Creasy Cruises to
First Win in 2008

Bobby
Lagana (Top Fuel), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car), Mike Castellana (Pro
Modified) and Frank Gugliotta (Pro Stock) also claim Ironmen at IHRA President’s
Cup Nationals

Dale Creasy scored his first win of the season by dominating the Nitro Funny Car division from start to finish.

Last season Dale Creasy Jr. was a regular visitor to the winner’s
circle at IHRA Nitro Jam events. He won six times during the 2007
season in easily cruising to his second consecutive world championship.

This season things have not come quite as easily for the Beecher, Ill.
resident. Through three national events heading into the President’s
Cup Nationals, Creasy had failed to find his way through the field and
into the winner’s circle. That all changed when he knocked off Todd
Simpson in the final round to claim the Ironman at Maryland
International Raceway.

Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the
Torco Racing Fuels President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International
Raceway, the fourth of 11 events in the  2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag
Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1.  Bruce Litton, 383; 2.  Spencer Massey, 353; 3.  Mike Strasburg,
296; 4.  Bobby Lagana Jr., 295; 5.  Scott Palmer, 212; 6.  Terry
McMillen, 206; 7.  Kevin Jones, 187; 8.  Chris Karamesines, 108; 9. 
Michael Gunderson, 50; 10.  T.J. Zizzo, 36.

Final round-by-round results from the Torco Racing Fuels President's
Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, the fourth of 11
events in the  2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.335, 258.42 def. Spencer
Massey, 6.888, 143.84; Bruce Litton, 4.896, 288.09 def. Kevin Jones,
4.950, 297.48; Mike Strasburg, 4.938, 282.84 def. Terry McMillen,
4.858, 298.47;

SEMIFINALS -- Lagana Jr., 4.941, 291.82 def. Strasburg, 6.190, 150.51; Litton, 5.143, 210.18 was unopposed;

FINAL -- Lagana Jr., 4.869, 306.40 def. Litton, 4.998, 225.82.

Sunday's final results from the Torco Racing Fuels President's Cup
Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.  The  race is the fourth
of 10 in the  2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series: 

Top Fuel -- Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.869 seconds, 306.40 mph  def. Bruce Litton, 4.998 seconds, 225.82 mph.

I miss him so much.

My dad never drag raced -- never tuned a car,
either.

But he held a crucial role in the sport. He
inspired me. But I will get back to him later in this article.

One would have to be totally blind to see the
impact that fathers make on their children. The drag strip provides the perfect
opportunity for that union.

Proud fathers walk to the starting line to
witness their sons’ and daughters' heroics and vice versa. It’s a union that if I have to
explain it, you just wouldn’t understand it.

First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for
the Torco Racing Fuels President's Cup Nationals at Maryland
International Raceway, the fourth 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, 4.699 seconds, 287.90 mph  vs. 4. Kevin Jones, 5.091,
232.63; 2. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.717, 312.13  vs. 5. Spencer Massey,
5.305, 193.27; 3. Mike Strasburg, 5.048, 234.37  vs. 6. Terry McMillen,
5.433, 185.23.

Rain washed out the final round of professional qualifying Saturday
evening at the Torco President’s Cup Nationals, setting the fields for
all professional fields following Saturday’s afternoon session at
Maryland International Raceway.

Defending Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car World Champion Dale Creasy Jr.
claimed his first #1 qualifying position of the season, clocking a
4.967 during Friday evening qualifying…a number that stood up when all
qualifying was said and done. Paul Lee (Wynnewood, Pa.), the winner
three weeks ago in Milan, ended up #2 on the ladder while Matt Hagan
(Christiansburg, Va.) ended up third and Todd Simpson (Ponder, Tx)
fourth to round out the top half of the ladder.

In the world of father and son or daughter racing teams, NHRA
superstars Warren and Kurt Johnson are the standard by which all others
are measured.  In the sixteen years since Kurt first joined his father
on the quarter-mile at the 1993 Winternationals in Pomona, CA, the
Georgia-based tandem have combined to be a formidable force, with 134
wins in 220 final rounds between them.  In addition, their many
accomplishments include the first father-and-son final round and 1-2
championship finish in NHRA history.

Entering next weekend’s Lucas Oil Supernationals in Englishtown, NJ,
the Johnsons continue their commitment to competitive excellence. 
Kurt’s ACDelco Cobalt Racing team leads the Pro Stock championship
standings following their second win of 2008 while WJ’s GM Performance
Parts GXP crew sits in the tenth position coming off their best showing
of the season.  As the POWERade Drag Racing Series takes time off for
Father’s Day weekend, the talented tandem took time to answer a few
questions about working together on and off the racetrack.

Results Friday after qualifying for the Torco Racing Fuels
President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, fourth 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, 4.699 seconds, 287.90 mph; 2.
Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.717, 312.13; 3. Mike Strasburg, 5.048, 234.37; 4.
Terry McMillen, 9.840, 91.07; 5. Spencer Massey, 9.995, 72.70.