March 27, 2006

Final eliminations (Courtesy Travis Reynolds, IHRA)

DENSHAM TAKES TEXAS NATIONALS TITLE

CALIFORNIA-BASED RACER CAPTURES TORCO RACING FUELS PRO NITRO FUNNY CAR IRONMAN AT SAN ANTONIO RACEWAY

By Mike Perry | IHRA Communications

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (March 26, 2006) – Gary Densham has visited the winner’s circle before, but never in IHRA competition. That all changed at San Antonio Raceway when he was able to drive past Paul Lee to claim the first eMax Drag Racing Series Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car championship at the season-opening Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks and RVs and the San Antonio Express News.

The Bellflower, Calif., resident has eight career Top Fuel Funny Car wins in NHRA competition, but decided to test the IHRA waters when the sanctioning body decided to offer Nitro Funny Car competition on the 2006 schedule.

After driving his Racebricks ’05 Monte Carlo to the #3 qualifying position, Densham defeated Terry Haddock in the first round and Cruz Pedregon in the semifinals to advance to the championship round against Lee. Densham clocked a clean 4.850/300.20 to win the event while Lee crossed the center line during his run and was disqualified.

“We really had a lot of fun out here this weekend,” 59-year old Densham said. “I wanted to run a higher speed, but had a lot of great elapsed-times and in the final round we had a great 4.8-run to win the event.

“I’ve won many events and championships throughout my career, and I can honestly say being able to win the inaugural (Nitro) Funny Car event for IHRA ranks right up there,” he added. “This is such a dynamite facility and great experience, I don’t think it would be too hard to convince my team to come back to IHRA.”

Sewell, N.J., resident Doug Foley, who finished second in the Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel championship points chase last season, got off to exactly the start he wanted in 2006. After qualifying in the #1 position, Foley advanced through the field to a showdown with five-time defending IHRA Top Fuel World Champion Clay Millican (Drummonds, Tenn.).

Millican was the #4 qualifier, but was able to advance to his 54th career eMax Drag Racing Series final by defeating Andrew Cowin (Wilmington, N.C.) and Bruce Litton (Indianapolis, Ind.) in the first two elimination rounds.

Millican was gunning for his fourth consecutive Ironman at San Antonio Raceway, but it was not meant to be as his rear end got loose early in the run and he was forced to lift. Foley, meanwhile, ran a clean 4.585/321.27 to add Ironman #6 to the Foley/Lewis Racing trophy case.

Foley defeated Louie Allison (Denver, Col.) and teammate Rick Cooper (Boise, Id.) to reach the final.

“You can’t expect to come to these races and beat Clay (Millican), but after qualifying we were confident we could keep posting great times,” said Foley. “We’ve been out testing since the second week of January, so we were prepared to run quick all weekend. When you run the defending world champ, you have to run fast and we did just that.”

Mark Thomas (Louisville, Oh.) dealt out a little payback to Rob Atchison, his arch-rival for Alcohol Funny Car supremacy, and collected career Ironman #24 by defeating the three-time defending world champion in the final at San Antonio. Atchison, a London, Ont.,resident, wrestled the world title away from Thomas in 2003 and has held on to it ever since. But Thomas, who finished third in the points standings last season, knocked Atchison off in the final to take the early lead in what is expected to be a season-long war for the championship.

Thomas powered his Ethanol Performs ’06 Monte Carlo to the #2 qualifying spot, behind Atchison, and defeated Trevor Lebsack (Slave Lake, Alb.) and Terry McMillen (Elkhart, Ind.) to advance through the field. Meanwhile, Atchison drove through the other side of the ladder with wins over Chris Foster (Davenport, Iowa) and Thomas Carter (Cuero, Texas.).

In the run for the championship, Atchison had problems and ended up crossing the center line. Thomas ran a 5.897/242.80 to grab the win.

“This new car is awesome. Every pass in it has been in the 5.80s,” Thomas said. “We came here with a whole new engine combo, and despite wanting to test, we didn’t have the chance. So I had a lot of butterflies this weekend but everything worked out in the Ethanol Funny Car today.”

Tommy D’Aprile’s bid for his first career win fell short as Glen Kerunsky (Priddis, Ab) held the Port Charlotte, Fla. resident off to claim the Torco Pro Modified championship at San Antonio Raceway. Both racers posted .060 reaction times, but D’Aprile’s ’63 Corvette went into tire shake early, causing him to abort the run. Kerunsky, in his supercharged ’53 Bel Air, zipped right down the groove in 6.101 at 230.59 mph to earn the win.

“A lot of guys come out here and try to over power the car to get a great number,” said Kerunsky. “But we had a game plan to keep the car consistent throughout the day, and it worked. It’s great to be in the winner’s circle again.”

Frank Gugliotta almost did not make the journey to the eMax Drag Racing Series opener in San Antonio. Steve Thodos, who bankrolled Gugliotta’s race operation for the last few years, decided to go another direction this season, leaving the Mt. Airy, Md. resident unclear as to his ’06 racing future. Gugliotta received a last minute offer to race and it resulted in a Torco Pro Stock Ironman by defeating upstart Rob Mansfield (Winter Park, Fla.) in the final.

“(Team owner) Charlie Taylor called and asked if I wanted to drive his Pro Stocker just a few weeks ago, and here I am in the winner’s circle,” said Gugliotta, who clinched his fifth career Torco Pro Stock win. “Now we head back to Rockingham, where I was No. 1 qualifier in 2005. Maybe I can get a few more wins this year.”

Gugliotta earned the victory when Mansfield red-lighted in his Wilson Manifolds ’05 Cobalt. Meanwhile, Gugliotta claimed his fifth career national event win by posting a 6.490/216.55.

The next event on the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series is the Spring Nationals presented by Castrol, April 21 – 23, at Rockingham (N.C.) Dragway.

MARION, Texas (March 26, 2006) -- Sunday's final results from the Fifth annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks & RVs and the San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway. The $1.1 million race is the first of 12 in the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Doug Foley, 4.585 seconds, 321.27 mph def. Clay Millican, 6.192 seconds, 140.24 mph.

Nitro Funny Car -- Gary Densham, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.850, 300.20 def. Paul Lee, Chevy Camaro, 5.340, 198.85.

Alcohol Funny Car -- Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.897, 242.80 def. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 7.294, 132.79.

Pro Modified -- Glen Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.191, 230.69 def. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Corvette, 10.145, 78.35.

Pro Stock -- Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.490, 216.55 def. Rob Mansfield, Chevy Cobalt, foul.

Top Sportsman -- Melvin Goss, Ford Maverick, 7.765, 172.19 def. Michael Collier, Chevy Monte Carlo, 7.855, 169.25.

Top Dragster -- Bryan Bennett, Dragster, 7.162, 180.96 def. Nick Folk, Dragster, 7.301, 178.02.

Super Stock -- Scotty Stillings, Pontiac Grand Am, 8.785, 157.69 def. Paul Blackmon, Oldsmobile Calais, 10.448, 122.03.

Stock -- Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.681, 116.85 def. Harvey Emmons III, Camaro, 11.574, 104.20.

Quick Rod -- Cris Poque, Dragster, 8.926, 167.78 def. Britt Cummings, Dragster, 8.938, 167.78.

Super Rod -- Brian Folk, Chevy Cavalier, 9.913, 159.53 def. Mike Bonfield, Chevy Corvette, 9.907, 149.70.

Hot Rod -- Alan Bracey, Chevy Camaro, 10.891, 133.00 def. John Yamaguchi, Chevy Nova, 10.872, 120.00.

ET Bracket -- Cassie Thornburg, Dragster, 7.734, 159.70 def. David Bixler, Ford Roadster, 9.627, 121.92.

ET Box -- Cassie Thornburg, Dragster, 7.737, 157.41 def. Ed Galbraith, Chevy Wagon, 12.155, 109.36.

ET No Box -- David Bixler, Ford Roadster, 9.738, 119.27 def. Jay Robinson, Chevy Nova, 11.315, 117.52.

MARION, Texas -- Final round-by-round results from the Fifth annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks & RVs and the San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway, the first of 12 events in the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Clay Millican, 5.113, 268.97 def. Andrew Cowin, 11.170, 76.81; Rick Cooper, 4.885, 265.01 def. Mitch King, 14.808, 57.05; Bruce Litton, 4.690, 285.71 def. Bobby Lagana Jr., 7.029, 113.05; Doug Foley, 4.674, 277.66 def. Louie Allison, 6.737, 124.57;

SEMIFINALS -- Millican, 4.664, 308.78 def. Litton, 10.946, 88.16; Foley, 5.908, 162.27 def. Cooper, broke;

FINAL -- Foley, 4.585, 321.27 def. Millican, 6.192, 140.24.

NITRO FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Paul Lee, Chevy Camaro, 5.118, 263.20 def. Todd Simpson, Camaro, 5.208, 284.81; Gary Densham, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.874, 297.29 def. Terry Haddock, Monte Carlo, 12.447, 83.18; Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 5.041, 308.14 def. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 8.542, 93.97; Frank Pedregon, Stratus, broke def. Dale Creasy Jr., Monte Carlo, broke;

SEMIFINALS -- Lee, 5.045, 250.97 def. F. Pedregon, 5.028, 234.25; Densham, 4.844, 309.20 def. C. Pedregon, 8.387, 113.28;

FINAL -- Densham, 4.850, 300.20 def. Lee, 5.340, 198.85.

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Carl Spiering, Chevy Corvette, 6.179, 231.64 def. Jason Hamstra, Corvette, 6.335, 212.33; Glen Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.159, 231.16 def. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.233, 225.94; Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.264, 225.63 def. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.236, 232.99; Dan Rowe, Corvette, 6.247, 229.47 def. Matt Hagan, Corvette, 7.039, 150.00; Rick Distefano, Corvette, 6.179, 230.29 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.316, 225.60; John Russo, Camaro, 6.203, 228.11 def. Alan Pittman, Bel Air, 6.268, 228.61; Tommy D'Aprile, Corvette, 6.263, 225.33 def. Mike Castellana, Chevy Cavalier, 13.020, 71.41; Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.160, 231.68 def. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.308, 223.02;

QUARTERFINALS -- Kerunsky, 6.202, 230.76 def. Russo, 6.207, 227.65; Spiering, 6.299, 207.98 def. Lang, 6.627, 187.60; D'Aprile, 6.162, 232.67 def. King, 10.619, 81.94; Rowe, 6.141, 232.39 def. Distefano, 6.167, 232.15;

SEMIFINALS -- Kerunsky, 6.193, 230.88 def. Rowe, 6.160, 232.43; D'Aprile, 6.152, 232.15 def. Spiering, broke;

FINAL -- Kerunsky, 6.191, 230.69 def. D'Aprile, 10.145, 78.35.

ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.813, 244.74 def. Chris Foster, Dodge Avenger, 5.979, 238.98; Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.811, 243.50 def. Trevor Lebsack, Ford Mustang, 6.064, 227.04; Thomas Carter, Chevy Camaro, 5.971, 235.64 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.027, 231.40; Terry McMillen, Avenger, 6.021, 234.82 def. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 6.060, 201.31;

SEMIFINALS -- Atchison, 5.833, 239.23 def. Carter, 5.935, 238.89; Thomas, 5.832, 242.76 def. McMillen, 6.084, 231.04;

FINAL -- Thomas, 5.897, 242.80 def. Atchison, 7.294, 132.79.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Tony Gillig, Ford Mustang, 6.405, 216.62 def. Elijah Morton, Ford Escort, 8.487, 110.33; John Nobile, Ford ZX2, 6.425, 215.79 def. Ed Machacek, Chevy Cavalier, 6.452, 215.58; Pete Berner, Pontiac GTO, 6.525, 212.43 def. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.477, 216.24; Rob Mansfield, Chevy Cobalt, 6.385, 218.09 def. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 9.346, 110.49; Rick Jones, Cobalt, 6.442, 218.23 def. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.435, 218.62; Jeff Dobbins, Escort, 6.416, 218.65 def. Robert Patrick, Ford Cobra, 6.443, 217.56; Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.390, 218.48 def. Doug Kirk, Escort, 9.156, 105.84; Frank Gugliotta, Escort, 6.461, 216.62 def. Jerry Haas, Cavalier, 6.460, 216.27;

QUARTERFINALS -- Gugliotta, 6.499, 216.17 def. Berner, 13.307, 64.20; Gillig, 6.421, 216.38 def. Dobbins, 6.450, 217.28; Spiess, 6.410, 217.00 def. Nobile, 6.434, 217.60; Mansfield, 6.403, 217.67 def. Jones, 6.457, 217.60;

SEMIFINALS -- Gugliotta, 6.504, 216.27 def. Gillig, 16.618, 67.28; Mansfield, 6.499, 213.47 def. Spiess, 14.400, 82.19;

FINAL -- Gugliotta, 6.490, 216.55 def. Mansfield, foul.

MARION, Texas -- Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the Fifth annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks & RVs and the San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway, the first of 12 events in the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1. Doug Foley, 136; 2. Clay Millican, 118; 3. Bruce Litton, 95; 4. Rick Cooper, 89; 5. Bobby Lagana Jr., 76; 6. Andrew Cowin, 74; 7. Louie Allison, 72; 8. Mitch King, 65; 9. T.J. Zizzo, 35; 10. Scott Palmer, 30.

Pro Modified

1. Glen Kerunsky, 119; 2. Tommy D{Aprile, 98; 3. Dan Rowe, 77; 4. Carl Spiering, 72; 5. Rick Distefano, 61; 6. Kenny Lang, 56; 7. Chip King, 54; 8. John Russo, 40; 9. Quain Stott, 33; 10. Jim Halsey, 31.

Alcohol Funny Car

1. Mark Thomas, 115; 2. Rob Atchison, 101; 3. Terry McMillen, 74; 4. Thomas Carter, 59; 5. Terry Munroe, 58; 6. Chris Foster, 57; 7. Trevor Lebsack, 56; 8. Larry Dobbs, 55; 9. (tie) Ray Drew, -05;

Pro Stock

1. Frank Gugliotta, 112; 2. Rob Mansfield, 97; 3. Steve Spiess, 79; 4. Tony Gillig, 74; 5. Pete Berner, 56; 6. John Nobile, 55; 7. Rick Jones, 53; 8. Jeff Dobbins, 50; 9. Brian Gahm, 41; 10. Jerry Haas, 40.

Nitro Funny Car

1. Gary Densham, 119; 2. Cruz Pedregon, 81; 3. Frank Pedregon, 80; 4. Bob Gilbertson, 57; 5. Todd Simpson, 54; 6. Terry Haddock, 45; 7. Dale Creasy Jr., 41; 8. Jack Wyatt, 15; 9. Vinny Arcadi, 05; 10. Paul Lee, 03.

March 24,2006

The first event 'eMAX' sponsored Drag Racing series event is on tap this weekend at San Antonio, as the IHRA returns to the Texas track, for the 5th Annual Amalie Oil Nationals. With the addition of the Nitro Coupe to the series thanks to Evan Knoll, Torco Race Fuels and his related companies, the series is taking the next step to becoming part of the 'big league'. With Pro Mod's continued popularity, Top Fuel's improving image in the "I", and the best darn Pro Stock class in Drag Racing, the IHRA is on the verge of a serious breakthrough and spectators around North America had better get on the bandwagon.

Many Drag Racing purists and veterans have shunned, complained, stayed away from and basically back slapped the NHRA because it has become too corporate, especially with the multi car teams dominating the sport. Independents have little or no chance of having their day in the spot light when the qualifying field is barely speckled with single car teams.

Well the IHRA is the logical choice for fans of yesteryear. When you look at the paint jobs in Pro Mod and Pro Stock you see cool looking cars and very few corporate emblems wrapped around the cars. The two nitro classes also show their lack of corporate colors, and SpeedZone likes its refeshness.

This will be a big year for the series with the new sponsor and the extended professional classes. I/m sure the IHRA big wigs (and the NHRA ones) are going to keep a close watch on participation and spectator count, to see if the added costs will be remunerated at the gate.

 

Friday results....

Under sunny skies that were forecast to be very cool in the evening, Friday's schedule was altered so the pro classes get their runs in before the track cools too much or or moisture become an issue.

All the pro classes have two qualifiers both days and on Friday Top Fuel saw 12 cars make runs. Doug Foley, who finished #2 in the 2005 standings led the way with a solid 4.610/315mph. Two other cars are in the 4.60's and neither is Clay Millican. The multi year defending champ has actually struggled a bit this season as his numbers in the NHRA show over a tenth of a second drop in performance from 2005. He ran a 4.79 best to sit #5. Rounding out the top eight is Bobby Lagana Jr. who ran a respectable 4.895 at an early shut off 286. TJ Zizzo, Scott Palmer, Mitch King and Bill Ancona are all outside the field after the first two rounds. I expect that Saturday's two round will also be moved up if weather looks to be an issue.

Top Fuel (after two rounds)

1 2 Doug Foley, Sewell NJ, McKinney-TFX 4.610 315.56 315.56
2 345 Bruce Litton, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 4.655 310.34 310.34
3 301 Louie Allison, Denver CO, Baumgartne-TFX 4.686 309.70 309.70
4 835 Andrew Cowin, Wilmington NC, Hadman-BAE 4.755 317.42 317.42
5 1 Clay Millican, Drummonds TN, Hadman-BAE 4.790 308.71 308.71
6 4 Rick Cooper, Boise ID, McKinney-TFX 4.870 229.51 229.51
7 323 Chris Karamesines, Chicago IL, Uyehara-BAE 4.892 284.45 284.45
8 141 Bobby Lagana Jr., Scarsdale NY, McKinney-BAE 4.895 286.38 286.38

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

9 317 T.J. Zizzo, Lincolnshire IL, McKinney-TFX 5.316 180.94 180.94
10 5050 Scott Palmer, Highlandville MD, McKinney-BAE 5.670 164.93 164.93
11 443 Mitch King, Galveston TX, Hadman-BAE 5.878 152.30 152.30
12 423 Bill Ancona, Mansfield TX, McKinney-TFX 13.723 64.99 64.99

For the floppers.... Their long awaited returned was welcomed big time, and 11 cars made laps in their attempt to run on Sunday. To no surprise, full time NHRA teams lead the way, and Cruz Pedregon stunned the fans with a great second session 4.765/321. Brother Frank is #2 with a 4.842/ at and early shut off 297. Bob Gilbertson is the provisional #3 with a 5 flat 300. Paul Lee rounds out the top eight with a pedaling 5.50/198. Gary Densham is the other full time NHRA'er who is in the field.

Funny Car

1 10 Cruz Pedregon, Camarillo CA, '05 Monte Carlo 4.765 321.12 321.12
2 73 Frank Pedregon, Rancho Cucamonga CA, '04 Strat 4.842 297.16 297.16
3 206 Bob Gilbertson, Gastonia NC, '05 Stratus 5.027 300.06 300.06
4 1429 Vinny Arcadi, Lancaster NY, '01 Camaro 5.038 302.82 302.82
5 34 Jack Wyatt, Cerydon IA, '02 Firebird 5.244 250.27 250.27
6 302 Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher IL, '06 Monte Carlo 5.405 225.71 267.06
7 782 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '05 Monte Carlo 5.434 190.62 190.62
8 116 Paul Lee, Gaithersburg MD, '01 Camaro 5.503 198.12 198.12

Pro Mod (After two rounds)

1 6695 Rick Distefano, Calgary AB, '53 Corvette 6.062 234.13 234.13
2 2813 Scott Cannon, Lyman SC, *'06 GTO 6.074 237.34 237.34
3 671 Glen Kerunsky, Priddis AB, *'57 Bel Air 6.084 233.96 233.96
4 1382 Tommy D'Aprile, Port Charlotte FL, *'63 Corvet 6.084 232.59 232.59
5 38 Dan Rowe, Rossville GA, '63 Corvette 6.106 204.20 222.66
6 5012 Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe MB, *'53 Corvette 6.110 229.70 229.70
7 1313 Chip King, Semora NC, *'69 Daytona 6.129 235.80 235.80
8 6 Quain Stott, Columbus NC, *'63 Corvette 6.135 232.55 232.55
9 1057 Carl Spiering, Jordan Station ON, *'63 Corvette 6.148 233.32 233.32
10 44 Mike Castellana, Westbury NY, '05 Cavalier 6.177 223.06 223.06
11 5 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, *'06 Cobalt 6.185 232.39 232.39
12 4 Jim Halsey, Street MD, '68 Camaro 6.209 225.67 225.67
13 1941 Eddie Ware, Marietta GA, *'67 Camaro 6.280 222.14 222.14
14 9 Harold Martin, West Bloomfield MI, '06 Grand Am 6.283 226.20 226.20
15 1853 Thomas Patterson, Spring TX, *'41 Willys 6.285 222.88 222.88
16 1948 Rick Moore, High Point NC, '03 Grand Am 6.287 225.60 225.60

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

17 1986 John Russo, Middleton MA, *'68 Camaro 6.317 223.17 223.17
18 470 Jason Hamstra, Demotte IN, '63 Corvette 6.387 221.96 221.96
19 11 Billy Harper, Paducah KY, '00 Viper 6.490 178.95 178.95
20 8 Burton Auxier, Dixie WV, '53 Corvette 6.535 194.74 194.74
21 12 Steve Bareman, Elma NY, *'06 Stratus 6.964 150.70 150.70
22 1966 Mike Lockwood, Hadley PA, '66 Corvette 8.223 116.66 116.66
23 7992 Doug Ballance, Folsom CA, '53 Corvette 8.591 112.07 112.07
24 2814 Matt Hagan, Christianburg VA, '63 Corvette 9.379 94.61 94.61
25 1955 Charles Carpenter, Harrisburg NC, '55 Bel Air 10.077 93.38 93.38
26 7 Ed Hoover, Gilbert SC, *'63 Corvette 10.094 86.44 86.44
27 5083 Cody Barklage, Eldon MO, *'05 GTO 10.486 116.72 116.72
28 1107 Steve Vick, Mocksville NC, '63 Corvette 11.112 81.09 81.09
29 1962 Alan Pittman, Greenville SC, '62 Bel Air 12.465 65.83 68.95
30 1036 Keith Baker, Dothan AL, '63 Corvette DQ
31 7911 Kip Dupuis, Los Gatos CA, *'57 Special DQ
32 10 Dennis Radford, Baker City OR, '63 Corvette DQ
33 2 Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa AL, '68 Camaro DQ

Alcohol Funny Car

Alcohol Funny Car saw its usual weak field (only nine cars) make their 2006 debut at San Antonio. The big problem with the class is likely the fact that only three or four cars have the budget or know how to make a roots blown alky flopper turn consistent 5.8 second ets or better. Unfortunately I see this alcohol class going the way of the 'Dodo Bird' within a couple years. Defending four time world champ Rob Atchison leads with a 5.81/246, a lap he turned in, in the first session. Mark Thomas sits #2 with a 5.840. Alberta's Trevor Lebsack is back for his second year full time on the tour,m and he is likely to make the field this weekend. He sits #8 with a 6.193

1 1 Rob Atchison, London ON, '06 Monte Carlo 5.813 246.71 246.71
2 3 Mark Thomas, Louisville OH, '06 Monte Carlo 5.840 238.43 238.43
3 100 Terry Munroe, Beaver PA, '05 Monte Carlo 5.879 236.96 236.96
4 5 Chris Foster, Davenport IA, '05 Avenger 5.897 239.87 239.87
5 4 Thomas Carter, Cuero TX, '05 Camaro 5.959 236.42 236.42
6 293 Larry Dobbs, Welland ON, '01 Corvette 5.991 232.35 232.35
7 6 Terry McMillen, Elkhart IN, '00 Avenger 6.079 208.14 208.14
8 6320 Trevor Lebsack, Slave Lake AB, '99 Mustang 6.193 213.67 213.67

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

9 321 Ray Drew, Hales Corners WI, '98 Mustang 7.434 140.75 140.75

IHRA Pro Stock is seeing a strong growth in the last couple seasons, and this weekend's turn out is proof that the 'Mountain Motored' behemoths are alive a well. 25 cars are on hand more that the NHRA saw at Pomona or Phoenix to start their season. Brian Gahm looks to be back to earlier '00's form, as he turned in a record setting 6.354 et that is .02 ahead of surprise #2, Jerry Haas (6.374). 2005 world champ Steve Spiess is #3 with a 6.378. Rounding out the top 16 is the north West Coast driver in the class, California's Art Hodges, who ran a 6.486. Two more runs are on the table for Saturday, so I expect the class to move up by a half tenth and possibly a low 6.30-6.32 win be the top spot.

Pro Stock

1 9 Brian Gahm, Lucasville OH, '03 Mustang 6.354@ 218.65 218.65
2 381 Jerry Haas, Fenton MO, '05 Cavalier 6.374 218.58 218.58
3 1 Steve Spiess, Manhattan IL, '05 Cobalt 6.378 218.37 218.65
4 262 Robert Patrick, Fredericksburg VA, '04 Cobra 6.380 217.84 218.12
5 163 Rob Mansfield, Winter Park FL, '05 Cobalt 6.382 218.76 218.76
6 7 Pete Berner, Crete IL, '06 GTO 6.382 218.16 218.16
7 4 Rick Jones, Galesburg IL, '05 Cobalt 6.396 219.33& 219.33
8 777 John Nobile, Dix Hills NY, '03 ZX2 6.400 218.48 218.48
9 2 Frank Gugliotta, Mt. Airy MD, '05 Escort 6.411 218.51 218.51
10 43 Doug Kirk, Lenoir WV, '04 Escort 6.414 218.80 218.80
11 759 Jeff Dobbins, Wilmington NC, '06 Escort 6.420 218.09 218.09
12 6 Tony Gillig, Lake Bluff IL, '04 Mustang 6.431 217.67 217.67
13 171 Larry O'Brien, Lakeshore ON, '04 Stratus 6.432 217.35 217.46
14 8 John Montecalvo, Center Moriches NY, '06 Cobalt 6.445 217.46 217.46
15 12 Elijah Morton, Jacksonville NC, '05 Escort 6.457 216.58 216.58
16 706 Art Hodges, Simi Valley CA, '05 Stratus 6.486 214.38 214.38

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

17 30 Tim Dooley, Haymarket VA, '04 Cavalier 6.514 215.89 215.89
18 251 Cary Goforth, Holdenville OK, '06 Cobalt 6.534 216.13 216.13
19 5695 Dan Sweeney, Groton MA, '06 GTO 6.534 200.38 200.38
20 1320 Bert Jackson, Glen Allen VA, '03 Cavalier 6.547 211.69 211.69
21 42 John Bartunek, Pearl River NY, '05 Cobalt 6.553 216.69 216.69
22 516 Ed Machacek, Atkins IA, '05 Cavalier 6.620 213.67 213.67
23 335 Bob Bertsch, Willis MI, '04 Escort 10.726 82.09 82.09
24 112 Richard Penland, Gastonia NC, '04 Cobra 13.056 64.90 64.90
25 24 Michael Bruno, Frankfort IL, '06 GTO DQ

 

March 21, 2006

IHRA San Antonio previews and press releases

Rob Atchison Preview

For Immediate Release
Contact: Dennis Smith (519) 451-3890 dennis@atchisonracing.com

Defending Champ returns to Texas Amalie Oil Nationals
London, Ontario, March 22 , 2006 Defending IHRA “3 Straight” Funny Car
Champion Rob Atchison returns to the 3rd Annual Texas Nationals as defending event
champion and track record holder. “ It will be real nice to get back to the track and see all
our friends and fans,” states the Champion. We can’t wait to try out the new Monte
Carlo body and some of the new wrinkles we put into our race program over the winter.
Original paint scheme designer Stu Wotypka of ID Motorsport Design came up with a
redesign featuring our familiar black, silver and red colors to showcase the Monte Carlo.
To create a total fresh “New Look” we had Stu come up with a new color and paint
scheme for our truck and trailer and applied as a full decal wrap, by Autotrim Design of
London.
Erickson Manufacturing returns as primary sponsor of Atchison Racing Monte
Carlo along with associate sponsors Atchison Machine Service, MacMaster Chevrolet-
Oldsmobile, Pennzoil Lubricants, Performance Racing News, TEAM Truck Centres,
Tool& Cutter Supply, Ultimate Touch Collision and West Coast Transportation.
Aeroquip Performance Hose, Clevite Bearings, Contact Welding, CRC Chemicals
Canada, Flatout Gaskets, Gates Belts, Hoosier Racing Tires, JET Tools and Equipment,
JE Pistons, Lenco Transmission, Manley Performance, NGK Spark Plugs, Permatex
Canada, Performance Motorsport Canada (PMC), Ramjet Racing Products, Ringers
Gloves, Speed Pro Rings, Trend Performance Products return as valued product sponsors
for 2006.
Atchison Racing would like to thank Hooters Restaurants for their great support
of IHRA Drag Racing and welcome E MAX as new sponsor of the IHRA E MAX Drag
Racing Series. “We are proud to be the last Hooters IHRA Funny Car Champion and we
are going to try our very best to be the first E-MAX Series Champion,” stated Atchison.
For more information on Atchison Racing visit www.atchisonracing.com and for
more information on the IHRA/ E Max Drag Racing Series visit www.ihra.com

March 19, 2006

 

eMax Drag Racing Series Kicks Off in San Antonio

NORWALK, Ohio (March 20, 2006) – A new era in drag racing will commence March 24 when the eMax Drag Racing Series opener is scheduled to begin at San Antonio Raceway with the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks and RVs and the San Antonio Express-News.

Not only has the series name been changed, the professional program has been overhauled with the inclusion of the Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car class. And what a show it is expected to be in San Antonio.

The Nitro Funny Car pre-registration list reads like a virtual “who’s who” of the big hitters in the sport. Cruz Pedregon (picture attached), the only driver other than John Force to win an NHRA Nitro Funny Car title during the decade of the 90’s, has announced he will race in San Antonio. Bob Gilbertson, who has won before on the NHRA circuit, will compete in San Antonio. Gary Densham, an eight-time winner in NHRA competition, will bring his Racebricks Monte Carlo to the party in San Antonio. Frank Pedregon has registered for San Antonio along with Dale Creasy, Jr. and Terry Haddock.

“The field in San Antonio is much stronger than even I expected when we made the announcement we were bringing Nitro Funny Car back,” IHRA President Aaron Polburn said. “This is going to be one heck of a show.”

Not only is the Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car field expected to be strong, the Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel class will be stronger than any season-opening field in the history of the sanctioning body. Clay Millican will be back, driving his Werner Enterprises Kenny Koretsky Motorsports entry, to begin his quest for a sixth consecutive world championship. Doug Foley and Rick Cooper, teammates driving for the Foley-Lewis team, have made some noise on the NHRA side this season and are running stronger than ever. Bobby Lagana, Jr. has a new Murph McKinney Dragster and will run the full eMax Drag Racing Series schedule. Andrew Cowin, driving for Scott Griffin Motorsports, will also throw his hat into the Top Fuel points race. And you can never count out Bruce Litton.

The Torco Pro Modified class will also be more competitive than ever as Mike Castellana begins the defense of his 2005 world championship…the only true Pro Modified world championship in professional motor sports. Castellana and teammate Shannon Jenkins finished 1-2 in the world last season, but will be challenged by new faces as a number of drivers from the AMS exhibition series have decided to move up to the professional ranks for the ’06 season.

In Torco Pro Stock, drivers will look to continue to dip into the 6.30s and earn their way into the prestigious Lenco 6.30s club. Steve Spiess won his first career world title last season, winning four times on the national event circuit. His ’05 Chevrolet Cobalt, dubbed the “Spiess Shuttle,” set the racing world on its ear with its consistent record-setting times. Robert Patrick has posted some quick times in his Ford Mustang during off-season testing and is looking to push Spiess in the championship points race. Also, Rob Mansfield, who struggled through a difficult season in 2005, will be back in ’06 with a new car and a fresh slate.

The Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks and RVs and the San Antonio Express-News will begin on March 24 and conclude with championship rounds on March 26.

For more media credentials or to schedule interviews, please contact Travis Reynolds, (419) 660-4225, treynolds@ihra.com, or Mike Perry, (419) 660-4213, mperry@ihra.com.

About IHRA

Headquartered in Norwalk, Ohio, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), a division of Live Nation, promotes professional, semi-professional and local level racing opportunities for drivers at all levels. The eMax Drag Racing Series is an 11-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2006, the series will be comprised of eight events in major cities throughout the United States and three in Canada. The Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Championship consists of competition at national events and 35 events in six regional divisions, while IHRA’s Summit SuperSeries is conducted nearly every weekend at over 90 IHRA-sanctioned tracks. Providing a safe environment to develop future stars, IHRA offers the PM-1 Junior Dragster Racing Series for youths ages 8-17. Stand-alone events include Live Nation’s entertainment-filled “Thunder Jam” shows and the street legal racing and lifestyle event series Kumho Street Warriorz presented by Hooters. More information can be found at www.ihra.com.

Terry McMillen

If a car could smile, the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels, would show off a toothy grin as big as the state of Texas. Maybe the car is just a reflection of its driver. Terry McMillen, pilot of the InstiGator, smiles as easy as the paint scheme on his hot rod. "Texas feels a lot like home for this team," said McMillen. "It's the first race of the eMax Drag Racing season and it's the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals, there's plenty to be happy about." It's no wonder San Antonio feels like home for the Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team, the InstiGator has posted a semi-final and final round appearance in the past 2 season.

The 5th Annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals will be contested March 24-26, but race week starts early for McMillen and his team. McMillen will make several appearances leading up to the race, including a stop at Rockdale High School and at San Antonio area NAPA stores.

Andrew Bornstein, Business Development Manager for Amalie Oil, shared his thoughts on Amalie's involvement, "It's always a pleasure working with Terry and the Hoosier Thunder team. Together, we've been able to expand our market place in the Texas arena.This year we expect over 165 guests at the race. Our district manager, Chuck Quinn, has done a great job implementing our programs."

"The eMax Drag Racing Series provides ideal venues that provide us with the opportunities to interact with our partners, like NAPA," added Bernstein. Amalie will also provide associate sponsorship on the McMillen piloted, eMax Top Fuel Dragster, set to debut in the near future.

First Stop - Rockdale High School Rockdale Texas is the home of Hoosier Thunder Motorsports, adopted Junior Dragster family, the Gerthe's, who race under the New Breed Racing banner. The Hoosier Thunder team started the program in 2005 to embrace the youth of drag racing. "The Gerthe's really exemplify what drag racing is all about," McMillen explained. "It's a true family sport. They live it and it shows in how tight knit they are as a family."

Parents Lisa and Duane lead the team, Ayrton and Alesie provide the driving skill and competitive edge. During the off-season the Gerthe's continued their holiday tradition by delivering Christmas Round-Up, food and toys for needy families in the Rockdale area. Alesie also donated 10 inches of hair to "Locks of Love", a charity that provides custom-fitted hair pieces to financially disadvantaged children with medical
hair loss. "They're a tremendous asset to this sport and to their community," added McMillen. Alesie was recently selected as a member of the Rockdale High School Peer Assistance Leadership Program (PAL®). PAL® is a peer-to-peer outreach program designed to provide students the opportunity to create supportive environments that empower their peers to make healthy, positive decisions.

McMillen and the Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team will make a stop at the Rockdale High School on Tuesday, March 21, for a school assembly and to showcase the InstiGator Funny Car along side New Breed Racing's Junior Dragsters and the newly unveiled Quick Rod Dragster that Alesie will pilot this season. "I'm really looking forward to this," said McMillen. "It a great way to spend time with the Gerthe's and honor their achievements. It's also an opportunity to continue our educational program and positive messages to students."

The Amalie Oil InstiGator will then continue its Texas tour with an appearance at the NAPA store located at 6018 West Avenue, San Antonio on Wednesday, March 22. The car will be on display from 10AM - 6PM while Terry provides autographs and racing stories for fans and friends of NAPA. "The NAPA - Amalie relationship in Texas is remarkable," said McMillen. "Steve Anderson (NAPA District Sales Manager) does a fantastic job. We enjoy spending time with NAPA, it's one of the things we always look forward to when we come to Texas."

The Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car will also be on display and McMillen will participate during media day festivities on Thursday. The Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks and RVs and the San Antonio Express-News will begin on March 24 and conclude with championship rounds on March 26.

McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car partner with quality, high performance companies like Amalie Oil, TORCO Race Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Performance Graphics, DMPE,Powershield Coatings and Crane Cams. Joining the InstiGator car this season is eMax and CTrade Group. "We've always had the best partners in the business. Adding CTrade and eMax only strengthens our position," said McMillen

 

For more information, photos or to arrange an interview:
CONTACT
Jim Walczak
615-415-7771
[ jim@squeakywheelonline.com ]

Rhonda Mc Millen
[ Rtd29083@aol.com ]

Terry Mc Millen
[ trdt29083@aol.com ]

Mike Janis

Elma, NY –New season, new car, new attitude. When the 2006 IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series kicks off at San Antonio Raceway on March 24th Eaton and Aeroquip sponsored Mike Janis will be at the wheel of a new meaner Pro Mod.

After a less than stellar 2005 season Mike Janis called Jim Salemi owner of G-Force Race Cars in Tonawanda, New York and ordered a new Cobalt Pro Modified. After G-Force finished the chassis it was literally sent down the street to Scott Jahren Paint. Jahren applied the base color and the fade and Sandy Richter form Air Brushing By Sandy of Boston, New York laid down the killer airbrush art that gives this Cobalt a bad attitude.

With only a few runs on the new pipe Janis and his crew are looking forward to a promising season. “Jim (Salemi) said the car was going to work and it has so far. She goes straight and doesn’t do anything stupid. After only a few short hops I felt like I’d been in this car for 100 passes. We need to sort out a few minor things but, I think we’ve really got something here,” said Janis.

Crew Chief, Mike Janis Jr. echoed his father’s sentiments.” We have some things we need to look at before San Antonio. If we can tweak those few things a bit I think this team will once again battle for the title”.

Mike Janis Racing would also like to announce the addition of the Smith Provision Company to its family of sponsors. Smith’s is a family owned company operated by the Weber family of Erie, Pa. Smith’s product line consists of wieners, sausage, hams, and lunchmeats. Smith’s sells product to distributors and retailers alike. They deliver to stores as far south as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, into western New York, and eastern Ohio. For More information about Smith’s check out their web site at http://www.smithshotdogs.com.

The 2006 IHRA Season will begin with the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks and RVs and the San Antonio Express-News on Friday March 24th. To follow results of the race go to http://www.dragracecentral.com/ and look under IHRA news.

 

Carl Spiering Motorsports Eaton Electrical Corvette heads south for Texas

Ready to contend for the IHRA World Championship

JORDAN STATION, ON (March 21, 2006) – Carl Spiering Motorsports, www.carlspiering.com, team driver Carl Spiering, in the Eaton Electrical Supercharged Pro Modified Chevrolet Corvette entry, will make his season debut at the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals in the IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series in San Antonio, Texas, March 24-26 at San Antonio Raceway.

Spiering had a very positive 2005 season, and he plans on continuing the pursuit this year.

“We love the south and are really looking forward to starting the season in San Antonio,” said Spiering, who hails from Jordan Station, ON. “The team has been working hard over the winter to keep up with the pack. We finished off last season on a high note and fully intend to keep the momentum and run strong in Texas.”

In 2005, Spiering had strong season, winning the IHRA Torco Race Fuels Pro Modified Shootout and the IHRA ACDelco Nationals. The 41-year old placed third in the IHRA World Championship National Event Tour.

“We are excited once again to have the opportunity to represent Eaton's electrical business for another year,” Spiering added. “Eaton Electrical has given us the necessary backing to do this right and we thank them for it and all our other associate sponsors who have all contributed to our success in the past and continue to support us, giving the effort all the tools to create a great team.”

With a serious passion for fast machines in any type of competition, Carl Spiering and his Carl Spiering Motorsports Eaton Electrical 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Supercharged Pro Modified is quickly becoming one of the hottest Pro Modified racers on the drag race circuit.

For information about San Antonio Raceway, call 210.698.2310 or visit www.sanantonioraceway.com

Carl Spiering Motorsports thanks all of its sponsors and supporters including Eaton Electrical, Aluminum Trailer Co. (ATC), Bicknell Racing Products (BRP), Competition Tire Canada - Goodyear Racing Tires, ERD (Engine Research and Development), Excel Tool & Die, NGK Spark Plugs, Pennzoil Canada, RBS Superchargers, SSI Superchargers, The Trailer Shop, and VP Racing Fuels.

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), www.ihra.com has been a leader in sanctioning drag racing events in the United States and Canada since the organization was formed in 1970. The IHRA features 13 classes of competition including the Torco Race Fuels Pro Modifieds. It provides drag race fans the opportunity to experience the popular Pro Modifieds, known as “the world’s fastest door slammers”. This class is one of drag racing’s most exciting and volatile classes, capturing the true spirit of hot rodding and offering a wildly diverse group of racecars with different types of 2,000 -horsepower engines. Combining classic body styles and modern equipment, constructors are permitted to extensively modify and enhance both appearance and performance. Competitors are offered the option of supercharging or adding nitrous oxide injection to the power plants. The cars burn gasoline or methanol propelling them down the quarter-mile in low six-second times at over 225 miles per hour. The displacement limit of 740 cubic inches remains on non-supercharged engines while supercharged versions face a ceiling of 527 cubic inches. Minimum weights include 2,375 pounds (nitrous) and 2,700 pounds (supercharged). The Pro Modified field is composed of the 16 quickest teams from the qualifying rounds.

Eaton Electrical® Inc. is a global leader in electrical control, power distribution, and industrial automation products and services. Through advanced product development, world-class manufacturing methods and global engineering services and support, Eaton Electrical® provides customer driven solutions under brand names such as Cutler-Hammer®, Durant®, Heinemann®, Holec® and MEM®, which globally serve the changing needs of the industrial, utility, light commercial, residential, and OEM markets. Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2004 sales of $9.8 billion. Eaton is a global leader in fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile, and aircraft equipment; electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution, and control; automotive engine air management systems, power train solutions and specialty controls for performance, fuel economy, and safety; and intelligent truck drive train systems for safety and fuel economy. Eaton has 55,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 125 countries. For more information, visit www.eatonelectrical.ca

For more information, please contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at bruce@jajentertainment.com

Bruce F. Mehlenbacher
Director of Media Relations
Carl Spiering Motorsports
Telephone: 905.772.1800 Ext. #22
Cellular: 905.517.5345
Fax: 905.772.1799
E-mail:bruce@jajentertainment.com