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IHRA Northern Nationals, Martin, Mich.
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The latest results from the eighth stop on the 2004 IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series |
By Bobby Bennett Photos by Roger Richards, Bryan Epps |
SATURDAY - Millican back in the winning groove; Janis, Atchison and Gugliotta score wins
(8-14-2004) - A capacity crowd packed into U.S. 131 Dragway to watch the final day of the Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals. Clay Millican was unstoppable for the first time since losing in the first round two races ago in Milan. Millican was joined in the winner’s circle by other professional winners Mike Janis (Pro Modified), Rob Atchison (Funny Car) and Frank Gugliotta (Sunoco Pro Stock). Millican’s march to his 36th career IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series national event victory began by establishing a new track record with a 4.685. He opened eliminations with a victory over golfer Rick Cooper and then ended the final round streak of Louis Allison at two in the semis. Millican stopped underdog favorite Bobby Lagana, Jr., in the final round. “The car just went down the race track today,” said Millican. “I didn’t have to do anything but not make mistake mistakes. This was a big day for us; it was a big day for all of us. The team makes the job easy for me.”
Lagana’s emotional weekend began by snagging the top qualifying spot in the first session. He eventually dropped to the third spot behind Millican and Bruce Litton. In the first round, he took out Chris Karamesines and Doug Foley to reach the final round. Pro Modified was not as clear cut as Top Fuel was. Janis was sweating bullets when it came to his chances of winning this weekend’s Pro Modified title. That’s because Janis was unqualified until this morning’s final qualifying session. Not only did he leap into the top half of the field, he also captured his third national event of the season by stopping Canadian Glen Kerunsky in the final round. “We started off shaky and with it being Friday the 13th and my superstitious nature, we had a tough time on Friday,” explained Janis. “We were shaking in our boots headed into that final session. Even on the starting line during the final session, we were shaking and almost messed up then. But it all worked out.” Janis entered eliminations as the fourth seeded entry. He helped his championship cause by taking out the point leader Harold Martin in the first round before taking out defending World Champion Mitch Stott and fellow upstate New York rival Fred Hahn. According to Janis, this marked the first time that he’d ever beaten Hahn in national event competition.
Janis saved his best for last as he recorded a 6.226, 228.46 to pull away from Kerunsky’s 6.321, 225.82. Kerunsky, who opened this season with a victory in San Antonio from the 16th position, started 14th and waded through such opponents as Shannon Jenkins, Paul Athey and fellow Canadian Rick DiStefano. The Funny Car title returned to Canada as Atchison knocked off Jim Sickles in the final round. Atchison’s second victory of the season represented a clean sweep of the state of Michigan. Atchison did it from the start to finish by grabbing the holeshot and then outrunning Sickles to the stripe. “I love racing in Michigan,” added Atchison. “This was a fantastic race and everything fell into place for us. The team worked real hard and this was a great reward. We hurt some parts and we managed to get it all fixed and this was a great end result.” Atchison was the second quickest qualifier and made quick work of foes such as Mark Poyser, Scott Wildgust and gained two rounds on point leader Mark Thomas by taking him out in the semis. Sickles was hoping for two national event wins in a row and he appeared poised to do just that by Rick Cortino, Jeff Burnett and Terry McMillen.
Sunoco Pro Stock winner Gugliotta added insult to injury for final round opponent Rick Jones. Jones, sponsor of the Quartermax 6.40 Club, had a front-row seat for the latest induction as Gugliotta drive by his holeshot en route to the win with a 6.479 at a whopping 215.58 miles per hour. Jones absorbed the loss with a 6.514, 213.70. “He had to pay me to beat him,” Gugliotta said with a laugh. “This has been a rough season for us, but we never gave up. We changed every single thing on the car we could have and it all came to together. I have to thank Steve Thodos for making this happen. Without him, we wouldn’t be here.” Gugliotta entered eliminations as the eighth-quickest and made his way to the final round with victories over Richard Penland, point leader John Montecalvo and John Nobile For his part, Jones eliminated Dwayne Rice, Elijah Morton and Robert Patrick. Sportsman Finals
Final round-by-round results from the 23rd annual Torco Racing Fuels Northern TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE -- Louie Allison, 5.541, 244.12 def. Tim Cullinan, 5.517, 246.80; Bobby Lagana Jr., 7.447, 106.00 def. Chris Karamesines, foul; Doug Foley, 6.541, 174.53 def. Bruce Litton, 11.393, 63.90; Clay Millican, 4.735, 298.80 def. Rick Cooper, 13.147, 74.73 SEMIFINALS -- Lagana Jr., 4.782, 286.19 def. Foley, foul; Millican, 4.688, 308.57 def. Allison, FINAL -- Millican, 4.720, 311.27 def. Lagana Jr., 12.759, 80.14.
ROUND ONE -- Fred Hahn, Chevy Corvette, 6.244, 231.71 def. Al Billes, Corvette, 12.959, 87.24; Carl Spiering, Corvette, 6.251, 226.13 def. Pat Moore, Chevy Bel Air, 6.320, 222.55; Rick DiStefano, Corvette, 6.347, 210.77 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 7.149, 156.15; Paul Athey, QUARTERFINALS -- Kerunsky, 6.300, 225.56 def. Athey, 6.957, 176.90; DiStefano, 6.227, 223.10 def. Spiering, 6.203, 227.69; Janis, 6.236, 227.77 def. M. Stott, 7.742, 133.37; Hahn, 6.339, 220.12 def. Castellana, foul; SEMIFINALS -- Kerunsky, 6.294, 226.73 def. DiStefano, foul; Janis, 6.294, 225.48 def. Hahn, FINAL -- Janis, 6.226, 228.46 def. Kerunsky, 6.321, 225.82.
ROUND ONE -- Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.767, 241.58 def. Mark Poyser, Chevy Camaro, broke; Scott Wildgust, Firebird, 5.923, 238.64 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.898, 236.01; Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.807, 241.54 def. Tim Stevens, Camaro, 6.702, 159.72; Jim Sickles, Avenger, 5.905, 238.89 def. Rick Cortino, Firebird, 6.296, 225.45; Jeff Burnett, Firebird, 5.922, 236.55 def. Joshua Hernandez, Avenger, 6.046, 231.24; Chris Foster, Avenger, 5.895, 236.26 def. Lance Van Hauen, Firebird, 6.105, 227.73; Terry McMillen, Avenger, 6.077, 204.17 def. Joe Comella, Firebird, 6.758, 152.11; Terry Munroe, Firebird, 10.127, 83.40 was unopposed; QUARTERFINALS -- Atchison, 5.822, 241.20 def. Wildgust, 11.722, 69.44; Thomas, 5.833, 241.50 def. Foster, 5.999, 231.44; Sickles, 5.921, 238.93 def. Burnett, 5.988, 225.11; McMillen, 5.875, 240.29 def. Munroe, 5.842, 242.50; SEMIFINALS -- Atchison, 5.826, 237.55 def. Thomas, 5.854, 237.75; Sickles, 5.877, 241.20 def. McMillen, 7.067, 132.96; FINAL -- Atchison, 5.829, 239.78 def. Sickles, 6.015, 238.76.
ROUND ONE -- Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.516, 214.83 def. Richard Penland, Ford Mustang, foul; Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.532, 213.13 def. Dwayne Rice, Chevy Cavalier, 6.603, 212.96; Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.528, 212.23 def. Kenny Benso, Cavalier, 6.522, 214.31; Mike Bell, Ford ZX2, 6.544, 213.30 def. Ron Miller, Cavalier, 15.122, 67.48; John Nobile, ZX2, 6.484, 214.59 def. Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar, 6.560, 212.73; Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.502, 213.30 def. Larry O'Brien, Stratus, 9.101, 120.94; Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.530, 212.83 def. Steve Spiess, Cavalier, 6.501, 214.62; John Montecalvo, Cavalier, 6.504, 214.01 def. Ed Machacek, Cavalier, foul; QUARTERFINALS -- Jones, 6.524, 213.67 def. Morton, 6.517, 213.77; Gugliotta, 6.551, 214.76 def. Montecalvo, 6.514, 215.00; Patrick, 6.555, 210.83 def. Gillig, 6.734, 211.06; Nobile, 6.494, 214.69 def. Bell, 6.527, 213.47; SEMIFINALS -- Jones, 6.495, 214.42 def. Patrick, 6.520, 212.76; Gugliotta, 6.515, 214.62 def. Nobile, 6.498, 215.10; FINAL -- Gugliotta, 6.479, 215.58 def. Jones, 6.514, 213.70.
Final round-by-round results from the 23rd annual Torco Racing Fuels Northern TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE -- Louie Allison, 5.541, 244.12 def. Tim Cullinan, 5.517, 246.80; Bobby Lagana Jr., 7.447, 106.00 def. Chris Karamesines, foul; Doug Foley, 6.541, 174.53 def. Bruce Litton, 11.393, 63.90; Clay Millican, 4.735, 298.80 def. Rick Cooper, 13.147, 74.73 SEMIFINALS -- Lagana Jr., 4.782, 286.19 def. Foley, foul; Millican, 4.688, 308.57 def. Allison, FINAL -- Millican, 4.720, 311.27 def. Lagana Jr., 12.759, 80.14.
ROUND ONE -- Fred Hahn, Chevy Corvette, 6.244, 231.71 def. Al Billes, Corvette, 12.959, 87.24; Carl Spiering, Corvette, 6.251, 226.13 def. Pat Moore, Chevy Bel Air, 6.320, 222.55; Rick DiStefano, Corvette, 6.347, 210.77 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 7.149, 156.15; Paul Athey, QUARTERFINALS -- Kerunsky, 6.300, 225.56 def. Athey, 6.957, 176.90; DiStefano, 6.227, 223.10 def. Spiering, 6.203, 227.69; Janis, 6.236, 227.77 def. M. Stott, 7.742, 133.37; Hahn, 6.339, 220.12 def. Castellana, foul; SEMIFINALS -- Kerunsky, 6.294, 226.73 def. DiStefano, foul; Janis, 6.294, 225.48 def. Hahn, FINAL -- Janis, 6.226, 228.46 def. Kerunsky, 6.321, 225.82.
ROUND ONE -- Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.767, 241.58 def. Mark Poyser, Chevy Camaro, broke; Scott Wildgust, Firebird, 5.923, 238.64 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.898, 236.01; Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.807, 241.54 def. Tim Stevens, Camaro, 6.702, 159.72; Jim Sickles, Avenger, 5.905, 238.89 def. Rick Cortino, Firebird, 6.296, 225.45; Jeff Burnett, Firebird, 5.922, 236.55 def. Joshua Hernandez, Avenger, 6.046, 231.24; Chris Foster, Avenger, 5.895, 236.26 def. Lance Van Hauen, Firebird, 6.105, 227.73; Terry McMillen, Avenger, 6.077, 204.17 def. Joe Comella, Firebird, 6.758, 152.11; Terry Munroe, Firebird, 10.127, 83.40 was unopposed; QUARTERFINALS -- Atchison, 5.822, 241.20 def. Wildgust, 11.722, 69.44; Thomas, 5.833, 241.50 def. Foster, 5.999, 231.44; Sickles, 5.921, 238.93 def. Burnett, 5.988, 225.11; McMillen, 5.875, 240.29 def. Munroe, 5.842, 242.50; SEMIFINALS -- Atchison, 5.826, 237.55 def. Thomas, 5.854, 237.75; Sickles, 5.877, 241.20 def. McMillen, 7.067, 132.96; FINAL -- Atchison, 5.829, 239.78 def. Sickles, 6.015, 238.76.
ROUND ONE -- Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.516, 214.83 def. Richard Penland, Ford Mustang, foul; Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.532, 213.13 def. Dwayne Rice, Chevy Cavalier, 6.603, 212.96; Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.528, 212.23 def. Kenny Benso, Cavalier, 6.522, 214.31; Mike Bell, Ford ZX2, 6.544, 213.30 def. Ron Miller, Cavalier, 15.122, 67.48; John Nobile, ZX2, 6.484, 214.59 def. Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar, 6.560, 212.73; Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.502, 213.30 def. Larry O'Brien, Stratus, 9.101, 120.94; Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.530, 212.83 def. Steve Spiess, Cavalier, 6.501, 214.62; John Montecalvo, Cavalier, 6.504, 214.01 def. Ed Machacek, Cavalier, foul; QUARTERFINALS -- Jones, 6.524, 213.67 def. Morton, 6.517, 213.77; Gugliotta, 6.551, 214.76 def. Montecalvo, 6.514, 215.00; Patrick, 6.555, 210.83 def. Gillig, 6.734, 211.06; Nobile, 6.494, 214.69 def. Bell, 6.527, 213.47; SEMIFINALS -- Jones, 6.495, 214.42 def. Patrick, 6.520, 212.76; Gugliotta, 6.515, 214.62 def. Nobile, 6.498, 215.10; FINAL -- Gugliotta, 6.479, 215.58 def. Jones, 6.514, 213.70. |
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| Courage under fire is something that is applicable to the pre-race parachutists. Fortunately, no one was injured. |
Under Fire - Timing is everything as an unfortunate official and a quartet of parachutists found out. Following the second round, IHRA starter Clyde Peak bore the brunt of a foam block with reflectors that was sent flying through the air by the furious jet propulsion emitted by Bob Motz's Kenworth. Peak was uninjured.
That incident paled in comparison to the one that transpired in special pre-semis festivities. The IHRA doesn't normally use parachutists prior to the start of their events and the speculation is that they forgot about the fireworks display. As the national anthem singer crooned, "And the rockets red glare" the three of the parachutists came into view amidst the hostile fire. The fourth parachutist altered his flight plan and rightfully so, he was carrying the American Flag. Luckily no one was injured, but we're sure a change of underwear was in order.
6.40 Additions - The Rick Jones-sponsored Quartermax 6.40s Club for Sunoco Pro Stocks added two more members as Robert Patrick became number eight with a 6.481 and Steve Spiess became number nine with a 6.474.
Waking up on the wrong side – That’s exactly what happened to Sunoco Pro Stock standouts Brian Gahm and Pete Berner heading into Saturday morning’s final qualifying session. IHRA officials had initially planned to run sportsman cars prior to the first round, but elected to open the day at 11 AM. As fate would have it, Gahm and Berner were in the first pair of cars to attack the racing surface. The adjusted altitude hovered around 1,000-feet with a temperature of 66-degrees and 80 for the track. At the hit, both cars nailed the tires and their day ended prematurely.
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| "Turbo" Tim Cullinan turns on the afterburners in a first-round Top Fuel loss. |
Nothing like the last minute – One should never say that former Pro Modified World Champion Mike Janis doesn’t have a flair for the dramatic. Headed into the final session, the recent ACDelco Canadian Nationals champion was unqualified. Even watching a qualifier in front of him explode a transmission and then having to sit through the ensuing clean-up couldn’t rattle his determination. Janis showed his championship prowess as he not only got into the field with a mark of 6.215, 228.15, but he also came within .003 of bettering the track record he established here last year.
Tranny Troubles – Just how tough was the final session on Saturday morning? No less than five transmissions made their way to the graveyard during the 11 AM session.
Medical Replacement – What do you do when your regular top-end interviewer has her flight cancelled and is unable to make it? If you’re the IHRA and Speed Channel, you search the pits and find a suitable replacement that is well-known for wearing a nurse’s uniform to the starting line with her team. Normally, former female wrestling icon Medusa would handle the chore. However, this weekend, her spot will be filled by “Nurse Tiffany” Furman from the Dr. Moon’s Rage team.
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| Sunoco Pro Stock racer Elijah Morton rode the centerline in the final qualifying session. |
Field Set – This event marked the final opportunity for Sunoco Pro Stock teams to accrue points for the special eight-car Sunoco Pro Stock Shootout to be held in Norwalk. The final seeding order is as follows: John Montecalvo, Pete Berner, Rick Jones, Frank Gugliotta, John Nobile, Brian Gahm, Elijah Morton and Steve Spiess. Just missing the show were Tony Gillig (9th) and Mike Bell (10th).
Too Much Fun – Not only did Torco Race Fuels owner Evan Knoll enjoy the spoils of being the event sponsor, he also attained his Top Fuel license on the strength of a pair of shut-off 5.40 runs. Knoll returned during the final session and despite losing two cylinders still recorded a 5.135, 262.44. Unfortunately he missed qualifying, but that didn’t bother him in the least.
Simply put, Knoll has had the time of his life this weekend.
“This is awesome,” explained Knoll. “To be here at our event is awesome in itself. Being surrounded by the great people at the IHRA, their fans and my family makes it an honor from a business and a personal standpoint. I certainly couldn’t have scripted a better weekend.”
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| Paul Athey will soon be doing battle in a Top Fuel dragster. |
Practicing for the future? – Pro Modified driver Paul Athey did more than an average amount of pedaling in his first round defeat of Tony Pontieri, and from the rumble floating around the pits he might be practicing for a future endeavor. The Mohegan Sun-sponsored driver is planning to team up with Grant Flowers to field a Top Fueler in two weeks at the IHRA Sunoco World Nationals in Norwalk. He’s also making plans to compete in Top Fuel at the IHRA North American Nationals at Epping.
Athey has previous experience in a Top Fuel machine, attempting to earn his license in the late Wayne Bailey’s dragster at Shreveport, La., in October of 2000. When Bailey was killed during that same weekend, however, Athey put his plans on hold. He later opted to go Pro Modified racing the following season behind the wheel of Johnny Rocca’s classic Mercury.
Athey will be pulling double duty on his two weekends this season, but next year may provide an exclusive effort. He will reportedly not be teamed with Quain Stott in 2005.
Athey plans to license in the week following the IHRA Torco Northern Nationals either at U.S. 131 Dragway in Englishtown, NJ, or close to home in Epping, NH. Originally he planned to finish up the licensing this weekend, but his plans were squelched when D.O.T. officials impounded his rig when it was discovered that he didn’t have a CDL. Athey was then forced to pull his operation into an impound lot until officials sorted out the matter. It was later discovered that Athey didn’t need a CDL for the vehicle that he was driving. That wasn’t the tough part however, as Athey’s rig broke the hitch when pulling into the impound lot.
Shot by his own gun again – That’s the unfortunate dilemma for Bruce Litton, who seems to keep getting beat by his former cars. In the last three races, Litton fell in the semis once and then the first round to Jon “Doc” Sipple. During the first round at Martin, he lost to Doug Foley.
Let the controversy begin – Following the first round of Pro Modified, only one nitrous car remained in competition. In four head-to-head matches between the nitrous runners and their supercharged adversaries, all victories landed in the blown camp. The only nitrous victory came as the result of an all-nitrous battle. The flip-side to the whole scenario is that it was a nitrous car that qualified on top of the sixteen-car field.
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FRIDAY - Clay Millican Leads IHRA Top Fuel Qualifying at Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals
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| Mike Castellana paced the Pro Modified division with a 6.22. |
(8-13-2004) - Clay Millican holds the No. 1 Top Fuel qualifying position at the Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park. Millican, of Drummonds, Tenn., covered the quarter-mile in 4.685 seconds at 307.30 mph.
Other No. 1 qualifiers include Mike Castellana, Westbury, N.Y., (Pro Modified); Terry Munroe,
Beaver, Penn., (Funny Car); and John Montecalvo, Center Moriches, N.Y., (Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock).
In the quickest Top Fuel field in IHRA history, with one more qualifying session left tomorrow,
Millican holds the No. 1 position over Indianapolis' Bruce Litton. Bobby Lagana, Jr., making his
quickest career pass at 4.740 ET, 305.70 mph, is third, Louie Allison fourth. "Doc" John Sipple sits on the bump spot with a 4.885. Millican set the track ET record.
Pro Modified No. 1 qualifier Castellana is in the No. 1 spot with a 6.196, 227.65, resetting the
track ET record. Carl Spiering is second, followed by former world champion Shannon Jenkins and reigning world champion Mitch Stott. Fred Hahn reset the track speed record with a 229.86.
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| Terry Munroe was the suprise leader in Funny Car. |
In Funny Car, Munroe shocked the field with a track record-setting 5.772, 244.07, jumping to the top spot over defending world champion and event winner Rob Atchison. Current points leader Mark Thomas is third, Larry Dobbs fourth and Elkhart, Indiana's Terry McMillen fifth.
Point leader Montecalvo and Steve Spiess both recorded 6.474 ETs, but Montecalvo holds the No. 1 spot due to a better 214.52 mph. Robert Patrick, who won this class two weeks ago in Toronto, is third, followed by John Nobile and Tony Gillig. Chuck DeMory, of Glen Ellyn, Ill., sits on the bump spot with a 6.574. Montecalvo's time and speed broke both track records.
Qualifying for the Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals resumes Saturday at 11 a.m. Eliminations begin at 4 p.m. with the final round scheduled for 10 p.m.
Results Friday after qualifying for the 23rd annual Torco Racing Fuels Northern
Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park, eighth of 12 events in the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Saturday evening's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Clay Millican, 4.685 seconds, 307.30 mph; 2. Bruce Litton, 4.730, 307.16;
3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.740, 305.70; 4. Louie Allison, 4.745, 305.15; 5. Tim Cullinan, 4.801,
300.86; 6. Chris Karamesines, 4.825, 157.02; 7. Doug Foley, 4.839, 297.75; 8. John Sipple,
4.855, 284.21.
Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro, 6.196, 227.65; 2. Carl Spiering, Chevy
Corvette, 6.206, 227.00; 3. Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 6.211, 224.32; 4. Mitch Stott, Corvette,
6.219, 228.42; 5. Rick DiStefano, Corvette, 6.225, 227.84; 6. Al Billes, Corvette, 6.239,
227.50; 7. Fred Hahn, Corvette, 6.260, 229.86; 8. Paul Athey, Corvette, 6.292, 221.63; 9. Billy
Harper, Dodge Viper, 6.296, 224.77; 10. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.296, 221.42; 11. Pat Moore, Chevy Bel Air, 6.304, 223.47; 12. Pat Musi, Bel Air, 6.307, 213.13; 13. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.318, 226.35; 14. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.349, 227.31; 15. Roy Wasko, Camaro, 6.351, 221.56; 16. Charles Carpenter, Bel Air, 6.352, 222.03.
Funny Car -- 1. Terry Munroe, Pontiac Firebird, 5.772, 244.07; 2. Rob Atchison,
Firebird, 5.774, 239.31; 3. Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.860, 240.38; 4. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.928, 236.17; 5. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 5.953, 240.55; 6. Jim Sickles, Avenger, 5.955, 238.26; 7. Joe Comella, Firebird, 5.975, 236.75; 8. Jeff Burnett, Firebird, 5.985, 234.13; 9. Scott Wildgust, Firebird, 6.066, 237.50; 10. Lance Van Hauen, Firebird, 6.121, 227.19; 11. Rick Cortino, Firebird, 6.159, 219.33; 12. Chris Foster, Avenger, 6.282, 176.97; 13. Joshua Hernandez, Avenger, 6.300, 219.36; 14. Tim Stevens, Chevy Camaro, 6.322, 220.73; 15. Mark Poyser, Camaro, 11.504, 115.48.
Pro Stock -- 1. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cavalier, 6.474, 214.52; 2. Steve Spiess,
Cavalier, 6.474, 214.42; 3. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 6.481, 213.94; 4. John Nobile, Ford
ZX2, 6.508, 213.33; 5. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.511, 212.59; 6. Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.522, 213.30; 7. Mike Bell, ZX2, 6.526, 212.69; 8. Dwayne Rice, Cavalier, 6.534, 211.99; 9. Kenny Benso, Cavalier, 6.540, 212.66; 10. Ron Miller, Cavalier, 6.541, 212.49; 11. Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar, 6.541, 212.33; 12. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.543, 213.87; 13. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.543, 213.30; 14. Mike Del Nagro, Cavalier, 6.547, 211.46; 15. Charlie Peppers, Mustang, 6.556, 212.66; 16. Chuck DeMory, Escort, 6.574, 213.60.
That's Quick for Pro Stockers
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| Steve Spiess (left) and Robert Patrick combined for this Sunoco Pro Stock qualifying barn-burner. |
FRIDAY NOTES – Quick times at the start, The return of the legendary Shoebox and Lagana kicks butt
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| Just two races ago, Sunoco Pro Stock racer Kenny Benso loaned out his new engine and it made the field. This time he established the track record while running in the first pair of professional cars to qualify on Friday. |
(8-12-2004) - First things first – In the first pair of professional qualifiers to hit the track on Friday, Kenny Benso’s run served as a harbinger of things to come. The part-time Sunoco Pro Stock racer from Rayford, Mo., reeled off a new track record with a pass of 6.540, 212.66. This is only Benso’s second IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series event in 2004. By the end of the session, recent ACDelco Canadian Nationals winner Robert Patrick took over the track record with a 6.498.
The engine in Benso’s car is the same one that Jeff Dobbins used in John Montecalvo’s back-up car just two events ago in Milan, MI.
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| Charles Carpenter is back in the thick of things in Pro Modified racing again. |
Charles is back in charge – Last May, Pro Modified pioneer Charles Carpenter literally saw his racing world come crashing down during a Quick Eight race at Coastal Plains Dragway in North Carolina. Carpenter wrecked his revered ’55 Chevy and appeared to be finished for the season.
Carpenter’s dashed dreams were quickly put right, however, when Embee, a metal improvement company, and teammate Pat Doherty came to his monetary rescue. It didn’t stop there, either, as chassis builder Tommy Mauney did the necessary chassis work and Barney Squiers applied the car’s traditional paint scheme.
“Being back out here feels great,” explained Carpenter, who is making his first appearance on the tour since the mishap. “I really owe a lot to Embee and Pat Doherty for getting me back out here.
“I also really want to thank the guys at TM Race Cars for putting the ‘55 Chevy back together and the guys at Performance Auto Crafters for getting it painted.”
Back Again – During the last stop in Michigan, Outlaw Pro Street racer Mike Moran and fellow turbo racer Mike Bowman staged an exhibition that came to an abrupt end when the latter driver had his car nearly burn to the ground.
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| Could this be the future of Pro Modified engine technology? |
Moran returned for this weekend’s event to stage a second exhibition for IHRA officials who are gathering data on the turbocharged combination for a possible inclusion within the Pro Modified division in years to come.
Moran had to do this weekend’s event solo because he was unable to find a fellow turbo racer that didn’t have previous commitments. In fact, as Moran’s luck would have it, the only racer that could actually make it to Martin couldn’t make exhibition runs. That driver is Chuck Samuel, whose prowess with a turbo car is well-documented within the Pro 5.0 Mustang ranks. Samuel has running in Sunoco Pro Stock this season with another car, however, and running both cars during the weekend was something that didn’t appeal to the Chicago-based veteran.
Despite Moran’s failure to get down the track in his first two passes, he is working closely with IHRA officials, who are studying his turbo combination. In fact, after his first run, Moran allowed IHRA officials to keep one of his turbos for 24 hours in an effort to make measurements and gather data.
Down to one – With only Saturday morning’s final session left, defending Sunoco Pro Stock World Champion Brian Gahm is down to his final attempt to get into the field. Points leader John Montecalvo was in the same boat until posting a 6.474, 214.52 to leap to the top of the class on Friday evening.
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| This is how close Top Fuel rookie Evan Knoll came to exceeding the 1000-feet maximum established by the NHRA on his first run. |
Whoa, Forrest, Whoa – It’s always best to know where you’re at out on the track, especially when you’re running Top Fuel…and especially when you are licensing to run one. Evan Knoll has the 1,000-foot mark engrained in his mind probably better than any driver out there. His game plan for the weekend was to make two 1,000-foot runs on Friday and hopefully use his final attempt on Saturday morning to qualify for the eight-car field. IHRA officials reminded Knoll to run only 1,000-feet and Bruce Litton’s crew who have been assisting him throughout the process followed up by emphasizing that he needed to click it at 1,000-feet.
So what did Knoll do on his first run? According to the computer, Knoll shut it off just 4.431 into the run. He slowed to a 5.473, 232.19.
But that’s not the impressive part of the run. The thing that gained him the most attention was the fact that he clicked it at 999-feet.
“They made it perfectly clear that I was not to go past 1,000 feet,” said Knoll. “I knew that if I was going to remain in everyone’s good graces that I had better click it at 999 and not 1001.”
Dr. Moon’s Sub – With Pro Modified driver Von Smith recuperating from quintuple bypass surgery, veteran shoe Tommy Gray was brought in as a temporary replacement behind the wheel of the Tommy Lipar Mustang. Gray, best known for his antics with the Undertaker-themed Pro Modified, has been keeping busy running along the Atlantic Coast with the team of Jim Halsey and Richard Crouse.
“I’m real excited to be back out here,” explained Gray. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out here, so it may take me a bit to get reacquainted. I have a big pair of shoes to fill until Von gets back.”
This weekend marks Gray’s first experience behind the wheel of a Hemi-powered car. Adding to that is the fact that he’s also accustomed to driving Chevrolets.
“Well, this thing has a Hemi in it and it’s ready to go. (Crewchief) Howard Moon has this thing hopped up and ready to go. I just hope I can hold on and keep her straight.”
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| Bobby Lagana, Jr., is all smiles after leading the first session of Top Fuel with a personal best. |
Winging It Again – Just two weeks ago, independent Top Fuel racer Bobby Lagana, Jr., experienced a wing strut failure that severely damaged the team’s only wing. That’s when Werner Top Fuel Team owner Peter Lehman’s team offered their back-up unit to use on Sunday during the IHRA ACDelco Canadian Nationals.
Lagana’s team was unable to repair the wing in time for this weekend’s event, but the Werner gang offered their dual-element “third string” wing for use for the balance of the season.
Lagana made the most of his opportunity by driving his machine to the top of the order with a personal best 4.740, 305.70.
Remember, it was just a year ago that the team “retired” their trusty ramp truck in favor of a new enclosed trailer. This weekend’s event marks the first time that Lagana has ever worn a Hahns device.
Reportedly the violence of the Cayuga mishap convinced Lagana that it was in his best interest to start wearing the restraint system.
Jaw Breaker – Dr. Tom Carter, a private practice oral surgeon (maxillofacial) from Victoria, Texas, couldn’t have found a better name for his supercharged 1963 Corvette Pro Modified. Carter, a long-time racer in the bracket ranks, 8.90 Quick Rod and Top Dragster, licensed for the doorslammer division earlier this season behind the wheel of “Jaw Breaker.”
Carter has competed in every event this season except for Edmonton. He’s very much serious about his efforts as he has retained the same crew that propelled former Pro Outlaw World Champion Laurie Cannister to impressive performances. The team includes Cannister herself as well as her crewchief/tuner husband Dale. Jeff Fowler is doing the engines.
Ironically, tireshake didn’t inspire the moniker.
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| Ed Machacek gets out of shape during the first qualifying session of Sunoco Pro Stock. |
“I actually have to break jaws and fix them,” added Carter. “We fix facial deformities and that sometimes requires having to break them.”
Carter points out that driving his been a tough chore to master and that includes jaw-rattling tire shake. “Driving one of these Pro Modified cars is much like my occupation, there is no room for error.”
With Laurie helping, one has to wonder if a Pro Modified car is in her future. She dispels the notion. “Nope,” Cannister answers. “I’m still holding out for a Funny Car.”
The Air Up There – “If it’s ignorant now, it’s just going to get stone stupid tonight.” – IHRA announcer Aaron Polburn commenting on the quick performances of the first qualifying session.
Air, Two – Here’s an atmospheric tidbit. Prior to the first session, the adjusted altitude of 2000 feet was 500 better than the best measurement in Cayuga. The Friday evening session is expected to measure 1,000.
