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Sept. 8-10, 2006
IHRA North American Nationals, Epping NH Final Round results EPPING, N.H. -- Funny Car "This feels really good," said Gilbertson, who hasn't competed at New England Dragway since 1992. He didn't even get to finish that race due to emergency dental surgery that his son needed. That was the last race IHRA had in Nitro Funny Car prior to this year. "People expect a lot out of us because we go over there (NHRA) and do pretty well, but it's come down to luck a lot this year. That's what makes drag racing unique," added Gilbertson.
Bobby Lagana Jr. (Scarsdale, N.Y.) won his second career Top Fuel Ironman by defeating Chris Karamesines in the final at Epping. Lagana advanced to the finals by defeating Todd Paton in the first round and Bruce Litton in the semifinals. Litton hit the wall hard during that semifinal run and was transported to a local hospital for observation. Litton will have surgery Monday to replace a plate in his shoulder from a previous injury. It was a big turn-around for Lagana and the Twilight Zone Top Fuel team. Two weeks ago, at the World Nationals in Norwalk, Lagana suffered a DNQ. He qualified seventh at this race and could not break the five-second barrier. But Sunday everything came together, enabling him to become the first two-time national event winner in the Top Fuel class this season. "We've been thinking about Bruce, hoping he's alright. He's a good friend of mine," said Lagana. "Everybody we race is our friend, and when somebody goes down, it's so tough. It's crazy that we compete with each other because we all love each other so much. "Three finals, two wins in one year, & two DNQs also. It's been a crazy year. I have so many family members here this has been a great weekend." PS "All we were worried about today was winning this race," said Patrick. "We knew the final could be close, so I was hoping for a good light, but didn't want to red-light. Our engine builder was here all weekend and we kept tuning and making the motor better every run." Pro Mod Patrick was not the only record-setter to win an Ironman in Epping. Eddie Ware set a Torco's CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified ET record in the second round of eliminations by clocking a 6.035. He did not need to be that quick in the final against Harold Martin, who lit the red-light by -.02. "This win is a major stepping stone," said Ware. "We got our first major sponsor this year, and kind of had a bad start to the year but he stuck through it with us, so we're thrilled to finally get this IHRA win. Hopefully we can keep this up for the rest of the season." Alcohol Funny Car Rob Atchison finally has the monkey off his back. The three-time defending Alcohol Funny Car World Champion won his first Ironman of the season by defeating Terry Munroe in the final round. Atchison posted a 5.912/244.52 pass to top Munroe's 5.996/236.13. "I wasn't really worried about the points chase today, just getting our first win was the focus," said Atchison, of London, Ontario. "We got the win, but are still battling to figure this car out. It's just been such a tough season, we feel fortunate to be in the position we are." Television coverage of the Amalie Oil North American Nationals airs on SPEED: Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car and JEG'S Top Stock - Saturday, September 30 at 4 pm Pro Modified, Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Stock - Saturday, November 11 at 6 pm The next event on the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series is the IHRA Canadian Nationals, September 22-24, at Toronto Motorsports Park, Cayuga, Ontario. EPPING, N.H. -- Sunday's final results from the Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New England Dodge Dealers at New England Dragway. This is the ninth of 11 in the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series - Top Fuel -- Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.468 seconds, 283.25 mph def. Chris Karamesines, 8.293 seconds, 115.75 mph. Nitro Funny Car -- Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 4.843, 311.92 def. Paul Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, foul. Pro Modified -- Eddie Ware, Chevy Camaro, 7.603, 137.39 def. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, foul. Pro Stock -- Robert Patrick, Ford Shelby GT 500, 6.315, 221.27 def. Rob Mansfield, Chevy Cobalt, 6.482, 192.96. Alcohol Funny Car -- Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.912, 244.52 def. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.996, 236.13. Top Stock -- Paul Mercure, Chevy Camaro, 9.453, 139.34 def. Bo Kenney, Pontiac Firebird, 9.670, 140.39. Top Sportsman -- Dana Macleod, Chevy Cavalier, 6.892, 205.16 def. Harry Gray, Chevy Corvette, 7.474, 183.77. Top Dragster -- Bryan Bennett, Dragster, 7.152, 182.38 def. Debby Di Genova, Dragster, 7.161, 187.76. Quick Rod -- Jackie Rogge, Dragster, 8.938, 162.10 def. Forest Lipke, Dragster, 9.008, 169.98. Super Rod -- Gerald Pierce, Olds Cutlass, 9.930, 150.66 def. Ryan Ondrejko, Chevy Corvette, 9.919, 138.74. Hot Rod -- Bill Riddle, Pontiac Firebird, 10.874, 133.03 def. Phil McCarthy, Chevy Camaro, 10.853, 148.18. Super Stock -- Jim Harrington, Chevy Camaro, 12.761, 91.69 def. Gregory Gay, Mirada, 10.957, 120.61. Stock -- David Casey, Chevy Corvette, 10.468, 123.15 def. Mark Faul, Chevy Chevelle, 10.920, 116.33. ET Bracket -- Dave Miller, S-10, 8.626, 151.71 def. Don Lord, Willys, 10.647, 125.66. ET No Box -- Don Lord, '40 Willys, 10.615, 126.06 def. James Choti Jr, Chevy Camaro, foul. ET Box -- Dave Miller, Chevy S-10 8.620, 154.97 def. Richard Desjardins, Dragster, broke. Satruday final qualifying and wrap-up EPPING, N.H. -- Doug Foley entered the Amalie Oil North American Nationals hot on
Clay Millican's heels for the Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro
Top Fuel season points lead. Millican led Foley by just 15 points
heading into Epping, leaving only four races left to determine the
eventual 2006 World Champion. Bob Gilbertson continued his assault on the IHRA record books. After breaking John Force's track record at Norwalk Raceway Park two weeks ago, Gilbertson provisionally set both ends of the IHRA world record Saturday night in Epping. His 4.786/315.78 pass will have to be backed up during Sunday eliminations to go on the books. Current IHRA points leader Dale Creasy Jr. was second on the qualifying sheet with a 4.852 pass at 311.92 mph. Nothing changed after the Saturday afternoon qualifying session in Torco's CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified as Kenny Lang held on to the pole when Saturday evening's session was finished. Lang posted a 6.102 at 231.87 Saturday afternoon to jump to the top of the sheet and, despite strong evening runs by Ed Hoover and Carl Spiering, will sit No. 1 when the first round of eliminations begin Sunday. Ed Hoover clocked a 6.119/232.91 pass to claim the #2 spot while Carl Spiering ended up third with a 6.133/232.23 pass. Rob Mansfield has seemingly found something special with his '05 Cobalt. Mansfield posted the two quickest times of all Torco's CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock qualifying sessions with a 6.380 Saturday morning, followed by a 6.382 at 219.44 mph in the evening air to claim the No. 1 qualifying spot. Two weeks ago Mansfield advanced to the semifinals at the Skull Shine World Nationals. Pete Berner, the Ironman winner in Norwalk, is second on the qualifying sheet with a 6.400/216.58 posted Saturday evening. Fred Tigges, a New Englander from Holbrook, Mass., gave the fans in Epping a thrill with his final qualifying shot Saturday. Tigges clocked a 5.749 at 244.29 mph to jump from third to the top of the qualifying list, bumping Rob Atchison into the No. 2 spot. Terry Munroe will be in the No. 3 spot on the eliminations ladder. Professional eliminations for the Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New England Dodge Dealers at New England Dragway begin Sunday at 11 p.m. Final round starts at 4:15 p.m. Top Fuel 1 2 Doug Foley, Sewell NJ, McKinney-TFX 4.590@ 317.34 323.66 Funny Car 1 206 Bob Gilbertson, Charlotte NC, '05 Stratus 4.786 315.78 315.78 Pro Mod 1 5012 Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe MB, *'53 Corvette 6.102 231.87
232.35 ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 17 1152 Tony Pontieri, Toronto ON, *'57 Bel Air 6.243 234.66 234.66 Alcohol Funny Car 1 147 Frederick Tigges, Holbrook MA, '01 Avenger 5.749 244.29 244.69 ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 9 293 Larry Dobbs, Welland ON, '01 Corvette 5.929 234.37 234.37
Dale Creasy Jr. helped his bid to maintain the lead in the Knoll
Gas - Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car class Friday during the
Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New England Dodge
Dealers, blasting a 4.852/311.92 track record-setting pass to claim
the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot. Todd Paton (Top Fuel), Kenny
Lang (Pro Modified), Rob Mansfield (Pro Stock) and Rob Atchison (Alcohol
Funny Car) also claimed provisional top spots. "We knew the track was good, the air here is phenomenal, and that's a lethal combination," said Creasy. "You can really get yourself in trouble when the conditions are just right and you overpower the car. But we decided to just do what we know how to do and it worked out to make a great run." In Knoll Gas - Torco Racing Fuels Pro Top Fuel, Paton, originally from Paris, Ontario, took the No. 1 position with a 4.960/241.76 pass that he shut off before the finish line. The team recently acquired the dragster, and didn't know if they'd even have it ready for the first qualifier. Despite the uncertainties, Paton sits atop the qualifying sheet, followed by Chris Karamesines and points leader Clay Millican. "We were still building this car about twenty minutes before we got up to the staging lanes," said Paton. "The guys have been working around the clock on this car for a couple of weeks. How satisfying is that to come in under those circumstances and come out tonight No. 1? We'll definitely take that for a first lap in the car." Canadian Lang, who comes into the event just outside the top ten in points, flew to a track record-setting ET 6.102 to take the provisional No. 1 spot in Torco's CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified. He's trailed by Ed Hoover, Carl Spiering and Scott Cannon. Point's leader Glen Kerunsky sits 13th. Charles Carpenter, Harrisburg, N.C., is on the bump spot with a 6.364. As the first professional class to hit the track, Torco's CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock round one low qualifier is Mansfield, Winter Park, Fla., who's had one of the quickest cars in the last few races. Mansfield crossed the stripe at 6.380/218.90 and is trailed by Pete Berner, 6.412/216.86, who enters this event second in the point standings. Lake Bluff, Ill.-resident Tony Gillig, current points leader, sits in the 7th spot.
Qualifying resumes Saturday for the Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New England Dodge Dealers at New England Dragway. Gates open at 8 a.m. with Sportsman eliminations at 9:30 a.m., Professional qualifying at 3 and 7 p.m. Professional eliminations start Sunday at 11 a.m.
Top Fuel 1 9 Todd Paton, Bluff City TN, McKinney-TFX 4.960 241.76 241.76 Funny Car 1 302 Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher IL, '06 Monte Carlo 4.852 311.92
311.92 ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 6 206 Bob Gilbertson, Charlotte NC, '05 Stratus DQ
Pro Mod 1 5012 Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe MB, *'53 Corvette 6.102 231.87
231.87 ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 17 11 Billy Harper, Paducah KY, '00 Viper 6.367 217.04 217.04 Pro Stock 1 163 Rob Mansfield, Margate FL, '05 Cobalt 6.380 218.90 218.90 ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 17 431 Rickie Smith, King NC, '07 Cobalt 6.539 213.50 213.50
Alcohol Funny Car 1 1 Rob Atchison, London ON, '06 Monte Carlo 5.769 247.52 247.52 ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 9 100 Terry Munroe, Beaver PA, '05 Monte Carlo 6.078 239.65 239.65 Sept. 7, 2006 Event preview EPPING, N.H. -- . 2004 Alcohol Funny Car: Rob Atchison over Mark Thomas by 23 points . 2000 Top Fuel: Paul Romine over Clay Millican by 7 points . 2000 Nitro Harley-Davidson: Jay Turner over Steve Stordeur by 31 points That of course brings into question the level of competition in IHRA. If one driver runs away with the title, is there much parity within the class? However, this season, if it's not the most competitive in IHRA history, it is indeed proving to be the most competitive in the last six years. The current points chase: . Top Fuel: Clay Millican over Doug Foley by 15 points . Nitro Funny Car: Dale Creasy Jr. over Jack Wyatt by 13 points . Pro Modified: Glen Kerunsky over Danny Rowe by 6 points . Alcohol Funny Car: Mark Thomas over Rob Atchison by 5 points . Pro Stock: Tony Gillig leads Pete Berner and Frank Gugliotta, but all within 100 points
In 2006, IHRA instituted a ladder system which places the No. 1 qualifier versus the No. 5 qualifier in an 8-car field, or No. 9 in a 16-car field. This was in place of the traditional ladder system which rewards the top qualifier by racing the lowest qualified cars early in eliminations (No. 1 versus No. 8 or No. 16). "The ladder is structured so it creates tighter racing, a tighter points chase, and it reduces the risk of the traditional No. 1 versus No. 16 first round blowout, which no one wants to see," said IHRA Vice President of Racing Operations Skooter Peaco. "The No. 1 car is now rewarded with lane choice and points, but he doesn't get a 'gimme' in the first round," said IHRA director of competition and technical services Mike Baker. "This ultimately creates better racing for the fans." Despite the tight points chase, Creasy's Torco Racing Fuels-sponsored team won't change their race strategy. "We are sticking with our game plan, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the points. Every run means something. Every run is important," said Creasy Jr., of Beecher, Ill. "If I can qualify one or two positions higher than Jack (Wyatt, No. 2 in points) I can gain a few points. I'm even thinking about the 15 points we lost in San Antonio when we oiled the track. I pedaled it, stayed on the gas longer than I should have, and it pushed some oil out onto the track. I lost points and we didn't even qualify on that run. I won't make that mistake again."
"People have gone out, found the sponsorship dollars and moved their level of performance up. I think it's wonderful how well everyone is running. I also think it's great the NHRA cars are coming over and mixing it up, because for years that's what I did to their program," added Millican, who drives the Werner Enterprises dragster. "Do I want to win the championship? You better believe I think about it every day. (Despite the close points chase) we have to think the same way we always do. You can only do this sport one run at a time. "All this good racing is great for the fans. If we don't keep people excited, I'll be back driving a forklift again," added Millican.
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