Oct. 31, 2005

It may have taken an extra three weeks to complete, but it was well worth the wait. The Udderly Smooth World Finals at Rockingham Dragway saw history times two as Rob Atchison used a record setting day to claim his third straight Funny Car title and Clay Millican won his unprecedented ninth consecutive race at the track he has virtually owned since 2001. Joining Atchison and Millican in the professional winners circle were Mike Janis in Torco Pro Modified and Frank Gugliotta in Torco Pro Stock.
Fans were also treated to record setting performances in each of the pro classes, as Millican demolished the Top Fuel standard with a pass of 4.484 on Saturday night, Mike Bell backing up his record setting pass of 6.046, Atchison posting a 5.685 on his way to locking up his championship, and Robert Patrick setting the Torco Pro Stock record with a pass of 6.360.

Atchison, from London, Ont., removed all doubt about the championship picture when his record setting run against Thomas Carter coupled with Jim Sickles' troubled filled shut down run against Fred Tigges, propelled the Canadian to his third straight crown.

"It hasn't even sunken in yet," Atchison said. "It just happened. The performance hasn't even sunken in yet. We came off the trailer running hard, had a few glitches, but that's drag racing, we ironed them out and away we go."

Even though Atchison has built up an impressive resume the past three years, this was his first win at Rockingham, putting a dramatic finishing touch on his championship.

"This was our first win at Rockingham, we tied the most wins in a season (seven) in Funny Car, our third straight championship, the world record-and we backed it up twice.an unbelievable weekend, a dream weekend."

The third championship came the way Atchison wanted it to be settled-on the track.

"We were running numbers that nobody else has run," Atchsion said of his 5.694 and 5.685. "They (Sickles' team) talked a pretty good game, but you got to talk it and then back it up, and we did a pretty good job of that."

Atchison lowered the record to 5.694 when he dispatched Thomas Carter in the first round. Atchison backed up that run with a 5.713/246.30 against Neal Parker, who ran a respectable 5.830/234.49. This set the stage for the final against familiar foe Mark Thomas, and Atchison rose to the occasion with his final record setting effort, posting a 5.685/247.07 against Thomas' 5.812/240.81.

With all of the goals reached for 2005, and all the fast numbers in the books, Atchison turned his attention towards 2006.

"We've got tons of tricks left. We've just gotten started."

Millican's win put the finishing touches on his fifth consecutive World Championship in Top Fuel. His ninth win of the season came against Doug Foley, an opponent he is quite familiar with. This was the fifth time that Millican, from Drummonds, Tenn., and Foley have squared off this season, with Millican coming out on top four times. The pressure was off of the Werner team.

"It was nice to come in here purely to have fun having just a couple of goals in mind," Millican said. "We came in here, and I said that we wanted to get the world record, which we normally do. We were planning on testing on Monday, but we ended up testing in qualifying. We came here with one goal in mind, to get our IHRA world record back. That was a big deal for the whole team."

Millican did get the record back, running a 4.484 during Saturday night qualifying.

"After Saturday, today's race was just gravy."

Millican faced Bobby Lagana in the first round, with both cars experiencing troubles. Millican slipped by Lagana with a 5.029/247.66 against a 5.228/233.96. Millican then defeated Louie Allison, who shut off early. That set up the final round against Foley, and Millican ran a 4.554/319.14 to Foley's 4.649/293.35.

In Torco Pro Modified, Janis, from Lancaster, N.Y., put some of the demons to bed that have been plaguing the Widowmaker in 2005, defeating Carl Spiering in the final. Outside of a win in Virginia, this was a year that Janis and his team would have like to forget.

"It has been an up and down season," Janis said. "This is going to make the winter go by a little easier and brings us in on a high for next season."

Janis and his team struggled for much of '05, and a weekend like this was exactly what the team needed.

"We started the year with a lot of DNQs, and even this weekend, we started off shaky. We even prepared for the worst, but we stuck together, and it all worked out."

The weather conditions which produced the quickest pro fields in every class but Torco Pro Modified caused a lot of adjustments.

"The car responded to the changes, which was the first time it did that all season," Janis said. "We found our game plan. The one round, we broke the tranny, and that round against Castellana we both got a gift as we both shook the tires."

Janis dispatched some of the biggest names in the class on his way to the win. He got past Billy Harper in the first round as Harper shut down early. Janis' round against Castellana was unspectacular as both cars ran high six second passes. His real test came in the final as he defeated Spiering with a 6.135/234.61 to Spiering's 6.173/231.87.

2006 will see some changes for Janis and his team, and this win gets him ready for next year.

"We've got a new Cobalt being built, some new sponsorship, and this was a great way to get ready for next year."

In Torco Pro Stock, Frank Gugliotta finished his late season surge with a win over Robert Patrick, running a 6.404/218.44 against Patrick's troubled 8.487/114.24. Patrick had been rivaling Steve Spiess as having the car to beat all weekend, eventually lowering the world ET record to a 6.360.

But it was Gugliotta, who had most recently won in New England who came out with the Ironman.

Gugliotta has been known for his late season surges.

"I got to get on this a little bit earlier in the year. We did struggle at the beginning of this year, just like last year, finished strong this year, and just want to build for next year."

Gugliotta has struggled at Rockingham Dragway in the past, and started off slow this weekend, but found the right combination to walk away with his third Ironman of the year.

"The Rock has not been good to me. It's seems that every time I've come here, even in Top Sportsman, I couldn't get past the second round. I've never had any luck here. We struggled Friday night, and Saturday, and the first round this morning. We pulled a clutch out of the box, and got lucky, pulling a .38, and said, 'alright, maybe we can play ball today."

Gugliotta's day of eliminations started with a win over Pete Berner, posting a 6.481/216.90 to Berner's 6.497/195.03. He then beat a surprising Bert Jackson, who upset Rick Jones in the first round. Jackson had Gugliotta on the tree, but Gugliotta made too much power and his 6.389 was enough to get by. Gugliotta then took down John Bartunek in an exciting side by side race, running a 6.393/218.37 to Bartunek's 6.425/216.65. This set up the final showdown with Patrick.

While Steve Spiess ran three consecutive 6.36s, and Robert Patrick walked away with the world record, it was Gugliotta that had the final say.

"Those are the most important-wins. Records are nice, but I really like the wins. You don't get an Ironman for the numbers."

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Sunday's final results from the Tenth annual Udderly SMOOth World Finals at Rockingham Dragway. The $1.1 million race is the 12th of 12 in the 2005 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Clay Millican, 4.554 seconds, 319.14 mph def. Doug Foley, 4.649 seconds, 293.35 mph.

Pro Modified -- Mike Janis, Dodge Stratus, 6.135, 234.61 def. Carl Spiering, Chevy Corvette, 6.173, 231.87.

Funny Car -- Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.685, 247.07 def. Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.812, 240.81.

Pro Stock -- Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.404, 218.44 def. Robert Patrick, Ford Cobra, 8.487, 114.24.

Top Stock -- Monty Bogan Jr., Pontiac Firebird, 9.519, 131.90 def. Matt Morgan, Chevy Camaro, broke.

Top Sportsman -- Eric Steffey, Chevy Camaro, 6.903, 199.35 def. Frankie Pennington, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.895, 198.85.

Top Dragster -- Ricky Adkins, Dragster, 7.379, 178.05 def. Nick Folk, Dragster, 6.934, 187.94.

Quick Rod -- Britt Cummings, Dragster, 8.960, 167.95 def. David Elrod, Dragster, 8.982, 161.34.

Super Rod -- Brian Freeman, Chevy Corvette, 9.923, 157.43 def. Rusty Cook, Corvette, foul.

Hot Rod -- Keith Mayers, Porsche 944, 10.900, 142.82 def. Michael Harris, Chevy Camaro, 10.909, 135.22.

Super Stock -- Robbie Hudlow, Oldsmobile Achieva, 9.503, 140.68 def. Jim Harrington, Chevy Camaro, 9.756, 136.02.

Stock -- Terry Taylor, Chevy Corvette, 9.969, 131.63 def. Eric Patton, Ford Mustang, 11.489, 116.21.

Summit SuperSeries Box ET -- J.J. Brock, Dragster, 7.907, 165.01 def. Bob Pearson, Chevy Corvette, 9.963, 147.91.

Summit SuperSeries No Box ET -- Rick Baehr, Chevy Camaro, 10.497, 117.48 def. Keith Dunkum, Ford Mustang, 10.110, 131.83.

Oct 28, 2005

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Another day of near perfect conditions yielded a fast day of qualifying at
the Udderly Smooth World Finals at Rockingham Dragway. Clay Millican paced Top Fuel at the Rock
yet again with the first sub 4.50 run in IHRA Top Fuel history, while Steve Spiess capped off
another strong weekend by turning in three consecutive runs in the 6.30s to lead Torco Pro
Stock. In Torco Pro Mod, Mike Bell could not back up his 6.046 pass, but still led the field
heading into Sunday eliminations. In Funny Car, defending two-time back to back World Champion
Rob Atchison was number one qualifier, making his first Saturday run hold up.

Millican, from Drummonds, Tenn., demolished the IHRA world record with a pass of 4.484, which
was backed up by his pass of 4.522 earlier in the Saturday qualifying session. It was the
quickest run ever for the Werner team, besting the 4.505 he ran at Houston during an NHRA event
in 2003. Millican's lap paced the quickest IHRA Top Fuel field ever, with the bump set at a
blistering 4.740.

The five time consecutive World Champion was quick to praise the track preparation and
conditions of Rockingham Dragway by the IHRA officials.

"Jim Weinert and the rest of the IHRA crew do such a fantastic job with the track prep,"
Millican said. "They've done a great job all year, but to do what they did with these weather
conditions, that really helped us run that 4.48."

Millican also passed on much of the credit to crew chief Mike Kloeber and the rest of the Werner
crew.

"That was a really nice run when, it runs like that it's really easy on me. I just trust Mike's
set up and sit back and ride. This crew has worked really hard all year long and their work
really paid off."

Millican, who rode up the return rode while standing on the team's tow vehicle, received a huge
standing ovation from the packed grandstands.

"That run right there was for everybody at Rockingham Dragway, we've won a lot of races here.
Tomorrow is what counts, but this 4.40 run is huge, we did it for the fans."

Rockingham Dragway may be the closest thing to a home track that Millican races at.

"I love coming out here. Y'all give (my crew) a big hand, I just ride in it. We've run here an
awful lot of times. The only thing better than winning eight in a row is winning number nine."

Millican is paired with fan favorite Bobby Lagana in the first round. Doug Foley, who had
struggled earlier in qualifying, ended up a strong number two with a run of 4.600/316.01 mph.
Danny Dunn, from Wilkesboro, N.C., qualified number three, Louie Allison number four, and Bruce
Litton number five.



In Torco Pro Modified, Bell's run of 6.046 from Friday night held off an up and down qualifying
session. It seemed that some of the field found the combination to run in the chilly weather
conditions, while others did not.

The Asheboro, N.C. native is racing in his first IHRA national event of the season, and is
looking forward to Sunday at the Rock.

"We're just having fun, it's the last race of the year," Bell said. "The run felt real good, and
I guess I just got greedy trying to back that record up," he said about his second day of
qualifying which saw him shut down early because of tire shake both times.

The long time drag racer said that the weather conditions really had no effect on him or the
team.

"The weather will still be good tomorrow, so we might get another chance to back the record up,
but we're really just thinking about the first round."

Steve Bareman, driving the Jim Oddy Summit car, qualified a strong number two at 6.063/230.21
mph. Carl Spiering qualified number three at 6.077/233.84 mph, the resurgent Mike Janis
qualified number four at 6.091/235.43 mph, and 2005 World Champion Mike Castellana qualified
number five at 6.106/229.82 mph.

Spiess, from Manhattan, Ill., reset the IHRA Torco Pro Stock world ET record for the third time
this season by backing up his 6.364 he ran on Friday night. Spiess ran a 6.368 and 6.369 during
the final day of qualifying. The field was the quickest ever in IHRA Torco Pro Stock history,
with the bump set at a 6.449.

"We knew the number was in the car for this weekend," Spiess said. "It was just a
point of trusting this back up motor and seeing how quick it would go."

With his dream 2005 season coming to a close, Spiess reflected on it, but still
acknowledged he would still like to put an exclamation point on it.

"We've had a great year, but we've got another day to go. But," he said with a
smile, "we can still put another 6.30 on the board."

Spiess will be paired with Mike Bruno in the first round on Sunday. Rick Jones
qualified second with a 6.378, John Nobile third with a 6.388, Jerry Haas fourth with a 6.389,
and Robert Patrick fifth with a 6.389.

Atchison, from London, Ont., came into this weekend five points ahead of second place Jim
Sickles in the chase for the Funny Car championship. Atchison's Friday night qualifying run had
him in the provisional number two spot, but he served notice during the Saturday afternoon
session with a run of 5.709. His number paced the quickest Funny Car field ever, with the bump
at 5.844, narrowly beating out the bump from New England earlier this season.

"It was an awesome number, it was a great team decision to put the car on the track with what it
had to run the .70," Atchison said.

With Atchison's quest for a third consecutive championship coming down to one final day of
eliminations, he is still focused on just going rounds.

"We've been in this situation before, and I guess it was kind of stressful at home, waiting out
those three weeks (for the rescheduled date), we're not so worried with what's going on, but
we're focused on just getting down the racetrack."

Even with Atchison's talk of focusing on just going rounds, the championship does seem to be on
his mind.

"We know the championship is at stake, but we're really relaxed compared to what I was last
year. It could just be the conditions, but the car is running really well and I feel really good
about it."

With the chance to make history, Atchison and his team realize that it all comes down to one
final day.

"Obviously, we had three weeks to think about it. We're starting in a good spot, we're happy the
car, and we'll let the chips fall."

Rounding out the top five in qualifying were Mark Thomas at 5.781/242.76 mph, Fred Tigges number
three at 5.782/245.27 mph, Neal Parker number four at 5.793/237.92, and Terry Munroe number five
at 5.807/239.27 mph.

Final Top Fuel qualifying

Left Lane: Terry Mcmillen Runs 5.020/205.01, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.774/311.05, Was #8
Right Lane: Bobby Lagana Jr. Runs 4.740/311.05, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.763/309.42, Was #7

Left Lane: Bruce Litton Runs 4.694/305.01, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.776/302.82, Was #9
Right Lane: Rick Cooper Runs 4.733/306.81, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.744/300.33, Was #7

Left Lane: Michael Gunderson Runs 9.052/80.36, Now #10; Best prior run: 4.794/307.02, Was #10
Right Lane: Grant Flowers Runs 5.618/169.02, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.928/223.06, Was #11

Left Lane: Chris Karamesines Runs 7.499/116.31, Now #14; Best prior run: 10.091/90.48, Was #15

Left Lane: Clay Millican Runs 4.484/323.19, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.522/320.66, Was #1
Right Lane: Doug Foley Runs 4.627/304.87, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.600/316.01, Was #2

Clay Millican's incremental times: 60ft-0.833 sec., 330ft-2.129, 660ft-3.035/277.77mph

Top Fuel order

 

Final Pro Mod qualifying

Left Lane: Mike Johnson No Time, Now #28; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Ronnie Hood Runs 6.239/222.62, Now #13; No Prior Run

Left Lane: Scott Cannon Runs 8.912/125.78, Now #23; Best prior run: 10.124/154.28, Was #25
Right Lane: Thomas Dunford No Time, Now #27; No Prior Run

Left Lane: Steve Vick Runs 11.006/93.81, Now #26; Best prior run: 9.399/89.71, Was #25
Right Lane: Rick Moore Runs 7.029/150.45, Now #21; No Prior Run

Left Lane: Sal Passarelli Runs 13.291/70.30, Now #26; Best prior run: 9.034/96.51, Was #25
Right Lane: Mike Stawicki Runs 6.551/223.80, Now #18; No Prior Run

Left Lane: Dennis Radford Runs 10.932/81.92, Now #23; Best prior run: 7.763/133.68, Was #23
Right Lane: Ed Hoover Runs 17.696/46.54, Now #29; No Prior Run

Left Lane: Charles Carpenter Runs 10.720/95.38, Now #20; Best prior run: 6.733/205.85, Was #20
Right Lane: Keith Baker Runs 12.408/83.31, Now #28; Best prior run: 11.705/92.19, Was #28

Left Lane: Mike Janis Runs 6.091/235.43, Now #3; Best prior run: 6.613/220.91, Was #19
Right Lane: Mike Castellana Runs 6.106/229.82, Now #4; Best prior run: 8.694/105.25, Was #24

Mike Janis' incremental times: 60ft-1.003 sec., 330ft-2.678, 660ft-4.007/185.79mph, 1,000ft-0.000
Mike Castellana's incremental times: 60ft-1.002 sec., 330ft-2.661, 660ft-3.997/024.82mph, 1,000ft-5.138.

Left Lane: Dane Robinson Runs 6.321/227.19, Now #19; Best prior run: 6.381/226.92, Was #19
Right Lane: Rick DiStefano Runs 6.115/232.47, Now #5; Best prior run: 6.972/127.50, Was #22

Left Lane: Burton Auxier No Time, Now #20; Best prior run: 6.376/221.67, Was #20
Right Lane: Rickie Smith Runs 6.447/182.21, Now #17; Best prior run: 6.260/222.95, Was #17

Left Lane: Isaias Rojas Concepcion Runs 6.360/220.69, Now #18; Best prior run: 6.296/220.84, Was #18
Right Lane: Shannon Jenkins Runs 6.127/228.61, Now #6; Best prior run: 6.210/227.42, Was #12

Left Lane: Harold Martin Runs 6.295/222.77, Now #14; Best prior run: 6.217/223.84, Was #14
Right Lane: Eddie Ware Runs 6.226/223.14, Now #11; Best prior run: 6.200/225.75, Was #11

Left Lane: Billy Harper No Time, Now #13; Best prior run: 6.215/225.15, Was #13
Right Lane: Jim Halsey Runs 14.489/57.91, Now #10; Best prior run: 6.197/225.11, Was #10

Left Lane: Steve Bareman Runs 6.063/230.21, Now #2; Best prior run: 6.203/231.12, Was #12
Right Lane: Chip King No Time, Now #8; Best prior run: 6.164/229.63, Was #7

Steve Bareman's incremental times: 60ft-1.010 sec., 330ft-2.651, 660ft-3.969/185.46mph, 1,000ft-(still broken).

Left Lane: Thomas Patterson No Time, Now #10; Best prior run: 6.197/226.39, Was #10
Right Lane: Carl Spiering Runs 6.116/231.68, Now #3; Best prior run: 6.077/233.84, Was #3

That is Spiering's slowest run of the weekend, by the way - the others were 6.104 and 6.077.

Left Lane: Quain Stott Runs 10.474/86.12, Now #9; Best prior run: 6.177/231.95, Was #9
Right Lane: Mike Bell Runs 13.267/64.98, Now #1; Best prior run: 6.046/233.44, Was #1

Pro Mod final order

1 247 Mike Bell, Asheboro NC, *'66 Mustang 6.046 233.44 233.44
2 1178 Steve Bareman, Elma NY, *'53 Corvette 6.063 230.21 231.12
3 1057 Carl Spiering, Jordan Station ON, *'63 Corvette 6.077 233.84 233.84
4 1 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, *'05 Stratus 6.091 235.43 235.43
5 44 Mike Castellana, Westbury NY, '05 Cavalier 6.106 229.82 229.82
6 4 Rick DiStefano, Calgary AB, *'53 Corvette 6.115 232.47 232.47
7 9 Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa AL, '68 Camaro 6.127 228.61 228.61
8 1313 Chip King, Semora NC, *'69 Daytona 6.164 229.63 229.63
9 7 Quain Stott, Columbus NC, *'63 Corvette 6.177 231.95 231.95
10 1853 Thomas Patterson, Houston TX, *'41 Willys 6.197 226.39 226.39
11 1051 Jim Halsey, Street MD, '68 Camaro 6.197 225.11 225.11
12 1941 Eddie Ware, Marietta GA, *'41 Willys 6.200 225.75 226.01
13 5 Billy Harper, Paducah KY, '00 Viper 6.215 225.15 225.15
14 3 Harold Martin, West Bloomfield MI, '05 Grand Am 6.217 223.84 223.84
15 1063 Johnny Pilcher, Chancellor AL, '63 Corvette 6.221 225.07 225.07
16 1348 Ronnie Hood, Lenoir NC, '63 Corvette 6.239 222.62 222.62

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 43 Rickie Smith, King NC, '63 Corvette 6.260 222.95 222.95
18 2809 Isaias Rojas Concepcion, San Juan PR, '05 Coba 6.296 220.84 220.84
19 1219 Dane Robinson, Williamson WV, *'63 Corvette 6.321 227.19 227.19
20 1237 Burton Auxier, Dixie WV, '53 Corvette 6.376 221.67 221.67
21 1512 Mike Stawicki, Medina NY, *'67 Camaro 6.551 223.80 223.80
22 1955 Charles Carpenter, Harrisburg NC, '55 Bel Air 6.733 205.85 205.85
23 294 Dennis Radford, Baker City OR, '63 Corvette 7.763 133.68 133.68
24 1149 Sal Passarelli, New Millford CT, *'96 Corvette 9.192 101.58 101.58
25 1107 Steve Vick, Mocksville NC, '63 Corvette 9.399 89.71 93.81
26 2813 Scott Cannon, Lyman SC, *'53 Studebaker 10.124 154.28 154.28
27 1036 Keith Baker, Dothan AL, '63 Corvette 11.705 92.19 92.19
28 86 Mike Johnson, Annapolis MD, '67 Camaro DQ
29 3020 Thomas Dunford, Tazewell VA, '68 Camaro DQ
30 1948 Rick Moore, High Point NC, '03 Grand Am DQ
31 14 Ed Hoover, Gilbert SC, *'63 Corvette DQ

Pro Stock final order

1 8 Steve Spiess, Manhattan IL, '05 Cobalt 6.364 217.11 217.98
2 6 Rick Jones, Galesburg IL, '05 Cobalt 6.378 217.04 217.04
3 1 John Nobile, Dix Hills NY, '03 ZX2 6.388 218.55 218.55
4 381 Jerry Haas, Fenton MO, '05 Cavalier 6.389 217.60 217.67
5 262 Robert Patrick, Fredericksburg VA, '04 Cobra 6.389 217.49 217.49
6 103 Daniel Seamon, Bellevue OH, '05 Escort 6.397 217.00 217.00
7 7 Frank Gugliotta, Mt. Airy MD, '04 Escort 6.404 218.30 218.30
8 10 Tony Gillig, Lake Bluff IL, '04 Mustang 6.406 216.34 216.34
9 2 Brian Gahm, Lucasville OH, '03 Mustang 6.412 217.18 217.18
10 4 Pete Berner, Crete IL, '04 Mustang 6.422 214.96 214.96
11 42 John Bartunek, Pearl River NY, '05 Cobalt 6.427 215.96 215.96
12 3 John Montecalvo, Center Moriches NY, '05 Cobalt 6.429 215.79 215.79
13 516 Ed Machacek, Atkins IA, '05 Cavalier 6.430 215.58 215.58
14 171 Larry O'Brien, Lakeshore ON, '04 Stratus 6.436 215.68 215.68
15 1320 Bert Jackson, Glen Allen VA, '03 Cavalier 6.441 216.06 216.06
16 2000 Michael Bruno, Frankfort IL, '03 Cavalier 6.447 216.20 216.20

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 172 Frank Snellings, Falmouth VA, '02 Cougar 6.452 215.17 215.17
18 5 Elijah Morton, Jacksonville NC, '04 Mustang 6.460 216.20 216.20
19 117 Tommy Franklin, Fredericksburg VA, '02 Cavalier 6.492 212.33 212.33
20 143 Ron Miller, Lebanon OH, '02 Cavalier 6.494 213.00 213.00
21 706 Art Hodges, Simi Valley CA, '05 Stratus 6.498 213.20 213.20
22 22 Doug Kirk, Lenoir WV, '03 Mustang 6.529 214.08 214.08
23 157 Rocky Watford, Andrews SC, '06 Cobalt 6.624 210.93 210.93
24 115 Wally Stroupe, Kings Mtn NC, '04 Grand Am 6.733 210.77 210.77
25 235 Chuck DeMory, Glen Ellyn IL, '04 Escort 6.827 200.53 200.53
26 112 Richard Penland, Gastonia NC, '04 Cobra 15.487 53.94 53.94

Alcohol Funny Car final order

1 1 Rob Atchison, London ON, '02 Firebird 5.709 246.84 246.84
2 2 Mark Thomas, Louisville OH, '01 Avenger 5.781 242.76 242.76
3 147 Frederick Tigges, Holbrook MA, '97 Camaro 5.782 245.27 245.27
4 9 Neal Parker, Millville NJ, '05 Monte Carlo 5.793 237.92 237.92
5 100 Terry Munroe, Beaver PA, '05 Monte Carlo 5.807 239.27 239.27
6 4 Jim Sickles, Caledonia NY, '05 Monte Carlo 5.822 243.19 243.19
7 6 Chris Foster, Davenport IA, '05 Avenger 5.826 237.67 237.67
8 657 Thomas Carter, Cuero TX, '05 Camaro 5.844 239.70 239.70

------------ Not Qualified ------------

9 293 Larry Dobbs, Welland ON, '01 Corvette 5.875 237.75 237.75
10 3 Terry McMillen, Elkhart IN, '99 Avenger 5.892 231.28 234.94
11 196 Bill Naves, Salisbury NC, '99 Firebird 5.989 230.65 230.65
12 421 Rocky Hummel, Knoxville TN, '05 Camaro 6.000 234.61 234.61
13 254 John Sullivan, Montgomery AL, '04 Firehawk 6.003 231.99 233.44
14 6320 Trevor Lebsack, Slave Lake AB, '99 Mustang 6.028 233.84 233.84
15 312 Brian Harvanek, Cheswick PA, '97 Firebird 6.324 216.69 216.69
16 11 Ronnie Midyette, Virginia Beach VA, '02 Camaro 6.542 169.19 169.19
17 331 Tony Bogolo, Hamilton OH, '97 Mustang DQ
18 226 Melinda Green-King, Norfolk VA, '02 Avenger DQ

Millican Steals the Show at Rockingham Dragway; Bell, Spiess, and Munroe also cace qualifying

by C.J. Perry/IHRA Communications

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - The star of the Friday Night of Fire qualifying at the Udderly Smooth World
Finals at Rockingham Dragway may have been the replica Blue Max nostalgia Funny Car driven by
Del Worsham, but the time turned in by a familiar face may have stolen the show. Chilly
temperatures and ideal conditions allowed five-time consecutive Top Fuel World Champion Clay
Millican set a provisional IHRA world ET record at a track that he has dominated in the past
four years. Millican and Team Werner were not the only ones with quick times as the number one
provisional qualifiers in three of the four professional classes ran times lower than the
current world records.

Clay Millican, from Drummonds, Tenn., has virtually owned Rockingham Dragway for the
better part of four years. Millican has won eight consecutive races at the Rock, and his Friday
night run definitely paved the way for number nine. Millican ran a provisional world record ET
of 4.522, besting the time of Andrew Cowin, who made a pass of 4.534 at this race last year.

"Last night, I hung out with my crew chief, and we were talking about the various things that we
had worked on. We have a place where all the crew guys write what they think the car is going to
go. I wrote 4.53, so I won the pool."

With the weather forecast calling for much of the same for the rest of the weekend, Millican has
a simple prediction of his own, "It's swing for the fences time."

Millican and his team have clinched the 2005 World Championship, and the past few races have
given them the chance to try some new things, and some of them have paid off.

"Mike (Kloeber, crew chief) knows what he's doing, and it's all coming together."

In Torco Pro Modified, veteran driver Mike Bell, from Winston-Salem, N.C. turned in a blistering
pass of 6.046/233.44. The ET is four thousandths faster than Steve Bareman's record of 6.050.
Bell neeeds a run of 6.106 seconds (within one percent) or better to back up his run as an IHRA
world ET record. Bell, driving in the Roy Hill Blue Max themed entry, is racing in his first
IHRA event of 2005.

"It's great to be back here," Bell said. "We have a great local connection here, so it's always
neat to do well here at Rockingham Dragway."

Both Hill, from Sophia, N.C., and Bell are well established names in North Carolina drag racing,
so it is more or less a homecoming.

"We've raced around here for years," Bell said, "so coming to a place like the Rock, a place
with that much history, means a lot."

Steve Spiess, from Manhattan, Ill., continued his season long dominance in Torco Pro Stock, as
he led all first round qualifying with a pass of 6.364/217.11 mph. Spiess, who owns the IHRA
world ET record at 6.380 seconds, needs a pass at 6.427 seconds (the minimum IHRA standard
within one percent) to back up his Friday night run. The cool fall temperatures, coupled with
relatively ideal track conditions produced an unprecedented total of four qualifying runs in the
6.30s. John Nobile (6.390), Jerry Haas (6.389), Rick Jones (6.380) all joined Spiess in hitting
that milestone.

Spiess, who had already clinched the 2005 World Championship two races ago, was prepared for the
weather conditions. "We knew it would go fast if we had everything right," Spiess said. "We were
just hoping to have enough clutch in it."

Driving the car dubbed "The Spiess Shuttle," Spiess has set and reset the world record
several times throughout the 2005 season. He has qualified in the number one position five times
and won four races, so his only challenge now is to remain ahead of the rest of the field as the
season winds down.

"We're looking back," he said. "We started to do real well at the end of last season,
and I hated for the season to be over. They're all gunning after us, and that's making everybody
work harder."

In Funny Car, Terry Munroe, from Beaver, Penn., paced the field with a 5.807/239.27 mph,
just narrowly missing running in the 5.70s. Munroe, running a limited schedule, bumped off some
of the more heralded names in the class like Rob Atchison and Jim Sickles.

There will be two pro qualifying sessions on Saturday, at 2:00 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m.,
kicking off the second Richmond County Tourism Night of Fire. Special features include the
second day of Nitro Funny Car match racing featuring Del Worsham versus Mike Ashley and Worsham
running the Blue Max replica Funny Car.

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the Tenth annual Udderly SMOOth World
Finals at Rockingham Dragway, 12th of 12 events in the 2005 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series.
Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.


Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Bell, Ford Mustang, 6.046, 233.44; 2. Carl Spiering, Chevy
Corvette, 6.077, 233.84; 3. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.177, 231.95; 4. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro,
6.197, 225.11; 5. Eddie Ware, Willys, 6.227, 226.01; 6. Isaias Rojas Concepcion, Chevy Cobalt,
6.296, 220.84; 7. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.651, 217.35; 8. Dane Robinson, Corvette, 6.718,
172.41; 9. Thomas Patterson, Willys, 6.870, 185.77; 10. Rick DiStefano, Corvette, 6.972, 127.50;
11. Mike Janis, Dodge Stratus, 8.543, 128.35; 12. Sal Passarelli, Corvette, 9.192, 101.58; 13.
Mike Castellana, Chevy Cavalier, 9.330, 98.53; 14. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.543,
115.33; 15. Steve Bareman, Corvette, 10.060, 88.13; 16. Rick Moore, Grand Am, 10.114, 106.37.


Funny Car -- 1. Terry Munroe, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.807, 239.27; 2. Rob Atchison, Pontiac
Firebird, 5.885, 239.14; 3. Neal Parker, Monte Carlo, 5.891, 235.19; 4. Mark Thomas, Dodge
Avenger, 5.944, 238.13; 5. Thomas Carter, Chevy Camaro, 5.949, 236.30; 6. John Sullivan, Pontiac
Firehawk, 6.079, 233.44; 7. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 6.154, 234.94; 8. Chris Foster, Avenger,
6.217, 225.67.


Pro Stock -- 1. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cobalt, 6.364, 217.11; 2. Rick Jones, Cobalt, 6.380,
216.97; 3. Jerry Haas, Chevy Cavalier, 6.389, 217.60; 4. John Nobile, Ford ZX2, 6.390, 218.37;
5. Tony Gillig, Ford Mustang, 6.420, 215.96; 6. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.429, 215.79; 7. Larry
O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.436, 215.68; 8. Bert Jackson, Cavalier, 6.472, 215.44; 9. Elijah
Morton, Mustang, 6.482, 215.37; 10. Tommy Franklin, Cavalier, 6.502, 212.33; 11. Frank
Snellings, Mercury Cougar, 6.525, 193.21; 12. Doug Kirk, Mustang, 6.529, 214.08; 13. Ron Miller,
Cavalier, 6.551, 211.33; 14. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.599, 211.73; 15. Wally Stroupe,
Pontiac Grand Am, 6.733, 210.77; 16. Chuck DeMory, Escort, 6.827, 200.53.

end

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. --

The 10th Annual IHRA Udderly Smooth World Finals, the final event of the 2005 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series; all champions crowned and over $1 Million in prize money to be awarded
WHERE: Rockingham Dragway. Track is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 and Highway 177. Track is ten miles north of Hamlet and Rockingham, 75 miles south of Raleigh, and 80 miles east of Charlotte. From Rockingham, take U.S. Highway 1 to Highway 177.

WHEN: Friday, October 28 through Sunday, October 30 (Rescheduled From original Oct. 7-9 date)

WHO: The stars of the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series, including four time (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) World Champion Clay Millican, Bruce Litton, and Doug Foley in Top Fuel

Nitro Funny Cars return to "The Rock" for the first time since 1998. See Del Worsham take on Mike Ashley and experience "Old School" nitro with the legendary "Blue Max" nostalgia Funny Car.

Defending World Champion Mike Janis, Harold Martin and Harrisburg, N.C. native and "The Father of Pro Mod" Charles Carpenter and Columbus, N.C. native Quain Stott in nitrous vs. supercharged Torco Race Fuels Pro Modified

Two time defending World Champion Rob Atchison, five-time World Champion Mark Thomas, and Terry McMillen, driver of the world famous Instigator in Funny Car

"The World's Fastest and Quickest Pro Stock Cars," featuring IHRA's version of NASCAR, the 220 mile per hour factory hot rods of World Champion John Nobile (Ford ZX2), former World Champion Brian Gahm (Ford Mustang), John Montecalvo (Chevy Cobalt), and Robert Patrick (Ford Mustang) in Torco Race Fuels Pro Stock

Champions will also be crowned in seven Mr. Gasket sportsman classes: Erson Cams Top Sportsman, Mallory Top Dragster, ACCEL DFI Super Stock, Hays Stock, ACCEL Quick Rod, Lakewood Super Rod, and Hurst Hot Rod

"TWO NIGHTS OF FIRE": Two "Richmond County Rocks" Nights of Fire featuring the professional categories running under the lights, Ken Nelson's Cool Bus Wheelstander, Pat Davidson's Jet Ambulance and a huge fireworks show!

SCHEDULE:
Friday, October 28 Gates open for Racers and Sponsors at 8:00am, Sportsman Qualifying (2 sessions) 9:00 am, Sportsman Autograph session 3:00 pm, Night of Fire Pro qualifying at 7:00 pm.

Saturday, October 29 Gates open at 8:00am, Sportsman Eliminations (Rd 1) at 9:00 am, Pro qualifying starts at 3:00 pm, Run Order: ACCEL Rd 1, PS, TSK, FC, PM, ACCEL Rd 2, TF, Autograph session after Pro round, Sportsman eliminations (Rd 2) after Pro round, Night of Fire Pro qualifying at 7:00 pm

Sunday, October 30 Gates open at 8:00am, Sportsman eliminations at 9:30am. Pro eliminations (Rd 1) at 11:00am, Sportsman eliminations after pro round, Pro eliminations (Rd 2) at 12:30pm, Sportsman eliminations continue after pro round. Semi-Finals at 2:30pm: PS, FC, PM SSS, TF, Cool Bus, Davidson, Sportsman round follows, Finals: Sportsman, Summit SuperSeries, PS, Sleds, FC, PM, TF, starts at 4:30 pm

 

 

courtesy DRC