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IHRA
World Finals - Rockingham, NC.
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The
latest results from the final stop on the 2003 IHRA Hooters Drag
Drag Racing Series |
by Bobby Bennett, Jr. Photos by Roger Richards, Bryan Epps |
SUNDAY - Finished at last! IHRA concludes two-race weekend with records set and record fields established
(10-19-2003) – The IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series couldn’t have had a better conclusion. Two national events completed in one weekend, a new Top Fuel World Record and four professional world championships were decided before a packed house on Saturday and Sunday. The big winner was Top Fuel’s Clay Millican, who completed a clean sweep of the weekend by capturing the World Finals title at Rockingham Dragway. Not to be overshadowed was professional champions Shannon Jenkins (Pro Modified), Von Smith (Funny Car) and Brian Gahm (Sunoco Pro Stock). Millican’s title completed a season that saw him reach the final round of every event this year. In twelve finals, he emerged victorious ten times. It may not have been his initial goal at the onset of the season, but it wound up being one as the season drew to a close.
“Reaching every final round was something I probably didn’t think about at the start of the year, but as it went along I began to think about it more often,” Millican said. “I knew that our chance for a perfect season was gone. That inspired us to go for the perfect final round record and try to make it in every one.” Millican, of Drummonds, Tenn., entered eliminations as the top qualifier with a 4.627, 314.02. By the end of the day, he established a new world record with a 4.566. He backed it up with a 4.594, 313.07 posted in the finals against Rhonda Hartman-Smith. “All I was doing was squinting because it was very hard to see the tree,” explained Millican, who commented on the setting sun which is directly in the driver’s eyes towards the end of the day. “The final race of the season and to set the record just gives us an even higher goal to go after next year. The record is a 4.56, no we are really going to have to get after it.”
Millican reached the finals with convincing wins over Danny Dunn and Bruce Litton. For her part, Hartman-Smith entered eliminations as the second quickest and knocked off Jack Ostrander and husband John Smith. Jenkins, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., may not have successfully defended his Pro Modified World Championship, but ended it on a positive note. The four-time World Champion stopped Harold Martin in the final round. The victory for the Awesome Motorsports team provided a great deal of momentum headed into the 2004 season. “We go home with a win which is important for our team headed into the winter,” explained Jenkins. “We have a good program and that’s important for the team’s morale and ego headed into the next season. We started to find our groove in the last eight to ten races and it gives a lot of potential for 2004.” Jenkins entered eliminations as the 15th quickest entry and was brutal on the tree all day. He was quicker on the tree in every round of competition including three wins with a slower elapsed time. The list of victims included Von Smith, Thomas Patterson and newly crowned World Champion Mitch Stott. Stott clinched the title with a first round victory over Billy Harper. Martin was impressive by qualifying 12th and stopping such names as Rickie Smith, Mike Janis and Tim McAmis.
“We were the slowest car all day and yet we won every round, that has to say something,” added Jenkins. “I didn’t exactly set the world on fire with reaction times. I don’t know if it was the rollout or what. I thought I was closer on the tree than I was. It doesn’t really matter because we won when we had to. It doesn’t always have to be pretty. That’s part of drag racing. You have to have a good reaction and power to win most of the time.” One of those Jenkins victims was also the Funny Car champion Von Smith. Smith used the frustration of losing in the first round to Jenkins as motivational fuel to stop Fred Tigges in the final round. “I was miffed about the Pro Modified thing all day and I took out my aggressions on the Funny Car,” explained Smith. “I can’t stand losing and next year, I’m going to concentrate more on Pro Modified and I fully intend to make Shannon Jenkins have nightmares about me every night.”
Smith entered eliminations the fourth quickest and stopped such runners as Larry Dobbs, Neal Parker and Tony Bogolo. Tigges stopped Bunny Burkett, Joe Comella and Mike Comella en route to the final round. Rob Atchison clinched the Funny Car championship after winning the first round. Gahm, of Lucasville, Ohio, had a doubly good day as he not only came from behind to win his second world championship, but also captured his first national event win of the season at the expense of Rick Jones. He entered the day needing at least a second round win to clinch the championship. Third place Frank Gugliotta had a chance to win the championship as well, but lost in the first round. “There’s a lot easier ways to win a championship than to come from behind,” explained Gahm. “I know it’s a great thing for the fans but it every bit of nerve that I had left. My guys did a hell of a job and we knew headed into the deal that we had some rounds to make up. When Carl (Baker) didn’t qualify, it put a fire in our ass. It paid off. I am happy for my guys that stuck in there the whole time.” Gahm stopped Elijah Morton, Ron Miller and Pete Berner to reach the finals. On the other side of the ladder, Jones was gunning for two wins in the same weekend. He took home the Spring Nationals title on Saturday with a 6.4-second pace. Jones was equally persistent on Sunday with wins over Kenny Benso, Charlie Peppers and Chris Holbrook. This event is the 12th and final race of the 2003 Hooters IHRA
Drag Racing Series. The first SPORTSMAN RESULTS
Final round-by-round results from the Eighth annual IHRA World Finals at Rockingham Dragway, the last of 12 events in the 2003 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series - TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE -- Bruce Litton, 5.060, 270.75 def. Josh Starcher, 5.592, 179.44; John Smith, 4.796, 294.63 def. Todd Paton, 4.964, 238.05; Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.751, 295.72 def. Jack Ostrander, 8.940, 80.52; Clay Millican, 4.566, 316.15 def. Danny Dunn, 4.827, 266.48; SEMIFINALS -- Hartman-Smith, 4.773, 302.28 def. Smith, 5.410, 205.13; Millican, 5.339, 198.85 def. Litton, 5.697, 197.39; FINAL -- Millican, 4.594, 313.07 def. Hartman-Smith, 4.802, 296.05.
ROUND ONE -- Tim McAmis, Chevy Corvette, 6.181, 225.26 def. Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro, 7.816, 130.32; Thomas Patterson, Willys, 6.173, 227.04 def. Rick Stivers, Corvette, 6.250, 224.06; Ed Hoover, Corvette, 13.222, 84.49 def. Rick Distefano, Corvette, foul; Mike Janis, Corvette, 6.152, 229.90 def. Al Billes, Studebaker, 6.238, 224.17; Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.265, 224.55 def. Rickie Smith, Dodge Viper, 6.238, 223.36; Mitch Stott, Corvette, 6.196, 227.23 def. Billy Harper, Viper, 6.288, 224.36; Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 6.227, 222.84 def. Von Smith, Ford Mustang, 6.184, 230.06; Glen Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.265, 225.90 def. Fred Hahn, Corvette, 15.225, 68.15; QUARTERFINALS -- M. Stott, 6.261, 226.47 def. Hoover, 6.246, 225.18; McAmis, 6.204, 225.41 def. Kerunsky, 6.256, 226.13; Martin, 6.254, 224.96 def. Janis, 10.033, 82.15; Jenkins, 6.250, 222.36 def. Patterson, 6.234, 225.79; SEMIFINALS -- Jenkins, 6.320, 212.79 def. M. Stott, 7.167,
141.34; Martin, 6.196, 225.07 def. FINAL -- Jenkins, 6.223, 222.88 def. Martin, 6.217, 224.92.
ROUND ONE -- Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.763, 240.00 def. John Bojec, Dodge Avenger, 6.055, 228.15; Joe Comella, Firebird, 5.951, 237.21 def. John Vouros, Firebird, broke; Mark Thomas, Avenger, 5.762, 243.72 def. Chris Sipple, Chevy Camaro, 10.610, 82.01; Von Smith, Avenger, 5.807, 238.30 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.893, 237.88; Neal Parker, Camaro, 5.878, 232.19 def. Ronnie Midyette, Camaro, 5.957, 233.40; Mike Comella, Avenger, 6.040, 229.63 def. Melinda Green-King, Avenger, 6.117, 190.14; Fred Tigges, Camaro, 5.848, 238.85 def. Bunny Burkett, Avenger, 5.922, 240.64; Tony Bogolo, Oldsmobile Achieva, 5.792, 240.34 def. Chris Foster, Avenger, 5.966, 235.60; QUARTERFINALS -- Bogolo, 5.870, 235.68 def. Atchison, 19.914, 38.42; M. Comella, 5.840, 239.14 def. Thomas, 5.789, 243.15; Smith, 5.879, 238.68 def. Parker, 5.881, 237.38; Tigges, 5.845, 239.70 def. J. Comella, 5.980, 233.80; SEMIFINALS -- Tigges, 5.905, 237.34 def. M. Comella, foul;
Smith, 5.844, 237.42 def. Bogolo, FINAL -- Smith, 5.874, 238.72 def. Tigges, foul.
ROUND ONE -- Charlie Peppers, Ford Mustang, 6.587, 211.73 def. Jason Collins, Mercury Cougar, 6.533, 211.49; Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.514, 211.20 def. Elijah Morton, Cougar, 6.564, 210.67; Pete Berner, Mustang, 6.499, 212.69 def. Steve Williford, Chevy Cavalier, 16.865, 48.98; Mike Bell, Ford Probe, 6.588, 211.03 def. Jerry Haas, Pontiac Grand Am, foul; Chris Holbrook, Ford Escort, 6.556, 211.16 def. Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.549, 211.30; John Montecalvo, Cavalier, 7.402, 201.49 def. Mike Del Nagro, Cavalier, 8.005, 160.81; Ron Miller, Cavalier, 6.584, 209.79 def. John Bartunek, Cavalier, 6.555, 211.93; Rick Jones, Dodge Neon, 6.518, 212.49 def. Kenny Benso, Cavalier, 8.054, 121.58; QUARTERFINALS -- Holbrook, 6.577, 210.93 def. M. Bell, 6.570, 211.79; Jones, 6.518, 212.23 def. Peppers, foul; Gahm, 6.547, 209.46 def. Miller, 6.615, 209.07; Berner, 6.521, 212.36 def. Montecalvo, 6.651, 209.49; SEMIFINALS -- Gahm, 6.549, 210.47 def. Berner, 6.526,
212.09; Jones, 6.509, 212.59 def. FINAL -- Gahm, 6.563, 210.21 def. Jones, 6.565, 212.16.
SATURDAY FINAL -Millican and Atchison lock World Championships during qualifying in IHRA World Finals Quickest Fields Established in all Classes
(10-18-2003) - Clay Millican took the No. 1 Top Fuel qualifying spot Saturday during the IHRA World Finals at Rockingham Dragway and clinched his third consecutive Hooters IHRA Top Fuel world championship along the way. Rob Atchison, who qualified No. 1 in Funny Car, also locked up the world championship. Other number one qualifiers include Fred Hahn, Elma, N.Y., (Pro Modified); Rob Atchison, London, Ontario, (Funny Car); and Rick Jones, Galesburg, Ill., (Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock). Millican of Drummonds, Tenn., established his No. 1 spot with a
4.627 ET at 314.09 mph in the
In the quickest Pro Modified field in IHRA history, Hahn took the
No. 1 qualifying spot with a Points leader Atchison took the No. 1 Funny Car qualifying spot
running a 5.770 ET at 239.19
In Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock, Jones waited until the final pass
of the last qualifying round Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m. with the finals at 5 p.m.
The World Finals is the 12th First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Eighth annual IHRA World Finals at Rockingham Dragway, the 12th of 12 events in the 2003 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.
Pro Modified -- 1. Fred Hahn, Chevy Corvette,
6.111, 228.00 vs. 16. Glen Kerunsky, Funny Car -- 1. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird,
5.770, 240.47 vs. 16. John Bojec, Dodge Pro Stock -- 1. Rick Jones, Dodge Neon, 6.480,
213.23 vs. 16. Kenny Benso, Chevy
SATURDAY NOTES - Incredible weekend for drag racing, Gugliotta rebounds and Las Vegas in Rockingham
Rain on Friday, Pole on Saturday – Thomas Patterson was barely awake when the call went out to the remaining Pro Modified cars to head to the staging lanes for completion of the Friday evening session. The conditions featured mineshaft air and a track that had very little heat built up. Most of the drivers danced and skated around to reasonable mid-6.20s until Patterson brought his slick track skills forward. After one slight pedal, Patterson stormed to a 6.171, 226.77. Gugliotta unhurt - Sunoco Pro Stock racer Frank Gugliotta was uninjured when he encountered severe tireshake in the Thodos Motorsports Mustang and brushed against the wall during the semi-final round of the rescheduled IHRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham, NC. The mishap resulted in a loss to Rick Jones. According to Gugliotta, the car launched fine and appeared to be on a good pass and started shaking for no apparent reason. The car made a lunge towards the centerline and Gugliotta wrestled the Ford back only to head straight for the wall. Gugliotta corrected the car enough to avoid a direct hit. The damage to the car was mainly cosmetic and the door was jammed to the point that Gugliotta couldn’t exit. Wow – At the start of the event, the quickest-ever bump spot for Pro Modified was a 6.308. Ironically, headed into the final session that run would have put a Pro Modified driver into the 27th spot. First Domestic 6.40 – Rick Jones did something that other Pro Stock driver in the world has ever done. In the final round of the rain-delayed IHRA Spring Nationals, the veteran chassis builder became the first driver to record a 6.4-second run. Jones run was the fourth overall. The interesting thing is that he joined his “Quartermax 6.40 Club” and won the $1,000 offered by rival chassis builder Jerry Haas for the Sunoco Pro Stock low qualifier. The Betting Box – You don’t have to go to Las Vegas to cast bets. At Rockingham Dragway, there is a special section reserved for the gamblers on Grudge Racing nights. Word has it that as many as tens of thousands of dollars changes hands during a particular session. Realistic quote – “As much as I hate to say it, this is an exercise in futility.” IHRA announcer Aaron Polburn when discussing two Pro Modified cars chances of breaking into the sixteen-car field. Neither driver had run quicker than a 6.45 all weekend. Quickest Double-Nickel – Veteran shoebox runner Charles Carpenter extended his best mark for a ’55 Chevrolet with a 6.271. His career-best lap failed to crack into the Pro Modified field. Atchison celebration forthcoming – The numbers crunch indicates that all Funny Car driver Rob Atchison needs to do is take the stage light on the first round. The only thing that could delay it would be another rainout. You just had to see it – The hits started coming when Mike Castellana and Rickie Smith teamed for the first side-by-side six-teen pass. Smith wrestled that honor from Castellana by a 6.155 to 6.179 margin. That merely set the stage for Fred Hahn’s record-eclipsing 6.111 lap in Jim Oddy’s Summit-sponsored Corvette. Mitch Stott also made a stab at it with a 6.139, but he was bumped down a notch by Von Smith’s 6.12. Ironically, two years ago Hahn recorded a 6.12, which was beaten by Mike Janis’ 6.112.
SATURDAY - Gugliotta uninjured in Saturday afternoon crash
(10-18-2003) – Sunoco Pro Stock racer Frank Gugliotta was uninjured when he encountered severe tireshake in the Thodos Motorsports Mustang and brushed against the wall during the semi-final round of the rescheduled IHRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham, NC. The mishap resulted in a loss to Rick Jones. According to Gugliotta, the car launched fine and appeared to be on a good pass and started shaking for no apparent reason. The car made a lunge towards the centerline and Gugliotta wrestled the Ford back only to head straight for the wall. Gugliotta corrected the car enough to avoid a direct hit. The damage to the car was mainly cosmetic and the door was jammed to the point that Gugliotta couldn’t exit.
Gugliotta’s main concern was crossing the center-line and hitting Jones. “I pulled it back out of his lane and just went sideways,” explained Gugliotta. “I thought I was going to put the car on the roof. Then I thought it was going to hit the wall head on. I just thought to myself how bad it was going to hurt if I hit it head-on.” The incredible thing for Gugliotta is returning to his pits and seeing various teams waiting to help repair the car. Included in that group was Jones and chassis builder Jerry Haas. “Can you believe that?” Gugliotta asked. “Rick
Jones was working on part of it and Jerry was working on another.
I can’t believe it. It’s times like this that make me
proud to be part of the drag racing community.” FRIDAY - Millican secures third consecutive Top Fuel Championship; Spring Nationals Final Rounds Saturday; World Finals Sunday
(10-17-2003) - Clay Millican secured his third consecutive IHRA Hooters Top Fuel drag racing Championship Friday even though rain postponed the final rounds of the 33rd annual IHRA Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway. Friday's rain, which came after the completion of two rounds of competition, sets up a two-races-in-two-days wrap up to the 2003 IHRA series. The final rounds of the Spring Nationals, a race originally postponed
from March, will be completed Saturday in conjunction with two final
qualifying sessions that will set the fields
Millican, 37, will face John Smith of Williamston, S.C., in one
of Saturday's Spring Nationals Spring Nationals champions also will be crowned Saturday in Pro Modified, Pro Stock, Funny Car, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster and five pro-am categories. Should he successfully defend his Spring Nationals title, Millican
would move one step closer to joining Funny Car legend John Force
as the only drag racers to have earned double digit Millican has won eight times this year. He can add a ninth win
Saturday and a 10th on Sunday.
Despite the Spring Nationals postponement, Milllican was able to
celebrate a third straight Millican, who has dominated the IHRA series the last three seasons
like none before him, also Litton presently is second at 4.810, 299.86 mph, and Danny Dunn third at 4.906, 271.90 mph with two sessions remaining. Despite the rain, the quickest fields in IHRA drag racing history
were qualified Friday in Pro
In Pro Modified, a category in which 56 drivers from 18 states
and two Canadian provinces are In Pro Stock, John Montecalvo of Center Moriches, N.Y., set the
pace in his Chevrolet Cavalier Rob Atchison of London, Ontario, Canada, was the Friday Funny Car
qualifying leader at 5.770
TOP FUEL - 1. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., 4.627, 307.93 mph; 2. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, IND., 4.810, 299.86 mph; 3. Danny Dunn, Wilkesboro, N.C., 4.905, 271.90 mph; 4. Grant Flowers, Holden, Mass., 4.960, 281.66 mph; 5. Josh Starcher, Fairmont, West Va., 5.002, 260.81 mph; 6. Roger Dean, Webster Springs, West Va., 5.535, 239.78 mph; 7. Todd Paton, Paris, Ontario, Canada, 5.609, 174.46 mph; 8. Bobby Lagana Jr, Scarsdale, N.Y., 6.107, 147.39 mph. PRO MODIFIED (Before Saturday's completion) - 1. Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., 2003 Ford Mustang, 6.195, 227.88 mph; 2. Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y,, 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.196, 228.58 mph; 3. Al Billes, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, 1953 Studebaker, 6.203, 224.81 mph; 4. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala, 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.217, 222.29 mph; 5. Tim McAmis, Hawk Point, Mo., 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.221, 221.63 mph; 6. Fred Hahn, Elma, N.Y., 2002 Chevy Corvette, 6.222, 226.66 mph; 7. Glen Kerunsky, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1957 Chevy Bel Air, 6.237, 221.56 mph; 8. Rick Stivers, Lexington, Ky., 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.240, 223.36 mph; 9. Ed Hoover, Gilbert , S.C., 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.244, 224.32 mph; 10. Rick Distefano, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1953 Chevy Corvette, 6.252, 222.62 mph; 11. Quain Stott, Inman, S.C., 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.256, 229.35 mph; 12. Mitch Stott, Mill Spring, N.C., 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.257, 226.51 mph; 13. Mike Castellana, Westbury, N.Y., 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.257, 222.22 mph; 14. Harold Martin, West Broomfield, Mich., 2003 Pontiac, 6.258, 223.32 mph; 15. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., 2001 Dodge Viper, 6.258, 222.18 mph; 16. Billy Harper, Paducah, Ky, 2000 Dodge Viper, 6.269, 225.30 mph. FUNNY CAR - 1. Rob Atchison, London, Ontario, Canada, Pontiac, Firebird, 5.770, 239.19 mph; 2. Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, Dodge Avenger, 5.812, 239.74 mph; 3. Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., Avenger, 5.850, 231.83 mph; 4. Neal Parker, Millville, N.J., Chevrolet Camaro, 5.858, 237.84 mph; 5. John Vouros, Victory, N.Y., Firebird, 5.860, 238.43 mph; 6. Ronnie Midyette, Virginia Beach, Va., Camaro, 5.894, 235.51 mph; 7. Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., Avenger, 5.910, 233.48 mph; 8. Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, Oldsmobile Achieva, 5.911, 237.80 mph; 9. Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., Camaro, 5.912, 235.02 mph; 10. Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, Avenger, 5.916, 236.80 mph; 11. Larry Dobbs, Welland, Ontario, Canada, Chevy Corvette, 5.926, 237.50 mph; 12. Chris Sipple, Berea, Ky., Camaro, 5.927, 225.60 mph; 13. John Bojec, Chardon, Ohio, Avenger, 5.938, 235.51 mph; 14. Bunny Burkett, Spotsylvania, Va., Avenger, 5.942, 223.84 mph; 15. Joe Comella, Parma, Ohio, Firebird, 5.942, 214.08 mph; 16. Monty Todd, Montgomery, Ala., Camaro, 5.959, 234.04 mph. PRO STOCK - 1. John Montecalvo, Center Moriches, N.Y., Chevrolet Cavalier, 6.520, 210.97 mph; 2. Rick Jones, Galesburg, Ill., Dodge Neon, 6.528, 210.64 mph; 3. Jerry Haas, Fenton, Mo., Grand Am, 6.535, 211.76 mph; 4. Elijah Morton, Jacksonville, N.C., Mustang, 6.537, 209.98 mph; 5. Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, Ford Mustang, 6.540, 209.79 mph; 6. Mike Bell , Sophia, N.C., Ford Probe, 6.543, 211.39 mph; 7. Pete Berner, Crete, Ill., Mustang, 6.547, 211.89 mph; 8. Mike Del Nagro, Hammond, Ind., Cavalier, 6.549, 209.10 mph; 9. Carl Baker, North Ridgeville, Ohio, Mercury Cougar, 6.564, 211.86 mph; 10. Charlie Peppers, Auburn, Ga., Mustang, 6.564, 210.18 mph; 11. John Bartunek Pearl River, N.Y., Cavalier, 6.566, 210.54 mph; 12. Tim Bell, Dunbar, West Va., Mustang, 6.568, 209.98 mph; 13. Frank Gugliotta, Mt. Airy, Md., Mustang, 6.575, 210.41 mph; 14. Jason Collins, Rainbow City, Ala., Cougar, 6.571, 209.23 mph; 15. Steve Williford, Engelhard, N.C., Cavalier, 6.576, 209.30 mph; 16. Kenny Benso, Raytown, Mo., Cavalier, 6.578, 209.52 mph. TOP STOCK - 1. Matt Morgan, Hughesville, Md., 1969 Camaro, 9.866, 134.06 mph; 2. Monty Bogan Jr., Jonesville, S.C., 1967 Camaro, 9.873, 132.01 mph; 3. Frank Teuton, Houma, La., 1970 Duster, 9.954, 131.33 mph; 4. Mark Yamarino, Berkley, Mich., 1968 Camaro, 10.009, 132.33 mph; 5. Joe Aluise Jr., Westminster, Md., 1963 Belvedere, 10.047, 131.14 mph; 6. Ken Bugaj, Lexington, N.C., 1969 Camaro, 10.095, 133.66 mph; 7. Paul Mercure, White Lake, Minn., 1968 Camaro, 10.095, 133.25 mph; 8. William Parris, Cedar Bluff, Ala., 1968 Barracuda, 10.118, 131.04 mph; 9. Vance Cummins, Grand Haven, Mich., 1968 Dart, 10.177, 127.57 mph; 10. Mike Szczepanski, Winona, Minn., 1967 Camaro, 10.225, 127.70 mph; 11. Tom Rix, Spring Grove, Ill., 1970 Grand Sport, 10.480, 131.55 mph; 12. Daren Poole-Adams, Shelby, N.C., 1999 Camaro, 10.784, 118.19 mph; 13. Sonny Shipmon, Burlington, N.C., 1970 Barracuda, 11.661, 83.65 mph; 14. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., 1997 Camaro, 15.241, 61.77 mph; 15. Jerry Newsome, Mayfield, Ky., 1971 Challenger, 20.538, 54.85 mph.
IHRA World Finals Friday Qualifying Rained Out; Racing Resumes Saturday(10-17-2003) - Evening rain washed out Friday's qualifying session of the 8th annual IHRA World Finals and the completion of the Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway. Racing resumes as scheduled Saturday with gates opening at 8 a.m. The weekend forecast shows clear skies with no precipitation for Saturday and Sunday. The race schedule resumes Saturday with Spring Nationals semifinal and final rounds running at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. in conjunction with World Finals qualifying. Prior to the rain-delay, the quickest Pro Modified and Pro Stock
fields in IHRA history were FRIDAY NOTES - Pro Modified allegations, Litton still on the outside for Spring Nationals and tough day for pro drag racers
(10-17-2003) - You don’t play right – There were plenty of allegations floating around and right in the middle of the fuss was current IHRA Pro Modified points leader Mitch Stott and former World Champion Mike Janis. The issue at debate is the uncompleted IHRA Spring Nationals drivers that were unsure whether or not they would return to Rockingham for this weekend’s completion. Both sides are accusing the other of violating the spirit of drag racing by offering various drivers cash to either show up or to be a no-show. Stott was reportedly accused by Janis of paying drivers to not show up in order to keep him from the show. Janis was third in the points headed into Rockingham and could have gotten in the field if enough drivers failed to show. While denying the rumors, Stott fired off a counter allegation that Janis had offered Roy Hill $5000 not to make an appearance. Hill confirmed the payoff offer, citing that the proposition came through Dale Brinsfield. Brinsfield, a past Janis engine customer, refused to comment on the scenario. “As God is my witness I have not paid anyone to come to this race,” explained Stott. “I have asked people what they were doing so we would know what to prepare for. Mike Janis…I guess he broke off his friendship with me because he is under the impression that I paid people.
“From what I hear from Roy Hill, Janis offered $5000 for Hill not to come. That’s what Roy told me. It’s still rumor and because I didn’t hear it, I can’t say it is for a fact. I don’t have to pay anyone. I can outrun anyone on these grounds.” Stott isn’t surprised at the allegations and added that his team has been accused of running nitro as well. Janis denied the offer to Hill citing, “I don’t even have $5,000 to give.” Janis would not associate Mitch’s name directly at first adding, “They’re not breaking the rules, but they are violating the spirit of the rules. We don’t race that way. “Mitch says its hearsay, but I’ve talked to enough people that I know it isn’t hearsay.” When asked about the situation, older brother Quain Stott commented, “I better stay out of this one. He is family.” As fate would have it, Janis met Stott in the first round and won the battle.
Man, what a show – Pro Modified only qualifies 16-cars, but this weekend 58 cars made the trek. As a result, after the first session the bump spot was only .003 off of quickest-ever field. That mark was established at Rockingham in 2002 with a 6.308. Mean Miss Christine rides again - The infamous '58 Plymouth Fury that once belonged to Richard Earle was alive and kicking at Rockingham. The car now belongs to Dave "The Doctor" Heinz, former road racer. "Flyin Brian" Rich is doing the driving on the car that sports a 501-inch injected alcohol-burning Hemi. It also sports a 3-stage nitrous system. Word has it after the weekend is over, the car will make the trip to Florida for the installation of a supercharged Hemi. Uncle Roy is cruising - Amidst health concerns that forced him to give up his Pro Modified ride earlier this year, Roy Hill will participate in the completion of the IHRA Spring Nationals. Hill was offered a chance to drive Ronnie Hood's nitrous car. He made the most of it by defeating Annette Summer, who crossed the center-line. The revolving door - After two approvals and two disapprovals, the IHRA finally decided that Todd Tutterow could not drive Annette Summer's turbo Corvette in Top Sportsman. The IHRA cited their new rules that prohibits a driver competing in a professional and sportsman division during the same event. Earlier this year, Ed Hoover qualified in Top Sportsman with a 6.35, which was nothing more than a test session. He failed to show for the first round of eliminations.
No G N A T S - The infestation of sand gnats that plauged the facility earlier in year appeared to be solved as each class nearly recorded track bests. Litton on the outside – Despite rumors suggesting that some of the cars might not return to Rockingham for the completion of the Spring Nationals, Bruce Litton remained a DNQ enabling Millican to clinch his third championship. Brinsfield returns to roots – Dale Brinsfield felt as if he had won the IHRA Spring Nationals by merely qualifying in his supercharged 1941 Willys back in March. The Greensboro, NC-based, import repair business owner has since had a change of heart and sold his race team and accepted a driving job for veteran Quick Eight team owner Jerry Williams. Brinsfield feels the most comfortable that he has been in a long time. Brinsfield now drives a nitrous-injected, mountain-motor powered Ford Probe. The two things that Brinsfield developed a reputation over the years consisted of a nitrous combination and a Chevrolet-bodied racecar for him. As he sees it, he’s halfway towards being totally comfortable. “I’ve been driving nitrous cars for so long that it was the blower car that made me feel uncomfortable,” explained Brinsfield. “Getting back in a nitrous car is like getting back on a bicycle, you just don’t forget. Getting in the supercharged car was like trying to ride a unicycle.” Tough Challenge - Sunoco Pro Stock racer Pete Berner finds himself in a predicament headed into the conclusion of the 2003 Hooters Drag Racing Series tour at Rockingham Dragway. The Crete, Ill.-based driver enters the completion of the rain-delayed IHRA Spring Nationals event as the number one qualifier. One the other hand, qualifying will be run simultaneously for the season-ending IHRA World Finals. Adding to the complexity of the issue, Berner will be attacking the event in a car that has never run at Rockingham. For Berner, it’s just a matter of staying focused. “This is going to be tough,” Berner said. “We qualified on top earlier this year with our old car. The new car is much better than that one was. It will be interesting to see how it reacts to the new racing surface. Our game plan is to continue on where we left off at in Maryland.” Berner reportedly discovered a few problems with the front-end on his potent Mustang. The car apparently had a problem rolling into the beams with the same consistency as the other cars in the class. “I think the reaction times will be much better,” explained Berner. “Power wise, we just had our engine ‘Shania’ freshened up. I am excited.” The team tested in Darlington, SC., prior to headed to Rockingham with positive results. Berner is aiming for his finest points finish since 1997 when he finished fifth. He is ranked ninth in the points with the tremendous potential to ascend higher. “I’m not the type of person that counts points,”
explained Berner. “I am just concerned with going rounds.
If we do that, we will end up just fine in the points.” The game plan – All pro categories ran their first qualifying session for the world finals at Noon. Eliminations begin at 4 PM. Weather forecasts call for rain during the afternoon. No rain has dropped although dark clouds were visible over the track 30 minutes before the first round.
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