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IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals, Edmonton, Alberta.
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The
latest results from the fifth stop on the 2004 IHRA Hooters Drag
Racing Series
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By Roger Richards Photos by Roger Richards, Bryan Epps |
| Visit our photo gallery at IHRA - Edmonton Photos SUNDAY - HAROLD MARTIN, JEFF BURNETT CLAIM FIRST CAREER IHRA WINS CLAY MILLICAN DEFEATS EDMONTON'S TERRY CAPP
(7-4-2004) - Harold Martin in Pro Modified and Jeff Burnett in Funny Car earned their first career event wins Sunday during the Second Annual Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Northern Provincial Pipelines and Edson Chrysler at Budweiser Motorsports Park in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Top Fuel and Brian Gahm, Lucasville,
Ohio, were winners in Millican, of Drummonds, Tenn., claimed his fifth No. 1 Top Fuel
qualifying spot in five events
Capp then went on to face Tim Cullinan in round two. Cullinan smoked
the tires at 200-feet and "I really wanted to win this race," said Millican. "When
we lost to Bruce (Litton) here last Martin began the day qualified second in the Pro Modified class and faced Glen Kerunsky in round one. Kerunsky, of Calgary, Alberta, defeated Martin to win the first race of the season in San Antonio, Texas. Martin took the round this time running a 6.307, 225.56. He took out defending world champion Mitch Stott in round two with a track record-setting 6.223 ET and his brother Quain Stott in the semifinals. Martin met Calgary's Rick DiStefano in the final and ran a 6.818 en route to his first career win and increase lead in the point standings.
"It's really been a journey for this team," said Martin,
of West Bloomfield, Mich. "This is a "Last season we were getting close. We still have a long way
to go, but we took out some tough Number one qualifier DiStefano defeated Jason Syvertson in round one and John Scialpi in round two. He then faced former world champion Shannon Jenkins. DiStefano used a starting line advantage and 6.262 ET to defeat the "Iceman." He advanced to his second final round at this event in two years. In Funny Car, Burnett, of Brisbane, Australia, defeated Lloyd Dyck in round and Winnipeg's Scott McVey in round two. Burnett then faced defending world champion Rob Atchison in the semifinals. It seemed Atchison would again find himself in the final round, but Burnett pulled off the upset running a 5.909 ET to take the win.
"I was worried about the round against Atchison," said Burnett. "We knew we had to step up the car to beat Rob and it was a big round for us." In the final round, Burnett faced Terry McMillen. McMillen had
the starting line advantage, but "The car has been running well and we were confident going
into the final round. It feels great Number three qualifier McMillen defeated Calgary's Roger Bateman in round one with a 6.048 ET at 235.35 mph. He then defeated Danny Fillion in round two and met current points leader Mark Thomas in the semifinals. McMillen took out Thomas in a good race, ending Thomas' four-event win streak.
Defending Sunoco Pro Stock world champion Gahm, already with an event win this season, took out Tony Gillig in the first round, then Ron Miller and Pete Berner to advance to the finals against John Montecalvo. Of the three rounds, he laid down three great reaction times: 0.019, 0.020, 0.020. The final round was no different for Gahm. He used a 0.021 reaction time to defeat Montecalvo who actually had a better ET. "This event was tough for us all weekend," said Gahm.
"With the rain and only getting two "In the final round, I told my crew to get me close and I'd
do the rest. My crew never gives up Montecalvo began the day defeating first round opponent Larry O'Brien with a 6.597 ET at 211.61 mph. He had a bye run in round two and defeated Steve Spiess in the third round with a track record-setting 6.575 ET. Spiess set the track speed record in round one with a 212.46. The next event on the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series is the
2nd annual Motor City
Final round-by-round results from the Second Annual Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Northern Provincial Pipelines and Edson Chrysler at Budweiser Motorsports Park, the fifth of 12 events in the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series - TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE -- Chris Karamesines, 5.127, 283.73 def. C.J. Nelson, foul; Terry Capp, 4.751, 319.37 def. Todd Paton, 5.921, 158.33; Tim Cullinan, 4.732, 315.56 def. Doug Foley, 5.834, 159.40; Clay Millican, 4.724, 314.02 def. Bruce Litton, 5.435, 213.57; SEMIFINALS -- Capp, 4.969, 225.90 def. Cullinan, 7.913,
103.66; Millican, 4.575, 314.79 def. FINAL -- Millican, 4.609, 316.01 def. Capp, broke.
ROUND ONE -- Rick Distefano, Chevy Corvette, 6.244, 225.56 def. Jason Syvertson, Chevy Pickup, 6.638, 213.92; Pat Stoken, Chevy Camaro, 6.556, 216.97 def. Wayne Torkelson, Ford Thunderbird, 6.640, 210.23; Kenny Lang, Pontiac Firebird, 6.606, 206.51 def. Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, foul; Mitch Stott, Corvette, 6.419, 222.88 def. Dennis Radford, Viper, 6.482, 219.51; Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.307, 225.56 def. Glen Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.460, 220.04; John Scialpi, Bel Air, 6.350, 223.65 def. Carl Spiering, Corvette, 6.346, 220.80; Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 6.322, 221.78 def. Al Billes, Corvette, 6.406, 220.91; Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.371, 222.00 def. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.432, 218.49; QUARTERFINALS -- Distefano, 6.271, 223.60 def. Scialpi,
foul; Q. Stott, 6.399, 223.54 def. SEMIFINALS -- Distefano, 6.262, 225.33 def. Jenkins, 6.834, 154.90; Martin, 6.242, 227.15 def. Q. Stott, 6.382, 225.96; FINAL -- Martin, 6.818, 214.18 def. Distefano, 11.138, 68.80.
ROUND ONE -- Jeff Burnett, Pontiac Firebird, 6.028, 233.10 def. Lloyd Dyck, Chevy Camaro, 6.507, 215.93; Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.901, 236.40 def. Kevin Therres, Avenger, 6.347, 189.91; Terry McMillen, Avenger, 6.048, 235.35 def. Roger Bateman, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.655, 215.36; John Evanchuk, Firebird, 6.394, 217.44 def. Nathan Sitko, Dodge Daytona, 6.481, 219.45; Rory Christianson, Pontiac Trans Am, 6.389, 222.27 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.150, 231.77; Danny Fillion, Ford Probe, 6.663, 212.61 def. Trevor Lebsack, Ford Mustang, foul; Scott McVey, Avenger, 6.036, 231.42 def. Ken Kraus, Firebird, 6.923, 169.49; Rob Atchison, Firebird, 5.947, 238.79 was unopposed; QUARTERFINALS -- Thomas, 5.934, 234.68 def. Evanchuk, 6.606, 206.32; Atchison, 5.968, 237.40 def. Christianson, 6.206, 226.30; Burnett, 6.012, 231.42 def. McVey, 6.070, 231.42; McMillen, 6.050, 233.22 def. Fillion, 6.579, 219.72; SEMIFINALS -- McMillen, 6.024, 237.78 def. Thomas, 6.055, 235.04; Burnett, 5.909, 234.25 def. Atchison, 14.709, 54.98; FINAL -- Burnett, 6.024, 232.61 def. McMillen, 6.473, 165.99.
ROUND ONE -- Elijah Morton, Ford Mustang, 6.601, 210.82 def. Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, broke; Robert Patrick, Mustang, broke def. John Nobile, Ford Escort, broke; Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.613, 210.37 def. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.615, 210.23; Ron Miller, Chevy Cavalier, 6.621, 208.81 def. Chuck DeMory, Escort, 6.697, 209.30; John Montecalvo, Cavalier, 6.597, 211.61 def. Larry O'Brien, Stratus, foul; Steve Spiess, Cavalier, 6.568, 212.46 def. Frank Gugliotta, Escort, foul; Pete Berner, Mustang, 6.578, 211.61 def. Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar, 9.287, 102.79; QUARTERFINALS -- Gahm, 6.627, 210.03 def. Miller, 6.698, 191.08; Montecalvo, 6.603, 211.66 was unopposed; Berner, 8.159, 108.57 was unopposed; Spiess, 6.626, 210.72 def. Morton, broke; SEMIFINALS -- Gahm, 6.627, 210.52 def. Berner, 6.588, 210.92; Montecalvo, 6.575, 212.16 def. Spiess, 11.640, 69.65; FINAL -- Gahm, 6.625, 210.28 def. Montecalvo, 6.624, 211.51.
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| Bruce Beigler caught this explosion by David Fedorwich during Sunday's qualifying. |
(7-4-2004) - Rain Stinks - Unfortunately, the bad news continues from the Second Annual Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Northern Provincial Pipelines and Edson Chrysler at Budweiser Motorsports Park in Edmonton.
With Saturday’s qualifying washed out by inclement weather, the schedule for Sunday was revamped to include qualifying for those classes not already receiving two sessions, followed by eliminations. At this point in time, however, misting conditions have created a no-go racing situation, but the track crew have the jets howling as they attempt to stay ahead of the rain.
Stay tuned for additional weather news and hopefully some race results. In the meantime, there are plenty of interesting developments to report on.
Nail Biter - The misty morning in Edmonton failed to prevent the running of the final round of qualifying for Top Fuel. The round was completed and Saturday finally came to an end in western Canada.
It was nail biting time for Bruce Litton, the defending Champion for this event. Litton smoked the tires and posted a very soft 6.01 to move into the bump spot. He then had to sweat out the qualifying efforts of John Sipple, Ed Verenka, Bobby Lagana and Rick Cooper. Litton survived their efforts when all tossed their blower belts.
David Fedorowich’s attempt at qualifying ended rather abruptly when an explosion lifted his blower off the motor when the tree turned green.
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| Could the new name be Mudweiser Motorsports Park? (Photo by Jim Luikens) |
That’s a quick one, but a weird one - Round one of Pro Stock eliminations followed the Top Fuel Qualifying session. John Montecalvo ran the first ever 6.50 at Budweiser Motorsports Park when he defeated Larry O’Brien. Montecalvo then became the beneficiary of a strange event between Robert Patrick and John Nobile in that first round. There was a small staging battle before Nobile staged first. Nobile then left the line as soon as Patrick staged and before the tree was activated. Patrick then left when Nobile was passed the tree but the tree was never activated for him either. Both were eliminated from the event.
Pete Berner and Steve Spiess bettered Montecalvo’s new track record when they posted a 6.57 and 6.56 respectively.
Hades – IHRA announcer Aaron Polburn’s
comments perfectly described the atmospheric conditions of the first
round, “The adjusted altitude should be very low. We are in
Hell.”
Friendly Home - When asked to think of something positive about the weekend so far, Bobby Lagana didn’t hesitate to name his new found friends in Western Canada. Lacking a place to stay, Lagana was invited to share the home of nitro funny car owner Rick Dushene. Lagana stated that Dushene’s entire home was opened to him and his team, including the kitchen and all garage facilities.
Peaco's Car Wash - The busiest new company in Edmonton during the first week of July was Peaco’s Car Wash and Coffee Stand. Skooter Peaco, Director of IHRA Race Operations, and other IHRA staffers spent many hours manning a power washer at the head of staging to clean the cars of the racers that were parked in the unpaved portion of the pits. By the way, on a related note, the new name for the racing venue in Edmonton, according to the sportsman racers, is Mudweiser Motorsports Park.
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| Peaco's car wash is open for business with one location in Edmonton. |
The Cost of Doing Racing Business - Ron Miller and Chuck Demory shared Demory’s rig for transportation to the event in Edmonton. Ironically, they will face each other in the first round of eliminations. Quote from the Demory crew to the Miller crew: “If you want your car back in the USA, you will lay down in the first round!”
Coses at 6 PM, Gets Dark at 11 - An amazing fact from the largest mall in the world in Edmonton: The Saturday closing hour for the huge facility is 6 PM! That fact amazes most visitors from the United States, who apparently do much of their shopping late Saturday night. Top Fuel driver, Todd Paton, who is a native Canadian, had the best explanation. Paton stated that Canadians start drinking at 5 PM, so there is no need for the mall to remain open after 6.
Aint No Way - Speaking of the mall, it seems to be the place where most of the action has taken place so far this weekend. One particularly popular spot during Saturday’s long rain delay was the bungee-jumping venue. The crews from the John Montecalvo and John Nobile Pro Stock teams were witnessed taking the plunge, with tall Tommy Sevier (who is 6'8") from the Montecalvo crew giving the operators the biggest challenge. However, after the proper measurements for height and weight, Tommy jumped and dipped his feet into the pool of water at just the proper depth of about 6 inches. Carl Baker was an observer of the action, and when asked if it was his turn, he responded in an expressive tone that is totally foreign to those who know him. His response - “Ain’t no way!”
SATURDAY – It’s a wash…Sunday’s agenda: finish qualifying and start eliminations at 11 AM
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(7-3-2004) - Saturday’s schedule has been cancelled. Sunday’s schedule has been changed to include completion of qualifying.
Sunday Schedule:
8:30 AM
Sportsman Qualifying (complete 2nd session)
Run order: ET No Box, ET Box, HR, SR, QR, TD, TS
(Junior Dragster, Stock & Super Stock Qualifying is complete)
10:00 AM
Professional Qualifying (complete 2nd session)
Run order: Top Fuel, Thunderbolts
(PS, FC, PM & Nitro Bike Qualifying is complete)
Professional Eliminations (RD 1) will begin at 11:00 AM
The hard luck award of the weekend goes to the five Pro Mod teams
that are unqualified and will not have another chance at making
the show due to the weather. Those teams are those of Lee Smith,
Joe Delehay, Von Smith, Pat Moore and Tim Vogt
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SATURDAY NOTES - Open the floodgates - it's raining again!
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(7-3-2004) - The city of Edmonton is flooded and Budweiser Motorsports Park looks more like a watersports park this morning. It's still raining, but the weather forecasts call for an end to the rain later today.
Right now, nothing is moving in the pits in order to keep from turning them into a mud bog, so even after the rain ends and the racing surface dries, about the only race cars that would be able to get to the lanes would be the Professional categories that are pitted on paved access roads near the lanes.
When the situation changes, we'll let you know what the updated schedule looks like, but we will be in a waiting mode until some time this afternoon, at the earliest.
FRIDAY - Calgary's DiStefano Leads IHRA Pro Modified Qualifying at Second Annual Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals
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| Rick DiStefano paced the Pro Modified division after two sessions. |
(7-2-2004) - Rick DiStefano was low Pro Modified qualifier Friday during the Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Northern Provincial Pipelines and Edson Chrysler at Budweiser Motorsports Park in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. DiStefano, of Calgary, Alberta, took the top spot with a 6.266 elapsed time at 225.45 mph.
Other No. 1 qualifiers include Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., (Top Fuel); Rob Atchison, London, Ontario, (Funny Car); and Pete Berner, Crete, Ill., (Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock).
DiStefano, who earned a runner-up Pro Modified finish at this event last season, is trailed by current points leader Harold Martin, Mike Castellana and Shannon Jenkins.
Defending Top Fuel world champion Millican, who qualified No. 1 here in 2003, holds the No. 1 spot with a run of 4.718 at 302.31 and is trailed by Tim Cullinan, 4.892, and Todd Paton, 4.979. Edmonton's Terry Capp is in the field with a 5.701 ET.
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| Pete Berner was the class of Sunoco Pro Stock by landing in the provisional top spot. |
In Funny Car, Atchison, the 2003 No. 1 qualifier, covered the quarter-mile in 5.929-seconds and is trailed by points leader Mark Thomas, Terry McMillen, Jeff Burnett and Winnipeg, Manitoba's Scott McVey. Edmonton's John Evanchuk, Atchison's teammate, is qualified seventh.
The Sunoco Pro Stock class is led by Berner with a 6.632 ET. Steve Spiess is second, followed by John Montecalvo and Ron Miller. Montecalvo's 210.82 mph run set the track speed record.
Qualifying for the Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals resumes Saturday at 2 p.m. Final eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
Results Friday after qualifying for the Second Annual Western
RV Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Northern Provincial Pipelines
and Edson Chrysler at Budweiser Motorsports Park, fifth 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, 4.718 seconds, 302.31 mph; 2. Tim Cullinan, 4.892, 302.41; 3. Todd Paton, 4.979, 287.63; 4. C.J. Nelson, 5.254, 274.80; 5. Terry Capp, 5.701, 164.26; 6. Doug Foley, 6.007, 151.64; 7. Bruce Litton, 7.046, 124.79; 8. Bobby Lagana Jr, 7.361, 115.14.
Pro Modified -- 1. Rick Distefano, Chevy Corvette, 6.266, 225.45; 2. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.332, 225.84; 3. Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro, 6.350, 219.94; 4. Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 6.372, 219.94; 5. Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 6.388, 222.93; 6. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.400, 219.78; 7. Dennis Radford, Viper, 6.404, 220.69; 8. Carl Spiering, Corvette, 6.417, 218.65; 9. John Scialpi, Chevy Bel Air, 6.464, 218.81; 10. Mitch Stott, Corvette, 6.485, 219.88; 11. Wayne Torkelson, Ford Thunderbird, 6.489, 216.13; 12. Kenny Lang, Pontiac Firebird, 6.517, 213.87; 13. Al Billes, Corvette, 6.531, 211.16; 14. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.565, 220.31; 15. Glen Kerunsky, Bel Air, 6.589, 217.18; 16. Jason Syvertson, Chevy Pickup, 6.732, 212.76.
Funny Car -- 1. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.929, 237.52; 2. Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.931, 236.71; 3. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 5.966, 236.40; 4. Jeff Burnett, Firebird, 6.043, 233.28; 5. Scott McVey, Avenger, 6.172, 228.25; 6. Trevor Lebsack, Ford Mustang, 6.178, 225.90; 7. John Evanchuk, Firebird, 6.203, 225.96; 8. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.260, 228.02; 9. Rory Christianson, Pontiac Trans Am, 6.401, 225.45; 10. Nathan Sitko, Dodge Daytona, 6.558, 216.08; 11. Danny Fillion, Ford Probe, 6.664, 212.96; 12. Ken Kraus, Firebird, 6.684, 203.98; 13. Lloyd Dyck, Chevy Camaro, 6.719, 205.05; 14. Roger Bateman, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.786, 210.77; 15. Kevin Therres, Avenger, 6.978, 138.27.
Pro Stock -- 1. Pete Berner, Ford Mustang, 6.632, 209.79; 2. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cavalier, 6.639, 209.93; 3. John Montecalvo, Cavalier, 6.643, 210.82; 4. Ron Miller, Cavalier, 6.651, 207.94; 5. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.662, 208.18; 6. John Nobile, Ford Escort, 6.665, 209.10; 7. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.668, 207.90; 8. Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.680, 207.80; 9. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.690, 208.62; 10. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.692, 208.42; 11. Chuck DeMory, Escort, 6.730, 208.18; 12. Larry O'Brien, Stratus, 6.741, 207.61; 13. Frank Gugliotta, Escort, 6.759, 208.28; 14. Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar, 7.754, 129.45.
FRIDAY NOTES - The Honeymooners in Sunoco Pro Stock, Rain, Rain Go Away and a flustered fan vents...
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| 19-year old Nathan Sitko is living a dream. |
(7-2-2004) - Raining Again - We are on our second rain delay, once again after one pair of the "Thunderbolt" exhibition cars made a qualifying run.
The weather radar and the weather forecast do not look good for further racing today, but it doesn't get dark here until after 11;00 p.m., so we will wait this out for awhile.
One of these days Alice! - Donna Baker, who normally displays a bubbling personality, was somewhat subdued in the pits on Friday morning. Her explanation? “I just spent 4 days driving 600 miles a day in a motor home with Carl (Baker- ProStock driver).” Donna ended the comment with a short maniacal scream!
Carl Hustle - Carl Spiering expects to lose several pounds of weight this weekend. He is exhausted already on Friday morning. He is supporting a SS Camaro team, two Junior dragster teams, a Pro Mod team plus two daughters and a wife and assorted team members.
Disappearing Act ? - The first professional driver quote of the weekend as I walked through the pits with my camera: “Quick! Take a picture of me! Because this is the last time you will ever see me in Edmonton.”
What does he think this is, a Holiday Inn? - A disgruntled Top Fuel racer added, “I got into TF for the special treatment provided the teams. I drive 2000 miles and park in a mud bog on a hill. The only good thing is I am on a knoll so there won’t be any standing water in my pit.”
Timing is everything! 2:05pm. - As the first pair of Thunder Bolt cars went through the lights, the black cloud that welled up from the east broke loose and dropped grapefruit size rain drops (according to Aaron Polburn) onto the track forcing the first delay of the weekend.
The track prep team did an outstanding job of drying the track after the 2pm deluge and the first pro session was able to run after bumping the Thunderbolt cars to the end of the session.
Name Change is in order - The name Thunderbolt that identifies that class should be changed to Thunderstorm. Again after one pair of the cars went down the track, the rain set in again and caused the 2nd rain delay.
Reasonable Assessment - Overheard as fans were scurrying for a dry spot when the rains fell for the second time. “It is too much to ask of the drag racing gods to have great weather two years in a row here”
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| Gotta love it! 1950's Crosley tow vehicle for one of the ThunderBolts. |
Living a Dream - Traditionally, each drag racer in the professional ranks had a dream to run as a professional at one time while paying their dues in the sportsman classes. One driver completely skipped that arena. 19-year old Nathan Sitko is living that dream. Sitko is driving an Alcohol Funny Car as a professional at his home track for the first time. He is a two time Junior dragster champion here at Budweiser Motorsports Park.
Mile High Mayhem - And you thought it was terrorists that were dangerous. Reported by anonymous sources, during the flight from Houston, Texas to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the airline averted serious problems when a reported loud argument erupted between two passengers. Reportedly, Shannon Jenkins and Von Smith were seated in the same row. The alleged altercation began when Smith thought he heard a comment uttered by Jenkins. The comment was believed to have been: "Blowers suck". Reacting, Smith was said to have retorted: "Bottle Baby".
The ensuing verbal assaults by each Pro Mod driver polarized the passengers in the rear of the plane to the extent that the passengers in the rows on the left side of the plane began taunting the passengers on the right side. Loud chants of "Twenty percent, twenty percent, twenty percent" echoed throughout the plane for several minutes before the attendants threatened to send the two combatants outside to play.
Okay, what the heck is a Thunderbolt? - The Thunderbolts
class was designed to provide a less expensive alternative to the
Alcohol Funny cars. The index was set at 7.50 and the cars run heads
up in eliminations. Breakout and you lose. There are no limits on
the year or body style of the cars. The diversity within the body
styles is one of the attractions for the class.
