Each year, the IHRA Drag Racing Series travels to San Antonio, Texas for the first of 12-races and the end result promises phenomenal performances and packed grandstands. This season's opening event features the scheduled eighth-mile national event in drag racing since 1974 in Charlotte, NC.

 

		EVENT NEWS EVENT NOTEBOOK ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS FINAL ROUND RESULTS POINTS AFTER EVENT			EVENT GALLERY

 

SUNDAY FINAL - Spencer Massey Wins Top Fuel Ironman Six Days After Earning License

Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car), Steven Macklyn (Nitro Funny Car), Jim Halsey (Pro Modified) and John Montecalvo (Pro Stock) also claim titles at season-opening Texas Nationals

Spencer Massey is not exactly new to this whole drag racing thing. The Fort Worth, Tex. resident has been driving in the A-Fuel ranks for the better part of four years, finishing as high as #3 in the world in NHRA competition. But when car owner Mitch King was looking for a driver for the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam season opener at San Antonio Raceway, Massey figured now was as good a time as any to take a step up. He earned his Top Fuel license in Houston six days prior to the event and headed to San Antonio Raceway.

Sunday afternoon he ended up in the last place he ever expected to be…the Winner’s Circle after defeating Terry McMillen in the final round to claim the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals Ironman.

“This is an absolute dream come true,” Massey said. “When we came here we were just worried about qualifying, then we just looked at things one round at a time. I have a really good team behind me and there really aren’t any long-term plans. But then again who would have ever thought we’d leave the Texas Nationals with the points lead?”

Massey was able to take a nice, leisurely trip down the eight-mile in the final round. Terry McMillen broke after his burnout in the other lane before idling down the track.

Steven Macklyn (Salt Lake City, Utah) is another young driver who earned his first Ironman at the Texas Nationals. Macklyn captured the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car Ironman by stopping defending World Champion Dale Creasy Jr. in the final round.

Macklyn clocked a 3.749 at 226.85 mph to top Creasy’s tire-rattling 4.034/160.54 pass.

“I didn’t even think about who was in the other lane…I’m not good enough to even look in the other lane yet. I just focus on the tree and hope I don’t make any mistakes.”

Macklyn defeated Jeff Diehl in the first round and Jack Wyatt in the semifinals to advance to face Creasy in the money run.

“I got a little lucky,” Macklyn said. “I got out of the groove a little bit in the first round against Diehl but was able to drive past him, then I won a really good race against Jack. This is unbelievable.”

Laurie Cannister (Johnstown, Ohio) made a mockery of the Alcohol Funny Car class all weekend, setting record after record en route to her first AFC Ironman of the season.  She saved her worst run of the weekend for the final, but it made no difference as she knocked off Rob Atchison (London, Ont.) in the final round to garner her second career Alcohol Funny Car Ironman.

“Dale, my husband, does a great job getting this car ready to race,” Cannister said. “He helps me so much and tells me what adjustments to make as the day goes by. I definitely could not do this without him.”

Cannister claimed the Ironman with a 3.843 pass at 226.85 mph while Rob Atchison posted a 3.928/194.66 in the other lane.

The Torco Pro Modified final matched up a pair of nitrous-powered entries, the first time two nitrous Pro Mods squared off in a final round since 2005. Jim Halsey (Street, Md.) was able to drive past Billy Harper (Paducah, Ky.) in the final round to claim the Ironman.

“I think the eighth-mile really helped the nitrous cars today,” Halsey said. “We were able to get down the track. The track was hot and a little tricky at the end but we got the job done.”

Halsey ran a 4.104 at 184.52 mph to better Harper’s 4.685/115.85 pass.

John Montecalvo (Center Moriches, N.Y.) is usually a strong starter. He has enjoyed early season success before, winning in Texas last year before heading to Rockingham and winning the second event of the season. He hopes that scenario plays out again as he defeated Jeff Dobbins (Wilmington, N.C.) in the Torco Pro Stock final in San Antonio.

“I just hope people are asking me about my late season success this season, not just my early wins,” Montecalvo said with a chuckle. “We had a terrible weekend to start, qualifying was a mess and we weren’t getting down the track. Then everything kind of came together.”

Montecalvo was able to pull off a trick not many drivers can pull off in the final, defeating Dobbins, a notorious leaver, on a hole-shot. He had a .013 reaction time and ran a 4.186 at 173.18 mph. Dobbins left in .026 and clocked a 4.178 at 173.74.

The Knoll Gas Nitro Jam will continue in two weeks at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina for the IHRA Spring Nationals April 18-20. 

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Sunday's final results from the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts and The San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway.  The  race is the first of 11 in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:

Top ET -- Shaun Neidig, Dragster, 5.240, 105.90  def. Manual Hernandez, Chevy Camaro, foul.

Mod ET -- Ronnie Hernandez, '23-T Ford, 5.548, 126.32  def. Benny Gossett, '27-T Ford, 5.966, 112.20.

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SATURDAY - Patrick in Mid-Season Form at Texas Nationals; Claims First Pro Stock Pole of Season at San Antonio Raceway

Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Bob Gilbertson (Nitro Funny Car), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car) and Scott Cannon (Pro Mod) also claim #1 qualifying positions at Knoll Gas Nitro Jam season-opener

Defending Torco Pro Stock World Champion Robert Patrick proved things have not changed much from October to now…his 2008 Shelby Cobra is the car the rest of the class is chasing. Patrick powered to the #1 qualifying spot in San Antonio with a 4.104 pass at 174.96 mph. His Saturday evening pass is just four thousandths off the current world record.

Patrick recently ran the quickest naturally aspirated pass in drag racing history during a test session in Valdosta, but when the chips were down he went back to his trusty friend.

“We had some very good test sessions with our new motor, but we went back to our racing engine from last year this evening and were able to run a strong number,” Patrick said. “My team works really hard. The starting line is really good but it’s a little softer down the track. We tumbled the tires a little bit but were still able to post a good number.”

Bruce Litton (Indianapolis, Ind.) backed up his strong Friday efforts by posting the quickest Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel pass of the Saturday evening session. Litton ended up holding on to the top qualifying spot with a 3.125/271.95 pass.

“This is a great way to start the season, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Litton said. “We’ll get to work servicing the car and see what happens Sunday. The class is very strong and we know it’ll take a nice pass every round if we hope to advance.”

Bob Gilbertson (Gastonia, N.C.) held on to the Nitro Funny Car pole position while

Defending Torco Pro Modified champion Scott Cannon (Lyman, S.C.) ended up on top of the qualifying sheet at the Texas Nationals, carding a 3.967/188.12 pass Saturday evening to edge Mike Janis (Lancaster, N.Y.).

Laurie Cannister (Johnstown, Ohio) made a statement during Saturday evening Alcohol Funny Car qualifying. Cannister set the IHRA AFC speed world record and also claimed the ET mark with her 3.731/197.94 pass. Actually her ET was too quick to be backed up, but her Saturday evening run backed up her 3.788 afternoon pass.

“This is a great team,” Cannister said. “We’re thrilled to be out here racing again.”

The Amalie Oil Texas Nationals will continue Sunday with final eliminations beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Pro Stock and Pro Modified. Alcohol Funny Car and the Nitro Classes kick off eliminations at noon.

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First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts and The San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway, the first of 11 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.  Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 3.125 seconds, 271.95 mph  vs. 5. Spencer Massey, 3.245, 257.33; 2. Mike Strasburg, 3.168, 258.81  vs. 6. Scott Palmer, 3.256, 245.05; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 3.193, 265.01  vs. 7. Kevin Jones, 3.259, 213.87; 4. Terry McMillen, 3.204, 254.04  vs. 8. Chris Karamesines, 3.270, 251.11.

Pro Modified -- 1. Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 3.967, 188.60  vs. 9. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 4.063, 183.27; 2. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 3.972, 188.65  vs. 10. Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 4.079, 174.57; 3. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 3.996, 184.90 vs. 11. Mike Castellana, Firebird, 4.121, 176.40; 4. Thomas Patterson, Willys, 4.005, 186.48  vs. 12. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 4.160, 181.47; 5. Burton Auxier, Chevy Corvette, 4.022, 181.86  vs. 13. Quain Stott, Corvette, 4.176, 181.86; 6. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 4.024, 185.41  vs. 14. Billy Gibson, Plymouth Superbird, 4.250, 174.12; 7. Scotty Cannon, Firebird, 4.027, 185.64  vs. 15. Steven Wiley, Camaro, 4.278, 168.49; 8. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 4.039, 181.94  vs. 16. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 4.299, 164.33.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 3.731, 197.94  vs. 5. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 3.872, 193.54; 2. Dale Brand, Camaro, 3.813, 192.77  vs. 6. Mark Thomas, Chevy Impala, 3.877, 190.70; 3. Thomas Carter, Camaro, 3.850, 194.13  vs. 7. Tim Stevens, Dodge Stratus, 3.893, 191.40; 4. Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, 3.851, 189.95  vs. 8. Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 3.897, 194.44.

Pro Stock -- 1. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 4.104, 174.96  vs. 9. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 4.176, 172.36; 2. Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 4.117, 175.21  vs. 10. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 4.177, 174.30; 3. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 4.119, 175.23 vs. 11. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 4.184, 173.12; 4. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 4.128, 174.21  vs. 12. Scott Hintz, Mustang, 4.199, 170.43; 5. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 4.141, 174.53  vs. 13. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 4.202, 171.29; 6. Dean Goforth, Pontiac GTO, 4.148, 173.49  vs. 14. Chuck DeMory, Mustang, 4.216, 170.77; 7. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 4.163, 173.87  vs. 15. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 4.228, 170.90; 8. Rob Mansfield, GTO, 4.170, 172.83  vs. 16. Cale Aronson, Escort, 4.269, 169.96.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 3.353, 255.92  vs. 5. Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 3.440, 243.28; 2. Terry Haddock, Stratus, 3.425, 240.81  vs. 6. Jack Wyatt, Stratus, 3.444, 252.38; 3. Matt Hagan, Chevy Monte Carlo, 3.428, 233.60 vs. 7. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 3.463, 247.84; 4. Jeff Diehl, Monte Carlo, 3.436, 256.89  vs. 8. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 3.469, 242.28.

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FRIDAY - Litton Heads Top Fuel Qualifying at Texas Nationals

Bob Gilbertson (Nitro Funny Car), Scott Cannon (Pro Modified), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car) and Frank Gugliotta (Pro Stock) also claim provisional #1 qualifier slots at San Antonio Raceway

Bruce Litton picked up right where he left off. The 2007 Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel World Champion, who clinched his first career title by winning the World Finals in Rockingham last season, made an early statement in the new season. He finished at the top of the qualifying sheet Friday and claimed the five Last Man Standing bonus points at the eighth-mile Amalie Oil Texas Nationals…the first event on the 2008 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam schedule.

Litton ran a crisp 3.125 at 271.95 mph to claim the provisional pole.

“My team is amazing,” the Indianapolis resident said. “I’m really thankful for them. I get to do all the talking and they get to do all the work. We’re happy to get a good lap under our belts tonight, now can go concentrate on getting ready for tomorrow.”

Bob Gilbertson (Charlotte, N.C.) also kicked off 2008 the way he finished 2007. The World Finals Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car champion grabbed the provisional Nitro Funny Car pole with a 3.353/255.92 pass Friday evening at San Antonio Raceway.

Defending Torco Pro Modified World Champion Scott Cannon (Lyman, S.C.) proved he is in mid-season form, using a strong 3.967/188.12 Friday evening qualifying lap to claim the provisional #1 qualifier position and Last Man Standing honors.  Cannon claimed an incredible 20 Last Man Standing awards, and the five bonus points that come with them, during his 2007 championship season.

“We picked up right where we left off last season,” Cannon said. “We got a bunch of these Last Man Standing awards last year and were able to get one tonight.”

Laurie Cannister (Johnstown, Ohio) put her 1999 Camaro on the provisional pole in the Alcohol Funny Car class with a strong 3.842 pass at 196.85 mph during evening qualifying Friday. Cannister was almost a full hundredth quicker than Tony Bogolo (Hamilton, Ohio), who clocked a 3.851 at 189.95. Bogolo was the Last Man Standing in Alcohol Funny Car, however, since he posted the quickest winning pass of the evening.

“The track was good and the car went straight down,” Bogolo said. “I hope there’s more left in it because it’s going to take a lot more than that to do anything this weekend.”

Frank Gugliotta (Mt. Airy, Md.) is in a new Torco Pro Stocker this season, but if his Friday evening salvo is any indication he should be back in the thick of the championship points chase this season. Gugliotta drove his 2007 Mustang to a 4.117 at 175.21 to claim the provisional pole at the Texas Nationals. He also claimed the five bonus points for winning Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge honors.

“I have to take my hat off to my team,” Gugliotta said of his new Bob Yoak-owned racing operation. “The guys did a great job to put us here. I hope this is the start of a good year.”

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Results Friday after qualifying for the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts and The San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway, first of 11 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 3.125 seconds, 271.95 mph; 2. Bobby Lagana Jr., 3.193, 265.01; 3. Mike Strasburg, 3.230, 227.80; 4. Scott Palmer, 3.303, 223.69; 5. Chris Karamesines, 3.726, 178.80; 6. Todd Paton, 3.748, 151.39; 7. Kevin Jones, 3.927, 129.83; 8. Doug Foley, 5.098, 82.96.

Pro Modified -- 1. Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 3.967, 188.60; 2. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 3.988, 188.65; 3. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 3.996, 184.90; 4. Thomas Patterson, Willys, 4.005, 186.48; 5. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 4.024, 182.95; 6. Scotty Cannon, Firebird, 4.027, 185.64; 7. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 4.039, 181.94; 8. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 4.063, 183.27; 9. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 4.160, 174.84; 10. Steven Wiley, Camaro, 4.278, 168.49; 11. Burton Auxier, Chevy Corvette, 4.356, 168.81; 12. Quain Stott, Corvette, 4.479, 137.67; 13. Jason Stock, Corvette, 4.724, 147.25; 14. Billy Gibson, Plymouth Superbird, 4.779, 115.45; 15. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 5.315, 102.92; 16. Mike Castellana, Firebird, 6.076, 78.17.  Not Qualified: 17. Kenny Lang, 6.587, 70.85; 18. Billy Harper, 7.698, 69.09.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 3.842, 196.85; 2. Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, 3.851, 189.95; 3. Dale Brand, Camaro, 3.880, 192.77; 4. Thomas Carter, Camaro, 3.883, 194.13; 5. Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 3.897, 194.18; 6. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 3.920, 189.42; 7. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 3.955, 186.69; 8. Mark Thomas, Chevy Impala, 3.971, 188.94.  Not Qualified: 9. Tim Stevens, 4.300, 150.18; 10. Paul Noakes, 9.052, 46.31.

Pro Stock -- 1. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Mustang, 4.117, 175.21; 2. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 4.119, 175.23; 3. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 4.123, 174.77; 4. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 4.128, 174.21; 5. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 4.141, 174.19; 6. Dean Goforth, Pontiac GTO, 4.148, 173.23; 7. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 4.163, 173.87; 8. Rob Mansfield, GTO, 4.172, 172.04; 9. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 4.177, 174.30; 10. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 4.182, 172.17; 11. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 4.184, 170.95; 12. Scott Hintz, Mustang, 4.199, 170.26; 13. Chuck DeMory, Mustang, 4.216, 170.77; 14. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 4.228, 170.73; 15. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 4.293, 167.01; 16. Trevor Eman, Escort, 4.305, 169.42.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 3.353, 255.92; 2. Jeff Diehl, Chevy Monte Carlo, 3.436, 256.89; 3. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 3.463, 247.84; 4. Jack Wyatt, Stratus, 3.514, 212.29; 5. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 3.528, 239.02; 6. Matt Hagan, Monte Carlo, 4.343, 142.49; 7. Jason Duchene, Firebird, 5.155, 96.53; 8. Allen Middendorf, Chevy Camaro, 5.468, 72.41.  Not Qualified: 9. Steven Macklyn, 5.544, 139.31; 10. Terry Haddock, 7.920, 84.41; 11. Todd Simpson, 11.062, 51.21.

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