It took almost ten years to do it, but Scotty Cannon said the wait was worth it. The six-time Pro Modified world champion who graduated to nitro racing in 1999 scored his first career Top Fuel crown at the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ont.

 

Just to think, less than three months ago, Cannon was sprawled across an operating table undergoing surgery to repair a damaged disc. Today he exited the Evan Knoll-owned, Seelye-Wright-sponsored dragster as if he was running a marathon.

 Hands Evan Knoll first team win in Top Fuel

 

It took almost ten years to do it, but Scotty Cannon said the wait was worth it. The six-time Pro Modified world champion who graduated to nitro racing in 1999 scored his first career Top Fuel crown at the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ont.

 

Just to think, less than three months ago, Cannon was sprawled across an operating table undergoing surgery to repair a damaged disc. Today he exited the Evan Knoll-owned, Seelye-Wright-sponsored dragster as if he was running a marathon.

 

Today’s success left a greater feeling than a shot of cortisone. Nevermind the fact he holds 28 career national event victories, six world championships and still remains the winning driver in the Pro Modified division, today’s win validated a career of domination.

 

Cannon won on nitro.

 

“We got lucky, but I take it,” Cannon said. “We could have hopped it up and did things different, but we went with our gut and decided to leave it as it was. We were beat in the finals but we had the right combination to win. It was our day to win. We had the most consistent race car today. I’ve been doing this a long time but if you make it consistent you’re going to win. My team did an incredible job. We may look like the Bad News Bears, but we won.”

 

This one produced a number of firsts. It marked the first time that an Evan Knoll-owned dragster had won a national event and it also marked the first time that Cannon and Jimbo Ermalovich had won together.

 

Cannon entered eliminations as the third quickest dragster and used the momentum to defeat Todd Paton and points leader T.J. Zizzo before stopping Jim Cavaleri in the final round.

 

Cannon reached an NHRA Funny Car final but his last victory on the IHRA tour came in 1998 when defeated Wally Stroupe during the IHRA President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek, Md.

 

“It’s been nine years and only the second time since I have been in the winner’s circle,” Cannon said. “Evan had faith in us. I had no idea why. But he did and I am glad he did. I love him and respect him and I am trying to do my best for him all the time. Today didn’t shock me but it made realize that it isn’t so easy to make it back. I proved to myself that I can still pull one out when I need to.”

 

The victory puts Cannon solidly in the third position in the Top Fuel championship standings just 62 points behind Zizzo and 22 out of second. Cannon wasn’t nervous until he realized that he was within striking distance.

 

“I am stressed out more than I ever have. I want to win. I don’t usually count the points, but today someone reminded me that we are only 90 points out of first. That’s within striking points. At first I didn’t want to hear any points talk. But, you can’t help but think about it. I’m not even going home. I’m testing all the time until we can get to Michigan. Lord knows we are trying, the stars and moon line up and we might have a dog in the hunt. You can rest assured this dog is still out there.”

 

Cannon will tell you that he was down on himself and drag racing was the furthest thing from his mind. A call from Knoll changed his thought process.

 

“Evan called me one day and asked me why I was parked,” Cannon said. “He had more confidence in me than I had in myself. It wasn’t about the money. I could have stayed at home and been just fine. But when someone believes in you like that you have to get after it. I am giving this every ounce of energy I can. If you don’t step out there and try your best when someone believes in you than you have no clue about what it takes to be a champion. Being a champion means you have the ability to get out there when you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

“We are doing as hard as we and if anyone can try any harder, then God bless them.”

 

DUDE, WHERE'S MY THREADS? 

 

The weekend started off on a rough note for Cannon. He was seen wandering around the pits Friday with a pack strapped to his back. Now ordinarily that wouldn’t be unusual, but the story behind it is worth telling.

Cannon, who is from South Carolina, stayed in Canada following the Edmonton race two weeks ago, and on one of his flights across the country he made the plane but his luggage didn’t.

When pressed for details, Cannon muttered “(blank) no!” when asked if his bags had resurfaced. “I was ready for them this time, though,” he said. ”We were running real late for the plane, so I grabbed a shirt and a pair of pants and stuffed them in this pack. Guess I’ll have to go shopping real soon if the stuff doesn’t show up.” - Brian Wood