The IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series returns to Toronto, Ontario, for the completion of the rain-delayed IHRA Canadian Nationals.

PHOTO GALLERY 

See the Final Round Results & Photos

Millican Takes Bitter-Sweet Win at Toronto Motorsports Park

Foley Conscious and Talking After Final Round Crash

Clay Millican moved back to the top of the IHRA Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel championship points standings with a victory over Doug Foley in the final round at the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park. But the victory celebration was short-lived as Millican’s concern following the race was on the well-being of his friend and competitor.

In the final round Foley lost traction at half-track, slid into the left lane and collided with the wall. His car bounced back into the lane and drifted over into the right wall before coming to a stop. Foley was conscious after the crash, but was transported to West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville, Ontario, for further evaluation.

“I’ve made the final at all three Canadian races this year, but today, to be honest with you, I’d just assume I didn’t have this one,” said Millican. “I don’t want to win the championship this way; I don’t want to win a race this way.

“Besides everything today, this is definitely one of the most exciting chases IHRA’s ever had in Top Fuel. We have the same kind of chase we had my very first year racing Top Fuel when I lost the championship by seven points. Going into first round today I was behind by seven points, and I thought about that year, and how important every point is,” added Millican.

Dale Creasy Jr. took great strides towards claiming the 2006 Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car championship with his victory over Paul Lee in the final. Creasy, who entered the event with a slight lead over Jack Wyatt in the points standings, will head to the next race this weekend in Budds Creek, Md. with a 55-point advantage over Wyatt. It was Creasy’s third Nitro Funny Car national event victory of the season.

“This gives us some breathing room on the two and three guys (Wyatt and Bob Gilbertson),” said Creasy Jr. “With Gilbertson going out first round and qualifying No. 1, it gave us some extra points there. We’ve been fighting all year for this. We did exactly what we had to do this weekend. We qualified low and got the bye run, we ran good every round. The last round we had to step up a little bit, because Lee ran so well in the semifinals. We stepped up just enough.”

Mike Janis won his second national event on the 2006 IHRA eMax national event slate when he defeated John Russo in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified final round. Janis, the 2004 World Champion, carded a 6.320 at 228.61 mph to find his way into the Winner’s Circle again.

“We started the weekend running decent, qualified No. 6. We didn’t really make any killer-fast runs today, but it was a lucky day and we pulled it off,” said Janis. “We came into the race fourth in points, about three rounds out of first, and it was a big concern. We’ve moved up to second now, so that was a big deal every round, trying to get every point.”

Paul Noakes won his second Ironman of the season by defeating Larry Dobbs in the final round at the Canadian Nationals. Noakes had a round path to the final, having to drive through five-time World Champion Mark Thomas in the first round and Terry McMillen in the semifinal.

“We had a pretty stellar race car coming in this weekend,” said Noakes. “It was just stay on our game plan, try to get out front and let other people make mistakes. Last year I didn’t even qualify for three of these races, so I’m really happy to be in the winner’s circle today.”

Rob Mansfield continued his sizzling late-season charge and chalked up his first career Ironman when he knocked off defending World Champion Steve Spiess in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock final in Cayuga. Mansfield, who was the runner-up in New Hampshire two weeks ago, posted a 6.379 at 219.61 mph to defeat Spiess, who lit the red-light.

“I knew we had good power, and I knew we had a really good chance to win it,” said Mansfield. “If we could just put together four good rounds on race day, we were really confident we could come in and win this race. This win should put us in the top five. I’d like to see us finish fourth or third this year, but it may be tough to do now. The top three guys are running really well. If I can remain in the top five for this year, I’d be happy with that.”



Television coverage of the Canadian Nationals airs on SPEED:

Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car and JEG’S Top Stock - Saturday, October 7 at 6 p.m.

Pro Modified, Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Stock – Saturday, November 4 at 6 p.m.

The next event on the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series is the Torco Racing Fuels President’s Cup Nationals, September 29 – October 1, at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Md.

MONDAY - DOUG FOLEY CRASHES; TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL

Doug Foley has been transported by ambulance to West Haldimand General Hospital in nearby Hagersville, Ontario, for testing and observation following a crash during the Top Fuel final round of the IHRA Canadian Nationals. Foley was conscious and talking.According to Drag Race Central's Larry Sullivan, "Foley's car went into a wheelstand, then lost traction when he pedaled it and the front came down. The car then turned sideways, crossing the centerline at the 330-foot marker. He managed to get the car pointed down the track, but the rear slammed into the left wall hard, breaking the chassis just ahead of the driver's foot box. Both pieces slid back across the track together and there was a big fireball when the fuel tank hit the wall. The nose of the car came to rest on the centerline, near the finish line, while the heavier engine and driver capsule slid along the wall, coming to a stop about 300 feet past the finish line. Millican was well ahead of Foley before the accident, slowing at half track when his car drifted left of the groove, but far enough ahead that he was not involved." 

Crash Sequence  

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

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SUNDAY - IHRA CANADIAN NATIONALS ELIMINATIONS POSTPONED UNTIL MONDAY

Due to inclement weather, IHRA officials have postponed Sunday’s eliminations of the Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park. Round one of Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Pro Modified and Pro Stock are completed. One pair of cars remains in Alcohol Funny Car.

Eliminations will resume Monday, September 25 at Toronto Motorsports Park at 9 a.m. The professional sessions are scheduled for 10 a.m., 12 noon and 1:30 p.m.

CREASY LEADS NITRO FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING IN TORONTO; Foley, Pontieri, Patrick and Thomas
Also No. 1 Qualifiers

Dale Creasy Jr. raced to the top of the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car qualifying Saturday with a 4.946-second run during the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park. Other No. 1 qualifiers include Doug Foley (Top Fuel), Tony Pontieri (Pro Modified), Robert Patrick (Pro Stock) and Mark Thomas (Alcohol Funny Car).

Creasy Jr. came into this event leading the points in a very tight chase with Jack Wyatt and Bob Gilbertson. Based on qualifying, he’s gained a point over Wyatt, who is qualified second, and six points on Gilbertson, in the 7th spot. In addition, the No. 1 spot will grant Creasy Jr. the first round bye, as the field is set with only seven cars.

For the second night in a row, Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel qualifying was cut short. With four cars yet to go down the track, rain began to fall, showing no signs of stopping in time for proper drying. The night was called and the portion of Top Fuel qualifying that was completed was thrown out.

Therefore, the fields are set based on round one of qualifying. Foley, the current points leader, who has never lost a round of competition at Toronto Motorsports Park, is No. 1 with a 4.791/318.99. Clay Millican is second with a 4.795, followed by Rick Cooper and Bobby Lagana Jr.

The Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified class was highlighted by Toronto’s Pontieri jumping to the No. 1 qualifying position with a track record-setting 6.060/236.38. Tommy D’Aprile is second, followed by Jim Halsey and Danny Rowe. Scott Cannon Jr. is on the bump with a 6.259.

The Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock qualifying changed little from Friday. Patrick, Fredericksburg, Va., sits in the first position with his 6.393/217.11 pass from round one. He’s trailed by Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, Frank Gugliotta and Steve Spiess. Elijah Morton sits on the bump-spot with a 6.480/214.35.

In Alcohol Funny Car, Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, remained in the No. 1 spot with his Friday night 5.831/244.83 run. Defending world champion and London, Ontario-native Rob Atchison improved on his position, jumping to the No. 2 spot with a 5.854/244.47. Terry Munroe, Tom Carter and Paul Noakes round out the top five.

Professional eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Final round is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.



First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Foley, 4.791 seconds, 318.99 mph vs. 5. Todd Paton, 4.986, 294.31; 2. Clay Millican, 4.795, 302.55 vs. 6. Kevin Jones, 5.077, 263.00; 3. Rick Cooper, 4.917, 276.97 vs. 7. Chris Karamesines, 5.542, 246.30; 4. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.930, 267.80 vs. 8. Bob Leverich, 6.786, 191.43.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.946, 309.56 vs. 5. Vincent Arcadi, Monte Carlo, 6.157, 150.85; 2. Jack Wyatt, Pontiac Firebird, 5.041, 300.13 vs. 6. Smax Smith, Chevy Camaro, 6.355, 232.75; 3. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.095, 290.01 vs. 7. Bob Gilbertson, Stratus, 7.020, 142.88; 4. Paul Lee, Monte Carlo, 5.507, 202.64 vs. Bye.

Pro Modified -- 1. Tony Pontieri, Chevy Bel Air, 6.060, 236.38 vs. 9. Carl Spiering, Chevy Camaro, 6.196, 230.76; 2. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Corvette, 6.104, 233.72 vs. 10. Alan Pittman, Bel Air, 6.197, 226.28; 3. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.130, 228.04 vs. 11. John Russo, Camaro, 6.198, 228.85; 4. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 6.132, 231.56 vs. 12. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.208, 231.16; 5. Raymond Commisso, Camaro, 6.146, 232.35 vs. 13. Glen Kerunsky, Bel Air, 6.211, 232.35; 6. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.161, 231.44 vs. 14. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.247, 226.01; 7. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.174, 229.16 vs. 15. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.257, 224.36; 8. Eddie Ware, Camaro, 6.187, 231.99 vs. 16. Scott Cannon, Pontiac GTO, 6.259, 230.10.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.831, 244.83 vs. 5. Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.935, 240.34; 2. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.854, 244.47 vs. 6. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.939, 235.19; 3. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.858, 238.43 vs. 7. Terry McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 6.013, 235.80; 4. Thomas Carter, Chevy Camaro, 5.925, 239.02 vs. 8. Vincent Rastelli, Corvette, 6.124, 231.20.

Pro Stock -- 1. Robert Patrick, Shelby GT 500, 6.393, 217.11 vs. 9. Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, 6.444, 213.77; 2. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.401, 217.25 vs. 10. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.451, 215.48; 3. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.408, 218.12 vs. 11. Richard Penland, Escort, 6.460, 216.41; 4. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cobalt, 6.417, 216.27 vs. 12. John Bartunek, Cobalt, 6.463, 215.31; 5. Rob Mansfield, Cobalt, 6.430, 217.56 vs. 13. Rick Jones, Cobalt, 6.473, 214.55; 6. Jeff Dobbins, Escort, 6.433, 217.04 vs. 14. John Konigshofer, Mercury Cougar, 6.474, 215.68; 7. Pete Berner, Pontiac GTO, 6.434, 216.27 vs. 15. John Nobile, Escort, 6.476, 214.69; 8. Jerry Haas, GTO, 6.436, 216.00 vs. 16. Elijah Morton, Ford ZX2, 6.480, 214.35.

Doug Foley Sets Track Record As IHRA Canadian Nationals Resumes 

Racing has resumed at Toronto Motorsports Park with the conclusion of the first round of Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Top Fuel qualifying. Doug Foley leads the pack with a 4.791. The accompanying speed of 318.99 mph from that run reset the track record.Professional categories are scheduled to run at 5:30 p.m.

Eliminations are scheduled for Sunday with first round at 11 a.m. and final round at 4:15 p.m.

IHRA Canadian Nationals Under Rain-Delay

Saturday qualifying for the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park is under delay due to inclement weather. Racing will resume today when the rain stops. Eliminations are scheduled for Sunday with first round at 11 a.m. and final round at 4:15 p.m.

RESCHEDULED FRIDAY - Pro Stock and Pro Modified Track Records Shattered at Toronto Motorsports Park

Robert Patrick, following a win two weeks ago in New Hampshire, reset the Toronto Motorsports Park Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock elapsed time record Friday when he ran a 6.393-second pass during the IHRA Canadian Nationals. Patrick, Fredericksburg, Va., is followed on the first round qualifying sheet by Brian Gahm, Frank Gugliotta and Steve Spiess. Gugliotta established a new track best speed at 218.12 mph.

Jack Wyatt, currently second in the point standings, sits atop the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car class qualifying with a 5.042/284.81. He’s trailed by Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher, Ill., who despite losing traction at half-track, pedaled the car to a speed of 309.56 mph at the stripe. Paul Lee and Bob Gilbertson currently sit third and fourth.

Tommy D’Aprile, currently fifth in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified point standings, holds the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot with his track record-setting 6.104/233.72. Prior to this race, Ontario’s Carl Spiering held that mark with a 6.165/232.91. Danny Rowe, who trails Glen Kerunsky by only three points, sits second, followed by Jim Halsey and Mike Janis. Kerunsky is in the 10th position. If Rowe and Kerunsky remain in their respective qualifying positions, Rowe will take the points lead heading into Sunday’s eliminations.

In Alcohol Funny Car, it’s Canton, Ohio’s Mark Thomas in the No. 1 spot after one round of qualifying. Thomas, who is currently second in the point standings, covered the track in 5.831-seconds at 244.83 mph, and is followed by Larry Dobbs (Welland, Ontario) and Tom Carter (Cuero, Texas). Defending champion and points leader Rob Atchison is on the No. 8 bump spot. His car lost traction early in the run, a sign that despite his points lead and recent event win, the London, Ontario-native has yet to fix all the bugs in the race car.

The Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel qualifying was cut short due to rain. The round will be completed Saturday at 9 a.m.

Professional qualifying resumes as scheduled Saturday at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m. Final round at 4:15 p.m. Friday tickets will be honored Saturday.



Results Friday after qualifying for the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park, sixth of 11 events in the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Jack Wyatt, Pontiac Firebird, 5.042, 284.81; 2. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.081, 309.56; 3. Paul Lee, Monte Carlo, 5.507, 202.64; 4. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 7.584, 142.88; 5. Terry Haddock, Stratus, 9.108, 104.20; 6. Vincent Arcadi, Monte Carlo, 13.719, 64.74.

Pro Modified -- 1. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Corvette, 6.104, 233.72; 2. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 6.157, 231.16; 3. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.159, 228.04; 4. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.161, 231.44; 5. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.174, 229.16; 6. Carl Spiering, Camaro, 6.196, 230.76; 7. John Russo, Camaro, 6.198, 228.85; 8. Eddie Ware, Camaro, 6.200, 229.74; 9. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.208, 231.16; 10. Glen Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.211, 232.35; 11. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.279, 224.58; 12. Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 6.289, 225.90; 13. Scott Cannon, Pontiac GTO, 6.341, 229.16; 14. Scott Wildgust, Bel Air, 6.411, 220.01; 15. Steve Bareman, Dodge Stratus, 6.732, 220.04; 16. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 7.149, 136.18.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.831, 244.83; 2. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.939, 235.19; 3. Thomas Carter, Chevy Camaro, 5.963, 239.02; 4. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.991, 232.71; 5. Terry McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 6.013, 235.80; 6. Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 6.014, 239.06; 7. Vincent Rastelli, Corvette, 6.124, 231.20; 8. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 9.617, 85.51.

Pro Stock -- 1. Robert Patrick, Shelby GT 500, 6.393, 217.11; 2. Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 6.401, 217.25; 3. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.408, 218.12; 4. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cobalt, 6.417, 216.27; 5. Jeff Dobbins, Escort, 6.433, 217.04; 6. Jerry Haas, Pontiac GTO, 6.436, 216.00; 7. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.444, 213.77; 8. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.451, 215.48; 9. Richard Penland, Escort, 6.460, 216.41; 10. John Bartunek, Cobalt, 6.463, 215.31; 11. Rick Jones, Cobalt, 6.473, 214.55; 12. John Konigshofer, Mercury Cougar, 6.474, 215.68; 13. Elijah Morton, Ford ZX2, 6.480, 214.35; 14. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.506, 214.28; 15. Anthony Paone, GTO, 6.535, 212.23; 16. Michael Bruno, GTO, 6.560, 205.04.

SATURDAY - IHRA Canadian Nationals Washed Out

The weather front that washed out Friday’s IHRA Canadian Nationals professional qualifying sessions at Toronto Motorsports Park refused to cooperate for Saturday’s scheduled racing as well. After hours of steady downpour in Cayuga, IHRA decided to pull the plug on the weekend’s event. The IHRA Canadian Nationals have been rescheduled for the weekend of September 23-24.

“It’s unfortunate, but these are the realities you have to face when you hold outdoor events. Mother Nature does not always cooperate,” IHRA President Aaron Polburn said. “We looked at the weather report for the rest of the day today and tomorrow and decided things weren’t going to work out. We’ll come back in September and have a great event.”

All spectator tickets purchased for this weekend will be valid for the rescheduled event in September. Crew passes and car and driver passes purchased for the IHRA Canadian Nationals will also be honored in September. Though some sportsman classes ran qualifying sessions Friday, IHRA will start the event over in September with new entries welcome. In addition, racers who wish to drop their rigs off in Toronto on their way back from the Epping, New Hampshire, event September 8-10 will be welcome to do so.

For competitors not able to return for the rescheduled event, car-and-driver and crew passes may be transferred to another eMax Drag Racing Series race this season. Please contact IHRA at (419) 663-6666 for more information.

The next event on the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series is the Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals, August 4-6, at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

FRIDAY - Rain Halts Friday Qualifying at IHRA Canadian Nationals in Toronto

(7-21-2006) - The Friday professional qualifying session at the IHRA Canadian Nationals has been cancelled due to rain. At 5:30 p.m. a weather front moved into the Cayuga area, dumping large amounts of rain on Toronto Motorsports Park. The Erson Cams Top Sportsman class had just started its last qualifying session of the day when the rains came.

The Saturday schedule will have a slight adjustment due to the Friday cancellation. The morning will start with the completion of Erson Cams Top Sportsman qualifying and Lakewood Super Rod’s final Friday qualifying session at 9:30 a.m. The schedule will then pick up as originally planned. The ET class will kick off the final sportsman qualifying session at 10:30 with the first rounds of sportsman eliminations immediately after.

The professional classes will have their first of two qualifying sessions Saturday at 3 p.m. The second and final round of professional qualifying will take place as part of the “NitroMoose.ca Night of Fire” starting at 7 p.m.

Friday tickets will be honored Saturday with corresponding ticket stub.