At first glance there are a lot of names that stand out entering the 2009 version of the Elite 8 Pro Stock Shootout.

Drivers such as Frank Gugliotta, John Montecalvo and Pete Berner top that list, while even some lesser known drivers such as rookie Mark Martino, Elite Motorsports headman Richard Freeman, most recent race winner Bob Bertsch and surprise standout Cary Goforth can make a case for why they should be considered a favorite entering the $40,000 shootout this weekend at the IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.

At first glance there are a lot of names that stand out entering the 2009 version of the Elite 8 Pro Stock Shootout.

Drivers such as Frank Gugliotta, John Montecalvo and Pete Berner top that list, while even some lesser known drivers such as rookie Mark Martino, Elite Motorsports headman Richard Freeman, most recent race winner Bob Bertsch and surprise standout Cary Goforth can make a case for why they should be considered a favorite entering the $40,000 shootout this weekend at the IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.

Then there is J.R. Carr.

Quiet, confident and without a doubt one of the dark horses entering this weekend’s event, Carr has thrived in his first full IHRA season flying under the radar and quietly climbing the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock ladder.

A member of the three-car Elite Motorsports gang along with Gugliotta and Freeman, Carr has made quite a splash in his first season with two semifinal appearances and an 8-7 win-loss record in seven races.

“We are making progress and we are happy with that, but there is room for more improvement,” Carr said. “Still, we are happy with where we are at, especially with how tough the drivers are in this class.”

Thanks to that consistency, a season that includes six consecutive races with at least a round win, Carr has climbed from eighth to fifth in points over the last four races entering this weekend’s President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.

Carr has also been a consistent qualifier and it is his passes prior to Sunday that has positioned himself in the Elite 8 Pro Stock Shootout this weekend.

“I have never been in anything like this before so I am thrilled to have this opportunity and glad to be in it,” Carr said.

With points awarded solely on qualifying, Carr qualified seventh of eight cars for the shootout and will unfortunately be matched up with teammate and point leader Gugliotta in the opening round.

“I got a good draw, didn’t I,” Carr said with a laugh. “But I am not complaining. I would rather be in it than not be in it so we are excited and we are going to give Frank a good race.

“I know I can get by Frank.”

In two prior tries Carr has yet to beat his teammate, but if Carr can get around Gugliotta on Saturday – watch out.

Carr is undefeated against Martino and Bertsch, the other two drivers in the bottom half of the bracket, and he is 1-1 against drivers in the top half of the bracket making Carr a serious contender for this weekend’s $40,000 shootout.

But it won’t be easy.

Gugliotta has been to four Pro Stock Shootout finals in the past six years including a win in 2003. Berner and Montecalvo are also former winners of this race, making the field very top heavy with former champions.

All of this and, of course, there is still a national event to be run as well.

“I would love to win one or the other. Heck I will take both if I can,” Carr said.

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