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Sunday eliminations Bruce Litton Clinches First Career World Championship with Victory in Rockingham
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 21, 2007) – Veteran Bruce Litton overcame years of championship frustration Sunday, claiming his first IHRA series championship in impressive fashion by winning the Top Fuel championship at the 12th annual Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam World Finals at Rockingham Dragway.
Although he clinched the $150,000 championship with a first round win over veteran Luigi Novelli of Crete, Ill., the 51-year-old Indianapolis businessman closed the deal by stopping six-time former IHRA Pro Modified Champion Scotty Cannon in a classic final round.
Litton won one of three championships that remained undecided entering Sunday’s eliminations, but was the only new champ to also win the race.
Robert Patrick, who won his first Pro Stock title, was beaten in the final round by Jeff Dobbins of Wilmington, N.C., and Mark Thomas, who became the most prolific champion in IHRA, lost to Rob Atchison of London, Ontario, Canada, in the Alcohol Funny Car finale. Mike Janis of Lancaster, N.Y., won the Pro Modified title, falling 15 points shy of the championship.
The door swung wide open for Litton when points leader T.J. Zizzo of Lincolnshire, Ill., was upset in the first round by Ken Jones of Berea, Ky., and the Indiana driver didn’t fumble the opportunity, winning at Rockingham for the first time since winning the Spring Nationals in 2000.
In getting his third win of this season and the 12th of his career, Litton put behind him the bridesmaid tag that had followed him throughout his pro career. In addition to runner-up finishes to Clay Millican in 2002, 2003, 2004, he was third in points in 2000, 2001 and 2005. Now he finally is the Top Fuel champion.
“It’s awesome,” Litton said of the double victory. “(But) I’m very humbled at the same. We’ve had some good cars and some really good teams (in the past) but.I think the key to this season was I got my guys back together. I love these guys and I I think I needed to be surrounded by friends I really trust.
“Second (three times in the past) was okay,” Litton said, “but it wasn’t our goal. This was our goal and we finally achieved it. In fact, we realized all our goals this weekend except for qualifying No. 1. We fell a little short last night but our big goals were to win the race and win the championship.
“They told me right before the final, ‘hang on, it’s gonna be a good one,’” Litton said. “Now they’re back there picking it apart because they thought it should have run high 50s. I just get to drive the car. My crew does all the work.”
In one of the day’s most surprising developments, No. 1 qualifier Pete Berner squandered his chance to repeat as Pro Stock champion when he was guilty of a first round foul start against former champ Brian Gahm of Lucasville, Ohio. Berner’s unexpectedly early exit, which came after he had lowered the Rockingham track record to 6.281 seconds during qualifying, opened the door for Patrick.
Scott Cannon, who locked up his first series championship – and his family’s seventh – by qualifying No. 1 on Saturday, saw his Rockingham winning streak ended in round two by Pat Stoken. The 27-year-old son of six-time Pro Modified champ Scotty Cannon had won his last two starts at The Rock but was victimized Sunday by tire shake that slowed his replica 1966 Pontiac to 6.727 seconds, well off the track record-setting 5.969 he recorded in qualifying.
In the Nitro Funny Car class, someone finally wrestled a Rockingham win away from journeyman Jack Wyatt of Corydon, Iowa. Wyatt had won three straight Funny Car events at the Carolina track before Bob Gilbertson prevailed on Sunday, ending a frustrating season on a positive note.
“I’ve been waiting for this all my life,” Gilbertson said of his first victory on his home track. “I always thought it would be really cool to win a race here. I’ve set track records and qualified No. 1 but this is the first time we ever won at The Rock and it was pretty cool. I just wish it was the first race instead of the last.
“I’ve got to credit my crew chief, Tommy Delago. He made the right decisions today. If I was my own crew chief, I’d be in the burn center every race because I’d be way crazy with the tune-up.
”It was flawless all weekend,” Dobbins said of his 2006 Ford Escort that cruised to victory in Pro Stock. “It was a really good racef or us and I was motivated in the final round to be the first guy to give a whipping to the new world champion.”
Janis actually lost the Pro Mod championship off the racetrack,
the result of a decision not to compete in the July 6-8 race at Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada. That cost the veteran the 41 bonus points awarded
to those who participate in every event.
Thomas, who finished 15 points ahead of race winner Atchison, relished his seventh series championship.
“I love Rockingham,” he said. “I was tied with Scotty Cannon and Clay Millican and it’s wonderful to be able to get that No. 7. It all worked out.”
‘If I had a chance to race against Mark in an early round I thought I had a chance,” Atchison said, “but he landed on the other side of the ladder. Racing Mark in the final meant that we won the battle, but not the war.
“But it’s okay because he’s been my idol since I started racing 10-12 years ago. I love the guy. He’s a great champion. Besides, with three or four races left, I didn’t think I had a chance but we turned it around at the end. Some days you’re at the peak others you’re in the valley. We’ll try to get back to the peak next year.”
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Sunday's final results from the IHRA World Finals Presented by The U.S. Air Force featuring UTI CHampionship Sunday at Rockingham Dragway. The race is the 11th of 11 in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel -- Bruce Litton, 4.606 seconds, 318.92 mph def. Scotty Cannon, 5.014 seconds, 234.82 mph.
Nitro Funny Car -- Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 4.877, 314.53 def. Cory Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.977, 303.30.
Pro Modified -- Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 5.995, 239.31 def. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.080, 235.27.
Alcohol Funny Car -- Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.922, 241.80 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.910, 243.06.
Pro Stock -- Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.313, 221.34 def. Robert Patrick, Shelby Cobra, 6.304, 221.05.
Summit SuperSeries Box -- Chad Hedgecock, Dragster, 7.450, 176.93 def. Steve Ferstl, Chevy Monza, 9.219, 145.96.
Summit SuperSeries No Box -- Will Steckly, Dodge Charger, 8.992, 144.97 def. Ed Talbert, Chevy Chevelle, 11.676, 112.89.
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Final round-by-round results from the IHRA World Finals Presented by The U.S. Air Force featuring UTI CHampionship Sunday at Rockingham Dragway, the 11th of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Kevin Jones, 5.142, 228.92 def. T.J. Zizzo, 9.954, 77.79; Jeff O'Neill, 4.755, 314.68 def. Terry McMillen, 5.222, 188.02; Scotty Cannon, 4.933, 261.22 def. Bobby Lagana Jr., 6.955, 116.36; Bruce Litton, 4.679, 316.82 def. Luigi Novelli, 11.719, 91.52; SEMIFINALS -- Cannon, 4.824, 276.13 def. O'Neill, foul; Litton, 4.707, 313.07 def. Jones, 5.076, 236.34; FINAL -- Litton, 4.606, 318.92 def. Cannon, 5.014, 234.82.
NITRO FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 6.283, 148.05 def. Jeff Diehl, Pontiac Firebird, 8.372, 101.41; Mitch King, Chevy Corvette, 5.308, 214.55 def. Terry Haddock, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.314, 265.12; Cory Lee, Monte Carlo, 4.951, 306.40 def. Jack Wyatt, Dodge Stratus, 5.248, 230.41; Bob Gilbertson, Stratus, 4.906, 315.86 def. Dale Creasy Jr., Monte Carlo, 13.890, 67.41; SEMIFINAL -- Lee, 6.297, 139.95 def. Simpson, broke; Gilbertson, 4.953, 301.67 def. King, 5.099, 286.68; FINAL -- Gilbertson, 4.877, 314.53 def. Lee, 4.977, 303.30.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.071, 231.28 def. Tommy Gray, Pontiac GTO, 7.442, 139.43; Shannon Jenkins, GTO, 6.806, 158.76 def. Jason Hamstra, Chevy Corvette, 7.049, 211.59; Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.040, 236.96 def. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.265, 191.00; Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.135, 227.50 def. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 11.443, 76.12; Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.049, 235.76 def. Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 6.163, 234.66; Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.103, 237.05 def. Matt Hagan, Camaro, 6.380, 214.93; Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 6.272, 195.08 def. Chris Russo, Corvette, 14.210, 58.31; Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 7.897, 148.23 def. Tony Pontieri, Chevy Bel Air, broke; QUARTERFINALS -- Stoken, 6.177, 206.23 def. Cannon, 6.727, 231.64; Janis, 6.200, 195.22 def. Jenkins, 15.866, 57.75; Lang, 6.068, 231.08 def. Halsey, 6.123, 231.32; Stawicki, 6.059, 230.69 def. Stott, 6.096, 233.92; SEMIFINALS -- Janis, 6.050, 236.67 def. Stoken, 7.519, 127.93; Lang, 6.141, 232.87 def. Stawicki, 6.341, 202.39; FINAL -- Janis, 5.995, 239.31 def. Lang, 6.080, 235.27.
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Terry Munroe, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.771, 241.11 def. Tim Stevens, Dodge Stratus, 6.006, 220.22; Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.748, 243.37 def. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.833, 241.54; Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.806, 242.80 def. Melinda Green-King, Ford Mustang, 6.073, 224.25; Neal Parker, Monte Carlo, 5.805, 240.51 def. Bunny Burkett, Dodge Avenger, 12.176, 67.37; SEMIFINALS -- Atchison, 6.136, 239.82 def. Munroe, 11.441, 85.50; Thomas, 5.818, 243.72 def. Parker, foul; FINAL -- Atchison, 5.922, 241.80 def. Thomas, 5.910, 243.06.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Steve Spiess, Chevy Cobalt, 6.329, 219.19 def. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, 11.420, 77.47; Rickie Smith, Cobalt, 6.347, 219.29 def. Tom Lee, Ford Mustang, 15.779, 52.49; Frank Gugliotta, Cobalt, 6.338, 219.72 def. Dan Sweeney, GTO, 11.737, 96.26; Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.311, 221.02 def. Elijah Morton, Ford ZX2, 6.361, 218.72; Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.341, 219.36 def. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.331, 221.23; John Nobile, Mustang, 6.324, 219.54 def. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 14.493, 58.95; Robert Patrick, Shelby Cobra, 9.029, 160.69 def. Dean Goforth, GTO, broke; Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.783, 217.70 def. Pete Berner, GTO, foul; QUARTERFINALS -- Patrick, 6.345, 219.90 def. Gugliotta, 12.624, 69.30; C. Goforth, 6.337, 220.44 def. Spiess, 6.334, 220.22; Smith, 6.366, 219.33 def. Nobile, 6.352, 219.08; Dobbins, 6.313, 220.66 def. Gahm, 6.325, 221.52; SEMIFINALS -- Patrick, 6.327, 219.86 def. C. Goforth, 6.369, 218.87; Dobbins, 6.350, 220.40 def. Smith, 6.367, 219.29; FINAL -- Dobbins, 6.313, 221.34 def. Patrick, 6.304, 221.05.
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the IHRA World Finals Presented by The U.S. Air Force featuring UTI Championship Sunday at Rockingham Dragway, the last of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series -
Top Fuel
1. Bruce Litton, 948; 2. T.J. Zizzo, 907; 3. Scotty Cannon, 859; 4. Bobby Lagana Jr., 712; 5. Terry McMillen, 558; 6. Jeff O{Neill, 387; 7. Doug Foley, 299; 8. Mitch King, 292; 9. Jim Cavalieri, 182; 10. Clay Millican, 179.
Nitro Funny Car
1. Dale Creasy Jr., 1,108; 2. Jack Wyatt, 768; 3. Bob Gilbertson, 735; 4. Terry Haddock, 716; 5. Andy Kelley, 645; 6. Mitch King, 621; 7. Jeff Diehl, 324; 8. Todd Simpson, 251; 9. Paul Lee, 219; 10. John Lawson, 207.
Pro Modified
1. Scott Cannon, 759; 2. Mike Janis, 737; 3. Pat Stoken, 639; 4. Ed Hoover, 583; 5. Quain Stott, 571; 6. Kenny Lang, 567; 7.Matt Hagan, 481; 8. Danny Rowe, 477; 9. Jason Hamstra, 426; 10. Shannon Jenkins, 383.
Alcohol Funny Car
1. Mark Thomas, 999; 2. Rob Atchison, 984; 3. Terry Munroe, 927; 4. Paul Noakes, 514; 5. Larry Dobbs, 490; 6. Terry McMillen, 437; 7. Tim Stevens, 354; 8. Neal Parker, 306; 9. Laurie Cannister, 232; 10. Tony Bogolo, 203.
Pro Stock
1. Robert Patrick, 858; 2. Pete Berner, 808; 3. Frank Gugliotta, 777; 4. Brian Gahm, 668; 5. John Montecalvo, 643; 6. Steve Spiess, 606; 7. Rob Mansfield, 519; 8. Rickie Smith, 479; 9. John Nobile, 477; 10. (tie) Cary Goforth, 436. Dean Goforth, 436. Saturday final qualifying Scott Cannon Clinches Pro Mod World Championship with No. 1 Qualifying Effort in Rockingham Father Scotty Cannon Sr. shares spotlight as No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 20, 2007) – Pro Modified driver Scott Cannon Jr. of Lyman, S.C., shattered the Rockingham Dragway track record Saturday, qualified No. 1 for Sunday’s 12th annual Knoll Gas Nitro Jam World Finals presented by the U.S. Air Force and, in the process, clinched the IHRA season championship.
By qualifying No. 1 the second generation pro increased his points lead over Mike Janis to an insurmountable 82 points, adding his first IHRA title to the six earned in the 1990s by his dad, Scotty Cannon.
Not to be outdone, the elder Cannon followed his son’s lead and will start Sunday from the No.1 position in the featured Top Fuel division after recording a best of 4.603 seconds at 307.72 miles per hour. It’s the first time in drag racing history that a father and son have led the pro qualifying in the same event.
Scott Cannon, who will be bidding Sunday for his third straight Rockingham victory, was clocked in 5.969 seconds at 239.27 miles per hour Saturday in the replica 1966 Pontiac Firebird in which he set the national record earlier last month at Budds Creek, Md. (5.938 seconds).
Other No. 1 qualifiers were Bob Gilbertson of Charlotte in Nitro Funny Car; points leader Pete Berner of Crete, Ill., in Pro Stock; and Laurie Cannister of Johnstown, Ohio, in Alcohol Funny Car.
Berner, driving a 2007 Pontiac GTO, equaled the existing national record in Pro Stock with a time of 6.281 seconds at 220.80 mph. He will move into Sunday eliminations leading Robert Patrick of Fredericksburg, Va., by 10 points in one of the three races still undecided. As the No. 1 and No. 2 qualifiers, Berner and Patrick could meet in a decisive final round on Sunday.
For Scotty Cannon, 45, it was a good news, bad news Saturday. The good news was his No. 1 qualifying effort, the first of his Top Fuel career; the bad was that he was mathematically eliminated from a points race which will be decided in the first two rounds on Sunday. If both win in the first round, current leader T.J. Zizzo of Lincolnshire, Ill., and perennial title runner-up Bruce Litton of Indianapolis would meet in round two to determine who gets the $150,000 bonus.
The third undecided points race, that for the Alcohol Funny Car title, could be decided in a first round race between former champion Rob Atchison of London, Ontario, Canada, and Cannister, who recorded a career best 5.669 at a track record speed of 246.89 mph to qualify No. 1. Atchison, down 35 points to Mark Thomas, must win to keep his slim title hopes alive. * * * *
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – First round pairings for Sunday’s 12th annual Knoll Gas Nitro Jam World Finals presented by the U.S. Air Force at Rockingham Dragway:
TOP FUEL – 1. Scotty Cannon, Lyman, S.C., 4.603, 307.72 mph,
vs. 5. Bobby Lagana Jr., Scarsdale, N.Y., 4.733, 309.56 mph; 2. Bruce
Litton, Indianapolis, Ind., 4.617, 314.83, vs. 6. Luigi Novelli, Crete,
Ill., 4.760, 291.82 mph; 3. Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., 4.617,
314.83 mph, vs. 7. Jeff O’Neill, Harrisburg, Pa., 4.841, 301.33
mph;
NITRO FUNNY CAR – 1. Bob Gilbertson, Charlotte, N.C., 2005 Dodge Stratus, 4.916, 305.91 mph, vs. 5. Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher, Ill., 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.033, 290.88 mph; 2. Cory Lee, Oceanside, Calif., 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.931, 305.22 mph, vs. 6. Jack Wyatt, Corydon, Iowa, 2006 Dodge Stratus, 5.067, 283.19 mph; 3. Terry Haddock, Lynnwood, Wash., 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.981, 292.27 mph, vs. 7. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Teas, 2001 Chevy Camaro, 5.075, 284.99 mph; 4. Jeff Diehl, Salinas, Calif., 2000 Pontiac Firebird, 4.985, 304.37 mph, vs. 8. Andy Kelley, Piedmont, S.C., 2002 Pontiac Firebird, 5.205, 285.41 mph.
PRO MODIFIED – 1. Scott Cannon, Lyman, S.C., 1966 Pontiac Firebird, 5.969, 239.27 mph, vs. 9. Tony Pontieri, Bolton, Ontario, Canada, 1957 Chevy Bel Air, 6.082, 234.53 mph; 2. Mike Stawicki, Medina, N.Y., 1967 Chevy Camaro, 5.979, 233.16 mph, vs. 10. Chris Russo, Cedar Grove, N.J., 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.084, 229.90 mph; 3. Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., 2007 Chevy Cobalt, 6.008, 237.13 mph, vs. 11. Matt Hagan, Christiansburg, Va., 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.095, 233.80 mph; 4. Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe, Manitoba, Canada, 1953 Chevy Corvette, 6.016, 236.42 mph, vs. 12. Mark Nielsen, Brandford, Ontario, Canada, 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.104, 234.17 mph; 5. Chip King, Semora, N.C., 1969 Dodge Daytona, 6.017, 230.06 mph, vs. 13. Pat Stoken, Eureka, Mont., 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.122, 231.56 mph; 6. Quain Stott, Columbus, N.C., 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.056, 235.93 mph, vs. 14. Burton Auxier, Dixie, West Va., 1953 Chevy Corvette, 6.143, 224.43 mph; 7. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 2007 Pontiac GTO, 6.077, 231.16 mph, vs. 15. Jason Hamstra, Demotte, Ind., 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.162, 229.20 mph; 8. Jim Halsey, Street, Md., 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.081, 231.28 mph, vs. 16. Tommy Gray, Baltimore, Md., 2007 Pontiac GTO, 6.174, 233.72 mph.
PRO STOCK – 1. Pete Berner, Crete, Ill., 2006 Pontiac GTO,
6.281, 220.80 mph, vs. 9. Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, 2007 Ford
Mustang, 6.345, 220.22 mph.
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR – 1. Laurie Cannister, Johnstown, Ohio, 1999 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.669, 246.89 mph, vs. 5. Rob Atchison, London, Ontario, Canada, 2003 Pontiac Firebird, 5.788, 243.41 mph; 2. Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 5.719, 245.18 mph, vs. 6. Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., 2007 Ford Mustang, 5.808, 240.99 mph; 3. Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa., 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 5.739, 242.45 mph, vs. 7. Tim Stevens, Dorr, Mich., 2006 Dodge Stratus, 5.826, 214.89 mph;4. Neal Parker, Millville, N.J., 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 5.767, 241.76 mph, vs. 8. Bunny Burkett, Spotsylvania, Pa., 2006 Dodge Avenger, 5.833, 239.95 mph.
Friday wrap-up
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. --
Litton coasted across the finish line with a 4.736 second, 251.44 mph run that put him atop the Top Fuel qualifying list, with teammate Jeff O'Neill second at 4.841 and 301.33, Scotty Cannon third at 4.856 and 282.78h, and Zizzo fourth with a tire-shaking 5.161 at 250.92 mph. Litton's bonus puts him one round and one point behind Zizzo with two qualifying runs remaining. Cannon is still mathematically in the chase, but he is 91 points behind Zizzo and Zizzo has not stopped earning points. Patrick took the top spot in Pro Stock with a 6.354 second, 213.91 mph effort, with Berner and Brian Gahm close behind at 6.372 and 6.377, respectively Three drivers are still in the chase for the Pro Stock championship, Berner less than one round behind Patrick, with Frank Gugliotta still in the running, 46 points behind Patrick and qualified seventh at 6.431. Atchison extended his championship lead over Mark Thomas to 32 points by taking the five-point "Last Man Standing" bonus for Friday night, as well as qualifying first with a 5.823 at 239.14. Terry Munroe is third in the points, but is not yet qualified after breaking before he could make a run, and Thomas is qualified seventh, barely in the field. Neal Parker, Laurie Cannister, and Paul Noakes round out the top four in the category after the first round.
Gilbertson carded a strong 4.927 at 302.14 mph to take the provisional pole position for this event, with newcomer Cory Lee right on his heels at 4.931 and 305.22. Jack Wyatt and Jeff Diehl round out the tup four after the first round. Dale Creasy Jr. clinched the Nitro Funny Car championship two races ago and found himself fifth after the first round of qualifying. Two more rounds of qualifying, at 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, will set the field for Sunday's eliminations. |
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