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Sept. 23, 2004
Friday Sept. 24, 2004 BUDDS CREEK, Md. -- The racing surface at Maryland International Raceway is famous for producing record runs just about every time the Hooters IHRA Drag racing Series comes to town, and the first session of qualifying for this weekend's 13th annual President's Cup Nationals was no exception. No more was this more evident than in Sunoco Pro Stock, where no less than nine drivers eclipsed the old track E.T record of 6.532-seconds, and eight also buried the previous mile-per-hour mark of 213.91. Rob Mansfield, of Margate, Florida, led the assault, setting the
bar with an impressive 6.48, Next up were the Funny Cars, and the first two cars to the line were the rival machines of points leader Mark Thomas and defending champ Rob Atchison, who are battling for the title once again. Atchison launched his 2002 Firebird into a wheelstand and lifted, allowing Thomas to place his 2004 Avenger in the low qualifier spot with a lap of 5.870, 36. Holding down the No. 2 position in the provisional field is Jim Sickles (5.903, 239.74), followed by Terry McMillen (5.903, 238.85). The 16th place is currently the domain of Melinda Green-King. In Pro Modified, the session started off slowly, but by the time
the heavy hitters took to the Leading the charge was points leader and former champion Mike Janis, who clicked off an impressive 6.187, 229.94 behind the wheel of his blown '63 Corvette. He was followed by defending class champ Mitch Stott (6.192, 229.43) and Mike Castellana, who carried the flag for the nitrous contingent with his mark of 6.198, 228.11. Sitting in the bump spot is Ted Smith. Once again Clay Millican dominated the first day of Top Fuel qualifying, leading the pack behind the wheel of his Werner Enterprises dragster. In an impressive session which featured plenty of full passes and towering header flames, Millican tripped the timers in 4.72-seconds at 311 mph, followed closely by Doug Foley's 4.72, 311.70 and Tim Cullinan's 4.813, 305.22. The No. 8 man on the list, with two sessions to go, is John Sipple. Qualifying continues tomorrow with professional sessions scheduled for 2 and 7:30 PM. BUDDS CREEK, Md. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the 13th annual IHRA President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, 11th of 12 events in the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Sept. 23, 2004 IHRA
Pro previews Can Calgary's Rick Distefano continue his qualifying dominance and finally turn that effort into a win? He still has a chance for the series title. But he needs at least one win and two very late finishes in the other two events left in the series. Mike Janis has a 79 point lead over Harold Martin and is 149 points ahead of Distefano. Rick's biggest factor in the chase this season is the fact he missed the Milan race back in July due to a prior commitment. He lost at least 35 points and possibly 60, 70 or more by not attending that event. At the races he has attended this year, mechanical problems (burst panels, rods exiting etc) have caused more losses than being outrun. I can only think of a couple times where he has not had more horsepower than his opponent. In Funny Car, Canadian Rob Atchison desperately needs a win if he it too have any chance of defending his title. Mark Thomas leads Atchison by 70 points. Rob has gone rounds pretty consistently, and has had more power than most of his opponents. What has killed his finishes this year has been hole-shot losses. Three holeshot losses in final rounds (all three against Mark Thomas) have determined the standings. He also have one bad red light against Thomas in the final round. Rob has been #1 qualifier at almost every event (8 of 10) this season much like last year, the difference is the stat above. Two wins in the final three events could be enough to defend the title and he does have the car, crew and performance The driver just has to be a little hungrier. See below for the team press release for this weekend's race Top Fuel is not up for grabs, it is Clay's season again. But there is more competition this season that in a long while. Bruce Litton is not the only competition for the Werner team. Clay has also surprised many this year, as witnessed by his three losses. His losses have come more so because they have beaten themselves, not because of a performance advantage by other teams. Don't get me wrong, the other teams are catching up, but there is still a tenth in the Werner camp. Tim Cullinan, Bobby Lagana, Doug Foley, Rick Cooper and to a lesser extend Todd Paton (finally a 300 mph run) and Louie Allison have all turned up the wick, making for the most exciting Top Fuel season in the history of the IHRA. Four different winners in an IHRA Top Fuel season is something to write home about, and there could very well be five or six by season's end. Pro Stock continues to be the most exciting battle in the four pro classes by virtue of how tight the top of the point standings are. 78 points separate the top four places in the standings and there has been six different winners so far. New teams are competing and many teams are returning to the series from the NHRA. 6.40's are becoming common place and 6.50 bumps are not out of the question. The last two events of the season including the one this weekend, should see low 6.50 bump spots. Who is going to win the series this year, it will either be a Chevy or a Ford, that is about all I will predict. Budds Creek Press Releases 2003 IHRA Funny Car World Champion Rob Atchison enters the President's Cup Nationals in Budd's Creek Maryland looking to shave more points off leader Mark Thomas's 71 point lead. The Erickson Funny Car has been consistently fast at every race qualifying # 1 eight times and # 2 twice in the 10 races to date including the rain delayed World Nationals from Norwalk. "It is definitely going down to the wire" stated Atchison. Mark is a great racer and his Crew Chief Rod Jackenheimmer and Tuner Jimmy Rector are talented people which makes our task if formidable. Anyone who was in the pits at Epping would not have guessed the Ethanol team and the Erickson team were locked in a tight points battle. The Thomas crew was busy helping the Erickson team prepare the car for the finals by packing the parachutes and assisting in repairs. We are good friends as well as competitors and we have always forgot about points and have helped each other thrash at races before. Although we are not having as awesome a season as last year we are still having a great season with 2 victories and 4 runner-up finishes. Looking back over this season the Spring Nationals at Rockingham stands out in many positive and negative ways. Friday we qualified # 1 and then on Saturday I got food poisoning and received IV's from the doctors throughout the day and night. We missed the 5 points for qualifying in the "Night of Fire" Saturday Night and on Sunday I was still ill but tried to race hoping I could get a break to get by first round. We lost to Chris Sipple and Mark won the race and moved out to a substantial points lead over us which we have been working on eliminating. The one thing great about the Spring Nationals was all the support we got from everyone in the IHRA family with Doctor Dave, Rev. Jim Hartley, fellow racers, fans and all the IHRA staff helping me everyway they possibly could and calling throughout the following week just to see how I was. We won the President's Cup race last year and used it as a major stepping stone toward winning our first Championship so we are still very optimistic for the remainder of 2004. In addition to major sponsor Erickson Manufacturing Atchison Racing receives valuable support from Atchison Machine Service,MacMaster Chevrolet, Mattress Depot, Pennzoil Lubricants,Performance Racing News, TEAM Truck Centres, Tool & Cutter Supply, Ultimate Touch Collision and Paint and West Coast Transportation. For more info visit www.atchisonracing.com Mike Janis--------The IHRA President’s Cup Nationals held at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, MD could prove to be a make or break race for the Eaton Automotive Pro Modified Team of Mike Janis. Janis holds a slim 48-point lead over Harold Martin and his AC-Delco backed Pontiac, but any of the top eight on points still have a mathematical chance at the 2004 Hooters/IHRA Pro Mod Championship. The final quarter of the season has Crew Chief Mike Janis Jr. feeling the pressure of a tight points battle. “We need to try and run one race at a time and worry about one round at a time. If we start looking ahead it can come back and bite us. The points chase is too close. We need to stay focused each round and not let the pressure get to us”. Besides the President’s Cup Nationals there are 2 other races remaining, Norwalk, and Rockingham. The President’s Cup Nationals will start the final leg of the 2004 season with the season ending where it stared, in Rockingham, North Carolina. Sandwiched in between is The World Nationals, in Norwalk, OH. The World Nationals is a make up race from earlier this summer. Qualifying is set for that event with Shannon Jenkins leading qualifying followed by Western Canada’s Rick DiStefano, Eastern Canada’s Al Billes, Michigan’s Harold Martin in fourth followed Californian Dennis Radford an Mike Janis.
Clay Millican, the three-time IHRA Top Fuel Champion and winningest professional driver in the IHRA history, will attempt to move closer to clinching his fourth consecutive IHRA Top Fuel Championship with Team Werner/Lehman Racing at the IHRA President's Cup Nationals in Budds Creek, Md., on September 24-26 at the Maryland International Raceway.
"Our goal this weekend is to move closer to our fourth championship," said Millican, the current Top Fuel points leader. "If we can go out there and get a win, we will be a whole lot closer to reaching our goal. This Werner team is awesome and I am so proud of everything we have accomplished so far this year." Millican currently has a 230-point lead in the Top Fuel points standings over his nearest competitor, Bruce Litton. If he can build that to a 253-point lead or better this weekend, he will have clinched the Championship. The maximum number of points a driver can earn in one race is 126, which is achieved by qualifying #1, winning the event, and setting an E.T. world record with no oil-downs during the weekend. If Millican can pad his lead with another 23 points in Budds Creek, the only foreseeable way that he could lose the Championship is by failing to qualify in the remaining two races of the season and oil down the track. Should he win a fourth title, Millican will make history by becoming the first Top Fuel competitor in the IHRA to win four consecutive Championships. This season, Millican and Team Werner have qualified in the number one position at every IHRA race in which they have competed, and have set numerous track elapsed time and speed records on their way to six event victories. The team will look to get their seventh victory of the season at the President's Cup Nationals, which they won in 2003 with a victory over Litton. In his last race, the IHRA North American Nationals in Epping, N.H., Millican defeated Todd Paton in the first round and advanced to the semi-finals, where he lost to Litton. This was just Millican's third IHRA loss of the season. Millican is a former forklift driver from Drummonds, Tenn., and has loved drag racing his entire life. He got his first racecar at the age of 16, and still goes bracket racing at his hometown track when he has the chance. He is married and has two sons, with whom he enjoys skateboarding and BMX biking. Qualifying for the 13th annual President’s Cup Nationals will begin Friday, September 24th at 7:30 pm during the Friday “Night of Fire”. Saturday will see two sessions, one at 2:00 pm and one during the Saturday “Night of Fire” again at 7:30 pm. Eliminations will begin Sunday at 11:00 am. Sept. 14, 2004 The IHRA announces its 2005 schedule....................including Edmonton's Rocky Mountain Nationals. A big facelift is in store at Bud Park The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has released the 2005 Hooters Drag Racing Series schedule, featuring 12 national events to be held late March through early October. “Our goal is to consolidate the 2005 Hooters schedule and make it as user friendly as possible,” stated IHRA President Bill Bader. “We’ve moved the conclusion of the season up almost one month to better accommodate fans, sponsors and media. "Next season, five of the twelve national events will be contested using the well received Thursday through Saturday format we introduced this season,” added Bader. “This schedule allows IHRA to present two “Night of Fire” programs; one Friday and a second during the Saturday championship finals. The Thursday through Saturday format gives the fan added value for their entertainment dollar and enables IHRA to create additional excitement by utilizing jets, wheelstanders, fireworks and special attractions, such as our motorcycle stunt teams, to create a memorable, competitively priced event. "This format also gives Sunday back to families for activities and allows an extra day to complete the race in case of bad weather,” commented Bader. The 2005 season again begins in Texas with the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals at San Antonio Raceway, March 31-April 2 and concludes at the Bethesda Software World Finals at Rockingham Dragway, October 7-9. "We continue to emphasize the growth of our established events in the United States and Canada,” stated Bader. “We will concentrate on improving our facilities and expanding the Thursday through Saturday race format to attract new fans to our unique brand of drag racing. "Next season, San Antonio, Virginia Motorsports Park and Maryland International Raceway join Martin and Norwalk to present the Thursday through Saturday format,” added Bader. "Because of the large Sportsman and Pro car count and the popularity of the race, the Sunoco World Nationals at Norwalk will be a four day event, Wednesday, August 24 through Saturday, August 27.” Bader announced Edmonton’s Budweiser Motorsports Park will undergo a million dollar improvement program to be completed in advance of the 2005 Rocky Mountain Nationals. Improvements include paving the entrance road, all pit roads, sportsman pits and spectator entrances. Bud Park will also repave and reprofile the drag strip surface, including the shut down area. "After only two years, the Edmonton event has become a popular and successful stop on the Hooters tour. I commend track owner Rob Reeves for making the large financial commitment needed to grow Western Canada’s only professional drag racing event for fans, sponsors and racers.” The 2005 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series schedule follows: * Thurs.-Sat. event March 31-April 2* April 22-24 May 26-28* June 10-12 June 24-26 July 15-17 July 29-31 4 th Annual ACDelco Canadian Nationals August 11-13* August 24-27** September 9-11 September 22-24* October 7-9 * Thurs.-Sat. event
Sept. 13, 2004 Distefano moves into third place in the standings with a semi final finish.............. Rick Distefano after a #1 qualifying effort made it to the semi finals and moved into 3rd n the standings. He also picked up ground on the two above him, Mike Janis and Harold Martin who both went out in the early rounds. Three races remain for Rick to move up further in the standings, but he needs at least one win to have a chance for second place and two wins for a slim chance at first overall. He could do it, as he has proven to have one of the quickest if not the quickest car in the class right now. He just needs a little luck and a little more consistency in elimination's.
1. Mike Janis 638 In Top Fuel, Bruce Litton got his first win of the year, and it was an easy single, when his opponent, Tim Cullinan could not make the call for the final. Clay Millican did not make it to the winners circle for the third time this season. Todd Paton had his best et of the season and his first ever 300 mph lap in a Top Fuel car. He was a first round casualty of Clay Millican though. 1. Clay Millican 1,049 Canadian Funny Car pilot Rob Atchison went to the final round for the sixth time and for the fourth time this season he comes away with a r/u finish. He lost to Jim Sickles who moved into fifth place in the standings in only his 4th appearance of the year. Atchison gained one round one Mark Thomas, but had the chance to move within 50 points of the leader with three races remaining. Instead he has 71 points to make up in the final three events. 1. Mark Thomas 908 Pro Stock was possibly THE Factory Hot Rod event of the year, as the 1000 foot corrected air conditions, gave the naturally aspirated mountain motored Pro Stockers more HP than they have had all year. Rookie Rob Mansfield ran a record setting 6.425 seconds at 216+mph, to qualify # 1 and made it to the final round, but #3 qualifier John Nobile was THE man holding the "Iron Man after he ran low 6.50's all race day. He dedicated the victory. His first ever to long time friend Bob Losordo who passed away last Thursday after a long battle with Cystic Fibrosis. 1. John Nobile 687 Here are all the final round results from Epping: Top Fuel -- Bruce Litton, 10.320 seconds, 78.13 mph def. Tim Cullinan, broke. Pro Modified -- Pat Musi, Chevy Bel Air, 6.309, 208.14 def. Steve Salvadore, Bel Air, 7.303, 131.00. Funny Car -- Jim Sickles, Dodge Avenger, 6.051, 236.42 def. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 13.924, 41.82. Pro Stock -- John Nobile, Ford ZX2, 6.511, 215.44 def. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.497, 215.24. Top Dragster -- Gary Koebbe, Dragster, 7.477, 178.66 def. Bob Celata, Dragster, 7.513, 176.90. Top Sportsman -- Dewayne Silance, Chevy Camaro, 7.486, 178.24 def. Stephen Ramage, Pontiac Trans Am, 7.407, 186.56. Quick Rod -- Gary Gilman, Dragster, 8.918, 169.98 def. Nick Meloni, Dragster, 8.911, 174.53. Super Rod -- Charlie Kenopic, Ford Roadster, 9.944, 135.08 def. Bob Moran, Chevy Nova, 9.957, 138.68. Hot Rod -- Ray Knight, Ford Mustang, 10.903, 126.25 def. Mark Rizzo, Chevy Camaro, 10.905, 134.26. Super Stock -- Anthony Bertozzi, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.162, 138.68 def. Michael Lyons, Ford Probe, 9.196, 146.37. Stock -- Elroy Dame, Plymouth Road Runner, 10.905, 119.63 def. Billy Pires, Pontiac Firebird, foul. ET Bracket -- Jonathan Merrill, Chevy Malibu, 8.912, 145.56 def. Mark Higgins, Malibu, 10.850, 120.90. ET Box -- Jonathan Merrill, Chevy Malibu, 8.913, 153.60 def. Dave Miller, Dragster, 8.876, 152.23. ET No Box -- Mark Higgins, Chevy Malibu, 10.858, 109.40 def. Jared Kinson, Camaro, 10.082, 135.27. Sept. 11, 2004 Canadians
Rick DiStefano and Rob Atchison were the tops in their respective
classes following the first day of qualifying for the Amalie Oil IHRA
North American Nationals hosted by New England Dragway in Epping,
NH. Sunoco Pro Stock racer John Nobile also unofficially established
a new class record in the single session. Another Canadian, Al Billes sat on the bump spot with an off-pace 9.450. Atchison, of London, Ontario, was the quickest of the Funny Car drivers as he nailed down a 5.806, 237.30. Caledonia, New York-based Jim Sickles was second with a 5.884. In Sunoco Pro Stock, Nobile obliterated the track record by nearly .07 seconds as he blasted out a 6.453, eclipsing Brian Gahm's 2003 best, a 6.526. The Long Island, New York-based driver also posted a new track speed record with a 214.52. Robert Patrick was second with a 6.478, 212.83 that edged the 6.40 assaults of Brian Gahm (6.479) and Frank Gugliotta (6 .496). Pro Mod qualifying 1. Rick DiStefano Rolling Mix Concrete *'53 Corv
6.146 230.80 Sept.1, 2004
IHRA World Nationals were rescheduled until Oct 9, 2004 due to rains on Saturday and Sunday. Rick Distefano was #2 qualifier in Pro Mod and is set to race Mitch Stott in round one. Denis Radford is the #5 qualifer and will race Ed Moore in round one. Glen Kerunsky and John Scialpi did not qualify. Rob Atchison was #1 in Funny Car. The funny cars did get their first round in and Atchison did win his first round matchup. August 20, 2004
Here is qualifying after Saturdays third and final session:
Lagana using "Team Werner" Components at Martin
Bruce Litton is still in 2nd place, but has to start looking over his shoulder If elimination's were as good as qualifying it was going to be one hell of a show. Unfortunately, it was not as tough as qualifying, but there were some good moments. In round one only one race was close. Louie Allison just squeaked by Tim Cullinan on a holeshot as both cars pedalled from 300 feet on. Allison .03 rt advantage was enough for a .009 of a second 5.541-5.517 victory. The Greek wasted a 4.81 with a red light against Bobby Lagana; Clay Millican had an easy one against Rick Cooper and Doug Foley won a pedal contest against Bruce Litton. In the semis, Clay Millican had one of his toughest races of the season but managed to defeat Louie Allison 4.688-4.797. In the other semi, Lagana got his second easy win when Doug Foley turned on the red light. Clay was going for his sixth win of the year, and Bobby was looking for his first win ever Top Fuel victory. This one was over quick, as Lagana had the clutch let go right off the starting line, and Millican streaking away for a 4.720/311mph win. Lagana coasted to a 12 second r/u finish. First round
Semi Finals
Final round
Evan Knoll was out for the first time in TF. He ran a 5.12 best Point standings 1. Clay Millican 963 Funny Car
Final qualifying 1. Terry Munroe Munroe Auto Body Firebird 5.772 244.07
Point Standings 1. Mark Thomas 833 Pro Mod and Pro Stock are here: Other winners and runnerups Top Stock -- Monty Bogan Jr., Chevy Corvette, 9.772,
133.94 def. Tom Rix, Buick Grand Sport, Top Sportsman -- Kenny Rucker, Willys, 6.482, 214.08
def. Kevin Wicke, Chrysler LeBaron, 7.278, Top Dragster -- Randy Folk, Dragster, 7.065, 191.24 def. Randy Helton, Dragster, 6.609, 202.24. Quick Rod -- Mike Fuqua, Dragster, 8.924, 168.85 def. Ken Bowers, Dragster, 8.919, 165.13. Super Rod -- Corinne MacMillan, Chevy Camaro, 9.924,
142.48 def. Mike Siegert, Chevy Monte Hot Rod -- Mark Horton, Chevy S-10, 11.066, 112.22
def. Steve Mesik, Chevy Nova, 10.855, Super Stock -- Robbie Hudlow, Oldsmobile Achieva,
9.441, 143.78 def. Michael Lyons, Ford Probe, Stock -- Myron Piatek, Dodge Dart, 11.762, 108.51
def. Chip Johnson, Chevy Nova, 10.989,
Toronto Motorsport Park Pro Mod and Pro Stock are covered in the Door Zone (Photo courtesy DragRaceCanada.com) August 3, 2004
Alcohol Funny Car
from the 1/4 finals on.
Top Stock -- Paul Mercure, Chevy Camaro, 9.885, 134.64 def. Jim Morgan, Ford Mustang, 10.006, 135.18. Top Sportsman -- Marco Abruzzi, Chevy Camaro, 9.826, 93.84 def. Gary Wojnowski Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 11.388, 77.25. Top Dragster -- Dave Elrod, Dragster, 7.498, 179.06 def. Jim Bersani, Dragster, 6.987, 188.10.
Quick Rod -- Becky Jaques, Chevy Lumina, 8.898, 153.79 def. Jim Cowie, Dragster, 8.879, 165.58. Super Rod -- John Hickman, Chevy Camaro, 9.890, 142.49 def. Billy Leber, Chevy Corvette, 9.873, 156.46. Hot Rod -- Vernon Rowland, Chevy Chevette, 10.882, 135.01 def. Sam Lovetro Jr, Chevy Nova, 10.864, 131.52. Stock -- Michael Beard, Dodge Dart, 11.292, 111.11 def. Craig Marshall, Dart, 11.065, 117.50. ET Bracket -- Steve Doornbosch, Pontiac Firebird, 9.356, 139.59 def. Brian Cassidy, Chevy Chevelle, 9.588, 139.52. ET No Box -- Steve Doornbosch, Pontiac Firebird, 9.345, 144.78 def. Kevin Goodacre, Chevy Malibu, 10.812, 116.62. ET Box -- Brian Cassidy, Chevy Chevelle, 9.582, 139.70 def.
Bill Wilson, Chevy Camaro, 8.962, 149.71.
Top Sportsman driver Paul Martin Breslau,
from Ontario won best appearing sportsman car for his ’57 Bel
Air March April Archives
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The
Northern Nationals was another notch in the belt of respectability
for Top Fuel in the IHRA. A bump spot that is the quickest in my memory
bank (and probably in history), a solid 4.845 that bette's Rockingham's
4.87 earleir this year. In fact, Doc Sipple did not qualify with an
equally strong 4.85. Last year the #2 or 3 qualifier would have been
happy with that kind of number. The experiment to start this season
with allowing A/Fuel cars was supposed to make the teams (Top Fuelers)
honest, but they have not been even the slightest bit of a factor
in the Top Fuel equation. I congratulate the teams for their efforts
throughout this year and in particular this event. 
Terry
McMillen has turned his season around since his first round loss against
John Evanchuk at Grand Bend in June. He has gone to the finals once
and moved up to 3rd in the standings (over 160 points ahead of 4th)
from 5th place after Grand Bend. He did not get the win at Martin,
but advanced to the semi finals before losing to Jim Sickles. 
Sickles
was looking for his second win in a row, and faced Canadian Rob Atchison
in the final round, and Atchison is starting to look to be back in
2003 form. He sat 138 points back of Mark Thomas heading into this
event and if he was going to have a chance to defend his championship
he needed a win badly. He got the win over Sickles, in dominating
fashion as Rob took a .04 rt advantage and ripped off his third 5.82
of elimination's to easily defeat Sickles 6.01. Atchison now sits
only 92 points back with four races to go.
Top
Fuel Clay Millican loses at the second event in a row!
Not a misprint. Canadian Todd Paton was the lucky recipient of Clay
Millican's tire smoker in round one of elimination's. Paton could
not turn his good fortune into his first ever victory at his home
event though, as Doug Foley defeated Todd in the semi finals despite
Paton's tenth and a half advantage at the tree. Both drivers had to
pedal their rides, but Paton could not recover in time, and Foley
had enough of a lead as he had to lift because he was close to the
wall. Foley took on Louis Allison, who was in his second final in
a row. The final was all Foley, as he ran a 4.85/305. Allison was
ahead to 250 feet but smoked the tires and then pedaled the car until
he pitched the blower belt. 
Funny
Car......... at Toronto was
supposed to be a successful homecoming for Rob Atchison is he is trying
to catch Mark Thomas in the points chase. Atchison won at Milan two
weeks ago and had some momentum heading to Toronto. He qualified #1
and looked real strong going into elimination's. In Rob won his 1st
and 2nd round races and faced Thomas in the semis. Like what has happened
at a couple other races this year, Atchison had the quicker run but
lost on a holeshot to Thomas. At the stripe Thomas got the win by
.003, about one foot. Thomas went to the final
against Jim Sickles (above, left lane), who races in both IHRA and
NHRA proved to be on his game as he had .036 at the tree and used
it for a .031 holeshot margin of 
victory.
The semi final finish put Thomas 20 points further ahead of Atchison
(left), and Rob will have to go on a major win streak for him to defend
the FC title. Noteable in Funny Car was Trevor Lebsack from Slave
Lake Alberta, making his second major road trip to the east coast,
and coming oh so close to running a 5, as his 6.000 in the final round
of qualifying put him in the #11 spot in the field. He defeated Fred
Tigges in round one to advance to the second round where he was defeated
by event winner Sickles.
Super
Stock -- Mark Howes, Plymouth Belvedere, 10.346, 130.25 def. Joe
Covert, Buick Regal, 9.220, 145.27. 