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IHRA Texas Nationals
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The
latest results from the first stop on the 2004 IHRA Hooters Drag
Racing Series
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By
Bobby Bennett |
Millican singles after Litton crash, Kerunsky, Thomas and Montecalvo win in San Antonio
(3-28-2004) - Clay Millican has been in a lot of final rounds, but never one like he experienced at the IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals at San Antonio Raceway. The three-time World Champion from Drummonds, Tenn., drove Peter Lehman’s Werner Enterprises to an unprecedented 31st Top Fuel win during the IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series opener. Other professional winners included Glenn Kerunsky (Pro Modified), Mark Thomas (Funny Car) and John Montecalvo (Sunoco Pro Stock). What set this victory apart from the others for Millican is that he did it alone. Just one round earlier, the former forklift driver for Kroger could only watch helplessly as his friendly rival Bruce Litton suffered a crash going through the traps at well over 300-miles per hour following his defeat of Grant Flowers. Litton was airlifted to the Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He was later released. Although an investigation is currently underway, the initial cause of the accident is believed to be tire failure, which in turn took out the wing and caused the new Brad Hadman dragster to break apart and slide to a stop at the end of the track. Litton suffered a minor concussion.
Millican soloed to a 4.596, 311.49 “Bruce was with me in spirit,” added Millican. “I heard he was on his way back, so I knew I wouldn’t be idling down the track. We tried to go to the other end and it was just awesome. There was a heck of a crowd here today and I’m glad we could put on a good show for them. “He’ll rebound from this and we’ll see him hopefully in Rockingham. I want him to know that our team will help him in any way…all he has to do is ask. As much as old Bruce and I beat up on one another, I think a lot of that guy and he certainly taught me a lot about driving a car. That was a weird final round. Finding out he was okay before the final round was a big relief for me.” Millican’s list of victims included Rick Cooper and Todd Paton. On the other side of the ladder, Litton won over Mitch King and Flowers.
When it came to having the odds stacked against him, Canadian Glen Kerunsky looked like a man in charge en route to stopping Harold Martin in the final. Kerunsky entered eliminations on the bubble and used a calculated effort to get the best of low qualifier Zach Barklage, Mitch Stott and Steve Vick before ending the incredible weekend of Harold Martin. On Friday, Martin crashed his ACDelco Pontiac. An all-night thrash returned him to competition on Saturday. Still, on this day, Kerunsky was not to be denied. “We haven’t tested or anything else and basically, this was our first time out in five months,” explained Kerunsky. “We tried a lot of new things in qualifying that just didn’t work out. What we did is basically return to our Rockingham tune-up and evidently it worked. We know we can do a lot better than 16th. We were just really happy to be qualified.” For his part, Martin defeated Pat Musi, Shannon Jenkins and Rick Distefano to reach the final round. In Funny Car, there may have been only seven cars in the field, but the same two cars wound up in the final round that comprised half of them in 2003. This time, five-time World Champion Mark Thomas got the best of defending World Champion Rob Atchison. Thomas was overjoyed at the completion of the event.
“The thing I felt best about today was in the way I did my job,” said Thomas. “I have complete faith in Jimmy Rector and my crew. I had been in the .07 range all day and Jimmy asked me for just a little better in the finals. I did and it all worked out great for us.” Sunoco Pro Stock featured a final round between old friends from Long Island, NY. John Montecalvo stopped longtime friend John Nobile. “This was long way to come to determine the best driver between the two of us,” Montecalvo said, with a laugh. “This started about 15 years ago at our local track and we had no idea that one day we’d be in Pro Stock racing one another. John and I have had a rivalry that has been going on for about 15 – 20 years. Good buddies, best of friends, but when it comes to racing we go to it.” Montecalvo left no stone unturned in his bid to win this weekend. He entered eliminations as the top qualifier and soundly defeated Bert Jackson, Frank Gugliotta and Brian Gahm. The next event on the schedule is the 34th annual IHRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham, NC., April 23 – 25.
TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE -- Todd Paton, 5.003, 253.23 def. Tim Cullinan, 5.079, 248.25; Bruce Litton, 4.790, 297.48 def. Mitch King, 6.195, 136.69; Grant Flowers, 5.145, 271.52 def. Mark Kinsella, broke; Clay Millican, 4.583, 320.36 def. Rick Cooper, 12.646, 78.32; SEMIFINALS -- Litton, 4.817, 302.69 def. Flowers, 5.487, 193.18; Millican, 5.799, 247.93 def. Paton, 5.977, 205.51; FINAL -- Millican, 4.596, 311.49 def. Litton, broke.
ROUND ONE -- Mitch Stott, Chevy Corvette, 6.292, 225.97
def. Von Smith, Ford Mustang, 15.687, 52.13; Shannon Jenkins, Chevy
Camaro, 6.393, 224.32 def. Mike Janis, Corvette, 6.557, 220.94;
Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.293, 224.02 def. Frankie Taylor, Corvette,
6.280, 227.00; Steve Vick, Camaro, 6.287, 224.10 def. Al Billes,
Corvette, 8.792, 104.66; Rick Distefano, Corvette, 6.300, 225.75
def. Thomas Patterson, Willys, 6.529, 212.43; Glen Kerunsky, Chevy
Bel Air, 6.328, 223.99 def. Zach Barklage, Pontiac Grand Am, 7.263,
216.51; Harold Martin, Grand Am, 6.690, 208.49 def. QUARTERFINALS -- Martin, 6.300, 220.91 def. Jenkins, foul; Distefano, 6.236, 210.08 def. Castellana, 6.318, 223.36; Kerunsky, 6.286, 224.51 def. M. Stott, 6.321, 226.09; Vick, 6.479, 221.56 def. Cannon, 6.868, 179.64; SEMIFINALS -- Kerunsky, 6.265, 225.07 def. Vick, 7.159, 146.34; Martin, 8.072, 130.85 def. Distefano, broke; FINAL -- Kerunsky, 6.275, 218.94 def. Martin, 7.110, 146.85.
ROUND ONE -- Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.861, 238.85 was unopposed; Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.850, 240.00 def. John Sullivan, Pontiac Firehawk, 6.109, 227.57; Ronnie Midyette, Chevy Camaro, 5.935, 236.92 def. Ray Drew, Ford Mustang, broke; Terry McMillen, Avenger, 5.992, 234.57 def. Chris Foster, Avenger, foul; SEMIFINALS -- Atchison, 5.849, 239.14 def. McMillen, 8.731, 93.53; Thomas, 8.131, 110.15 def. Midyette, foul; FINAL -- Thomas, 5.897, 239.40 def. Atchison, 5.870, 238.85.
ROUND ONE -- Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.611, 212.06 def. John Bartunek, Chevy Cavalier, foul; Tony Gillig, Ford Mustang, 6.706, 210.83 def. Charlie Peppers, Mustang, 8.872, 128.30; Pete Berner, Mustang, 6.575, 209.14 def. Steve Spiess, Cavalier, 24.006, 30.53; Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.571, 212.39 def. Mike Bell, Ford ZX2, 6.882, 163.37; Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.565, 211.83 def. Robert Patrick, Escort, 6.683, 210.90; John Nobile, Escort, 6.570, 213.40 def. Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar, 6.651, 210.08; Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.549, 212.46 def. Larry O'Brien, Stratus, foul; John Montecalvo, Cavalier, 6.580, 213.03 def. Bert Jackson, Cavalier, 6.704, 207.37; QUARTERFINALS -- Montecalvo, 6.559, 213.33 def. Gugliotta, 11.268, 76.29; Nobile, 6.529, 213.47 def. Berner, 6.557, 211.53; Gahm, 6.581, 211.63 def. Jones, 6.575, 211.59; Morton, 6.599, 211.43 def. Gillig, 6.662, 210.05; SEMIFINALS -- Montecalvo, 6.551, 213.47 def. Gahm, 6.610, 208.33; Nobile, 6.545, 213.23 def. Morton, 6.605, 211.63; FINAL -- Montecalvo, 6.566, 213.40 def. Nobile, 6.542,
213.13.
Bruce Litton involved in high-speed accident during IHRA Texas Nationals(3-28-2004) – Bruce Litton, 49, of Indianapolis, was involved in an accident during the second round of Top Fuel eliminations at the IHRA Texas Nationals on Sunday. Litton was airlifted to Brooks Army Medical Center, a level one trauma center in San Antonio, Texas. According to medical personnel, Litton was conscious and vital signs stable. Litton was later released from the hospital with a minor concussion. |
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| If you're a photographer and a car comes by belching parts and the parachute floats over into your space, what do you do? You hit the ground like this one did. |
(3-28-2004) - Awesome Dismissals – The prediction on Friday, according to Pro Modified nitrous racer Charles Carpenter, was 5-to-1 odds that the supercharged entries would go home in the first round. In head-to-head competition, three of four matches were won by nitrous cars. Two of those three were accrued by the Awesome Motorsports team of Shannon Jenkins and Mike Castellana.
Jenkins took out Mike Janis in a pedal-fest while Castellana beat a comatose (.217) Frankie Taylor, 6.293 to 6.280.
“It was an ugly race for me,” Jenkins added. “I had to pedal all the way through second. Mike (Janis) wasn’t beside me so I had to keep going.”
Jenkins stands by his assessment that raceday and qualifying are two different things.
“You get more aggressive on Sunday, I know we did.”
Steve Vick was the other victorious nitrous driver as he took out Al Billes.
“We have struggled the last few years and I feel we are on our game now,” Vick added, when asked about the chances of the nitrous cars. “We have it all together now and we’ll just see it shakes out the rest of the day.”
Vick’s second round opponent was none other than six-time World Champion Scotty Cannon.
“He made the statement once that you try to find the biggest guy in the bar and knock him out first. I guess that’s what I’m gonna have to try and do.”
Vick was victorious over Cannon.
Still no oil – The IHRA Top Fuel program
has been the target for many years of critics. However, did you
know that from the start of qualifying until the completion of the
first round, not one single drop of oil fell on the racing surface?
Stranger in a strange land – One of the more uncommon
faces walking through the pits at San Antonio Raceway was Texas-businessman
Dave Wood, who owns AMS Staff Leasing – the sponsor of the
NHRA Pro Modified exhibitions. His Pro Modified entry failed to
make the cut, but that didn’t prevent him from having fun.
“It’s a little bit different,” added Wood. “I am enjoying being here. It’s drag racing. It doesn’t matter whether it’s IHRA or NHRA. I love the sport and the Pro Modified class.”
According to Wood, the team plans to make as many as ten stops on the 12-race tour.
Cowboys and Indians – IHRA Speed color commentator
and Native American Johnny Rocca on coming to San Antonio, Texas,
for his debut as part of the television talent crew, “My ancestors
were concerned about me coming to Texas. There are way too many
Cowboys.”
SATURDAY - 19-year old Barklage blasts way to top of Pro Modified field, Millican, Atchinson and Montecalvo round out professional low qualifiers
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| Zach Barklage scored his first-ever IHRA Pro Modified pole position. |
(3-27-2004) – Just one week after establishing a personal best, 19-year old Pro Modified racer Zach Barklage pushed his Pontiac Grand-am to the quickest elapsed time of the IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals in San Antonio, Texas. Barklage saved his best for last with a 6.208, 229.86.
Also landing atop their respective divisions were Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Rob Atchinson (Funny Car) and John Montecalvo (Sunoco Pro Stock).
On the heels of Barklage’s career-building effort was Harold Martin’s 6.218, 226.46. Martin had crashed his ACDelco-sponsored entry on Friday evening and rebuilt it in time for Saturday’s qualifying. Canadian Rick Distefano was third with a 6.223, 218. It took at least a 6.308 to gain a spot in the show.
Millican, of Drummonds, Tenn., one-upped his Friday performance with a Saturday evening 4.631, 309.77. The Werner-sponsored driver was light years ahead of #2 Mark Kinsella, who registered a 4.669, 303.30. Rick Cooper landed on the bubble.
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| John Montecalvo paced the field for the Sunoco Pro Stockers. |
Atchinson, the defending Funny Car champion, stepped up in the final session with a 5.814, 239.78 to edge out multi-time World Champion Mark Thomas.
Montecalvo, of Center Moriches, NY, established both ends of the Sunoco Pro Stock track record, with a 6.533, 213.57. Falling into order behind the Citgo-sponsored driver was Elijah Morton (6.544) and John Nobile (6.545). Bert Jackson ended up on the bubble with a 6.634, 208.49.
Up to the minute results at IHRA.com.
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First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for
the Third
annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks
& RVs and the San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway,
the first of 12 events in the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series.
Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.
Top Fuel -- 1. Clay Millican, 4.631 seconds,
309.77 mph vs. 8. Rick Cooper, 5.027,
230.61; 2. Mark Kinsella, 4.669, 303.30 vs. 7. Grant Flowers, 4.963,
279.96; 3. Bruce Litton, 4.785, 304.25 vs. 6. Mitch King, 4.883,
255.63; 4. Tim Cullinan, 4.817, 283.91 vs. 5. Todd Paton, 4.882,
288.33.
Pro Modified -- 1. Zach Barklage, Pontiac Grand
Am, 6.208, 229.16 vs. 16. Glen
Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.308, 224.25; 2. Harold Martin, Grand
Am, 6.218, 226.47 vs. 15. Pat Musi, Bel Air, 6.301, 218.83; 3. Rick
Distefano, Chevy Corvette, 6.223, 224.85 vs. 14. Thomas Patterson,
Willys, 6.296, 221.82; 4. Al Billes, Corvette, 6.224, 226.96 vs.
13. Steve Vick, Chevy Camaro, 6.288, 223.10; 5. Scotty Cannon, Studebaker,
6.227, 228.15 vs. 12. Dennis Radford, Dodge Viper, 6.284, 223.73;
6. Frankie Taylor, Corvette, 6.231, 226.70 vs. 11. Mike Castellana,
Camaro, 6.281, 223.43; 7. Mike Janis, Corvette, 6.239, 228.00 vs.
10. Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 6.279, 224.43; 8. Von Smith, Ford Mustang,
6.241, 228.61 vs. 9. Mitch Stott, Corvette, 6.265, 226.73.
Funny Car -- 1. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird,
5.814, 239.78 vs. Bye; 2. Mark Thomas,
Dodge Avenger, 5.856, 240.38 vs. 7. John Sullivan, Pontiac Firehawk,
6.140, 229.12; 3. Ronnie Midyette, Chevy Camaro, 5.946, 240.81 vs.
6. Ray Drew, Ford Mustang, 6.034, 227.50; 4. Chris Foster, Avenger,
5.964, 235.68 vs. 5. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 6.019, 235.10.
Pro Stock -- 1. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cavalier,
6.533, 213.57 vs. 16. Bert Jackson,
Cavalier, 6.643, 208.49; 2. Elijah Morton, Ford Mustang, 6.544,
212.29 vs. 15. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.629, 209.79; 3. John
Nobile, Ford Escort, 6.545, 213.27 vs. 14. Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar,
6.616, 210.67; 4. Rick Jones, Stratus, 6.553, 212.06 vs. 13. Robert
Patrick, Escort, 6.605, 212.26; 5. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.559, 211.76
vs. 12. Mike Bell, Ford ZX2, 6.603, 211.00; 6. Pete Berner, Mustang,
6.566, 210.90 vs. 11. Steve Spiess, Cavalier, 6.593, 211.56; 7.
Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.568, 211.83 vs. 10. Charlie Peppers, Mustang,
6.589, 212.03; 8. Frank Gugliotta, Escort, 6.577, 212.96 vs. 9.
John Bartunek, Cavalier, 6.588, 212.49.
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SATURDAY - Harold Martin's inspirational return, Great act of sportsmanship by Berner and Cannon's holding court again...
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| These three photos show the damage from the Harold Martin Friday mishap. Note the bolts that sheared off of the axles. |
Thrash Man – Some might have packed up after crashing their car in qualifying, but not ACDelco-sponsored Pro Modified racer Harold Martin. Martin towed his wounded Pontiac to the pits on Friday only to be met by a large gathering of racers ready and willing to pitch in a helping hand. Upon taking inventory of the damage, Martin realized that with the exception of the sheared axle studs on the rear, most of the damage was cosmetic. The team, along with a few volunteers worked until 2 AM on Saturday. The only reason they stopped was they had run out of parts.
Just when it seemed futile to work towards Saturday’s first qualifying session, the trio of Kip Dupuis, Elijah Morton and Gary Henry along with a score of new racers found the missing pieces to the puzzle and Martin was in the lanes at Noon.
“I am just blown away by the support of the community,”Martin added. “We had tons of help and it may have gotten crowded at times. But, we got it down.”
By the way, Martin went to the top of the qualifying list with a 6.218, 226.47.
Martin admitted the run on Saturday felt exactly like the launch on Friday. He added that what we saw on Saturday should have come the night before.
A taste of Italy - When you visit an Italian restaurant,
you can usually come across a listing on the menu as a "Taste
of Italy." This entre usually offers three samplings of Italian
cuisine.
The IHRA version has its own version of A Taste of Italy in the Pro Stock pits. The most notable is the "The Flying Meatball" Frank Gugliotta. Joining the fraternity is now John "The Flying Sausage" Montecalvo and John "The Flying Pepperoni" Nobile. The trio are all of Italian heritage and suggested the nicknames.
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| There's nothing better for Saturday entertainment than a VW vs. Motorhome match race. |
Pimping out Annie – While we wouldn’t call Sunoco Pro Stock racer Pete Berner drag racing’s version of a pimp, he did execute a measure of good sportsmanship by loaning out one of his leading ladies to fellow racer Frank Gugliotta. Berner’s leading lady is none other than his number two engine affectionately nicknamed “Annie.” The scenario began earlier in the week when Gugliotta mortally wounded his only motor in testing at Houston Raceway Park. Rather than allow the Steve Thodos team to go home and not participate, Berner offered his spare engine.
Driver Frank Gugliotta was at a loss for words when it came to expressing his gratitude afforded him. Once he gained his composure, he said, “The rulebook says that once an engine qualifies, it cannot be entered in another car. He jeopardized himself to help us. That’s huge.”
Berner’s main engine is named “Shania.”
“I was happy to help Steve,” added Berner. “They are good people and I wouldn’t just loan an engine to just anyone. I feel confident that we’ll do just fine with one engine.”
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| When Mitch Stott said he wounded a block, he wasn't lying. |
He ain’t Hemi, he’s my Chevy – The road has been long with many winding turns for Chevrolet racer John Montecalvo and engine builder Sonny Leonard’s development of the next generation cylinder head, a design based on the Ford Hemi. Montecalvo concluded Saturday’s qualifying with both ends of the track record. His 6.533 elapsed time put him ahead of the twenty entries on the grounds. His 213.57 blast stood up as the fastest mile per hour.
Once a doormat of the class, the Chevrolets are changing that attitude.
“I think it took most of last year to get things together,” Montecalvo said. “We have a handle on it now. I also have a new 2004 Cavalier from Rick Jones that I’m just dying to give it a shot.”
The Boys are back in town – The 2004 IHRA Amalie
Oil Texas Nationals looked like a return of the old guard in IHRA
doorslammer racing. This nostalgic quartet consisting of Scotty
Cannon, Robert Patrick, John Nobile and Tony Gillig all seemed to
pick up where they left off at. After three sessions, Cannon and
Nobile were third in their respective classes, while Gillig ended
up seventh and Patrick was 14th.
Cannon analyzes the situation – After watching
a set of cars do burnouts, only to be shut down when oil was discovered
on the track, six-time Pro Modified World Champion Scotty Cannon
took IHRA President Bill Bader to task over his procedure of running
a pair of cars every 17 seconds. Cannon uttered with a flurry of
hand gestures, “Bader if you were running an airport, you’d
have planes crisscrossing each other and landing all over one another.”
Question Answered – One of the largest unknown questions looming in the drag racing was finally answered on Saturday evening. Which is the better race vehicle, a VW bug or a 35-foot diesel-burning motorhome? The rig was afforded a three-second handicap, which was overcome by the VW with a 26.063, 51. The motorhome lost with a 26.668, 52.
They have medical coverage – Just one week earlier, the NHRA refused to allow “Nurse Tiffany,” the scantily clad nurse figure on the Dr. Moon’s Rage team driven by Von Smith, to walk to the starting line unless she had a team uniform. On Saturday evening, IHRA President Bill Bader escorted her just past the Christmas tree and back. Bader was later rumored to be complaining of some soreness in his shoulder and requested a nurse.
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FRIDAY - Millican king of the hill in Top Fuel; Billes, Atchinson, Jones top professional low qualifiers
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| Clay Millican was light years ahead of the competition during first day qualifying for the IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals in San Antonio, Texas. |
(3-26-2004) – Clay Millican was light years ahead of the competition during first day qualifying for the IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals in San Antonio, Texas. The Drummonds, Tenn.-based driver was the quickest Top Fueler out of 20 entries with a 4.642, 303.23.
Falling into the second spot was Mark Kinsella with a 4.728, 303.30. Gene Davis was on the bubble with a 5.314, 224.96.
The balance of the low qualifiers included Al Billes (Pro Modified), Rob Atchinson (Funny Car) and Rick Jones (Sunoco Pro Stock).
Pro Modified’s final session provided a historic shootout that resembled the 1991 Pro Modified World Championship battle between Billes and six-time World Champion Scotty Cannon. Cannon pushed his Oakley-sponsored 1953 Studebaker to the top spot with a 6.227. His run stood for two pairs when Billes backed up his recent NHRA Gatornationals victory with a 6.224 pole position. The bump spot for the 16-car field is anchored by Steve Engel with a 6.350.
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| Al Billes backed up his recent NHRA Gatornationals victory with a 6.224 pole position. |
In Funny Car, Atchinson opened his championship defense with a provisional top qualifying effort with a 5.853, 239.31, Mark Thomas was second with a 5.856, 244.38. Only six cars are in attendance.
Jones, a chassis builder from Galesburg, Ill., took a huge step towards defending his event title by landing on top with a 6.553, 212.06 in his Quartermax-sponsored Dodge Stratus. His elapsed time actually was tied by Elijah Morton, but his 211.89 speed was slower than that of Jones. The bump spot was anchored by Chuck DeMory with a 6.718, 207.11. On the outside looking in are 2003 IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series winners Carl Baker, Doug Kirk and Jason Collins.
Up to the minute results at IHRA.com.
Results Friday after qualifying for the Third annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks & RVs and the San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway, first of 12 events in the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Clay Millican, 4.642 seconds,
303.23 mph; 2. Mark Kinsella, 4.728,
303.30; 3. Todd Paton, 4.882, 288.33; 4. Mitch King, 4.883, 242.19;
5. Bobby Lagana Jr, 5.035, 291.89; 6. Doug Foley, 5.070, 283.43;
7. John Sipple, 5.282, 242.89; 8. Gene Davis, 5.314, 224.96.
Pro Modified -- 1. Al Billes, Chevy Corvette,
6.224, 225.86; 2. Scotty Cannon,
Studebaker, 6.227, 228.15; 3. Von Smith, Ford Mustang, 6.241, 228.61;
4. Frankie Taylor, Corvette, 6.253, 224.62; 5. Mitch Stott, Corvette,
6.265, 226.70; 6. Mike Janis, Corvette, 6.278, 227.88; 7. Shannon
Jenkins, Chevy Camaro, 6.279, 224.43; 8. Zach Barklage, Pontiac
Grand Am, 6.281, 226.51; 9. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.283, 222.29;
10. Rick Distefano, Corvette, 6.295, 217.28; 11. Thomas Patterson,
Willys, 6.296, 221.82; 12. Glen Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.308,
224.25; 13. Steve Vick, Camaro, 6.311, 222.47; 14. Dennis Radford,
Dodge Viper, 6.326, 222.95; 15. Pat Moore, Bel Air, 6.337, 223.17;
16. Steve Engel, Corvette, 6.350, 223.39.
Funny Car -- 1. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird,
5.853, 239.53; 2. Mark Thomas, Dodge
Avenger, 5.856, 240.38; 3. Chris Foster, Avenger, 5.989, 234.57;
4. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 6.019, 235.10; 5. Ronnie Midyette, Chevy
Camaro, 6.030, 240.38; 6. Ray Drew, Ford Mustang, 6.034, 227.50;
7. John Sullivan, Pontiac Firehawk, 6.219, 206.04.
Pro Stock -- 1. Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.553,
212.06; 2. Elijah Morton, Ford
Mustang, 6.553, 211.89; 3. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.559, 211.76; 4.
John Montecalvo, Chevy Cavalier, 6.572, 212.26; 5. Tony Gillig,
Mustang, 6.578, 211.83; 6. Charlie Peppers, Mustang, 6.589, 211.33;
7. John Nobile, Ford Escort, 6.603, 212.16; 8. Robert Patrick, Escort,
6.608, 211.86; 9. Frank Gugliotta, Escort, 6.611, 211.69; 10. John
Bartunek, Cavalier, 6.617, 211.39; 11. Steve Spiess, Cavalier, 6.623,
210.50; 12. Mike Bell, Ford ZX2, 6.633, 210.67; 13. Pete Berner,
Mustang, 6.640, 210.90; 14. Larry O'Brien, Stratus, 6.641, 209.79;
15. Chuck DeMory, Escort, 6.718, 207.11; 16. Robert Mansfield, Pontiac
Grand Am, 6.751, 208.42.
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FRIDAY NOTES – The brewing controversy in Top Fuel; Funny Car famine, Top Fuel miracles and the legend of the Mohawk
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| As news breaks, we'll pass it on to you. |
(3-26-2004) - Old Faces; New Place – If the AMS Staff Leasing crew appears to have that familiar look, it’s because the quartet at one time were joined under the umbrella of Johnny Rocca. Driver Troy Critchley was instrumental in bringing in former Rocca tuner Darren Mayer, as well as former crewmembers Billy Medina and Dave Jordan.
“We do have that retro look,” Mayer admitted.
It’s ironic that Rocca will be in the announcing booth this year. Was that cause for a team reunion?
“We laughed about that over dinner,” added Mayer. “It was a time of reminiscing over the memories we had while racing with Johnny. Some of them made us laugh so hard it made our stomachs hurt.”
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| Harold Martin's ACDelco-sponsored suffered parts breakage at the launch which caused his Pontiac Grand-am to cross the center-line and hit the opposite retaining wall. |
Martin Uninjured in mishap - Harold Martin's ACDelco-sponsored suffered parts breakage at the launch which caused his Pontiac Grand-am to cross the center-line and hit the opposite retaining wall. He emerged uninjured.
New Kids on the Block – Remember when you were growing up and a new kid moved into the neighborhood? In most instances, you either liked them or you didn’t. That’s exactly the reaction the injected-nitro cars received in their debut as part of a revamped Top Fuel division. Most welcomed them, but at least one driver wasn’t so hospitable.
Defending World Champion Clay Millican thinks the new addition to Top Fuel will be welcomed.
“I think as a whole, they will be welcomed. If it causes everyone to step up it will be a good thing. The bottom line is that no one wants to get beat by one. Nobody wants to get beat by a car that they should beat.”
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| A/FD (far lane) versus AA/FD. Some like it. At least one driver doesn't |
Then again, there are those like Todd Paton, who feel the inclusion of these cars signal an unofficial end to the class.
“We saw it happen a few years back when the IHRA let Billy Austin run,” Paton said. “An A/Fuel Funny Car was just like a BB/FC, and where are they at now in IHRA? The writing is on the wall. I don’t understand how you can bring a combination in and tell them the only rules they have is have 90 to 100-percent nitro.
“We know the A/Fuel cars are very powerful, even under their standard rules. They are very capable of running 5-teens and lower. With the lock-up clutches and all, they make awesome amounts of torque. We are only running 1320-feet so torque is king. If it was a long-distance race, then horsepower would be king. Then there is the reliability factor. Once they get them dialed in, it would be a lot cheaper to run one. I don’t think the class really needed it.
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| This was seen on the trailer of a blown Top Fueler. |
Paton questioned the need for additional entries when there were at least 8 – 12 conventional cars on the grounds Thursday. “How many cars do you need for an eight-car field?”
Millican, who ran the quickest elapsed time in the first session of qualifying which turned out to be nearly eight-tenths of a second quicker than the leading A/Fuel Dragster, doesn’t see him as a bully. He added, “I know those guys are there if I ever smoke the tires.”
“I really don’t care. It’s just another car in the other lane. If it makes a better show, I’m all for it.”
Paton considers a loss to an A/Fuel Dragster to be somewhat like an eight-year old boy getting beat by a girl.
“It would be worse,” added Paton.
“The incredible Turd – That’s what injected-nitro Top Fuel driver Dave Hirata calls his 460-something cubic inch engine. He’s not even sure what cubic inch size it is.
“I just grabbed the biggest one I could find,” Hirata added. “I can’t wait until we get 40-extra cubic inches.”
Impressive Part – Of 16 blown and injected nitro Top Fuelers, not one single entry applied oil to the racing surface.
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| Dave Hirata threw together an engine to come out to Texas. |
Unimpressive Part – While Top Fuel had 20 cars on the grounds, Funny Car was considerably off with only 6 entries.
Park the rig, we’ll drive it for you – Pro Modified team owner Richard Patterson is ready to issue an ultimatum to any drag race team that brings their rig to his house in Houston. It seems that every time a team visits, they seem to do damage to his home.
Patterson demands, “I’m going to tell them all to park their rigs at the top of the road and I’ll provide valet service. Nothing gets torn down that way.”
Patterson points out that the last two visits resulted in an awning being down, which in turn fell on a new Chevy Tahoe causing irreparable damage.”
Most recently, a team, whom Patterson prefers to keep anonymous, bent his wrought iron gate into a 90-degree angle.
Jilted at the altar again – After a barrage of promotional releases and a few columns promoting his return to Top Fuel, Steve Hamilton was jilted once again in his bid to run with the Kings of the Sport. According to Hamilton, he got a call a week before the IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals from team owner John Mitchell telling him decided not to run.
“I just don’t get it,” Hamilton explained. “I had a signed contract. I just can’t get a break.”
Hamilton’s bids to run in the class have been spoiled by a broken down tow truck en route to an event and another time he made it there, but the wing for the car didn’t.
The Rod Father - “There were rods coming out here and rods coming out there. Once I got out at the finish line, I realized there was nothing there.” – Mitch Stott after wounding the first of two motors on Friday
The Iceman Reloadeth – After a dismal showing last week in Gainesville, Fla., at the NHRA Gatornationals, nitrous Pro Modified stalwarts Shannon Jenkins and Mike Castellana pulled out of Gainesville Raceway following the third qualifying session. Was it a protest? “No way,” says Jenkins. “We had hurt two motors and had one left…two cars…one good motor…race next week…you do the math.”
A quick trip to Gene Fulton’s shop and many hours of sleepless nights, and Jenkins was back at San Antonio ready to rumble.
“We’ll qualify and it should be fine.
It’s all in the hair – Von Smith’s first event during the 2003 season was in Norwalk. In the second-half of the season in NHRA competition, Smith had the winningest record of any in the class.
This season, Smith has a new look and a new theme as part of the Tom Lipar-owned team. The former Roy Hill Mustang is now adorned with Dr. Moon’s Rage livery. Smith also has blonde highlights.
So are the highlights to cover any gray hair that Smith may have developed in learning to drive a Pro Modified car?
“Nope,” Smith answered. “Tom wanted me to do something to make my hair stand out.”
Does he have any limits with the hair, would he do a Mohawk or something like that?
“The only thing I won’t do is shave my head,” Smith continued. “Well maybe if I had 40 more pounds of muscle and a few earrings in my ear. Then I could be the Pro Modified equivalent to ‘Mr. Clean.”
Hair, Part 2 – Of course, the most popular hairdo in the Pro Modified pits is the Mohawk. There were three known instances of this Native American hairdo floating through the Pro Modified pits. One was created as a gimmick and another was heritage-induced.
Pro Modified’s winningest driver Scotty Cannon was sporting his newly cropped Mohawk approximately 3 ¼-inches long. He adopted the hairdo in 1998 as the result of peer pressure from a longtime friend. The hairdo stuck and it drew the overwhelming approval of Oakley President Jim Jannard.
Then there’s Paul Athey’s do. Athey is a Native American from the Mohegan Tribe and in his area of New England, that style is common. His Mohawk extends to his neck.
Athey adds, “There’s a misconception that hairdo was reserved for the Mohawk Indians. The funny thing is that they didn’t even wear a Mohawk.”
When asked if the hair style might be a prerequisite to running the class, Athey piped up regarding teammate Quain Stott.
Athey added, “Quain’s even said if he wins, he might get one.”
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| Scotty Cannon's return to IHRA ended up a second-quickest effort after two sessions. |
Cannon’s Philosophy – “I must be back. I’m here ain’t I?” – Six-time Pro Modified champion Scotty Cannon on his return to Pro Modified.
The following session Cannon held the top spot momentarily with a 6.227 until Al Billes took the mark by .003.
Demolition Man – The last time Al Billes had his ’53 Corvette out, he took home the NHRA Gatornationals title. The time before that he was playing demolition derby with the wall at U.S. 131 Dragway in Martin, Mi. Billes credits the success of his car’s return to time spent at Tim McCamis’ shop in Missouri.
“We kind of like to forget about the Martin incident,” said Billes. “Tim completely overhauled the car and it works great.”
In the week following the event, CompetitionPlus.com was accused of labeling Billes as the underdog at Gainesville. Billes just laughed when asked how it feels to be an underdog.
“Oh man,” Billes laughed. “Hey, we're from up in Southern Canada…we don’t get a lot of chances to test and it sometimes puts us behind headed into the new season.”
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| The last time Al Billes had his ’53 Corvette out, he took home the NHRA Gatornationals title. |
I know he didn’t say that – When the comment was made to nitrous advocate Charles Carpenter, “Ten-to-one odds say the nitrous cars will get their butts kicked this weekend,” he appeared stunned by the comment. His response was, “I won’t take that bet, but five-to-one odds says the blower cars go home early Sunday.
I know he didn’t say that either –19-year old Pro Modified racer Zach Barklage was posed with the question, “Which would you rather have, 6.20s at the Gatornationals (which he did last week) or the prom queen in the back seat of a car?” His response? “The 6.20s at the Gatornationals. I can always get the prom queen.”