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Milan, MI (Event previews and press releases are at the bottom of the page) Sunday Finals Creasy Jr. Clinches Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Funny Car Title Cannon Earns Second Top Fuel Win; Litton Closes In On Zizzo
MILAN, Michigan (September 23, 2007) – Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher, Ill., earned his sixth win of the Knoll Gas Nitro Funny Car season to clinch his second-consecutive IHRA world championship, with two events remaining in the season. Creasy Jr. defeated Bob Gilbertson in the Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers final round on a holeshot advantage to win the race.
Other professional winners include Scotty Cannon (Top Fuel), Mike Janis (Pro Modified), Rob Atchison (Alcohol Funny Car) and Jeff Dobbins (Pro Stock).
Creasy Jr., who prior to 2006 had never even won a race, tied-up his second world championship in two years by running a 4.977 ET, 306.95 mph, to Gilbertson’s better 4.962, 321.12. The difference came at the starting line, as Creasy had the better reaction – 0.081 to 0.145. Gilbertson tried to run him down, but couldn’t catch him.
“I don’t think I’ve ever won on a holeshot,” said Creasy Jr. “I can’t think of a better way to clinch the championship than running a 4.99 and a holeshot, with two races left to go. Last year was fun when it went down to the end and it kept the fans happy, but this way is easier and less stressful.”
Cannon, Lyman, S.C., advanced to his second Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel final of the season by defeating points leader T.J. Zizzo in round one and Canadian Todd Paton in round two. By taking out Zizzo, Cannon, who came into this race third, opened the door take make up some ground toward the world championship chase.
His final round opponent was Bruce Litton, who entered the race second behind Zizzo. If Litton won the race, he’d jump to the points lead. He had the reaction time advantage, but Cannon was too quick, covering the track in 4.640 seconds at 320.58 mph to Litton’s 4.692, 315.93.
“The car has been coming around, the crew is doing a good job and I’m trying to drive it as best I can. It just takes some time to put it all together,” said Cannon. “As a whole today, I felt good and the same going into the final. When you race for (team sponsor) Evan Knoll, he has so many good teams and crew chiefs…it helps. It’s good to be part of a team where you have more than one guy doing it all, and it’s definitely helped our team.”
Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., started the day qualified fourth in Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified and dispatched Mike Stawicki and Pat Stoken in rounds one and two. His third round opponent was points leader Scott Cannon Jr. Cannon had a huge reaction time advantage, but Janis stayed in it and covered the quarter-mile in 6.616 seconds to Cannon’s 6.895 to advance to the finals against Burton Auxier. Janis was in his third final of the year; Auxier, his first since 2005. Janis would used a 6.206, 218.97 to take the win, his second of the season.
“What a great race for this entire team,” said Janis. “We’ve come a long way this season and to put this car into another win, in a field like this that is always so tight and competitive, shows how hard we’ve worked.”
Janis entered the event No. 5 in the points, but, with this win, jumped to second behind Cannon Jr. Stoken would fall to fourth, Ed Hoover third.
Atchison’s road to the final started against first-round opponent Dale Brand, who used a 5.649 ET Saturday during qualifying to take the No. 1 spot and set the world ET record. However, in round one it was all Atchison, as he had the reaction time advantage and covered the track in 5.856 seconds to advance to the semifinals against points leader Mark Thomas. Atchison, London, Ontario, again had a slight lead off the line and crossed the finish in 5.818, 243.33 to take out Thomas.
Atchison met fellow London-resident Paul Noakes in the final. So far this season Noakes was 2-0 against Atchison in final rounds. However, Atchison, himself a former three-time world champion, had the better car today and beat Noakes with a 5.885, 245.45, to take his second race of the year.
“It’s been a crazy season so far, and this is an important win for this team,” said Atchison. “It feels so good to be back in the winner’s circle and cut into the points chase with Mark (Thomas).”
Dobbins, who finished qualifying Saturday night not even in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock field but as No. 17 qualifier, was ready to make the call Sunday as first alternate when Ron Miller withdrew before round one. Dobbins, Wilmington, N.C., took out Rob Mansfield in round one, then defeated a red-lighting John Montecalvo to advance to the semifinals to face John Nobile. Dobbins, known for quick reaction times, had the race off the line and took the round with a 6.885.
In the final round, Dobbins faced Brian Gahm, who had set the world speed record in the semifinals with a 222.03. The reaction time went to Dobbins – 0.061 to 0.288 – and he won on a holeshot, covering the quarter-mile in 6.340 seconds to Gahm’s 6.339. Ironically, Gahm bettered the world record at 222.66 in the losing effort.
“This was a great team effort today,” said Dobbins. “To go from not even in the field, to winning a few rounds, and then winning the race? I’m just blown away how it all happened.”
The next event on the $19.5 million Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series is the Torco Racing Fuels President’s Cup Nationals, September 28 – 30, at Maryland International Raceway. For more information, log onto www.ihra.com. Saturday final qualifying Litton Maintains Top Fuel No. 1 In Milan Brand Sets Alcohol Funny Car ET World Record
MILAN, Mich. (September 22, 2007) – Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, covered the Milan Dragway quarter-mile in 4.581-seconds at 323.50 mph to maintain the Top Fuel No. 1 qualifying position for this weekend’s Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers.
Other No. 1 qualifiers include Dale Creasy Jr. (Nitro Funny Car), Kenny Lang (Pro Modified), Dale Brand (Alcohol Funny Car) and Pete Berner (Pro Stock).
Litton established a new track ET record en route to his Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier, but wasn’t able to earn the Last Man Standing bonus for the evening. That accolade went to Scotty Cannon, 4.642, 296.50, who ended up crossing the finish line during the final pass of the night before Litton. Cannon ended up No. 2, followed by Litton teammate Jeff O’Neill, Todd Paton, Bobby Lagana Jr. and points leader T.J. Zizzo. Mitch King and Kevin Jones ended up seventh and eighth. Terry McMillen, who won the last Knoll Gas Nitro Jam event in Cayuga, Ontario, failed to make the field.
In Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car, points leader Creasy Jr. topped the qualifying sheet with a 5.007 elapsed time. However for the second night in a row, Andy Kelley took home the Last Man Standing brought to you by MetalWood Bat with a 5.010 ET that placed him No. 2. Terry Haddock is third, followed by Bob Gilbertson, John Lawson, Todd Simpson and Jeff Diehl. Jack Wyatt qualified on the bump spot.
In Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified, No. 1 qualifier Lang ran 6.031, resetting the Milan Dragway record and earning the Last Man Standing. The Canadian is followed by points leader Scott Cannon Jr., whose 239.95 mph set the track speed record, Chip King, defending event winner Mike Janis, Shannon Jenkins and Ed Hoover. Danny Rowe and Quain Stott round out the field, Nos. 15 and 16 respectively.
Brand, Lynville, Iowa, making his first IHRA Alcohol Funny Car appearance since October 2002, not only took the No. 1 qualifier and Last Man Standing brought to you by MetalWood Bat, he set the elapsed time world record at 5.649. The record was previously held by Rob Atchison, 5.685, set in October 2005. Terry Munroe picked up the second spot, followed by Joe Comella, Paul Noakes and Rob Atchison. Points leader Mark Thomas qualified No. 7. In addition, Brand established new track records with the 5.649, 244.74.
Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier Berner, IHRA’s defending world champion, used a track record-setting 6.331 ET to also earn the Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge. He’s followed by Brian Gahm, who’s 221.52 mph set the track speed record, John Montecalvo, points leader and defending event champion Robert Patrick and Bob Bertsch.
Professional eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. For more information, log onto www.ihra.com. The Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers is the ninth of eleven events on the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.
MILAN, Mich. -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Suzuki Motor City Nationals Presented By GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers at Milan Dragway, the ninth of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.
Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 4.581 seconds, 323.50 mph vs. 5. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.749, 311.05; 2. Scotty Cannon, 4.642, 320.97 vs. 6. T.J. Zizzo, 4.803, 254.18; 3. Jeff O'Neill, 4.676, 296.96 vs. 7. Mitch King, 5.018, 292.20; 4. Todd Paton, 4.712, 280.54 vs. 8. Kevin Jones, 5.159, 220.15.
Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.007, 295.40 vs. 5. John Lawson, Chevy Camaro, 5.239, 222.03; 2. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.010, 305.01 vs. 6. Todd Simpson, Camaro, 5.293, 175.50; 3. Terry Haddock, Monte Carlo, 5.034, 304.32 vs. 7. Jeff Diehl, Firebird, 5.372, 279.21; 4. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 5.198, 240.89 vs. 8. Jack Wyatt, Stratus, 5.392, 197.02.
Pro Modified -- 1. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.031, 238.76 vs. 9. Mike Castellana, Ford Mustang, 6.164, 231.28; 2. Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.041, 239.95 vs. 10. Matt Hagan, Corvette, 6.184, 232.35; 3. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.052, 235.35 vs. 11. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.203, 224.25; 4. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.053, 238.05 vs. 12. Mike Stawicki, Chevy Camaro, 6.228, 223.76; 5. Shannon Jenkins, Pontiac GTO, 6.094, 232.15 vs. 13. Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 6.230, 233.12; 6. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.127, 231.48 vs. 14. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.351, 225.82; 7. Jason Hamstra, Corvette, 6.131, 230.84 vs. 15. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 6.401, 231.12; 8. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.139, 224.06 vs. 16. Quain Stott, Corvette, 7.736, 134.78.
Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Dale Brand, Pontiac Firebird, 5.649, 244.74 vs. 5. Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.888, 242.15; 2. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.789, 242.84 vs. 6. Tim Stevens, Dodge Stratus, 5.920, 238.68; 3. Joe Comella, Monte Carlo, 5.849, 225.94 vs. 7. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.926, 243.33; 4. Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.873, 241.71 vs. 8. John Hart, Dodge Avenger, 5.937, 237.75.
Pro Stock -- 1. Pete Berner, Pontiac GTO, 6.331, 217.18 vs. 9. John Nobile, Ford Mustang, 6.363, 220.33; 2. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.336, 221.52 vs. 10. Cary Goforth, Chevy Cobalt, 6.385, 220.15; 3. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.339, 221.34 vs. 11. Frank Gugliotta, Cobalt, 6.385, 219.69; 4. Robert Patrick, Shelby Cobra, 6.345, 219.12 vs. 12. Rickie Smith, Cobalt, 6.394, 219.61; 5. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.347, 220.33 vs. 13. Chuck DeMory, Ford Escort, 6.434, 217.07; 6. Elijah Morton, Ford ZX2, 6.354, 219.29 vs. 14. Anthony Paone, GTO, 6.448, 213.67; 7. Rob Mansfield, GTO, 6.355, 219.72 vs. 15. Ron Miller, Chevy Cavalier, 6.653, 200.29; 8. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.362, 220.37 vs. 16. Sylvester Barnes, Cavalier, 6.668, 210.77. Friday Qualifying Litton Top Fuel No. 1 Qualifier at Milan
MILAN, Mich. (September 21, 2007) – Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, jumped to the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel Friday during the Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers. Litton covered the quarter-mile in a career-best 4.604 seconds at 316.82 mph.
Other provisional No. 1 qualifiers include Terry Haddock (Nitro Funny Car), Mike Janis (Pro Modified), Terry Munroe (Alcohol Funny Car) and John Montecalvo (Pro Stock).
In Top Fuel, Litton’s 4.604 was also good enough to earn him the Last Man Standing, giving him five bonus points to cut into the 54 separating him and leader T.J. Zizzo. Zizzo currently sits outside the field, putting on some pressure to put down a good run Saturday. Todd Paton sits second, 4.712, Bobby Lagana Jr. third, 4.781, Jeff O’Neill fourth, 4.918.
Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car provisional No. 1 qualifier Haddock ran a 5.034, 304.32 to take the top spot. However, it was No. 2 qualifier Andy Kelley, 5.055, who took home the Last Man Standing prize. Points leader Dale Creasy Jr. sits third, followed by John Lawson and Todd Simpson. Bob Gilbertson, Jack Wyatt and Jeff Diehl round out the field.
Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., the defending event Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified winner, currently holds the top qualified position with a track record-setting 6.053, 238.05, which also earned him the Last Man Standing. Chip King sits second, followed by Ed Hoover and Pat Stoken. Points leader Scott Cannon Jr. sits No. 11.
In Alcohol Funny Car, Munroe used a 5.802, 242.58 to take the provisional No. 1 spot and the Last Man Standing. He’s trailed by Paul Noakes, Tim Stevens and Mark Thomas. Noakes, who has won two events this season, is the defending event champion.
Montecalvo, Center Moriches, N.Y., is No. 1 in Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock with a track record-setting 6.372 ET, which also earned him the Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge for the night. He’s trailed by Pete Berner and Robert Patrick, the current points leader and defending event champion. Frank Gugliotta is currently fourth, followed by Steve Spiess and Brian Gahm. John Nobile, who won the last Nitro Jam event in Toronto, is currently not in the field.
Racing will resume Saturday at 9 a.m. Professional qualifying is scheduled for 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled for Sunday.
For more information, log onto www.ihra.com. The Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers is the ninth of eleven events on the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.
MILAN, Mich. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the Suzuki Motor City Nationals Presented By GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers at Milan Dragway, ninth of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 4.604 seconds, 316.82 mph; 2. Todd Paton, 4.712, 280.54; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.781, 72.73; 4. Jeff O'Neill, 4.918, 296.96; 5. Mitch King, 5.018, 292.20; 6. Scotty Cannon, 5.036, 208.07; 7. Terry McMillen, 5.838, 150.36; 8. Chris Karamesines, 6.413, 131.28.
Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Terry Haddock, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.034, 304.32; 2. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.055, no speed; 3. Dale Creasy Jr., Monte Carlo, 5.081, 295.40; 4. John Lawson, Chevy Camaro, 5.239, 222.03; 5. Todd Simpson, Camaro, 5.729, 175.50; 6. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 9.112, 102.45; 7. Jack Wyatt, Stratus, 9.194, 92.98; 8. Jeff Diehl, Firebird, 15.874, 58.66.
Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.053, 238.05; 2. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.078, 234.74; 3. Ed Hoover, Chevy Corvette, 6.127, 231.48; 4. Pat Stoken, Chevy Camaro, 6.148, 224.06; 5. Mike Castellana, Ford Mustang, 6.193, 226.54; 6. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.224, 224.25; 7. Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 6.228, 223.76; 8. Jason Hamstra, Corvette, 6.261, 230.84; 9. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.351, 225.82; 10. Matt Hagan, Corvette, 7.184, 217.04; 11. Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 8.032, 143.43; 12. Shannon Jenkins, Pontiac GTO, 9.915, 90.06; 13. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 10.960, 78.57; 14. Quain Stott, Corvette, 12.644, 66.73; 15. Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 13.203, 112.16; 16. Kirk Kuhns, Willys, 13.296, 69.64.
Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Terry Munroe, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.802, 242.58; 2. Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.916, 241.63; 3. Tim Stevens, Dodge Stratus, 5.920, 238.68; 4. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.964, 243.06; 5. Terry McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 5.981, 236.22; 6. John Hart, Avenger, 5.993, 237.75; 7. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.994, 238.68; 8. Tony Bogolo, Mustang, 6.022, 231.08.
Pro Stock -- 1. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.372, 218.30; 2. Pete Berner, Pontiac GTO, 6.383, 217.18; 3. Robert Patrick, Shelby Cobra, 6.386, 217.00; 4. Frank Gugliotta, Cobalt, 6.399, 216.20; 5. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.405, 218.44; 6. Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 6.413, 218.94; 7. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.421, 218.58; 8. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.433, 216.34; 9. Elijah Morton, Ford ZX2, 6.440, 216.03; 10. Rickie Smith, Cobalt, 6.464, 216.79; 11. Chuck DeMory, Ford Escort, 6.464, 216.48; 12. Anthony Paone, GTO, 6.505, 213.67; 13. Ron Miller, Chevy Cavalier, 6.653, 200.29; 14. Sylvester Barnes, Cavalier, 6.668, 210.77; 15. Dean Goforth, GTO, 7.826, 128.35; 16. Rob Mansfield, GTO, 7.918, 129.69. Pro Stock Showdown Finalists Confirmed
Heading into this weekend’s race at Milan Dragway, the only driver with a mathematical chance to get into the Showdown was Rickie Smith. However, when John Nobile qualified No. 9 for the Suzuki Motor City Nationals, he shut the door on Smith’s chances.
The pairings:
#1 - Robert Patrick vs. #8 - John Nobile #2 - Pete Berner vs. #7 – Rob Mansfield #3 - Steve Spiess vs. #6 – Frank Gugliotta #4 - John Montecalvo vs. #5 – Brian Gahm
MetalWood Bat Sponsors NFC & AFC Last Man Standing at Remaining Three Events
NORWALK, Ohio (September 21, 2007) – IHRA has announced a new sponsorship with MetalWood Bat Company.
Manufacturer of baseball bats with wooden barrels and aluminum handles, MetalWood Bat will sponsor IHRA’s Last Man Standing program at the remaining three events in Milan, Mich. (this weekend), Mechanicsville, Md., and Rockingham, N.C. The sponsorship, Last Man Standing brought to you by MetalWood Bat, includes the Nitro Funny Car and Alcohol Funny Car classes during the Saturday night qualifying round and will pay $250 per class.
According to Robert Chalfant, CEO of MetalWood, the bats provide all the benefits of a wooden bat with the stability of an aluminum one. They are also effective as training aids, especially for children who are able to use aluminum bats during actual games. The sweet-spot on a wood-barreled bat is much smaller than its aluminum counter-part, so if children practice with the wooden bat, hitting the sweet-spot on aluminum will be that much easier.
MetalWood Bat is also sponsoring J&B Motorsports’ Nitro Funny Car. The company has a batting cage in the pits for people to sample the bats during this weekend’s Suzuki Motor City Nationals at Milan Dragway.
Please visit www.metalwoodbats.com for more information.
IHRA’s Last Man Standing rewards the quickest winning driver in each professional class during both night qualifying rounds at Knoll Gas Nitro Jam events. The winning driver earns five points each night. The Pro Stock portion of the Last Man Standing is called the Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge. Team PR Rob Atchison After the rain forced the postponement of the Suzuki
Motor City Nationals the points race seemed to tighten upwith Pennsylvania's
Terry Munro and Rob swapping positions with Rob third and Terry second
but the overall lead for Mark Thomas just 52 over Rob. IHRA Returns to Milan Dragway September 21 – 23
NORWALK, Ohio (September 13, 2007) – The Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series will return to Milan Dragway September 21 – 23 for the rain-delayed Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers. As the first of three races left on the series, Milan Dragway has become a very important stop for competitors chasing world championships.
Of the five professional categories, four remain very tight, with only a few rounds of competition separating the drivers. In Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel, T.J. Zizzo leads veteran racer Bruce Litton by 54 points. The two have battled all season for the top spot since they met in the final round at the first race.
Current Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified points leader Scott Cannon Jr. leads Ed Hoover by 46 points. Pat Stoken and Quain Stott are both within 90 points of the lead. The title is still up for grabs as Cannon tries to follow in his father’s footsteps as an IHRA Pro Modified world champion.
With two wins each in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock class, Robert Patrick and Frank Gugliotta are No. one and two in the point standings. Gugliotta has been hot of late, having defeated Patrick last month in New Hampshire, but Patrick still holds a 35 point advantage. In addition, defending world champion Pete Berner still has a mathematical chance to take his second consecutive title. Patrick won at Milan in 2006.
Of all the professional categories, Alcohol Funny Car competitors are in the closest points chase. Mark Thomas, who has been to five of eight final rounds this season, leads Terry Munroe by a mere 18 points. Thomas, a six-time world champion, lost first round two weeks ago in Ontario and Munroe went on to win the event, and brings that momentum to Milan Dragway. Also still in the hunt is three-time former world champion Rob Atchison, 52 points back from Thomas.
The only class that is nearly locked up is Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car. Defending world champion Dale Creasy Jr. leads Jack Wyatt and the rest of the field, including Terry Haddock, Bob Gilbertson and Andy Kelley, by 280 points. Creasy has won five events this season.
Fans can witness all the racing during the Suzuki Motor City Nationals with special discounts available through the Heritage Newspapers. Adult tickets are $30 Friday or Sunday, $40 Saturday. Kid’s tickets are just $5 each day. However, with a coupon from the Heritage Newspapers, fans can receive $15 off a Friday or Sunday ticket, plus a free kids ticket. For more ticket information, log onto www.milandragway.com or www.nitrojam.com.
The Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers will be held at Milan Dragway south of Detroit September 21 – 23.
Event facts MILAN, Mich. -- WHEN: Friday - Sunday, September 21 - 23, 2007 WHO: The stars of the Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Series, including Bobby Lagana Jr., Bruce Litton, six-time Pro Modified world champion Scotty Cannon and T.J. Zizzo in 320 mph Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel dragsters Fans will experience the power of 320 mph Knoll Gas - Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Cars, featuring defending world champion Dale Creasy Jr., Bob Gilbertson, Jack Wyatt, and Terry Haddock Defending World champion Quain Stott, former world champion Mike Janis, Danny Rowe and Scott Cannon Jr. in nitrous vs. supercharged Torco's CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified Six-time and defending world champion Mark Thomas, Rob Atchison, Terry Munroe and Terry McMillen in Alcohol Funny Car. The world's fastest and quickest Torco's CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock Cars, featuring IHRA's version of NASCAR, the 220 mph factory hot rods of world champion Pete Berner (Pontiac GTO), Rickie Smith (Chevrolet Cobalt) former world champions Steve Spiess (Chevrolet Cobalt) and Brian Gahm (Ford Mustang) and Robert Patrick (Ford Mustang) Champions will also be crowned in seven Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by Mr. Gasket semi-professional classes: Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod, and Hot Rod WHAT'S AT STAKE: In addition to the individual class purse up for grabs, drivers will be competing for points with the ultimate goal of being crowned world champion at season's end. Each class champion receives: Top Fuel - $150,000, Nitro Funny Car - $150,000, Pro Modified - $50,000, Alcohol Funny Car - $35,000 and Pro Stock - $35,000 "NIGHT OF FIRE": The Saturday "Night of Fire" show, 6:30 p.m., features the final round of professional qualifying under the lights - including two flame-burning Nitro-fueled classes and a jet truck SCHEDULE:
General Admission prices, single-day ticket TELEVISION: FREE PIT PASS: 2006 EVENT WINNERS:
Team PR
Dale Creasy Creasy is having fun - Takes handful of wins into home stretch BEECHER, Ill. (September 19, 2007) With just three races remaining in the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing series, Dale Creasy, Jr. made a strong bid to defend his 2006 championship when he captured his fifth win at the IHRA Canadian Nationals. The Torco Race Fuels Nitro Funny Car has dominated the class this season, competing in six of the eight final rounds, capturing five of those. Creasy also made semi-final appearances in the two events that he did not make the final round. Only Jack Wyatt, Terry Haddock and Mike Ashley have been able to manage wins besides Creasy. When asked about his dominance of the class or the apparent lock he has on the 2007 Championship, Creasy was hesitant to respond. Perhaps it's superstition that keeps Creasy in check, he refused to comment. However, he did smile and offered some insight, "There's more racing to be done. There are more things that we want to do. We're not finished yet." Creasy's win in Toronto marked his eighth career win, all within the past two seasons. That feat has catapulted Creasy into a tie for fifth in all-time IHRA Nitro Funny Car wins with Billy Meyer and Ed McCulloch. One more win and the Illinois-based team can solidly claim sole possession of fifth place in the history books and set their sights on legends like Mark Oswald (15 wins), Kenny Bernstein (16), Raymond Beadle (19) and Dale Pulde (20). "It's like a dream," Creasy said. "I remember a guy who told me it didn't take that long to get our first win in Grand Bend last year," he chuckled. "I guess we're a 30-year overnight success. Can we catch up with guys like Oswald, Bernstein and Beadle? I can't even think about that. I guess if we keep doing what we're doing it could happen. Right now, we're just going to concentrate on the next race." Dale Creasy and his Torco Race Fuels powered Nitro Funny Car head back this weekend to the rain delayed Suzuki Motor City Nationals. Professional qualifying begins Friday night and continues Saturday with eliminations beginning Sunday, September 23. Dale Creasy, Jr. and his championship Torco powered Nitro Funny Car, partner with high quality and performance companies like; Torco Race Fuels, Oakley, Red Line Oil, MSD, Crane Cams, BME, Fram Autolite, Polydyn TX7, TEK PAK, VSI, GM Performance and Beaver Shredding. To learn more about Dale Creasy, Jr. and the Torco Race Fuels Nitro Funny Car visit http://dalecreasyjr.com ABOUT TORCO RACING FUELS For more information on Torco Racing Fuels, SKULL Shine Car Care
Products and SKULL Gear apparel, please visit: www.torcoracefuels.com
or www.torco.com.
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