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IHRA Motor City Nationals, Milan, MI.
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The
latest results from the sixth stop on the 2004 IHRA Hooters Drag
Racing Series
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By Bobby Bennett Photos by Roger Richards, Bryan Epps |
SUNDAY
– Allison wins first career IHRA Top
Fuel title; Billes, Atchison and Jones score professional wins
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| Top Fuel -- Louie Allison, 4.924 seconds, 286.32 mph def. John Sipple, 4.917 seconds, 268.12 mph. |
(7-18-2004) - With threatening thunderstorm clouds looming on the horizon, IHRA officials ran the final pair of cars down a vastly improved Milan Dragway just 15 minutes before the skies unleashed lightning and rain, effectively washing out the winner’s circle festivities of the IHRA Motor City Nationals. As strong as the tempest proved to be, it couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of first-time national event winner Louie Allison as he topped first time finalist John “Doc” Sipple in the final round.
Other professional winners included Al Billes (Pro Modified), Rob Atchison (Funny Car) and Rick Jones (Sunoco Pro Stock).
“I really don’t know what to say because I haven’t won before,” Allison admitted. “This is absolutely incredible. Ever since I saw my first AA/Fuel Dragster with a Hemi run, I knew I wanted to drive one. Today is the culmination of that dream. Jack Ostrander gave me the opportunity of a lifetime and now I have the Ironman to prove it.”
In the final round, Allison drew upon his previous final round experience to outreact Sipple in the final round. Allison conjured up a 4.924, 286.32 to cover Sipple’s quicker 4.917, 268.12. Prior to this event, Allison had garnered two national event finals.
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| Pro Modified -- Al Billes, Chevy Corvette,
6.460, 225.11 def. Mike Janis, Corvette, 7.216, 164.91. |
The interesting thing about Allison’s final round success is that his team was so short on time they never had time to warm the car prior to coming to the lanes. In fact, he seated the clutch just prior to doing his burnout for the final round.
Allison marched his way to the momentous match with destiny by taking out second quickest qualifier Tim Cullinan in the opening round and later Top Fuel rookie Doug Foley.
Sipple’s incredible day started with the win of his career in taking out point leader and undefeated Clay Millican in the first round. One round later, he took out the second place points earner Bruce Litton.
The Pro Modified final round boiled down to a driver that could do no wrong and another that couldn’t get a lucky break. However, in the final round, unlucky snagged the crown and the good fortunes of the other went down the drain.
Billes, of Barrie, Ontario, used a quicker reaction and mastered the battle of pedaling the quarter-final mile over defending event champion Mike Janis.
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| Funny Car -- Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.950, 237.63 def. Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.957, 241.32. |
“We are testing a completely new engine combination,” explained Billes. “We experienced some tough times, but we worked through them and the win was a great way to end the day. The car ran well in the first two rounds, but once it got hot out, the track started to go away and it got really tricky to navigate.”
Billes experienced a tough weekend that enabled him to come up on the winning end of some tough situations. In the first round, Billes eliminated Fred Hahn. He then stopped the nitrous entry of Mike Castellana. In the semis, Billes scored a costly victory by drawing a black flag penalty in taking out defending World Champion Mitch Stott. Billes has appealed the ruling.
Janis experienced a bit of déjà vu in the first round when he defeated Wayne Torkelson for the second time in as many years. He then drove around Pat Moore in the second round and the quickest runner on Sunday Harold Martin.
In Funny Car, the defending World Champion Atchison used a play from the point leader Mark Thomas’ playbook to win his first national event of the season. Atchison snagged a holeshot on Thomas and led him all the way to the finish line with a 5.950, 237.63. Thomas made it a close battle with a 5.957, 241.32.
“I was pretty pumped up and I really wanted to beat Mark badly today,” explained Atchison. “He wanted to beat me just as bad. It’s a great thing to race against Mark Thomas because he is a great champion. He’s a fantastic winner and a good friend. He brings out the best in me and the rest of the class.”
Atchison’s bid for his first victory this season began with a bye run due to a short field of Funny Cars. He then moved into the quarters where he took out Paul Noakes and then one round later eliminated Chris Sipple.
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| Pro Stock -- Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.576, 211.83 def. Elijah Morton, Ford Mustang, 6.545, 213.03. |
Thomas scored convincing wins over Terry Munroe, Scott Wildgust and avenged his semi-final loss in Edmonton to Terry McMillen by grabbing the win on this day.
In Sunoco Pro Stock, Jones made the Mopar fans happy as he pushed his Dodge Stratus to his first victory in 2004 by blistering Mopar Canadian Nationals winner Elijah Morton in the final round. Jones used the quicker reaction time to win with a slower 6.576, 211.83. Morton lost with a 6.545, 213.02.
Jones methodically worked his way to the final round by taking out Robert Patrick in the first round, Steve Spiess in the quarters and in the semis, he eliminated a resurgent Frank Gugliotta.
“This was a very good day for Team Quarter-max,” explained Jones. “Deep down inside, we knew that we weren’t the fastest car out there, so we just tried to be the most consistent. We made good runs all day and Mark Stockseth made good calls on the clutch.
“We just all came together as a team and I drove pretty well today. We had a real good day.”
Morton’s march to the finals opened with a victory over Tony Gillig before acing point leader John Montecalvo in the quarter-finals. One round away from the final round, Morton took out potential point’s leader Brian Gahm.
Morton’s victory clouded a highly contested point’s chase and the pressure was then put on his shoulders. Gahm’s semi-final loss left him four points behind the leader Montecalvo and in second. However, with a victory Morton would assume the lead and bump the aforementioned drivers down a spot.
The next stop on the 12-race Hooters Drag Racing Series will take place in two weeks in Cayuga, Ont., when the IHRA ACDelco Canadian Nationals kicks off at Toronto Motorsports Park.
Sportsman Finals
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| Top Sportsman -- Jackie Slone, Chevy Corvette, 7.052, 193.16 def. Tim Molnar, Pontiac Grand Am, 7.213, 191.32. |
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| Top Dragster -- Nick Folk, Dragster, 7.046, 169.64 def. Jim Huggett, Dragster, 7.131, 179.56. |
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| Quick Rod -- Mary Ann Jackson, Dragster, 8.947, 146.88 def. Dennis Kline, Dragster, 8.929, 160.37. |
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| Super Rod -- Brian Folk, Chevy Cavalier, 9.890, 138.78 def. Wes Weaver, Chevy Camaro, 9.867, 145.33. |
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| Hot Rod -- Chris Nyerges, Chevy Chevelle, 10.874, 121.34 def. Matt Albright, Chevelle, 10.869, 129.84. |
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| Super Stock -- Jeremy Mudd, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.482, 137.75 def. Scotty Stillings, Grand Am, 9.538, 130.39. |
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| Stock -- Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.784, 116.45 def. Craig Marshall, Dodge Dart, 11.140, 116.68. |
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| ET Bracket -- Barb Miller, Dragster, 7.480, 177.86 def. Mike LaPradd, Ford Galaxie, 10.749, 125.53. |
Final round-by-round results from the Second annual IHRA Motor
City Nationals
presented by the Milan News Leader and Saline Reporter at Milan
Dragway, the sixth of 12 events in the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing
Series -
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Bruce Litton, 5.350, 250.64 def. Rick Cooper, 6.510, 124.51; Doug Foley, 4.881, 299.06 def. Bobby Lagana Jr., 17.690, 51.56; Louie Allison, 4.872, 264.13 def. Tim Cullinan, 6.942, 120.21; John Sipple, 5.463, 196.99 def. Clay Millican, 6.508, 174.91;
SEMIFINALS -- Sipple, 5.032, 244.69 def. Litton, 12.227,
75.24; Allison, 4.882, 285.89 def.
Foley, 4.944, 291.89;
FINAL -- Allison, 4.924, 286.32 def. Sipple, 4.917, 268.12.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Pat Moore, Chevy Bel Air, 6.300, 220.51 def. Zach Barklage, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.337, 226.77; Quain Stott, Chevy Corvette, 6.337, 226.47 def. Eddie Ware, Willys, 6.361, 213.74; Harold Martin, Grand Am, 6.247, 226.43 def. Shannon Jenkins, Chevy Camaro, 6.293, 222.47; Mitch Stott, Corvette, 6.286, 226.66 def. Von Smith, Ford Mustang, 6.296, 224.96; Mike Janis, Corvette, 6.252, 227.31 def. Wayne Torkelson, Ford Thunderbird, foul; Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 6.272, 219.65 def. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.312, 226.47; Al Billes, Corvette, 6.295, 226.13 def. Fred Hahn, Corvette, 18.608, 38.40; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.277, 222.55 def. Glen Kerunsky, Bel Air, 6.315, 223.36;
QUARTERFINALS -- M. Stott, 6.346, 226.01 def. Q. Stott, 6.370, 225.41; Martin, 6.288, 223.99 def. Harper, 6.360, 219.72; Janis, 6.265, 227.61 def. Moore, 6.294, 223.99; Billes, 6.321, 226.39 def. Castellana, 6.570, 215.13;
SEMIFINALS -- Billes, 6.718, 210.90 def. M. Stott, 6.790,
221.96; Janis, 6.295, 225.82 def.
Martin, 6.421, 220.87;
FINAL -- Billes, 6.460, 225.11 def. Janis, 7.216, 164.91.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.863, 240.29 was unopposed; Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.903, 238.76 def. Terry Munroe, Firebird, 5.978, 230.96; Terry McMillen, Avenger, 5.910, 233.03 def. Brian Harvanek, Firebird, broke; Lance Van Hauen, Firebird, 6.208, 223.25 def. Neal Parker, Chevy Camaro, foul; Chris Sipple, Camaro, 6.038, 227.65 def. Chris Foster, Avenger, 6.042, 234.33; Jim Sickles, Avenger, 6.101, 234.13 def. Bunny Burkett, Avenger, 6.092, 234.41; Scott Wildgust, Firebird, 6.011, 236.09 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.151, 195.59; Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.917, 240.00 def. Joe Comella, Firebird, 6.043, 232.39;
QUARTERFINALS -- Atchison, 5.895, 239.44 def. Noakes, 6.569, 182.38; Thomas, 5.921, 238.81 def. Wildgust, 5.974, 237.92; McMillen, 5.971, 237.09 def. Sickles, 5.985, 237.25; Sipple, 6.909, 202.24 def. Van Hauen, broke;
SEMIFINALS -- Atchison, 5.898, 239.14 def. Sipple, 16.355, 72.25; Thomas, 5.953, 239.23 def. McMillen, 6.212, 223.28;
FINAL -- Atchison, 5.950, 237.63 def. Thomas, 5.957, 241.32.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 11.699, 77.18 def. Chuck DeMory, Ford Escort, foul; Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.619, 211.66 def. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 12.455, 68.00; Frank Gugliotta, Escort, 6.539, 212.56 def. Pete Berner, Mustang, 6.556, 212.56; John Montecalvo, Chevy Cavalier, 6.613, 212.19 def. Charlie Peppers, Mustang, 6.617, 210.57; Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.554, 212.49 def. Tony Gillig, Mustang, foul; Jeff Dobbins, Cavalier, 6.602, 209.82 def. Mike Bell, Ford ZX2, 8.164, 118.56; John Nobile, ZX2, 6.574, 211.96 def. Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar, 6.575, 211.36; Steve Spiess, Cavalier, 6.546, 213.43 def. John Bartunek, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.642, 201.76;
QUARTERFINALS -- Gahm, 6.547, 212.46 def. Nobile, 6.567, 211.96; Morton, 6.569, 208.91 def. Montecalvo, 10.290, 87.46; Jones, 6.575, 211.53 def. Spiess, foul; Gugliotta, 6.590, 212.26 def. Dobbins, 9.377, 86.48;
SEMIFINALS -- Jones, 6.574, 211.66 def. Gugliotta, 6.666, 212.56; Morton, 6.563, 211.96 def. Gahm, 11.709, 73.33;
FINAL -- Jones, 6.576, 211.83 def. Morton, 6.545, 213.03.
SUNDAY NOTES – The Morning Greeting, Jeff Dobbins the break-in man and Harold Martin’s early dominance
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| Doc Sipple got the best of Clay Millican in the first round of Top Fuel eliminations. |
It all comes around - When Top Fuel driver Jack Ostrander knocked off Clay Millican in the first round of eliminations back in 2002, he made the comment to teammate/crewchief Louie Allison that he wished it was him going to the finals. How ironic that it was Ostrander standing on the starting line when Allison reached his third career final round by stopping Doug Foley in the semis.
Did you know? - Three of the four Top Fuel semi-finalist were in cars once driven by Bruce Litton?
Those pesky points - How's this for a points scenario. If Brian Gahm would have beaten Elijah Morton in the semis, he would have been the points leader. Instead, Morton's victory kept Gahm four points out of first place. A Morton victory in the final would vault him into the points lead.
Just what the Doctor Ordered - Leave it to a doctor to get the job done. Six races into the season, Top Fuel racer Clay Millican sported an undefeated record. That was the case until Millican, who carried a two-tenth qualifying advantage into Sunday's eliminations, crossed paths with chiropractor Doc Sipple. Sipple advanced to the semis when Millican uncharacteristically struck the tires and went up in smoke.
Detour, IHRA style – Racers hoping to take Plank Road, the only path to Milan Dragway, were greeted with a slew of police officers blocking the eastern end of the highway. Apparently, the police were dealing with an armed standoff according to sources. Racers were diverted another route that was six miles off of the beaten path, but put them back on Plank Road and at the gates of Milan Dragway.
What a match - If you're a fan of the mountain motor Sunoco Pro Stockers, then the second round match between defending World Champion Brian Gahm and John Nobile. As both drivers lit the pre-stage light, that's about all they did for a little over 90 seconds. Finally, Gahm rapped the throttle and staged. He also grabbed the holeshot and beat Nobile to the finish line.
The Jeff Dobbins Edition – Jeff Dobbins is his name and breaking in new engines and new cars is his game. During Friday’s qualifying, the crewchief for John Montecalvo let out the clutch for the first time on a new Chevrolet Cavalier. Providing the power was an engine from Kenny Benso, which is also one of the new “Next Generation” Chevrolet engines from Sonny Leonard.
“I haven’t driven since last October,” explained Dobbins. “I am thankful for Kenny to give us the opportunity to use a motor. We have been wanting to test our new car, but were short of engines. Kenny was having a little question with the tune-up, so he volunteered his engine so we could run.”
Ironically, with Dobbins first round win, it marked the first round victory for both Benso and Dobbins.
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| Eddie Ware enjoyed his finest IHRA outing to date. |
Qualifying is half of the game – Pro Modified racer Eddie Ware threw a big party on Saturday evening following qualifying. The Marietta, Ga.-based driver was going to the dance on Sunday. Ware was part of final eliminations for the first time in his IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series career.
“This has been a real tough and humbling experience for us,” explained Ware. “Just qualifying for one of these things is like winning one of the outlaw Quick Eight events. We know this is just half of the battle, but it feels really good to get halfway there.”
Ware has developed a reputation of being a top-notch outlaw Pro Modified racer throughout the Southeast. In 2004, Ware decided to make a concerted effort to join the IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series.
Ware’s tour hopes have somewhat been squelched for the second-half of the season due to business commitments. His family owns a security systems company that installs security systems for large and medium size companies. One of their latest gigs includes services several new Goody’s clothing stores.
It figures – Paul Mercure has been smiling a lot lately. The GM Performance Parts Top Stock racer has won the last two events on the tour. With all the talk going on regarding the future of the GM Performance Parts Top Stock, Mercure has his fingers crossed that the class will attain a reprieve.
“I’ve heard our chances are pretty good at this moment,” added Mercure. “I’m looking pretty good at this point. That’s all the counts. If it were to go away and I’m finally doing well. Well…
“That would figure.”
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| John Nobile and Brian Gahm staged a nearly 90 second staging duel. |
How low can you go – The nitrous car of Harold Martin made a bold statement in the first round. The ACDelco-sponsored points leader scored the low elapsed time of the first round with a 6.247, 226.43. Just one race earlier in Edmonton, Martin established the low elapsed time of the event during eliminations.
You again? – For the second year in a row, defending event champion Mike Janis met up with infrequent tour participant Wayne Torkelson in the first round. The end result was the same as Janis ran away with the victory.
Brotherly love – Those Stott boys are at it again. Or, at least they will be in the semi-finals. In the first round, Quain knocked off Eddie Ware, an indirect teammate of Mitch Stott. The victory set up a meeting of the brothers in the second round.
Mopar Reasoning – Spotted on the side of Bob Marshall’s Super Stock Pontiac, “Dodge Material.”
SATURDAY - Clay Millican No. 1 Top Fuel Qualifier at Motor City Nationals; Demolishes Milan Dragway Track Records
(7-17-2004) - Clay Millican claimed the No. 1
Top Fuel qualifying spot at
the Second Annual Motor City Nationals presented by the Milan News-Leader
and Saline Reporter. Millican, of Drummonds, Tenn., ran the Milan
Dragway quarter-mile in a track record shattering 4.586 seconds
at 313.07 mph, to secure his sixth No. 1 spot in as many races.
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| Clay Millican was two-tenths quicker than the nearest qualifier in Top Fuel. |
Other No. 1 qualifiers include Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., (Pro
Modified); Rob Atchison,
London, Ontario, Canada, (Funny Car); and John Nobile, Dix Hills,
N.Y., (Sunoco Race Fuels Pro
Stock).
Reigning Top Fuel world champion Millican is followed by Tim Cullinan, Doug Foley is third and Bruce Litton fourth. John Sipple holds the eighth spot with a 4.967 ET.
Janis holds the No. 1 Pro Modified spot with a 6.219, 228.85, resetting both ends of the track record. Defending world champion Mitch Stott is qualified second, Al Billes third and current points leader Harold Martin, of West Bloomfield, Mich., is fourth.
In Funny Car, Atchison maintained his No. 1 spot over the field
and more importantly over point
leader Mark Thomas who is qualified second. Terry McMillen is qualified
third and Neal Parker
fourth. Atchison will have a first round bye run.
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| Rob Atchison was the quickest among Funny Cars. |
Nobile, who entered today as the low qualifier in Sunoco Pro Stock,
held onto that spot and will
meet No. 16 qualified Carl Baker in round one of eliminations. Nobile
did not improve on his
6.515 ET. Steve Spiess is qualified second, followed by Mike Bell
in third and Elijah Morton
fourth. Jason Collins, who won this event in 2003, did not make
the field.
Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m. for the Motor City Nationals presented by the Milan News-Leader and Saline Reporter at Milan Dragway. Final round is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Second annual IHRA Motor City Nationals presented by the Milan News Leader and Saline Reporter at Milan Dragway, the sixth 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, 4.586 seconds,
313.07 mph vs. 8. John Sipple, 4.967,
255.29; 2. Tim Cullinan, 4.789, 306.46 vs. 7. Louie Allison, 4.960,
282.42; 3. Doug Foley,
4.828, 292.84 vs. 6. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.944, 304.46; 4. Bruce Litton,
4.858, 281.83 vs. 5.
Rick Cooper, 4.890, 234.66.
Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Janis, Chevy Corvette,
6.219, 228.85 vs. 16. Wayne Torkelson,
Ford Thunderbird, 6.337, 222.36; 2. Mitch Stott, Corvette, 6.234,
227.34 vs. 15. Von Smith,
Ford Mustang, 6.319, 224.40; 3. Al Billes, Corvette, 6.256, 227.96
vs. 14. Fred Hahn, Corvette, 6.318, 226.77; 4. Harold Martin, Pontiac
Grand Am, 6.258, 225.37 vs. 13. Shannon Jenkins, Chevy Camaro, 6.316,
222.00; 5. Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 6.269, 222.36 vs. 12. Ed Hoover,
Corvette, 6.316, 226.77; 6. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.270, 221.45
vs. 11. Glen Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.300, 223.25; 7. Eddie Ware,
Willys, 6.288, 218.23 vs. 10. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.295, 226.32;
8. Zach Barklage, Grand Am, 6.291, 227.11 vs. 9. Pat Moore, Bel
Air, 6.291, 223.36.
Funny Car -- 1. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird,
5.848, 240.17 vs. Bye; 2. Mark Thomas,
Dodge Avenger, 5.875, 240.12 vs. 15. Terry Munroe, Firebird, 8.787,
93.72; 3. Terry McMillen,
Avenger, 5.940, 237.42 vs. 14. Brian Harvanek, Firebird, 6.297,
219.54; 4. Neal Parker, Chevy Camaro, 5.948, 235.15 vs. 13. Lance
Van Hauen, Firebird, 6.194, 222.95; 5. Chris Foster, Avenger, 5.979,
235.47 vs. 12. Chris Sipple, Camaro, 6.158, 226.05; 6. Bunny Burkett,
Avenger, 5.986, 236.92 vs. 11. Jim Sickles, Avenger, 6.102, 229.35;
7. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.996, 236.34 vs. 10. Scott Wildgust,
Firebird, 6.066, 234.66; 8. Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 6.055, 239.48
vs. 9. Joe Comella, Firebird, 6.057, 232.51.
Pro Stock -- 1. John Nobile, Ford ZX2, 6.515,
213.06 vs. 16. Carl Baker, Mercury
Cougar, 6.580, 211.13; 2. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cavalier, 6.524, 213.40
vs. 15. John Bartunek, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.579, 211.73; 3. Mike
Bell, ZX2, 6.539, 211.06 vs. 14. Jeff Dobbins, Cavalier, 6.576,
211.73; 4. Elijah Morton, Ford Mustang, 6.540, 212.16 vs. 13. Tony
Gillig, Mustang, 6.574, 211.63; 5. John Montecalvo, Cavalier, 6.541,
213.06 vs. 12. Charlie Peppers, Mustang, 6.571, 211.23; 6. Pete
Berner, Mustang, 6.548, 212.19 vs. 11. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort,
6.570, 212.53; 7. Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.557, 212.03 vs. 10.
Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.566, 211.53; 8. Brian Gahm, Mustang,
6.558, 212.56 vs. 9. Chuck DeMory, Escort, 6.560, 213.23.
GM PERFORMANCE PARTS TOP STOCK – Mercure stops Morgan in the final round
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| Paul Mercure stopped Matt Morgan in the GM Performance Parts Top Stock final round. |
(7-17-2004) - Sometimes the hometown advantage can inspire a competitor. But, for White Lake, Michigan’s Paul Mercure, it was a matter of survival that inspired Team Checkmate’s marquee driver to his second consecutive GM Performance Parts Top Stock victory. Despite final round opponent Matt Morgan’s dominance throughout the weekend, Mercure conjured up his best efforts to snag the victory.
“I’ve been racing here since the Sixties, but knowing that he was much quicker than me all day served as our largest inspiration,” explained Mercure. “He was tough all day and messed up in the final and the worked in our favor.”
Morgan paced the thirteen-car car GM Performance Parts Top Stock field with an astounding 9.849, 135.13. Mercure, hot off of his victory in Grand Bend, slipped into the third spot with a 9.958, 136.86.
Sandwiched in the middle was the GM Performance Parts-sponsored Corvette of Robbie Hudlow driving for Monty Bogan, Jr.
In the opening session, Mercure beat the Hustler-sponsored Paul Cambria on both ends of the track. He used a .007 starting line advantage to pull away from Cambria with a 9.965, 133.51. Cambria lost with a 10.426, 127.02.
One round later, Mercure pulled off the same feat by taking out the heavy-hitter Mopar of Frank Teuton. Mercure was .013 quicker out of the gate and pulled away at the stripe with a 9.941, 133.04. Teuton exerted a valiant effort with a losing 10.055, 130.43.
Just one round away from the finals, Mercure wasn’t deterred despite a Hudlow-applied holeshot. With Hudlow out front by .005, Mercure wasted no time in bridging the gap with a 9.941, 133.04. Hudlow’s day ended with a 10.037, 131.01.
On the other side of the ladder, Morgan could apparently do no wrong as evidenced by the first round bye run and a 9.885, 133.98.
In the second round, Morgan used a large starting line advantage to pull away from Bo Kenney with a 9.897, 133.71. Kenney lost with a 10.546, 131.59.
Just one round away from the final round, Morgan overcame a holeshot from Bogan and tracked him down with a 9.858, 134.31. Bogan lost with a 9.925, 132.18.
In the finals, Mercure was not the least intimidated by Morgan’s show of force in the earlier rounds. Mercure nailed him on the tree with a .014 reaction and successfully led him through the lights with a 9.900, 134.70. Morgan produced his worst run of the day with a 9.990.
SATURDAY NOTES – Sunoco Pro Stocks love the Milan racing surface, Duck Tape Rules and Starke’s vision continues…
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| Nothing fixes a problem like Michael Beard and a roll of Duck Tape. |
A distant second - When Clay Millican blasted out a track record 4.586, 313.07, he put a good buffer between himself and the second quickest qualifier "Turbo" Tim Cullinan. Millican established the largest qualifying deficit by .202 of a second seperating himself from Cullinan.
Good things in threes for Billes? - During Saturday's first session, Canadian Al Billes wounded three pistons and after a feverish thrash, he made it to the starting line for his final qualifying session. His reward? Billes ascended to the third spot with a 6.256, 227.96 early in the session.
Plummeting – That’s exactly what the Milan Dragway Sunoco Pro Stock track record did continually throughout Saturday’s first session. Last season, Chris Holbrook’s 6.609 was the pace-setting run. Before the session was complete, that 6.609 wouldn’t have been in the show.
Nothin’ like Duck Tape – Michael Beard not only represents his sponsor Duck Tape with the name on the side of his championship-winning Stocker, but also puts the product to good use. Case in point, when his SS/BX Camaro broke a water pump prior to the first round, Beard used the combination of a hotel towel and a healthy amount and Duck Tape to fix the wounded part. Keep in the back of your mind, Beard won his first round encounter against Jimmie Flynt. The interesting thing is that Beard won the round. Never doubt Duck Tape and a determined racer.
Take the wheel, literally - Sunoco Pro Stock racer Steve Spiess was on a good pass during Saturday's first session and inexplicably got out of the throttle and the car coasted to a stop by brushing against the wall. There was a good explanation for the car's erratic behavior. The steering wheel came off in Spiess' hands as he pulled second gear. The car suffered minor damage.
Wise Assessment - Pro Modified racer Mitch Stott occasionally provides color commentary with IHRA announcer Aaron Polburn prior to his class running, or at least he did last season. Stott decided to venture to the tower only to be greeted by Polburn's greeting. "So you decide to finally come up here and talk to us now that you don't suck."
One Upmanship – Last year, Stott and Mike Janis waged quite an interesting battle at the final event of the 2003 season for the Pro Modified championship. It appears their skirmishes have been renewed. Stott may have unknowingly renewed the battle when he made the suggestion that his 6.234 recorded on Friday’s lone session was safe until tonight during one of his infrequent color commentary stints. Maybe that served as extra incentive to Janis, who then tied Stott’s top qualifying effort to the thousand with a 6.234. However, the deciding factor was Janis’ 227.77 speed that not only netted the track speed record, but also scored the top spot. Janis left no doubt at the conclusion of qualifying as he maintained the top spot with a 6.219, 228.85
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| Sounds like a plan, huh? |
Turbo Tim’s on a roll – When the heavy-hitters Clay Millican and Bruce Litton hazed the tires during Saturday’s first session, the one driver that was on his game the best was “Turbo” Tim Cullinan. Cullinan drove his Mike Smith-tuned entry to the second spot in the qualified field with a 4.789, 274.16.
Stark Contrast, Day 2 – Keith Stark’s lobbying effort for the legalization of nitrous oxide among injected-nitro combinations entered its second day. Starke’s run appeared to be smooth and his short time rendered an improvement as he completed the run with a 5.518, 246.26. The quickest run to this point in IHRA competition is a 5.35 by Stark.
Stark Contrast, Day 3 - With one last lap in his quest, Stark returned to record a 5.427, 267.80. The interesting thing about the run is that Stark's run exhibited a healthy amount of fire out of the pipes and also UNDER the car. However, the flames underneath the car had nothing to do with nitrous and everything to do with a broken header.
By the numbers – Just five years ago, the Sunoco Pro Stock division was on the verge of extinction while the Pro Modifieds flourished. On this weekend, 28 Sunoco Pro Stocks went through tech (and one that didn’t), while Pro Modified only had 23. Funny Car produced its third non-full field out of six races thus far this season.
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FRIDAY - Clay Millican Leads IHRA Top Fuel Qualifying at Second Annual Motor City Nationals
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| John Nobile roared to the top of the Sunoco Pro Stock qualifying list with a new track record. |
(7-16-2004) - Clay Millican holds the No. 1 Top Fuel qualifying position at the Second Annual Motor City Nationals presented by the Milan News Leader and Saline Reporter at Milan Dragway. Millican, of Drummonds, Tenn., covered the quarter-mile in 4.701 seconds.
Other No. 1 qualifiers include Mitch Stott, Mill Spring, N.C., (Pro Modified); Rob Atchison, London, Ontario, (Funny Car); and John Nobile, Dix Hills, N.Y., (Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock).
Defending world champion Millican, who currently leads the Top Fuel points on the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series, is followed by Bruce Litton in the second spot. Doug Foley is third and Louie Allison fourth.
After a quiet opening to defending his Pro Modified championship, Stott holds the low qualifying spot with a track record setting 6.234 ET. He is trailed by 2003 event winner Mike Janis, who reset the track speed record at 227.69 mph, West Bloomfield, Michigan's Harold Martin and Billy Harper. Martin is the current points leader.
Reigning Funny Car world champion Atchison holds the low spot with
a 5.848, 239.53, and is
followed by current points leader Mark Thomas. Terry McMillen and
Neal Parker are third and
fourth.
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| Mitch Stott rebounded from last year’s Pro Modified DNQ with a new track record and the top spot. |
In Sunoco Pro Stock, Nobile finds himself in a familiar position as current low qualifier by running an ET track record 6.515. He is followed by Steve Spiess, who set the track speed record at 213.16 mph, Mike Bell and Tony Gillig. John Montecalvo and 2003 event-winner Jason Collins are currently not in the field.
Qualifying for the Motor City Nationals resumes Saturday at 2 p.m. Final eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
Results Friday after qualifying for the Second annual IHRA Motor City Nationals presented by the Milan News Leader and Saline Reporter at Milan Dragway, sixth 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, 4.701 seconds,
298.60 mph; 2. Bruce Litton, 4.858, 281.83;
3. Doug Foley, 4.903, 291.82; 4. Louie Allison, 4.960, 282.42; 5.
Chris Karamesines, 5.024,
286.01; 6. Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.081, 304.46; 7. Todd Paton, 5.121,
260.61; 8. Roger Dean, 5.205, 273.83.
Pro Modified -- 1. Mitch Stott, Chevy Corvette,
6.234, 227.31; 2. Mike Janis, Corvette,
6.245, 227.69; 3. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.258, 225.37;
4. Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 6.269, 222.36; 5. Mike Castellana,
Chevy Camaro, 6.270, 221.45; 6. Pat Moore, Chevy Bel Air, 6.302,
222.25; 7. Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 6.328, 221.09; 8. Carl Spiering,
Corvette, 6.341, 210.47; 9. Zach Barklage, Grand Am, 6.358, 225.60;
10. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.360, 225.33; 11.Keith Baker, Corvette,
6.362, 219.04; 12. Fred Hahn, Corvette, 6.373, 226.77; 13. Eddie
Ware, Willys, 6.385, 218.23; 14. Roy Wasko, Camaro, 6.408, 220.40;
15. Paul Athey, Corvette, 6.432, 222.22; 16. Wayne Torkelson, Ford
Thunderbird, 6.565, 218.90.
Funny Car -- 1. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird,
5.848, 239.53; 2. Mark Thomas, Dodge
Avenger, 5.875, 239.10; 3. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 5.940, 237.42;
4. Neal Parker, Chevy Camaro, 5.948, 234.04; 5. Chris Foster, Avenger,
5.979, 235.47; 6. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.016, 236.34; 7.
Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 6.086, 234.33; 8. Bunny Burkett, Avenger,
6.098, 235.10;9. Jim Sickles, Avenger, 6.118, 228.58; 10. Scott
Wildgust, Firebird, 6.142, 233.92; 11. Chris Sipple, Camaro, 6.233,
203.22; 12. Lance Van Hauen, Firebird, 6.300, 219.36; 13. Joe Comella,
Firebird, 6.506, 155.97; 14. Terry Munroe, Firebird, 8.787, 93.72.
Pro Stock -- 1. John Nobile, Ford ZX2, 6.515,
213.06; 2. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cavalier,
6.524, 213.16; 3. Mike Bell, ZX2, 6.539, 211.06; 4. Tony Gillig,
Ford Mustang, 6.579, 210.70; 5. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.592, 212.06;
6. Ron Miller, Cavalier, 6.592, 209.52; 7. Jeff Dobbins, Cavalier,
6.593, 211.56; 8. Charlie Peppers, Mustang, 6.594, 210.18; 9. Elijah
Morton, Mustang, 6.599, 211.33; 10. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort,
6.608, 211.46; 11. Chuck DeMory, Escort, 6.615, 211.20; 12. Doug
Kirk, Mustang, 6.640, 210.80; 13. Ed Machacek, Cavalier, 6.673,
207.78; 14. Robert Mansfield, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.678, 210.18; 15.
Richard Penland, Mustang, 6.716, 210.83;16. Michael Bruno, Cavalier,
6.802, 201.55.
FRIDAY NOTES – A frustrated team, Chassis carnage and memorializing a friend
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| There are gear heads and then there are gearheads. (Bobby Bennett Photo) |
(7-16-2004) - What a difference a year makes - Chris Holbrook's 6.60 low qualifying effort in 2003 would have only netted a ninth seeding after the first day of Sunoco Pro Stock qualifying. On the very first qualifying pair, Jeff Dobbins, driving a second car for John Montecalvo, topped the track record with a 6.593. Dobbins is using a Sonny Leonard engine built for Kenny Benso, who will be testing on Monday following the event.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished? - Rumors are circulating throughout the pits that Edmonton Funny Car winner Jeff Burnett's absence can be attributed to one thing. Reportedly, Burnett, a native Australian from Brisbane, was detained at the border by U.S. officials. Burnett is the only winner of an IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series event other than Mark Thomas.
Turbos Anyone? – Could the IHRA be looking ahead to the future of the Pro Modified class? Following each qualifying session, the turbocharged doorslammer of Mike Moran is scheduled to make exhibition passes following Friday and Saturday’s qualifying sessions. Earlier this season during the CompetitionPlus.com Spring Open at Virginia Motorsports Park, Moran produced an incredible 6.29, 239-mile per hour blast.
Explosive Exhibition - During the tubocharged exhibition, Mike Bowman, supporting driver for Moran, unintentionally stole the show. At the 1,000-foot mark, Bullman suffered an intake explosion which ripped the hood scoop and fuel lines from the car. The ensuing fire yielded flames that reached as high as 14-feet high. Bullman was uninjured in the accident.
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| Mike Bowman suffered a horrendous fire during the turbo doorslammer exhibition on Friday evening. (Roger Richards, Bobby Bennett Photos) |
We’ve changed everything – For Sunoco Pro Stock team owner Steve Thodos and his hired driver Frank “The Flying Meatball” Gugliotta, this season has been a tough one. Last year, Gugliotta not only won the Sunoco Pro Stock Shootout in Norwalk Raceway but was also voted by his peers as the most improved driver in the class. This season has not been as kind. According to Thodos, the team has changed engines, ignition, tire manufacturers and even the rear-end. Says a puzzled Thodos, “We know we have a problem, we just have to find it. It’s almost so embarrassing that we have second-thoughts about coming out here. We’ll figure it out though. The only bad thing about the deal is when we finally get it to working right. We’ve changed so much that we won’t know what was wrong. That’s okay, if were going down the track, it won’t matter what was wrong.”
Front-end carnage – Sometimes the front end of a dragster can take a beating during the course of a national event. That’s what defending IHRA Top Fuel champion Clay Millican found out prior to this weekend’s event in Milan. The front end of his dragster had to be front-halved at chassis builder Murf McKinney’s shop after eight cracks were spotted following the Edmonton event. Millican shared his experience with defending IHRA Funny Car champion Rob Atchison, who after close inspection noticed similar damage to his entry. Atchison’s damage was not as severe and the damage was repaired on Friday morning.
He learns quickly – As CompetitionPlus.com’s Bobby Bennett was talking to Pro Modified racer Harold Martin, Sunoco Pro Stock standout John Nobile offered the following advice to the ACDelco-sponsored driver.
“Be careful what you say to him, he’ll quote you on it.”
Nobile’s comments were attributed to an incident when Bennett suggested to Nobile that he should help his friend John Montecalvo. Montecalvo was quoted as saying, “Are you on crack?”
New Chassis Too – Just four months after his devastating crash in San Antonio, Bruce Litton debuted a new Brad Hadman dragster this weekend in Milan. That was the reason for longtime crewchief Mike Wolfarth’s absence in Edmonton two weeks ago. According to Litton, Wolfarth was busy preparing the new car for the second-half of the season. Litton’s crash in March was caused when he blew a slick at 300-mph going across the finish line.
Shhhh..don't tell the D.O.T. - Litton has found that the proximity of his race trailer dealership across the street from Indianapolis can have its advantages. Instead of loading his new Hadman-built dragster into his race trailer and towing over to the race track, Litton merely hooked the dragster to his classic Suburban and pulled it across the busy street. He made a pass. The crew packed the parachutes and returned to the car to the shop. He then loaded the racecar in his trailer and headed for Milan.
Stark Contrast - During the course of the weekend, Keith Stark is forgoing his qualifying efforts to lobby IHRA officials to legalize nitrous oxide on injected-nitro dragsters. Unfortunately, his first attempt was for naught as the car wouldn't fire.
In Memorium – Top Fuel racer “Turbo” Tim Cullinan’s pit area was the host of a gathering of friends memorializing longtime wrench Dave Spurr. Spurr died last Friday after being diagnosed with cancer. He will be missed.
The early bird might have gotten the worm – IHRA officials might have been kicking themselves at 5:30 PM as the rains began to fall. Just weeks before the event was scheduled to begin, IHRA officials changed the professional qualifying session from 2 PM to 7 PM.
Assessment – “We must have one long rain cloud stretching all the way from Denver.” – overheard in the press room when it was discovered that the NHRA event Denver was under a simultaneous rain delay.