utah) in the first round of eliminations Sunday.

Litton, an Indianapolis resident, jumped to the top of the qualifying sheet Friday night with a strong 4.743 pass at 302.75 mph. That number stood up against all challengers during the Saturday afternoon qualifying session.

“Richard and our tuning consultant Nicky Boninfante really know this car and always make the right calls,” Litton said. “They make my job a lot easier because all I have to worry about is driving the car. My entire team is so professional and so effective…they consistently do their job as well as any other team in drag racing.”

Litton will face #5 qualifier Kevin Jones, the winner two weeks ago in Edmonton, in the first round Sunday.

Ray Commisso is not a regular on the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam circuit, but he certainly makes his presence known when he shows up to race. Commisso, a Torontonian, earned #1 qualifier honors at Grand Bend Motorplex with a 6.039 at 238.30 mph.

“The reason this feels so good is because I’ve been really struggling with this car,” Commisso said about his ’68 Firebird. “We changed a lot of things and have tried some different stuff. We looked at qualifying as four test runs on a good race track. We didn’t expect anything special to come out of it, but the changes we made the car really responded to. That’s what I’m so happy about. We went a 6.03 and that’s an awesome run, but what I’m more happy about is that the car responded to what we tried. Things are working.”

Commisso will square off with Jason Hamstra in the first round of eliminations Sunday.

Dr. Tom Carter (Cuero, Tx.) grabbed top qualifying honors in the Alcohol Funny Car class, clocking a 5.842 at 243.24 mph to end up on top of the sheet. Carter used a steady, conservative approach to guide his ’08 Monte Carlo to the pole.

“I did my job, I left from where my crew wanted me to leave when I was staging and went right down through there,” Carter said. “We had a good afternoon pass and that’s when we put our race day tune up in it, so that’s encouraging. We’ll be right there Sunday. We just wanted to get down the track so we didn’t do anything very aggressive during the afternoon session.”

Jeff Dobbins (Wilmington, NC) came to Grand Bend with the Torco Pro Stock points lead. He added to that lead by claiming the #1 qualifying position and securing the five Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge bonus points. IHRA awards five bonus points to the quickest professional driver of the evening qualifying sessions who also reached the finish line before his or her opponent.

Dobbins ended up on top of the qualifying sheet by posting a 6.381 pass at 218.65 mph during the Saturday evening qualifying session. He will square off with #9 qualified John Konigshofer in the first round of eliminations Sunday.

“This was great,” Dobbins said. “My wife and son are here this weekend so that made things even more special.”

Frank Gugliotta (Mt. Airy, Md.) ended up second on the qualifying sheet while defending World Champion Robert Patrick (Fredericksburg, Va.) qualified third.
 

GRAND BEND, Ont. -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol at Grand Bend Motorplex, the sixth of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 4.743 seconds, 302.75 mph vs. 5. Spencer Massey, 4.897, 300.40; 2. Terry McMillen, 4.764, 311.85 vs. 6. Kevin Jones, 4.966, 295.21; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.823, 284.27 vs. 7. Mitch King, 4.985, 284.99; 4. Todd Paton, 4.837, 295.40 vs. 8. Mike Strasburg, 5.050, 277.43.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.013, 298.27 vs. 5. Steven Macklyn, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.172, 287.66; 2. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.042, 293.28 vs. 6. Matt Hagan, Monte Carlo, 5.262, 247.02; 3. Jack Wyatt, Stratus, 5.118, 242.36 vs. 7. Jeff Diehl, Monte Carlo, 5.496, 248.66; 4. Paul Lee, Chevy Camaro, 5.155, 292.52 vs. 8. Cory Lee, Firebird, 5.546, 205.98.

Pro Modified -- 1. Raymond Commisso, Chevy Camaro, 6.039, 238.30 vs. 9. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 6.167, 230.45; 2. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.044, 237.13 vs. 10. Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.201, 229.82; 3. Mike Janis, Pontiac Firebird, 6.057, 236.80 vs. 11. Mike Castellana, Firebird, 6.249, 230.53; 4. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.073, 236.22 vs. 12. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.274, 229.70; 5. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.095, 230.92 vs. 13. Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 6.278, 230.65; 6. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.117, 232.63 vs. 14. Jason Stock, Corvette, 6.316, 227.92; 7. Carl Spiering, Corvette, 6.130, 230.45 vs. 15. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.334, 220.66; 8. Scott Cannon, Firebird, 6.151, 234.37 vs. 16. Gary Irving, Corvette, 6.468, 221.74.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Thomas Carter, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.842, 243.24 vs. 5. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.894, 238.51; 2. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.857, 239.44 vs. 6. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.909, 239.61; 3. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.871, 245.09 vs. 7. Tim Stevens, Dodge Stratus, 5.943, 236.26; 4. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.879, 240.34 vs. 8. Dylan Hache, Pontiac Firebird, 5.978, 235.31.

Pro Stock -- 1. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.381, 218.65 vs. 9. John Konigshofer, Ford Mustang, 6.425, 217.98; 2. Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.383, 216.69 vs. 10. Dean Goforth, Chevy Cobalt, 6.428, 218.05; 3. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.387, 217.32 vs. 11. Steven Boone, Cobalt, 6.433, 217.67; 4. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, 6.392, 217.49 vs. 12. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.438, 216.27; 5. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.402, 216.69 vs. 13. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.451, 215.93; 6. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.409, 218.05 vs. 14. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.456, 217.84; 7. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.412, 218.05 vs. 15. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.467, 217.25; 8. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.418, 218.44 vs. 16. Ron Miller, Cobalt, 6.485, 215.20.
 

Bruce Litton Heads Friday Top Fuel Qualifying in Grand Bend
Andy Kelley (Nitro Funny Car), Mike Janis (Pro Modified), Rob Atchison (Alcohol Funny Car) and Rob Mansfield (Pro Stock) also claim provisional #1 qualifying spots at Mopar Canadian Nationals

Grand Bend, Ont. (July 18, 2008) – Defending World Champion Bruce Litton (Indianapolis, Ind.) moved to the top of the provisional Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel behind the wheel of his Lucas Oil Canada Hadman Dragster qualifying sheet with his 4.743 pass at 302.75 mph. Litton was in the last pair of cars that went down the track in Friday’s Top Fuel qualifying session and was just looking to get his feet under him at Grand Bend Motorplex. He ended up on the top of the list heading into Saturday’s pair of qualifying sessions at the Mopar Canadian Nationals.

“The track was a little green last year, so we walked the track this morning and felt like it was in good shape,” Litton said. ”We just tried to get down the track and make the best of things. (Crew Chief) Richard (Hartman) and (Tuning Advisor) Nicky Boninfante made some great calls and things worked out.”

Though Litton was in Grand Bend, his thoughts were in Western Canada where fellow 2007 World Champion Dale Creasy Jr., the Nitro Funny Car champ, lay in a hospital bed still recovering from his accident in Edmonton.

“I spoke with Dale about a half-hour before I got in the car and he seemed to be in good spirits,” Litton said. “He’s expecting to go home tomorrow, but he said he’s really missing all of us right about now. I pray for a speedy recovery for him and hope he’ll be back with us real soon.”

Andy Kelley (Piedmont, S.C.) jumped to the top of the Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car provisional qualifying sheet Friday evening with a 5.013 pass at 294.31 mph. Jack Wyatt (Corydon, Iowa) was second with a 5.118/242.36 while Paul Lee (Wynnewood, Pa.) rounded out the top three with a 5.155/292.52.

Mike Janis (Lancaster, N.Y.) ran a strong 6.058 in the heat of the day Friday afternoon, a number that stood up against all challengers Friday night to put him in the provisional Torco Pro Mod pole position heading into Saturday. Torontonian Ray Commisso took a swing at Janis’ number Friday evening but fell a little bit short. Despite sitting #2 on the qualifying list Commisso is confident heading into Saturday’s qualifying sessions.

“That was a soft tune-up,” Commisso said. “(Crew Chief) Al (Billes) wanted to put a soft tune-up in it to see if it would get down the race track. There’s a lot left in that race car.”

Rob Atchison (London, Ont.) defended his home turf by grabbing the provisional #1 qualifying position Alcohol Funny Car Friday night. Living just 45 minutes from Grand Bend Motorplex Atchison, a new father, laid down a 5.871 pass at 236.96 mph to move to the top of the sheet.

“This is our home track and it was great to be able to put on a good show for them,” Atchison said.

Atchison and his wife Julie welcomed their first child, son Wyatt, to their family a few short months ago. Wyatt came to the races for the first time this weekend.

“This is his first race, but he didn’t get to see that pass tonight,” Atchison said. “He was back at the motor home. When I get back I’ll tell him all about it.”

Robert Mansfield (Margate, Fla.) jumped to the top of the provisional Torco Pro Stock qualifying ladder with a blistering 6.421 pass at 216.79 mph in the sweltering heat. Mansfield zipped straight down the groove Friday evening at Grand Bend Motorplex to narrowly nip defending world champion Robert Patrick (Fredericksburg, Virg.), who carded a stout 6.426 at 215.00.

Mansfield ran a decent number during the afternoon session, clocking a 6.477 pass, but his crew made some critical adjustments that allowed him to move to the top of the sheet.

“My crew is amazing,” Mansfield said. “They can take the car apart and know exactly what to change. They are the ones making the car really fast. They make it easier for me to drive.”

As the fastest qualifier who defeated his opponent during the Friday evening qualifying session Mansfield also won the Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge…claiming five bonus points and collecting a $500.00 cash bonus from Quarter-Max.com.

The Mopar Canadian Nationals will continue Saturday with a 2pm professional qualifying session. The final qualifying hit for the pros is scheduled for 7pm. Final eliminations, as part or PartSource Championship Sunday, will commence at 11am July 20th.


GRAND BEND, Ont. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol at Grand Bend Motorplex, sixth of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 4.743 seconds, 302.75 mph; 2. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.823, 284.27; 3. Todd Paton, 4.837, 295.40; 4. Terry McMillen, 5.037, 231.68; 5. Kevin Jones, 5.080, 295.21; 6. Mike Strasburg, 5.085, 229.74; 7. Spencer Massey, 5.188, 244.69; 8. Smax Smith, 6.025, 232.15. Not Qualified: 9. Mitch King, 6.280, 135.59; 10. Chris Karamesines, 6.543, 159.59.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.013, 294.31; 2. Jack Wyatt, Dodge Stratus, 5.118, 242.36; 3. Paul Lee, Chevy Camaro, 5.155, 292.52; 4. Jeff Diehl, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.496, 248.66; 5. Cory Lee, Firebird, 5.546, 205.98; 6. Terry Haddock, Stratus, 7.988, 109.31; 7. Matt Hagan, Monte Carlo, 10.625, 70.17; 8. Rob Bruce, Camaro, 12.426, 65.16. Not Qualified: 9. Steven Macklyn, DQ.

Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Janis, Pontiac Firebird, 6.058, 235.56; 2. Raymond Commisso, Chevy Camaro, 6.071, 235.31; 3. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.073, 235.80; 4. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.098, 230.53; 5. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.147, 230.92; 6. Scott Cannon, Firebird, 6.181, 234.37; 7. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 6.199, 228.89; 8. Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.201, 228.89; 9. Carl Spiering, Corvette, 6.207, 227.46; 10. Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 6.302, 230.65; 11. Mike Castellana, Firebird, 6.303, 230.53; 12. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.334, 220.66; 13. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.390, 229.20; 14. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.583, 222.03; 15. Gary Irving, Corvette, 6.885, 221.74; 16. Jason Stock, Corvette, 7.708, 114.51.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.871, 236.96; 2. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.879, 240.34; 3. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.903, 235.47; 4. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.909, 238.51; 5. Thomas Carter, Monte Carlo, 5.915, 241.41; 6. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.964, 238.30; 7. Rocky Hummel, Camaro, 6.004, 226.81; 8. Jason McKnight, Monte Carlo, 6.039, 233.24. Not Qualified: 9. Dylan Hache, 6.046, 231.32; 10. Tim Stevens, 6.071, 233.88.

Pro Stock -- 1. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, 6.421, 216.79; 2. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 6.426, 215.00; 3. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.427, 217.07; 4. John Konigshofer, Mustang, 6.431, 216.45; 5. Steven Boone, Cobalt, 6.433, 217.67; 6. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.433, 217.88; 7. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.436, 217.11; 8. Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.440, 214.76; 9. Dean Goforth, Cobalt, 6.441, 216.62; 10. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.442, 216.45; 11. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.451, 214.69; 12. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.455, 214.14; 13. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.456, 217.84; 14. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.499, 215.62; 15. Ron Miller, Cobalt, 6.503, 211.83; 16. Cale Aronson, Escort, 6.509, 214.48. Not Qualified: 17. Chuck DeMory, 6.512, 213.06; 18. Larry O'Brien, 6.515, 214.55; 19. Pete Berner, 8.207, 105.84; 20. Mark Martino, 12.221, 69.60.
 

Rain Washes Out Second Friday Qualifying Session at CARS RV & Sport & Marine Rocky Mountain Nationals
Scott Cannon Jr. (Pro Modified), Mark Thomas (Alcohol Funny Car) and Bob Bertsch (Pro Stock) claim provisional pole positions at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton; Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car will qualify Saturday

EDMONTON, Ab. (July 4, 2008) – The main attractions of the first day of action at the Rocky Mountain Nationals, the Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car qualifying sessions, were set to go just as an aggressive storm front struck, lashing the area with heavy rain and steady flashes of lightning.

The rain eventually subsided, and for a time officials were optimistic that the day’s qualifying could be salvaged. But a second front blew in and the decision was made to call it a day.

“We consulted all the weather outlets looking for any possible way we could get the program in, but we just could not see any window of opportunity,” said Skooter Peaco, IHRA Vice President of Racing Operations. “In fact, there was more severe weather coming our way, so we unfortunately made the decision to pull the plug.”

Three professional classes made qualifying passes earlier in the day, with Scott Cannon (Pro Modified), Mark Thomas (Alcohol Funny Car), and Bob Bertsch (Pro Stock) claiming provisional No. 1 berths.

Qualifying will resume Saturday at 10, with the professional sessions at 3 and 7:30.

EDMONTON, Alb. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the CARS RV & Marine & Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by TORCO Racing Fuels at Castrol Raceway, fifth of 11 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Pro Modified -- 1. Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.211, 231.28; 2. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.235, 230.57; 3. Mike Janis, Firebird, 6.333, 232.15; 4. Joe Delehay, Chevy Camaro, 6.391, 226.70; 5. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.396, 224.58; 6. Ross Hogenson, Corvette, 6.481, 213.43; 7. Jason Stock, Corvette, 6.645, 217.60; 8. Gary Mason, Corvette, 6.809, 209.04; 9. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 7.098, 176.10; 10. Carl Spiering, Corvette, 7.171, 123.49; 11. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 7.944, 118.99; 12. Mike Castellana, Firebird, 8.463, 109.56; 13. Quain Stott, Corvette, 9.296, 96.61; 14. Dan Vogt, Corvette, 10.242, 98.95.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 6.006, 232.15; 2. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 6.026, 236.17; 3. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 6.050, 233.76; 4. Thomas Carter, Monte Carlo, 6.064, 238.38; 5. Nathan Sitko, Pontiac Firebird, 6.182, 217.91; 6. Jordan Pawlick, Avenger, 6.198, 226.28; 7. Cal Tebb, Firebird, 6.320, 222.51; 8. John Evanchuk, Firebird, 6.449, 210.24. Not Qualified: 9. Sean Bellemeur, 6.530, 185.59; 10. Scott McVey, 6.805, 224.51; 11. Trevor Lebsack, 7.026, 219.90; 12. Rob Atchison, 9.364, 93.49.

Pro Stock -- 1. Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, 10.843, 81.49.
 

IHRA Swings into Canada for Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton
Fifth race of 2008 season will provide halfway point of IHRA Nitro Jam Schedule

Norwalk, Ohio (June 19, 2008) – With the 2008 season championship points races heating up IHRA will head to Canada for the first of two Canadian races this season July 4-6. The CARS RV & Marine & Motorsport Rocky Mountain Nationals Presented by Torco Racing Fuels at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton will bring the thrill of the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam to the rabid racing fans in Western Canada for the sixth time since the race’s inception in 2003. It is one of the hottest tickets in town and consistently sets attendance records as each year the nitro frenzy grows in what is known as “Festival City” and one of the largest cities in North America area-wise.

While the City of Edmonton has embraced IHRA and the Rocky Mountain Nationals, the drivers have slowly warmed to Castrol Raceway. The longest haul on the circuit for most racers, many drivers have been reticent to make the long trip over the years. Those who have been to the facility, and have experienced the passion and enthusiasm of the drag racing fans in Alberta, would not miss the race for the world.

“I absolutely love that place,” Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel Top Fuel driver Bobby Lagana Jr. said of Castrol Raceway. “The fans are unbelievable. My entire life my one true love has been drag racing and coming to a city like Edmonton, where it seems like the entire town is in love with drag racing, always makes for a special weekend. Every year so many fans thank us for coming out there to race. Heck, we should be thanking them for coming out to watch us. Drivers who complain about the long tow should stop and think for a minute about how rabid and appreciative the fans in Edmonton are. I love it.”

A Scarsdale, N.Y. resident, it is a 2,500 mile trip each way for Lagana and his crew. But after his recent success at the President’s Cup Nationals in Maryland it will probably seem to the race team like a trip to the corner store.

“Yes, we’re having a great time,” Lagana said. “We really needed that win at MIR and the circumstances surrounding it made it that much sweeter. After the race in the winner’s circle I told the media I have everything I could possibly want. And I do.”

There are a number of adjectives you could use to describe Lagana’s win in Maryland…inspirational, unexpected, emotional…all applicable. It was the first time his younger brother Dom was officially the Crew Chief on the team’s 2004 Hadman Dragster. He wrenched the team to a Father’s Day win with family patriarch Bob Lagana Sr. looking on. The elder Lagana also got his hands dirty, helping to turn the car over between elimination rounds.

The victory also came at a critical time for the team as it put it right back in the middle of the 2008 Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel points chase. Lagana had a pedestrian 1-3 record in elimination rounds heading into the President’s Cup Nationals. He was in danger of watching his championship hopes slip away. However, after the race at MIR the points standings have tightened up considerably. Defending champion Bruce Litton, who won at the Motor City Nationals, currently leads the points chase with 383 points. Spencer Massey, the Top Fuel rookie who won the first two events on the 2008 schedule, is second with 253 points. Mike Strasburg is third with 296 points while Lagana sits fourth with 295. Scott Palmer rounds out the top five with 222 points.

Defending World Champion Dale Creasy Jr. (Beecher, Ill.) moved into the 2008 Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car points lead following his final-round victory over Todd Simpson at Maryland International Raceway. Creasy won an amazing six national events in 2007 and won his second career event, in 2006, at Castrol Raceway.

“We love racing in Canada,” Creasy said. “Our first career win was in Canada at Grand Bend Motorplex and we won later in the season up in Edmonton. We love the track, love the city and really love the fans. The fans at Castrol Raceway create one of the greatest racing atmospheres you will find anywhere.”

Creasy leads Motor City Nationals winner Paul Lee by 45 points heading into Edmonton. Spring Rockingham champion Matt Hagan is third, 56 points back while Terry Haddock (74 points behind) and San Antonio champion Steven Macklyn (108 points behind) round out the top five.

Terry Haddock will enter Edmonton as the defending event champion. He knocked off Creasy in the final round last season to claim his first career Ironman.

The Torco Pro Modified class has been making news this season as true parity between the supercharged and nitrous entries has never been more evident. In 2008 two nitrous-assisted drivers, Jim Halsey in San Antonio and Mike Castellana in Maryland have visited the winner’s circle. The same supercharged driver, points leader Kenny Lang, has won the other two national events on the ’08 IHRA schedule.

Two nitrous drivers in particular have significantly increased their performance this season. Pat Stoken ran the quickest NOS pass in IHRA history when he clocked a 6.022 pass at Milan Dragway during the Motor City Nationals. Mike Castellana set the new speed mark en route to the Ironman in Maryland, blasting through the traps at 239.14 mph.

“Our nitrous guys have really stepped up, but Kenny Lang has been just as amazing this season,” IHRA senior director of race operations Mike Baker said. “Pro Modified has always been about parity, seeing how the supercharged guys measured up to the nitrous guys and vice versa. Everyone always talks about how IHRA is the true home of Pro Modified…well, the racers are the ones who make this true.”

Lang, on the strength of those two national event wins (one in Rockingham and one in Milan) will enter the Rocky Mountain Nationals the 2008 points leader with 322 points. Jim Halsey is second with 256 points, Mike Castellana third with 254 points, defending champion Scott Cannon Jr. fourth with 241 points and Mike Janis fifth with 224 points.

Johnstown, Ohio’s Laurie Cannister has dominated IHRA’s Alcohol Funny Car class this season, rolling up an 11-1 round record in eliminations, qualifying #1 twice and winning three of four national events thus far in 2008. She has to be the odds-on favorite heading into the Rocky Mountain Nationals, but by no means will she have a cakewalk. Tom Carter won in Milan and set the IHRA speed record in the process with a backed-up 249.30 pass. Rob Atchison, a three-time world champion, has been to two final rounds this season. Seven-time world champion Mark Thomas seems to have things figured out after struggling earlier this season while Larry Dobbs had a stunning 254.14 pass at Maryland International Raceway, a number he was not able to back up but still the first AFC pass at over 250 mph in IHRA history.

Jeff Dobbins (Wilmington, N.C.) will enter the Rocky Mountain Nationals as the Torco Pro Stock points leader with 327 points. Elijah Morton (300 points), Frank Gugliotta (292 points), John Montecalvo (284 points) and Pete Berner (239 points) round out the top five.

The CARS RV & Marine & Motorsport Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Torco Racing Fuels will begin Friday, July 4 with professional and sportsman qualifying starting at 9:00am. Saturday will feature two Nitro qualifying sessions and IHRA’s legendary “Night of Fire.” Final eliminations will be held Sunday, July 6. For more information visit www.nitrojam.com or www.castrolraceway.com. 
 

Huge Advance Sale for Biggest Race in Nitro Jam Schedule
Record-setting ticket sales to provide festive backdrop for CARS RV & Sport & Marine Rocky Mountain Nationals Presented by Torco Racing Fuels

NORWALK, OHIO; June 30, 2008 – The Canadian fans that pack Castrol Raceway in Edmonton for the Rocky Mountain Nationals keep upping the ante. For the third consecutive season the advance ticket sales are off the charts, setting records for duckets sold. The Rocky Mountain Nationals have come to the forefront as the premiere event on the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam schedule due to a variety of factors…the rabid passion of the fans, the hard work and forward thinking of track operators Rob and Kim Reeves and the commitment IHRA has made to making the Rocky Mountain Nationals something special.

“NHRA has the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and the rest of their events kind of lead up to that one,” IHRA president Aaron Polburn said. “We have the Rocky Mountain Nationals. While our other national event venues are strong with great fans, there is just a different kind of feeling when you walk into Castrol Raceway on race day. Rob Reeves and his entire team put on a great show but, honestly, you can find the major difference in the stands. Those fans are unbelievable.”

Case and point, Dr. Tom Carter has a memory of Castrol Raceway he will never forget.

“This was a couple of years ago. It was raining really hard and there was no way we were going to race for quite some time,” the Alcohol Funny Car driver from Cuero, Texas said. “I looked up in the stands and there were hundreds, literally hundreds, of fans sitting there having a great time. There was no shot we were going to get any racing in for hours but they were there having a blast. You just don’t find passion for drag racing like that anywhere else.”

Castrol Raceway in Edmonton is the Westernmost and Northernmost facility on the IHRA Nitro Jam national event schedule. It takes a strong commitment from IHRA racers to make the trip but, as defending Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel World Champion Bruce Litton said, the long haul is quickly forgotten when the energy and enthusiasm of the fans is felt.

“The fans in Edmonton make you feel special,” Litton said. “They are always so appreciative of you coming out to run in front of them. I know it’s a really long drive but you completely forget about it once you get there and spend time with those fans.”

The passionate fans are just one feature of a great race experience in Edmonton. Rob Reeves has provided another bonus for those racers who make the trip, spending over $100,000 to improve what was already one of the top racing surfaces on the IHRA circuit. He did so for one simple reason…to give something back to his racers.

“Realizing how much commitment and dedication to the series it takes for the IHRA stars to make the trip to Edmonton, it’s my job to ensure they are racing on the finest race track possible,” Reeves said. “I probably didn’t need to spend another $100,000 on new asphalt and a complete regrinding of the entire racing surface, but this event is a big deal to Western Canada and to the IHRA series. I’m going to do everything I can to make the trip worthwhile for the IHRA competitors who support the series.”

One of those IHRA competitors who are coming to support the series will be Torco Pro Modified driver Mike Janis. Janis has skipped the Edmonton before and it has cost him. In fact, two times during his IHRA career not attending the Rocky Mountain Nationals has cost Janis the world championship…once in 2004 and once last season.

“It’s going to be a long ride, but we are excited to race in front of all those great Edmonton fans,” Janis’ Crew Chief, Mike Janis Jr. said. “They make the whole trip worth the long drive.”

Top Fuel pilot Terry McMillen won his first career Top Fuel Ironman in Edmonton. He loves everything about the race.

“The fans are unbelievable,” he said. “They really make the place special. I’ve gotten over 200 e-mails over the last couple of weeks from people I’ve met in Edmonton who have taken an interest in my career. They follow what I’m doing all season and really come out to support everyone when we’re there…they will do anything for you. They want to take you out to eat, bring you gifts…all kinds of things.

“When you get to Castrol Raceway they make you feel like one of the family,” McMillen continued. “They’ll do anything for you and are really grateful IHRA comes out to put on such an entertaining program. To legitimately run for a world championship in IHRA you have to go to Edmonton. And once you get there you will have the time of your life.”

IHRA has incentives in place for drivers and teams who make the trip. There is a cash incentive in addition to a free car and driver and four free crew entries for each race team.

“I appreciate the crew passes and everything IHRA does for us,” Tom Carter said. “But the thing about Edmonton is the fans. I think they are the best fans anywhere. They appreciate us being there and appreciate the show we put on. And you make so many new friends up there. I can’t wait to get to Edmonton and can’t wait to get back in the car.”

The CARS RV & Marine & Motorsport Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Torco Racing Fuels will begin Friday, July 4 with professional and sportsman qualifying starting at 9:00am. Saturday will feature two Nitro qualifying sessions and IHRA’s legendary Cervus Contractors and JCB Heavy Equipment “Night of Fire.” Final eliminations, part of PartSource Championship Sunday, will be held Sunday, July 6. For more information visit www.nitrojam.com or www.castrolraceway.com. 
 

Litton Takes Over Points Lead with Final Round Appearance in Maryland
Indianapolis-based Top Fuel driver qualifies #1, falls to Bobby Lagana Jr. in final round of President’s Cup Nationals

MECHANICSVILLE, MD (June 16, 2008) – Bruce Litton fell one round short of claiming his second consecutive IHRA national event victory, but he did not leave Maryland International Raceway empty-handed as his strong showing during qualifying, coupled with two round wins, put him on top of the IHRA Top Fuel championship points standings.

Litton carded a 4.699 pass at 287.90 mph during the Friday evening qualifying session to move to the top of the qualifying sheet and no one would catch him. Litton’s Friday pass was also the quickest winning pass of Friday’s elimination session, earning him IHRA’s Last Man Standing honors and five bonus points. It was a great way for Litton to start the weekend.

“Those Last Man Standing bonus points are very important,” Litton said. “Five points up for grabs during each evening qualifying session of the season can really add up. We always go hard, but those evening qualifying sessions make us go just a little bit harder.”

In the first round Litton stopped Kevin Jones in a very tight race. He ran a 4.896 at 288.09 mph to hold off Jones, who was charging hard at the finish line. Jones ended up posting a 4.950 at 297.88 mph in the loss.

“Kevin has a strong team behind him an they are always a threat,” Litton said, “Mike Sipple and that crew have that car running very well, we were glad we were able to get by them.”

Litton then had a bye run in the semifinals, choosing to save parts instead of going all-out in an effort to secure lane choice in the final against Lagana.

“The lane really didn’t matter at that point,” Litton said. “They were both very even. When the track is that hot (nearly 140 degrees) it really doesn’t matter what lane you are in, you just have to figure out how to get from A to B.”

Getting from A to B proved to be a bit problematic for Litton in the final. He launched strong and was even with Lagana at half-track, but there his engine gave out and Lagana slipped by at the finish line. Litton clocked a 4.998 in the final, but he slowed to 223.82 mph. Lagana zipped down the lane with a clean 4.869/306.40 pass to claim the Ironman.

“I have all the respect in the world for Bobby and that entire team over there,” Litton said. “His little brother Dom was tuning the car for the first time and he got the job done. I’m really happy for that team because it was Father’s Day and Bob Sr. was there watching both his sons do something very special. I’m sure that was a great Father’s Day present for him.”

Litton now leads the 2008 Top Fuel points standings with 383 points. Spencer Massey, who has two national event victories this season, is second with 353 points. Mike Strasburg (296 points) and Lagana (295 points) round out the top four.

“This points chase is really heating up,” Litton said. “There are quite a few cars out here that are capable of winning an event. There are no easy rounds anymore in IHRA competition so we have to keep our focus at all times.”

Litton will look to put his Lucas Oil dragster back in the winner’s circle when he travels to Edmonton for the Rocky Mountain Nationals. He wanted to thank Lucas Oil and United Trailer Sales for their support of his race team this season.
 

Creasy Cruises to First Win in 2008
Bobby Lagana (Top Fuel), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car), Mike Castellana (Pro Modified) and Frank Gugliotta (Pro Stock) also claim Ironmen at IHRA President’s Cup Nationals

Mechanicsville, Md. (June 15, 2008) – Last season Dale Creasy Jr. was a regular visitor to the winner’s circle at IHRA Nitro Jam events. He won six times during the 2007 season in easily cruising to his second consecutive world championship.

This season things have not come quite as easily for the Beecher, Ill. resident. Through three national events heading into the President’s Cup Nationals, Creasy had failed to find his way through the field and into the winner’s circle. That all changed when he knocked off Todd Simpson in the final round to claim the Ironman at Maryland International Raceway.

“Today was a day we have been looking for,” Creasy said. “This morning I was wondering if this was going to be a ‘go fast’ kind of race track or if it was going to be tricky. Either way we thought we had something for everyone else. It worked out well. We have a tune-up we run at Grand Bend for a hot race track that we’ve been working on for two years. All the tracks are good until it gets this hot. You can’t do anything with a 140-degree race track.”

Creasy’s ’08 Impala was the strongest car all weekend. He qualified on top of the qualifying sheet before marching through the rounds of eliminations. He defeated Mike Smith in the first round when Smith rolled through the beams and posted a -.217 red-light. Creasy then knocked off Andy Kelley in the semifinals with a 5.118/293.73 pass to Kelley’s 5.323/280.14. He then marched past Todd Simpson in the final round, posting a 5.080 at 294.95 mph while Simpson shook the tires in the other lane.

“I told my guys before the race that we aren’t doing badly this year, we’re just not doing what we did last year,” Creasy said. “But that was a season where if you would have written it down before-hand no one would have believed it. Everyone is getting tougher in this class and we had to adjust to it. Today we were the best car out there.”

Bobby Lagana Jr. (Scarsdale, N.Y.) also found the winner’s circle for the first time this season, defeating defending World Champion Bruce Litton to take home the Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel Ironman at MIR. The victory was Lagana’s fourth career national event win.

The win was special for Lagana because his father, Bobby Sr., was at MIR with him and his brother Domenick was tuning his car for the first time. Lagana clocked a 4.869/306.40 pass in the final to top Litton’s 4.998/225.82.

“I have absolutely the best deal in life,” Lagana said. “My family is great, I have an awesome girlfriend, my brother is unbelievable. Dom is the most incredible person in my entire life. I told him he was tuning the car this weekend and we never missed a beat. I have everything I could possibly want.”

Mike Castellana proved the nitrous Pro Modifieds are back with a vengeance. Castellana knocked off Ed Hoover in the final round by clocking a 6.097 at 238.93 mph. Earlier in the weekend he posted the fastest speed by a nitrous Pro Modified car in IHRA history, posting a 239.14 mph pass.

”We really had a handle on this car all weekend,” Castellana said. “Shannon Jenkins and SpeedTech Nitrous Systems really gave me a great car. My son was here with me, so this was a great Father’s Day present.”

Castellana knocked off Pat Stoken, Kenny Lang and Mike Janis to reach the finals.

“This class is very strong,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what round and where someone qualifies. Anyone can win when Sunday rolls around.”

Laurie Cannister (Johnstown, Ohio) continued her dominance in the Alcohol Funny Car class, winning for the third time in four national events. Cannister defeated Paul Noakes in the final round at Maryland International Raceway. Cannister won at MIR last season as well.

“Two for two here. It’s great we were able to start here, then come back to prove this wasn’t a fluke,” Cannister said. “The whole crew was great this weekend. We didn’t have any trouble with the track being hot or greasy, we seemed to have a handle on it. I know a lot of other teams had a tough time with the track but we just hung in there and did what we know how to do.”

Frank Gugliotta (Mt. Airy, Md.) was able to find the winner’s circle for the first time this year, defeating Jason Collins in the Torco Pro Stock final. The win was special for Gugliotta because it came at his home track.

“It feels great to win at home,” Gugliotta said. “I’ve been trying to win in Pro Stock here for a long time. I won in Top Sportsman here before, but winning one in Pro Stock has just eluded me. I’ve runnered-up but it seemed like I could never seal the deal. And I am really happy I could get a win for Bob Yoak. He was the first one to ever put me in a Pro Stock car and I really wanted to win him one. I finally did.”

BUDDS CREEK, Md. -- Sunday's final results from the Torco Racing Fuels President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway. The race is the fourth of 11 in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.869 seconds, 306.40 mph def. Bruce Litton, 4.998 seconds, 225.82 mph.
Nitro Funny Car -- Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 5.080, 294.95 def. Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 6.214, 159.99.
Pro Modified -- Mike Castellana, Pontiac Firebird, 6.097, 238.93 def. Ed Hoover, Chevy Camaro, 6.102, 232.31.
Alcohol Funny Car -- Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.780, 246.57 def. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 6.015, 238.17.
Pro Stock -- Frank Gugliotta, Ford Mustang, 6.417, 219.86 def. Jason Collins, Chevy Cobalt, 6.431, 219.83.
Top Sportsman -- Sandy Wilkins, Chevy Cavalier, 7.319, 164.17 def. Wayne Woodard, Cavalier, 7.401, 162.37.
Top Dragster -- Gary Koebbe, Dragster, 7.075, 185.74 def. Steve Furr, Dragster, foul.
Super Stock -- Craig Marshall, Pontiac Grand Am, 8.970, 145.02 def. Monty Bogan Jr., Pontiac Firebird, 9.588, 139.10.
Stock -- Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.592, 113.74 def. Wayne Totard, Pontiac Grand Am, 10.720, 126.45.
Quick Rod -- Danny Waters Jr., Dragster, 9.020, 155.79 def. Kathy Fisher, Dragster, 9.067, 158.45.
Super Rod -- Cameron Manuel, Chevy Corvette, 9.890, 142.66 def. Steve Furr, Chevy Camaro, 9.889, 155.42.
Hot Rod -- Chris Carpenter, Chevy Vega, 10.867, 132.32 def. Chris Nyerges, Chevy Camaro, 10.858, 136.19.

BUDDS CREEK, Md. -- Final round-by-round results from the Torco Racing Fuels President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, the fourth of 11 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.335, 258.42 def. Spencer Massey, 6.888, 143.84; Bruce Litton, 4.896, 288.09 def. Kevin Jones, 4.950, 297.48; Mike Strasburg, 4.938, 282.84 def. Terry McMillen, 4.858, 298.47;

SEMIFINALS -- Lagana Jr., 4.941, 291.82 def. Strasburg, 6.190, 150.51; Litton, 5.143, 210.18 was unopposed;

FINAL -- Lagana Jr., 4.869, 306.40 def. Litton, 4.998, 225.82.

PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Jason Hamstra, Chevy Camaro, 6.315, 227.73 def. Burton Auxier, Chevy Corvette, 6.446, 223.54; Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.116, 232.91 def. Steve Engel, Corvette, 11.441, 79.20; Mike Castellana, Pontiac Firebird, 6.547, 229.04 def. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 7.929, 131.96; Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.196, 231.16 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.211, 232.47; Mike Janis, Firebird, 6.175, 235.43 def. Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 6.226, 227.11; Scott Cannon, Firebird, 6.215, 231.36 def. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.380, 228.89; Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.138, 235.51 def. Milt Decker, Corvette, 6.413, 215.31; Billy Gibson, Plymouth Superbird, 6.130, 231.20 def. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 8.173, 117.95;

QUARTERFINALS -- Janis, 6.113, 237.00 def. Hamstra, 6.434, 204.70; Castellana, 6.056, 239.74 def. Lang, 6.136, 236.71; Gibson, 6.141, 231.48 def. Patterson, 6.146, 224.70; Hoover, 6.122, 233.56 def. Cannon, 6.153, 235.47;

SEMIFINALS -- Hoover, 6.113, 233.84 def. Gibson, 6.306, 220.94; Castellana, 6.070, 239.40 def. Janis, 6.111, 239.36;

FINAL -- Castellana, 6.097, 238.93 def. Hoover, 6.102, 232.31.

ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.850, 242.10 def. Dale Brand, Camaro, 9.745, 92.30; Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.815, 243.77 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.287, 186.33; Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.848, 244.87 def. Thomas Carter, Monte Carlo, 6.295, 173.74; Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.868, 247.88 def. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 6.134, 236.30;

QUARTERFINALS -- Noakes, 5.879, 243.72 def. Atchison, 6.129, 241.80; Cannister, 5.823, 245.27 def. Thomas, 5.806, 246.57;

SEMIFINALS -- Cannister, 5.780, 246.57 def. Noakes, 6.015, 238.17.

PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Trevor Eman, Ford Escort, 6.486, 218.30 def. Cary Goforth, Chevy Cobalt, 7.478, 186.72; Tom Lee, Ford Mustang, 6.435, 220.33 def. Bert Jackson, Chevy Cavalier, 7.249, 146.43; Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.417, 218.44 def. John Bartunek, Cobalt, 6.507, 215.10; Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.394, 219.44 def. Dean Goforth, Pontiac GTO, 6.475, 218.41; Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.458, 219.40 def. Brian Gahm, Mustang, foul; Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.503, 218.58 def. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 8.641, 110.03; Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.423, 217.46 def. Rob Mansfield, GTO, 6.416, 219.44; Jeff Dobbins, Escort, 6.421, 221.02 def. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.444, 218.05;

QUARTERFINALS -- Freeman, 6.545, 218.16 def. Eman, 6.462, 219.61; Collins, 6.616, 211.46 def. Dobbins, 7.266, 162.20; Morton, 6.711, 218.44 def. Lee, broke; Gugliotta, 6.424, 219.58 def. Berner, 6.395, 220.04;

SEMIFINALS -- Collins, 6.419, 220.30 def. Morton, 6.407, 219.54; Gugliotta, 6.437, 218.94 def. Freeman, 6.490, 219.47;

FINAL -- Gugliotta, 6.417, 219.86 def. Collins, 6.431, 219.83.

NITRO FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 5.872, 167.09 def. Mike Smith, Chevy Camaro, foul; Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.567, 196.19 def. Paul Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, foul; Todd Simpson, Camaro, 5.781, 192.91 def. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 6.218, 157.06; Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.418, 239.78 def. Matt Hagan, Monte Carlo, 8.609, 94.83;

QUARTERFINALS -- Creasy Jr., 5.118, 293.73 def. Kelley, 5.323, 280.14; Simpson, 5.434, 263.26 def. Haddock, 5.678, 202.82;

SEMIFINALS -- Creasy Jr., 5.080, 294.95 def. Simpson, 6.214, 159.99.


BUDDS CREEK, Md. -- Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the Torco Racing Fuels President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, the fourth of 11 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel
1. Bruce Litton, 383; 2. Spencer Massey, 353; 3. Mike Strasburg, 296; 4. Bobby Lagana Jr., 295; 5. Scott Palmer, 212; 6. Terry McMillen, 206; 7. Kevin Jones, 187; 8. Chris Karamesines, 108; 9. Michael Gunderson, 50; 10. T.J. Zizzo, 36.

Pro Modified
1. Kenny Lang, 322; 2. Jim Halsey, 256; 3. Mike Castellana, 254; 4. Scott Cannon, 241; 5. Mike Janis, 224; 6. Jason Hamstra, 198; 7. Tommy D{Aprile, 193; 8. Billy Gibson, 176; 9. Pat Stoken, 156; 10. Ed Hoover, 154.

Alcohol Funny Car
1. Laurie Cannister, 458; 2. Rob Atchison, 326; 3. Thomas Carter, 296; 4. Paul Noakes, 252; 5. Dale Brand, 232; 6. Mark Thomas, 170; 7. Larry Dobbs, 167; 8. (tie) Terry Munroe, 120; Tim Stevens, 120; 10. Tony Bogolo, 107.

Pro Stock
1. Jeff Dobbins, 327; 2. Elijah Morton, 300; 3. Frank Gugliotta, 292; 4. John Montecalvo, 284; 5. Pete Berner, 239; 6. Richard Freeman, 183; 7. Robert Patrick, 157; 8. Cary Goforth, 154; 9. Rob Mansfield, 149; 10. Jason Collins, 148.

Nitro Funny Car
1. Dale Creasy Jr., 316; 2. Paul Lee, 271; 3. Matt Hagan, 260; 4. Terry Haddock, 242; 5. Steven Macklyn, 208; 6. Andy Kelley, 188; 7. Jack Wyatt, 168; 8. Todd Simpson, 165; 9. Jeff Diehl, 127; 10. Bob Gilbertson, 111.
 

Rain Washes Away Final Saturday Qualifying Session at President’s Cup Nationals
Fields set for Sunday eliminations with Bruce Litton (TF), Dale Creasy Jr. (Nitro Funny Car), Tommy D’Aprile (Pro Modified), Dale Brand (Alcohol Funny Car) and Jeff Dobbins (Pro Stock)#1 qualifiers

Mechanicsville, Md. (June 14, 2008) – Rain washed out the final round of professional qualifying Saturday evening at the Torco President’s Cup Nationals, setting the fields for all professional fields following Saturday’s afternoon session at Maryland International Raceway.

Defending Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car World Champion Dale Creasy Jr. claimed his first #1 qualifying position of the season, clocking a 4.967 during Friday evening qualifying…a number that stood up when all qualifying was said and done. Paul Lee (Wynnewood, Pa.), the winner three weeks ago in Milan, ended up #2 on the ladder while Matt Hagan (Christiansburg, Va.) ended up third and Todd Simpson (Ponder, Tx) fourth to round out the top half of the ladder.

Bruce Litton, the defending Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel champion from Indianapolis, will start Sunday’s elimination rounds from the #1 qualifying slot. Litton posted a 4.699 Saturday night to claim the top spot on the qualifying sheet. Bobby Lagana Jr. (Scarsdale, N.Y.) qualified #2 while Mike Strasburg (Lindon, Utah) and Kevin Jones (Berea, KY) filled out the top half of the field.

Tommy D’Aprile (Port Charlotte, Fla.) was the #1 qualifier in the Torco Pro Modified class for the first time this season as his Friday 6.042 at 236.13 was good enough to give him the pole position. Kenny Lang (Grande Pointe, Mb) was second on the qualifying sheet by virtue of his 6.079/239.95 pass. Jim Halsey (Street, Md.) and Mike Janis (Lancaster, N.Y.) rounded out the top four.

Dale Brand’s amazing 5.716/247.57 pass in the Saturday afternoon heat put him on top of the Alcohol Funny Car qualifying list. The Sully, Iowa resident drove his ’01 Camaro to the quickest pass of the day to move in front of Larry Dobbs (Welland, Ont.), who finished second on the list. Mark Thomas (Louisville, Ohio) and Rob Atchison (London, Ont.) rounded out the top four.

Jeff Dobbins (Wilmington, N.C.) claimed his third consecutive #1 qualifying position in the Torco Pro Stock class, piloting his ’06 Escort to a 6.358 at 221.56 mph to claim top qualifying honors. Robert Mansfield (Margate, Fla.) was second on the qualifying sheet with a 6.372 while Tommy Lee (Jacksonville, N.C.) and John Montecalvo (Center Moriches, N.Y.) filled out the top half of the ladder.

All Saturday tickets will be honored at the gate Sunday. Showers are expected to move through the area overnight and the weather forecast for Sunday is for partly cloudy skies with no rain expected. Final professional eliminations will begin as scheduled. The first Pro Stock and Pro Modified elimination round will kick off at 11:00am, with the first Alcohol Funny Car, Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car elimination rounds scheduled to commence at noon.

BUDDS CREEK, Md. -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Torco Racing Fuels President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, the fourth of 11 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 4.699 seconds, 287.90 mph vs. 4. Kevin Jones, 5.091, 232.63; 2. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.717, 312.13 vs. 5. Spencer Massey, 5.305, 193.27; 3. Mike Strasburg, 5.048, 234.37 vs. 6. Terry McMillen, 5.433, 185.23.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 4.967, 300.40 vs. 5. Mike Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.214, 279.90; 2. Paul Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.989, 273.22 vs. 6. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.217, 248.89; 3. Matt Hagan, Monte Carlo, 5.082, 285.77 vs. 7. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.297, 220.48; 4. Todd Simpson, Camaro, 5.205, 272.94 vs. 8. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 5.330, 275.11.

Pro Modified -- 1. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.042, 236.13 vs. 9. Billy Gibson, Plymouth Superbird, 6.146, 231.32; 2. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.079, 239.95 vs. 10. Mark Nielsen, Chevy Camaro, 6.155, 234.33; 3. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.094, 232.63 vs. 11. Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.175, 234.86; 4. Mike Janis, Firebird, 6.102, 236.05 vs. 12. Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 6.179, 231.20; 5. Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.110, 234.57 vs. 13. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.187, 236.75; 6. Mike Castellana, Firebird, 6.111, 239.14 vs. 14. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.193, 233.08; 7. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.118, 235.23 vs. 15. Steve Engel, Corvette, 6.225, 211.86; 8. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 6.134, 232.23 vs. 16. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.244, 227.84.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Dale Brand, Chevy Camaro, 5.716, 247.57 vs. 5. Laurie Cannister, Camaro, 5.827, 243.59; 2. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.791, 254.14 vs. 6. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.832, 243.72; 3. Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.814, 246.30 vs. 7. Thomas Carter, Monte Carlo, 5.896, 241.37; 4. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.818, 247.47 vs. 8. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.923, 239.06.

Pro Stock -- 1. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.358, 221.56 vs. 9. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 6.406, 219.12; 2. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, 6.372, 220.48 vs. 10. Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.407, 218.37; 3. Tom Lee, Mustang, 6.380, 220.69 vs. 11. Bert Jackson, Chevy Cavalier, 6.426, 216.93; 4. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.387, 220.12 vs. 12. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.436, 218.48; 5. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.389, 219.79 vs. 13. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.442, 219.15; 6. Dean Goforth, GTO, 6.392, 219.97 vs. 14. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.446, 218.05; 7. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.402, 218.90 vs. 15. John Bartunek, Cobalt, 6.449, 218.65; 8. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.405, 220.08 vs. 16. Trevor Eman, Escort, 6.450, 219.08.
 

Bruce Litton on Top of Provisional Top Fuel Field at IHRA President’s Cup Nationals
Dale Creasy Jr. (Nitro Funny Car), Tommy D’Aprile (Pro Modified), Larry Dobbs (Alcohol Funny Car) and Jeff Dobbins (Pro Stock) also claim provisional #1 qualifier spots Friday at Maryland International Raceway

Mechanicsville, Md. (June 13, 2008) – Fresh off his win at the Motor City Nationals in May, defending IHRA Top Fuel World Champion Bruce Litton thundered to the top of the provisional qualifying sheet in the Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel class, carding a 4.699 at 287.90 mph at the President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek. Litton made a clean pass right down the groove at Maryland International Raceway to move to the top of the sheet heading into Saturday’s two qualifying sessions.

For running the quickest winning pass of the Friday evening session Litton also claimed Last Man Standing honors and the five bonus points that go with it.

“The car was running really good until about 1,000 feet,” Litton, an Indianapolis resident, said. “So I had to back off it a little bit. But I’m glad we were able to move to #1 and I’m happy with winning Last Man Standing. There are a lot of good cars out here and that was a bonus for us.”

Bobby Lagana Jr. (Scarsdale, N.Y.) was right on Litton’s heels, posting a 4.717 at 312.13 mph to end up second on the qualifying sheet.

Litton was not the only defending World Champion in the Nitro ranks to claim the provisional #1 qualifier position. Beecher, Ill. resident Dale Creasy Jr., a two-time defending champion in the Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car class, moved to the top of the provisional qualifying sheet with a 4.967 blast down the track at 300.40 mph.

“We’ve been having some trouble getting the car down the track, and it was mostly the driver,” Creasy said. “I had a little talk with him and we were able to get down the track tonight. I’m happy about that.”

Tommy D’Aprile (Port Charlotte, Fla.) put his Mel Bush-owned ’62 Bel Air on top of the provisional qualifying sheet with a 6.042 pass at 236.13 mph. It was his second-quickest pass of the season, trailing only the 6.038 he ran three weeks ago at Milan Dragway. Points leader Kenny Lang (Grande Pointe, Manitoba) ended up second on the sheet with a 6.079/239.95 pass.

Larry Dobbs (Welland, Ont.) shocked the Alcohol Funny Car class when he posted a sizzling 5.791 at an incredible 254.14 mph to claim the provisional #1 qualifier spot. His speed was a provisional world record, nearly five miles per hour faster than Dale Brand’s standing record of 249.30. Dobbs’ run seemed to come from nowhere as his previous best speed of the season was 247.57.

Defending AFC World Champion Mark Thomas (Louisville, Ohio) appears to have things turned around. The seven-time world champ failed to qualify for the elimination rounds at the previous two races, but his 5.814/246.26 pass put him #2 on the provisional qualifying sheet heading into Saturday’s two qualifying sessions. Thomas also claimed the five Last Man Standing bonus points for being the quickest winning driver in Friday’s evening qualifying session.

Jeff Dobbins (Wilmington, N.C.) kept his streak of strong qualifying efforts alive by jumping to the provisional #1 position in Pro Stock. The #1 qualifier in Milan three weeks ago clocked a 6.358 at 221.56 mph to move to the top of the sheet Friday night. Dobbins won the Friday Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge bonus for being the quickest winning driver of the Friday evening qualifying session, a feat he also pulled off both nights in Rockingham. The winner of the Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge receives five bonus points as well as a $500 check from Quarter-Max.

The Torco President’s Cup Nationals will continue Saturday, June 14 with two professional qualifying sessions. The first will begin at 2:00pm with all five professional classes running. The field will finalize after Saturday’s evening qualifying session, which will start at 7:00pm.

BUDDS CREEK, Md. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the Torco Racing Fuels President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, fourth of 11 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 4.699 seconds, 287.90 mph; 2. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.717, 312.13; 3. Mike Strasburg, 5.048, 234.37; 4. Terry McMillen, 9.840, 91.07; 5. Spencer Massey, 9.995, 72.70.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 4.967, 300.40; 2. Paul Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.989, 273.22; 3. Matt Hagan, Monte Carlo, 5.082, 285.77; 4. Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 5.205, 272.94; 5. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.217, 248.89; 6. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.297, 220.48; 7. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 5.330, 223.84; 8. Mike Smith, Camaro, 5.355, 270.05. Not Qualified: 9. Jeff Diehl, 5.972, 170.77; 10. Bob Gilbertson, 6.061, 158.33; 11. Cory Lee, 8.086, 110.37; 12. Jack Wyatt, 8.626, 96.99.

Pro Modified -- 1. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.042, 236.13; 2. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.079, 239.95; 3. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.094, 232.63; 4. Mike Janis, Pontiac Firebird, 6.102, 236.05; 5. Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.110, 234.57; 6. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.118, 235.23; 7. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 6.134, 232.23; 8. Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 6.155, 234.33; 9. Scott Cannon, Firebird, 6.175, 230.06; 10. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.187, 236.75; 11. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.193, 233.08; 12. Steve Engel, Corvette, 6.225, 211.86; 13. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.244, 227.84; 14. Milt Decker, Corvette, 6.245, 223.80; 15. Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 6.335, 208.97; 16. Jason Stock, Corvette, 6.345, 228.92. Not Qualified: 17. Frederick Scriba, 8.836, 100.48; 18. Billy Gibson, 8.998, 101.07; 19. Larry Plummer, 9.894, 82.85; 20. Mike Castellana, 14.179, 59.37; 21. Chris Russo, 16.910, 59.84.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.791, 254.14; 2. Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.814, 246.26; 3. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.818, 247.47; 4. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.827, 243.59; 5. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.832, 242.67; 6. Melinda Green-King, Ford Mustang, 5.960, 238.13; 7. Rocky Hummel, Camaro, 6.093, 233.68; 8. Bunny Burkett, Avenger, 6.482, 145.44. Not Qualified: 9. Dale Brand, 6.816, 187.65; 10. Neal Parker, 8.053, 113.87; 11. Tim Stevens, DQ; 12. Thomas Carter, DQ.

Pro Stock -- 1. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.358, 221.56; 2. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, 6.372, 220.48; 3. Tom Lee, Ford Mustang, 6.380, 220.69; 4. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.387, 220.12; 5. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.389, 219.79; 6. Dean Goforth, GTO, 6.392, 219.97; 7. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.402, 218.90; 8. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.405, 220.08; 9. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.406, 219.12; 10. Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.407, 218.37; 11. Bert Jackson, Chevy Cavalier, 6.426, 216.93; 12. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.436, 216.69; 13. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.442, 218.83; 14. John Bartunek, Cobalt, 6.449, 218.65; 15. Trevor Eman, Escort, 6.450, 219.08; 16. Chuck DeMory, Mustang, 6.458, 215.03. Not Qualified: 17. John Konigshofer, 6.461, 218.41; 18. Kelly Martin, 6.512, 216.65; 19. Doug Kirk, 6.514, 215.34; 20. Ron Miller, 6.545, 216.13; 21. Steven Boone, 6.587, 191.51; 22. Daniel Seamon, 6.644, 215.96; 23. Pete Berner, 7.305, 126.89; 24. John Pluchino, 7.337, 142.40; 25. Michael Bruno, 7.704, 132.57; 26. Bob Bertsch, 8.901, 93.75; 27. Ned Katuran, 9.490, 94.06; 28. Sylvester Barnes, 21.983, 49.44.
 

Huge Crowd Sees Lee Jump to Top of Nitro Funny Car Qualifying Sheet at Rockingham Dragway
Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car), Mike Janis (Pro Modified) and Pete Berner (Pro Stock) also claim #1 qualifying spots at IHRA Spring Nationals

(Rockingham, N.C.; April 19, 2008) – Paul Lee, whose weekend participation at Rockingham Dragway was almost an afterthought, drove Paul Smith’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo Funny Car to a track record Saturday and, as a result, will start Sunday’s 37th annual IHRA Spring Nationals from the No. 1 starting position.

Lee covered the quarter mile in 4.797 seconds at 315.34 miles per hour, shattering the Funny Car record of 4.877 seconds set last October by Charlotte’s Bob Gilbertson. As a result, the Wynnewood, Pa., driver will start from the No. 1 position for the first time in his pro career.

"This means a lot to me because five days ago we weren't coming to this race," Lee said. "(Car owner) Paul Smith and I basically put this thing together in a few days and he wanted to come here. We found out on Monday for sure we were coming.

"The number one means a lot because Paul has a great team. We want to race and it's all about deals and stuff like that. We are just trying to promote some potential sponsors out here. This means a heck of a lot. I want to carry over this momentum in Sunday."

Lee’s elation was matched by Gilbertson’s depression. After winning last fall’s IHRA World Finals on the same Rockingham track, Gilbertson failed to make the eight-car starting lineup in the Nitro Funny Car class and will be a spectator on Sunday.

The other No. 1 qualifiers Saturday were reigning series champion Bruce Litton of Indianapolis, Ind., in Top Fuel dragster; former champion Mike Janis of Lancaster, N.Y., in Pro Modified; Pete Berner of Crete, Ill., in Pro Stock; and Laurie Cannister of Johnstown, Ohio, in Alcohol Funny Car.

“We were worried about only getting one session,” Litton said, a reference to threatening weather that could have washed out Saturday’s second session. “We hated to think we might only get one shot and could get bumped out if we didn’t run well. We were blessed to get both runs in today.”

This is Litton’s 10th start from the No. 1 position, but his first at Rockingham, where he hopes to get his title bid back on track after losing in the first round of the season-opener.

Berner, the 2006 series champion, was clocked in 6.324 seconds at 220.37 mph to nudge veteran Frank Gugliotta for the No. 1 spot in Pro Stock.

“All in all, we've had a great weekend so far,” Berner said. “The guys have made some really good calls and what can I say about Dave Braswell's carburetors and Pat Norcia's Ram clutches? This new RJ Race Cars Pontiac GXP has been a winner right out of the box

“We definitely want our championship back, and we're going to work real hard to get it. There are some tough customers out here, and I'll have my hands full trying to deal with them, but we're going to give it everything we have.”

Cannister, winner of the season-opener two weeks ago at San Antonio, Texas, was the No. 1 qualifier at Rockingham for the second consecutive time. She was clocked in 5.722 seconds at 245.14 mph, slightly off her own track record of 5.668 seconds

“Dale (husband and crew chief Dale Cannister) has a really good handle on the car and all the crew’s doing their job,” Cannister said. “There’s still more in it and we’re going to try to find (the limit) tomorrow.”

Janis carded a strong 5.986 at 240.08 mph Friday night, a mark that held on against all challengers and earn him the #1 qualifying spot in Pro Modified.

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – First round pairings for Sunday’s 37th annual IHRA Spring Nationals, second race in the 2008 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL – 1. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, Ind., 4.622, 306.67 mph, vs. 5. Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., 4.678, 313.37 mph; 2. Scott Palmer, Highlandville, Mo., 4.645, 296.83 mph, vs. 6. Spencer Massey, Fort Worth, Texas, 4.704, 311.05 mph; 3. Bobby Lagana, Scarsdale, N.Y., 4.666, 324.67 mph, vs. 7. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 4.785, 303.37 mph; 4. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 4.668, 298.54 mph, vs. 8. Kevin Jones, Berea, Ky., 4.786, 300.86 mph.

NITRO FUNNY CAR – 1. Paul Lee, Wynnewood, Pa., 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 4.797, 315.34 mph, vs. 5. Jack Wyatt, Corydon, Iowa, 2007 Dodge Stratus, 5.0885, 284.75 mph; 2. Terry Haddock, Woodinville, Wash., 2006. Dodge Stratus, 4.956, 296.11 mph, vs. 6. Cory Lee, Aliquippa, 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 5.103, 284.21 mph; 3. Andy Kelley, Piedmont, S.C., 2002 Pontiac Firebird, 4.995, 194.52 mph, vs. 7. Steve Macklyn, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 5.110, 290.32 mph; 4. Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher, Ill., 2008 Chevrolet Impala, 5.077, 295.48 mph, vs. 8. Matt Hagan, Christiansburg, Va., 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. 5.164, 247.73 mph;

PRO MODIFIED – 1. Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., 1967 Pontiac Firebird, 5.986, 240.08 mph, vs. 9. Mike Castellana, Westbury, N.Y., 1968 Pontiac Firebird, 6.101, 236.26 mph; 2. Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe, Manitoba, Canada, 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, 6.0