NORWALK, Ohio (October 30, 2006) – With the conclusion of the Universal Technical Institute World Finals this past weekend, IHRA announces the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series World Champions:

Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel: Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn.

Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car: Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher, Ill.

Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified: Quain Stott, Columbus, N.C.

Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock: Pete Berner, Crete, Ill.

Alcohol Funny Car: Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio

Erson Cams Top Sportsman: Marco Abruzzi, Warren, Ohio

Mallory Top Dragster: Bryan Bennett, Shallowater, Texas

ACCEL DFI Super Stock: Scott Stillings, Indianapolis, Ind.

Hays Stock: Myron Piatek, Holly Hill, Fla.

ACCEL Quick Rod: Forrest Lipke, Belleville, Wisc.

Lakewood Super Rod: Steve Furr, Harrisburg, N.C.

Hurst Hot Rod: Kenny Underwood, Tampa, Fla.

JEG’S Top Stock: Bo Kenny, Manassas, Va.

Summit SuperSeries Box: Joe Gary, Greenwood, S.C.

Summit SuperSeries No Box: John Coyle, Tinley Park, Ill.

“I’d like to congratulate all of our 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series World Champions,” said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “We’ve all experienced a great season of racing. While all our member racers hold a special place in the history of IHRA, these champions have earned a place in the record books.”

The World Champions will be crowned Saturday, December 9, at the Joseph F. Koury Center in Greensboro, N.C.

For more information about the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series please log onto www.ihra.com.

Millican, Wyatt, Thomas, Montecalvo and Cannon also claim Ironmen at World Finals

 By Mike Perry – IHRA Communications

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 23, 2006) – Jack Wyatt won the battle, but Dale Creasy Jr. won the war.

Wyatt defeated Creasy in the final round to claim the Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car Ironman at the Universal Technical Institute World Finals in Rockingham, but by advancing to the final Creasy had already put the ’06 world championship away.

Almost.

All Creasy had to do was not oil the track in the final and the championship was his. In the final he lit the red-light and idled down the track while Wyatt blasted to his second national event win of the season at Rockingham Dragway.

“This was a great way to end the season,” Wyatt said. “Dale Creasy and the Creasy Family Racing Team deserve this championship and they are going to be great representatives for IHRA. We did everything we could this weekend, but with Dale on the other side of the ladder we had to win the race and get some help. We did what we had to do, but so did Dale.”

Wyatt knocked off Bob Gilbertson (Charlotte, N.C.) in the first round before defeating Paul Lee in the final. Creasy knocked off Tim Wilkerson in the first round before dispatching Andy Kelly in the semifinals to clinch the championship…as long as he could keep the track dry in the final.

“That was the first time I was relieved when I red-lit because I knew we could shut it off,” Creasy said. “We were taking a shot at the track because we knew if the car hooked up we would be okay, but we red-lit and shot it down. Then it was official.”

Clay Millican (Drummonds, Tenn.) won his 50th career Top Fuel Ironman three weeks after clinching his sixth consecutive Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel world championship in Budds Creek, Md.

Millican won his 10th career Ironman at Rockingham when he defeated Rick Cooper in the final round. He defeated T.J. Zizzo in the first round of eliminations before Jim Cavaleri was a no-show against him in the semifinal. He then won a tight final round against Cooper. Millican had a .057 reaction time and posted a 4.642 in the final round against Cooper while Cooper registered a .117 reaction time and a 4.655.

“There is just something special about this place, it fits me like a glove,” Millican said. “When we were coming up the return road Mike Kloeber and I were trying to figure out how much money we’ve won at this place. I have no idea how much it is, but it’s a lot.”

Mark Thomas (Louisville, Ohio) put the finishing touch on his championship weekend when he defeated Paul Noakes to claim the Alcohol Funny Car Ironman Monday. Thomas clinched his sixth career world championship in the class earlier during the event when Rob Atchison, his closest competition in the points chase, fell to Fred Tigges in the first round of eliminations.

Rockingham has been a hot and cold track for Thomas during his career. He won his first career national event at “The Rock,” but let a world championship slip through his fingers there in 2004.

“This is great,” Thomas said. “I love this place. I won my first event here and have a lot of history in Rockingham. It was tough here in ’04, but I still love this track.”

Despite clinching the world championship after the first round, Thomas wanted to close the ’06 season in the Winner’s Circle.

“This is the way to end the season,” he said. “Even though we knew we had the title wrapped up we really wanted to win this race. That was what we were focusing on. Round-by-round…that’s how we always approach things and that’s how we won this championship.”

Scott Cannon Jr. (Lyman, S.C.) ended the season on a positive note when he claimed the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified Ironman in Rockingham. Cannon has had one of the quickest and most consistent Pro Mod cars on the IHRA circuit this season, but small things always prevented him from taking home the trophy. That changed at the World Finals.

“I was starting to wonder if I was ever going to win one of these,” Cannon said while holding the Ironman. “We’ve had a great car all year, but little things always did us in. This is a great way to end the season.”

Cannon defeated Tommy D’Aprile in the first round, Danny Rowe in the quarterfinals and Josh Hernandez, who set the Pro Mod world record with a 5.990 earlier during the event, in the semifinals. He then took the win when Ray Commisso lit the red-light against him in the final round.

John Montecalvo (Center Moriches, N.Y.) won for the first time since winning the Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway during the 2004 season. He took home the ’06 World Finals Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock Ironman when he knocked off Rob Mansfield in the final.

“It’s been awhile, but this feels great,” Montecalvo said. “Rob has such a strong car and Jeff is one of the best drivers in the business. I did not have a tough road, that’s for sure.”

Montecalvo won with a 6.370 in the final round against a tire-shaking Mansfield.

The Universal Technical Institute World Finals, the last event on the 2006 IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series, airs on SPEED Monday, October 30, at 5 p.m. and Saturday, December 2 at 6 p.m.

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Monday's final results from the Universal Technical Institute World Finals at Rockingham Dragway. The race is the final of 11 in the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Clay Millican, 4.642 seconds, 312.13 mph  def. Rick Cooper, 4.655 seconds, 315.64 mph.

Nitro Funny Car -- Jack Wyatt, Pontiac Firebird, 5.849, 167.16  def. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, foul.

Pro Modified -- Scott Cannon, Pontiac GTO, 6.051, 226.16  def. Raymond Commisso, Chevy Camaro, foul.

Alcohol Funny Car -- Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.833, 244.07  def. Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 6.010, 238.81.

Pro Stock -- John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.370, 218.83  def. Rob Mansfield, Cobalt, 15.096, 54.98.

Summit SuperSeries No Box -- John Coyle, Chevy Nova, 11.918, 111.23  def. Craig Austin, Chevy Chevelle, 9.798, 135.48.

Summit SuperSeries Box -- Joe Gary, Chevy Camaro, 8.677, 153.20  def. David Bills, Dragster, 7.575, 169.96.

Top Dragster -- Nick Folk, Dragster, 7.015, 177.86  def. Scott Duggins, Dragster, 6.761, 196.85.

Top Sportsman -- Dewayne Silance, Chevy Camaro, 7.004, 190.24  def. Don Rudd, Chevy Cavalier, 7.362, 185.21.

Quick Rod -- Troy Williams Jr., Dragster, 19.436, 66.84  def. Patrick Forster, Dragster, 15.580, 68.32.

Super Rod -- Steve Furr, Chevy Camaro, 9.925, 151.89  def. Greg Slack, Ford Maverick, 9.896, 147.37.

Hot Rod -- Kenneth Jozwiak, Chevy Nova, 18.281, 59.86  def. Glenn Ferguson, Ford Fairlane, 10.936, 129.42.

Super Stock -- Robbie Hudlow, Oldsmobile Achieva, 9.489, 126.77  def. Billy Leber, Chevy S-10, 12.415, 73.39.

Stock -- Robbie Hudlow, Chevy Camaro, 10.450, 124.19  def. Gale Pinkston, Camaro, 11.231, 115.26.

ACCEL Survivor Top Dragster -- Steve Furr, Dragster, 6.738, 181.32  def. Nick Folk, Dragster, 6.836, 178.07.

ACCEL Survivor Top Sportsman -- Bob Harris, Chevy Cavalier, 6.935, 197.68  def. Ronnie Proctor, Ford Mustang, 6.873, 197.19.

ACCEL Survivor Quick Rod -- Troy Williams Jr., Dragster, 8.908, 166.85  def. Slate Cummings, Dragster, 8.929, 175.96.

ACCEL Survivor Super Rod -- Todd Comer, Ford Ranger, 9.901, 150.28  def. Brian Folk, Chevy Cavalier, 9.889, 152.95.

ACCEL Survivor Hot Rod -- Michael Harris, Chevy Camaro, 10.901, 137.05  def. Travis Harvey, Camaro, 10.884, 135.73.

ACCEL Survivor Super Stock -- Slate Cummings, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.574, 117.87  def. Bob Marshall, Dodge Coronet, 9.735, 141.25.

ACCEL Survivor Stock -- Anthony Bertozzi, Chevy Camaro, 10.579, 123.17  def. Wes McCracken, Camaro, 10.605, 119.36.

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Final round-by-round results from the Universal Technical Institute World Finals at Rockingham Dragway, the 11th of 11 events in the  2006 eMax Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Jim Cavalieri, 4.735, 299.00 def. Bruce Litton, 4.716, 302.21; Rick Cooper, 4.634, 318.02 def. Scott Weis, 7.601, 111.74; Clay Millican, 4.657, 312.21 def. T.J. Zizzo, 4.784, 314.83; Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.052, 262.33 def. Andrew Cowin, 7.031, 139.16;

SEMIFINALS -- Millican, 13.730, 65.92 def. Cavalieri, broke; Cooper, 4.680, 310.63 def. Lagana Jr., 4.704, 312.21;

FINAL -- Millican, 4.642, 312.13 def. Cooper, 4.655, 315.64.

NITRO FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.146, 292.14 def. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.212, 248.57; Jack Wyatt, Firebird, 5.081, 289.07 def. Bob Gilbertson, Stratus, 6.037, 210.37; Paul Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.036, 298.01 def. Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 6.913, 123.76; Dale Creasy Jr., Monte Carlo, 5.009, 298.87 def. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.972, 304.19;

SEMIFINALS -- Wyatt, 5.030, 295.59 def. Lee, 5.304, 276.97; Creasy Jr., 5.020, 292.01 def. Kelley, 12.700, 86.62;

FINAL -- Wyatt, 5.849, 167.16 def. Creasy Jr., foul.

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Danny Rowe, Chevy Corvette, 6.070, 231.99 def. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.119, 230.06; Raymond Commisso, Chevy Camaro, 6.140, 224.62 def. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.345, 217.77; Tony Pontieri, Chevy Bel Air, 6.037, 234.94 def. Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 9.287, 98.06; Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.158, 230.10 def. Troy Critchley, Plymouth Barracuda, 6.172, 234.74; Scott Cannon, Pontiac GTO, 6.109, 225.75 def. Tommy D'Aprile, Corvette, 6.139, 231.00; Eddie Ware, Camaro, 6.129, 231.75 def. Carl Spiering, Camaro, 6.218, 230.53; Josh Hernandez, Camaro, 6.022, 236.38 def. Steve Bareman, Dodge Stratus, 14.774, 43.37; John Russo, Camaro, 6.073, 232.51 def. Alan Pittman, Bel Air, 6.583, 194.44;

QUARTERFINALS -- Hernandez, 5.990, 236.80 def. Pontieri, 6.048, 234.49; Cannon, 6.055, 231.00 def. Rowe, 6.041, 231.28; Commisso, 6.108, 232.23 def. Ware, 6.145, 229.08; Russo, 6.115, 231.48 def. Stott, 6.120, 231.40;

SEMIFINALS -- Commisso, 7.805, 145.11 def. Russo, 15.575, 51.49; Cannon, 6.537, 207.85 def. Hernandez, 7.619, 161.75;

FINAL -- Cannon, 6.051, 226.16 def. Commisso, foul.

ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.847, 238.17 def. Thomas Carter, Chevy Camaro, 5.909, 234.90; Frederick Tigges, Dodge Avenger, 6.005, 233.92 def. Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 6.075, 233.24; Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.914, 237.92 def. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.998, 234.29; Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.951, 237.25 def. Neal Parker, Monte Carlo, foul;

SEMIFINAL -- Noakes, 5.944, 238.47 def. Dobbs, 5.953, 234.25; Thomas, 5.888, 241.58 def. Tigges, foul;

FINAL -- Thomas, 5.833, 244.07 def. Noakes, 6.010, 238.81.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.405, 215.79 def. Bert Jackson, Chevy Cavalier, 6.562, 211.59; Dan Sweeney, Pontiac GTO, 6.430, 215.55 def. John Nobile, Escort, 9.382, 95.43; Daniel Seamon, Ford Mustang, 6.470, 215.20 def. Rickie Smith, Chevy Cobalt, 6.399, 216.00; Rob Mansfield, Cobalt, 6.387, 217.28 def. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.575, 214.76; Frank Gugliotta, Escort, 6.432, 216.27 def. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.405, 215.20; Pete Berner, GTO, 6.404, 215.86 def. Mike Corvo Jr, Cobalt, 6.438, 215.65; John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.357, 217.77 def. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.461, 216.13; Robert Patrick, Shelby GT 500, 6.347, 216.55 def. Tony Gillig, Ford Cobra, 6.391, 214.52;

QUARTERFINALS -- Dobbins, 6.397, 216.17 def. Gugliotta, foul; Berner, 6.398, 215.75 def. Sweeney, foul; Montecalvo, 6.388, 217.18 def. Seamon, 6.448, 215.65; Mansfield, 6.370, 217.67 def. Patrick, 6.352, 215.48;

SEMIFINALS -- Montecalvo, 7.686, 195.53 def. Dobbins, 8.942, 118.74; Mansfield, 6.804, 169.81 def. Berner, 20.903, 36.79;

FINAL -- Montecalvo, 6.370, 218.83 def. Mansfield, 15.096, 54.98.

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the Universal Technical Institute World Finals at Rockingham Dragway, the 11th of 11 events in the  2006 eMax Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1.  Clay Millican, 1,000; 2.  Rick Cooper, 814; 3.  Bobby Lagana Jr., 759; 4.  Doug Foley, 722; 5.  Bruce Litton, 565; 6.  T.J. Zizzo, 377; 7.  Chris Karamesines, 366; 8.  Andrew Cowin, 337; 9.  Louie Allison, 258; 10.  Mitch King, 167.

Nitro Funny Car

1.  Dale Creasy Jr., 909; 2.  Jack Wyatt, 904; 3.  Bob Gilbertson, 736; 4.  Vincent Arcadi, 669; 5.  Terry Haddock, 625; 6.  Paul Lee, 596; 7.  Gary Densham, 401; 8.  Andy Kelley, 246; 9.  Gary Cooper, 223; 10.  Jeff Diehl, 155.

Pro Modified

1.  Quain Stott, 681; 2.  Danny Rowe, 645; 3.  (tie) Mike Janis, 637; Glen Kerunsky, 637; 5.  Tommy D{Aprile, 605; 6.  Scott Cannon, 597; 7.  Carl Spiering, 568; 8.  Jim Halsey, 506; 9.  Steve Bareman, 455; 10.  Kenny Lang, 433.

Alcohol Funny Car

1.  Mark Thomas, 961; 2.  Rob Atchison, 855; 3.  Thomas Carter, 822; 4.  Terry Munroe, 582; 5.  Larry Dobbs, 566; 6.  Terry McMillen, 554; 7.  Frederick Tigges, 547; 8.  Paul Noakes, 510; 9.  Neal Parker, 365; 10.  Trevor Lebsack, 325.

Pro Stock

1.  Pete Berner, 873; 2.  Tony Gillig, 858; 3.  Frank Gugliotta, 796; 4.  Robert Patrick, 759; 5.  Rob Mansfield, 705; 6.  John Nobile, 681; 7.  Jeff Dobbins, 655; 8.  Steve Spiess, 616; 9.  John Montecalvo, 577; 10.  Brian Gahm, 406.

ACCEL Survivor Series crowns seven champions at World Finals
By Mike Perry – IHRA Communications

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 23, 2006) – With $80,500 up for grabs and 56 of the best sportsman racers in the country competing for their share of the pot, the ACCEL Survivor Series took center stage Saturday night at the Universal Technical Institute World Finals held at Rockingham Dragway.

The field consisted of the top eight racers in the seven different Mr. Gasket Pro-Am classes who registered for the program and ran the acceptable Mr. Gasket products in their race cars. Points accumulate all season with eligibility being determined following the President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek, Md.

With $5,000 going to each class winner for just three rounds of racing, as well as the big payday, the Survivor Series is one of the most prestigious and anticipated sportsman programs of the racing season. Michael Harris (Hurst Hot Rod), Troy Williams Jr. (ACCEL Quick Rod), Todd Comer (Lakewood Super Rod), Steve Furr (Mallory Top Dragster), Bob Harris (Erson Cams Top Sportsman), Anthony Bertozzi (Hays Stock) and Slate Cummings (ACCEL DFI Super Stock) each drove through the strongest sportsman field assembled this season to the Winner’s Circle at Rockingham Dragway.

“Once again the ACCEL Survivor Series has exceeded our expectations,” Mr. Gasket racing services directory Ollie Volpe said. “We had so many more people vying for the championships this year and there were several racers who just missed it by a little bit. They vowed to come back next year stronger than ever. This was the hardest working group of racers I have ever seen.”

Bob Harris claimed the Erson Cams Top Sportsman championship by knocking off Ronnie Proctor in the final. Harris was the #5 seed heading into the Survivor Series and had to deal with top seeded Ricky Adkins in the first round. He was able to get past Adkins before knocking out Chris Nyerges in the semifinals. This put him into the final round against Proctor, who defeated Dewayne Silance and Jeff Solyan in the first two rounds.

In the final, Harris was able to put his ’03 Cavalier into the Winner’s Circle by running a 6.935 on a 6.93 dial-in. Proctor broke out in the other lane, posting a 6.873 on a 6.88 dial. Harris was able to get the win despite mechanical problems on the starting line.

“I had a burnt piston before the run and it looked like a diesel truck going down the track,” Harris said. “Someone above was looking after me because the car ran dead-on with a five. It was a thrill coming back down the return road all the fans were hollering and screaming. It makes you feel real special.”

Steve Furr felt special after winning the $5,000 prize in the Mallory Top Dragster class with a victory over Nick Folk. Furr, who headed to Rockingham still in contention for two world championships in the sportsman classes, knocked off Brian Folk in the first round and Tony Ward in the semifinal. Nick Folk blasted through the other side of the ladder by defeating Ron Folk and Malinda Bertozzi..

In the final round Furr ran a 6.738 on a 6.71 dial with a .002 reaction time to defeat Folk, who posted a 6.836 on a 6.80 dial with a .010 reaction time.

“This is a great thing ACCEL puts on for us,” Furr said. “I’ve won it a couple of times before and it was a great deal then. It’s still a great deal. As far as it goes for sportsman racers it is incredible. We really appreciate what Mr. Gasket does for us.”

Michael Harris took home the title in the Hurst Hot Rod class, defeating Matt Albright and Michelle Furr before knocking off Travis Harvey in the final round. Harvey topped Bill Riddle and Doug Wood to move into the finals.

With the title on the line Harris ran dead-on with a 1 on the 10.90 index with a .028 reaction time to knock off Harvey’s break-out 10.884.

Troy Williams Jr. backed up his reputation as one of the top bracket racers in the country with a victory over Slate Cummings, a well-known sportsman racer in his own right, in the ACCEL Quick Rod final. Williams knocked off John Furr in the first round before advancing with a close victory over Tony Karnik in the semifinal. Williams posted a 8.925 on the 8.90 index with a .003 reaction time while Karnick went dead-on with a 2, but his .029 reaction time cost him a spot in the final.

Cummings, on the other side of the ladder, had a pair of break-outs against him. Chuck Harris posted a 8.883 in the first round against Cummings while Greg Slack carded an 8.872 against him in the semifinal.

In the final round Williams recorded an 8.908 with a .005 reaction time, an impressive .013-over package, to knock off Cummings’ 8.929 with a .015 reaction time.

Todd Comer claimed the Lakewood Super Rod title with a victory over Brian Folk in the final round. Comer handled Greg Slack in the first round and Bernard Weaver in the semifinals before knocking off Folk. He ran dead-on with a 1 against a breaking-out Folk in the final round.

“This was great,” Comer said. “It was a really cool deal and I’m so thankful to Mr. Gasket for doing this for us. This is the best program for sportsman racers.”

Anthony Bertozzi, who defeated Wes McCracken in the final to claim the Hays Stock championship, agreed with Comer.

“Five grand for three rounds is a great payday at the end of the year,” Bertozzi said. “I think it is very cool for Mr. Gasket to highlight the sportsman racers like this.”

Bertozzi defeated Aaron Allison and Myron Piatek to reach the final while McCracken topped Mike Mayhew and Craig Marshall to advance to the final round.

Slate Cummings was the last winner in the ACCEL Survivor Series as he defeated Bob Marshall in the ACCEL DFI Super Stock final. Cummings defeated Bob Lowry and Scott Stillings to advance to the final while Marshall topped Anthony Bertozzi and Jim Harrington.

The final rounds for each class follows:

Erson Cams Top Sportsman:
Bob Harris, 6.935/197.68, defeats Ronnie Proctor, 6.873/197.19

Mallory Top Dragster:
Steve Furr, 6.738/181.32, defeats Nick Folk, 6.836/178.07

ACCEL DFI Super Stock:
Slate Cummings, 9.574/117.87, defeats Bob Marshal, 9.735/141.25

Hays Stock:
Anthony Bertozzi, 10.579/123.17, defeats Wes McCracken, 10.605/119.36

ACCEL Quick Rod:
Troy Williams Jr., 8.908/166.85, defeats Slate Cummings, 8.929/175.96

Lakewood Super Rod:
Todd Comer, 9.901/150.28, defeats Brian Folk, 9.889/152.95

Hurst Hot Rod:
Michael Harris, 10.901/137.05, defeats Travis Harvey, 10.884/135.73

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 22, 2006) – Steve Spiess has won the Kaase IHRA Pro Stock Tuning Challenge for the 2006 season. Rewarding the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock car with the best average qualifying elapsed times for the entire season, the Kaase Tuning Challenge is the ultimate test in consistency. Spiess, of Manhattan, Ill., averaged 6.636 in his 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt.

Spiess was awarded $2,500 from Jon Kaase Racing Engines.

NORWALK, Ohio (October 2, 2006) – JCB, the fourth largest heavy equipment manufacturer in the world, will sponsor the Saturday “Night of Fire” during the final 2006 IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series event, the World Finals, held at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina October 20 – 22.

JCB was founded in 1945 and today manufactures over 160 different models of machinery on five continents, employing more 4,000 people. Producing construction and agricultural heavy equipment, including backhoe loaders, forklifts, excavators and dump trucks, the company’s global headquarters is located in Rocester, Staffordshire, England. The North American headquarters is in Savannah, Ga.

JCB’s involvement with the IHRA began earlier this year in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with hospitality areas during the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway. JCB and IHRA saw the natural fit for another partnership.

“The Edmonton event is the reason we are sponsoring the ‘Night of Fire’ in Rockingham,” said Andrew Henderson, marketing manager, JCB Inc. “The enthusiasm shown by the organizers, teams and of course the public toward JCB meant we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to come back for more.

“We always put on a great show for the public, whether it’s the Dancing Diggers or the 100 mph JCB GT Backhoe Loader, you can guarantee that both children and parents will leave with a smile on their faces,” added Henderson.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to further showcase IHRA drag racing to JCB and their customers,” said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “Their professional presence left an impression on everyone during the Rocky Mountain Nationals. Between the supercharged wheel-standing backhoe, their high-traffic display trailer on the midway and the long line of construction equipment lining the entrance to Castrol Raceway, fans left that race seeing JCB yellow.”

Included in their “Night of Fire” sponsorship, during the event JCB will feature the “Dancing Diggers” synchronized backhoe dancing team, the supercharged wheel-standing backhoe, hospitality display area and the 350 mph record-holding JCB Dieselmax.

In 1945, Joseph Cyril Bamford (Mr. JCB) launched the construction and agricultural equipment manufacturing company that bears his initials. He began his business in a garage that measured 12 feet by 15 feet. The worldwide growth of the Backhoe Loader is due to Joe’s pioneering work on perfecting this machine in those early days. In just 60 years since Joe founded JCB, the company has grown to employ over 4,000 people and produce over 160 different models of machinery on five continents. For more information on JCB, log onto the company’s web site at www.jcb.com.

The IHRA World Finals, the concluding race of the 11-event eMax Drag Racing Series, will be held at Rockingham Dragway, October 20 – 22. To obtain media credentials or schedule interviews, please contact Travis Reynolds at (419) 706-8631, travisreynolds@livenation.com, or Mike Perry at (419) 660-4213, mikeperryihra@livenation.com.

Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Shootout Decided At Rockingham Dragway

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 21, 2006) – The top eight competitors in each of the Mr. Gasket Pro-Am classes competed Saturday at the Universal Technical Institute World Finals for the ACCEL Survivor Series. With a total purse of $80,500, the winner and runner-up in each class won $5,000 and $1,500 respectively.

A list of the winners follows. Please see the upcoming issue of DRM magazine for more information.

Erson Cams Top Sportsman:

Bob Harris, 6.935/197.68, defeats Ronnie Proctor, 6.873/197.19

Mallory Top Dragster:

Steve Furr, 6.738/181.32, defeats Nick Folk, 6.836/178.07

ACCEL DFI Super Stock:

Slate Cummings, 9.574/117.87, defeats Bob Marshal, 9.735/141.25

Hays Stock:

Anthony Bertozzi, 10.579/123.17, defeats Wes McCracken, 10.605/119.36

ACCEL Quick Rod:

Troy Williams Jr., 8.908/166.85, defeats Slate Cummings, 8.929/175.96

Lakewood Super Rod:

Todd Comer, 9.901/150.28, defeats Brian Folk, 9.889/152.95

Hurst Hot Rod:

Michael Harris, 10.901/137.05, defeats Travis Harvey, 10.884/135.73

National Event Tour Will Make Stop At Tulsa Track Beginning In 2007

TULSA, Okla. (October 11, 2006) – The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and Tulsa Raceway Park announced Tuesday during a press conference that the track will host the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals, an IHRA national event, May 25 – 27, 2007. The Sooner Nationals, which will continue annually through 2011, is the third race of the 12-event 2007 eMax Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series.

“When this drag strip opened in 1965, it was host to many national events, including the World Finals and the Spring Nationals,” Tulsa Raceway Park owner Dan Guterman said. “After extensive renovation, Tulsa Raceway Park is again a premier drag racing facility, and I’d like to thank the Tulsa Sports Commission in helping bring this event to Tulsa.”

Mike Dodson, executive director of the Tulsa Sports Commission, was on hand to welcome the event along with IHRA vice president of marketing Jim Marchyshyn.

“What an outstanding name, the Sooner Nationals,” said Dodson. “This is an outstanding opportunity for this community considering the economic impact and the benefits it brings. This is the kind of sporting event that is fun for the community and provides positive exposure across the country. It’s national in scope and we can put our best foot forward.”

“We’re looking for world-class venues that can put on a great show and where we won’t limit ourselves in terms of financial resources,” said Marchyshyn. “We know we can put on a world-class event here, and Dan has taken the necessary steps to create a facility with premier amenities, including the race control and hospitality tower, concrete walls surrounding an excellent racing surface, increased parking and pit paving. All the things we asked him to do, he stepped up and did them.

“This event will bring between 500 and 550 race teams to Tulsa from all over the United States and Canada. That’s 3,500 people just in drivers and crews alone,” added Marchyshyn. “Tulsa is a great market with tremendous upside. We are thrilled to be hosting an event in Oklahoma during the 2007 season. Dan worked hard with the Tulsa Sports Commission to make this a reality and we are looking forward to building this event into something special.”

“Having grown up in Tulsa and attending the World Finals and Spring Nationals and then seeing them go away, this means a lot to me in being one of the ones responsible for bringing it back,” said Guterman. “Together with my father and my brother, my partners in Tulsa Raceway Park, we saw this facility having the potential of reaching its past glory. Drag racing used to be an important part in the Tulsa sports scene and the IHRA Skull Shine Sooner Nationals is an important event and will have other national events riding its coattails into Tulsa.”

For more information about Tulsa Raceway Park, please log onto www.tulsaracewaypark.com.

Creasy Jr., Stott, Thomas and Gillig hope to maintain championship leads

NORWALK, Ohio (October 11, 2006) – As the Universal Technical Institute World Finals approaches, fans of the IHRA eMax Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series will pay close attention to the championship chases in the five professional categories. The event will be held October 20 – 22 at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina.

The one championship that is all but locked-up is the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel class. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., leads Doug Foley by 117 points for his sixth-consecutive Top Fuel championship. Due to injuries sustained during a crash in Ontario, Foley missed the last IHRA race in Maryland and is expected to miss the World Finals. On the other hand, Millican has attended every race, and will earn 41 bonus points at the end of the season for doing so. Foley, Sewell, N.J., cannot earn those points.

Therefore, regardless of who wins at Rockingham, when Millican arrives at the track, he locks up the championship. He’ll be the only professional competitor to ever win six-consecutive championships. The only other driver to accomplish such a feat is Anthony Bertozzi, Richmond, Va., who won the ACCEL DFI Super Stock championship every year from 1996 – 2001.

The battle for second place will come down to Rick Cooper, Boise, Idaho, and Bobby Lagana Jr., Scarsdale, N.Y. Neither competitor can catch Millican, but it’s likely they will both pass Foley, Cooper’s teammate. Only 32 points separate Cooper and Lagana Jr.

It was thought Dale Creasy Jr. (photo attached), Beecher, Ill., made the definitive blow in the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car class by winning the Canadian Nationals last month and leaving the event with a 55-point lead over Jack Wyatt, Corydon, Iowa. However, after a first round loss in Maryland, including a costly 15-point black flag deduction (for oiling the track), Creasy Jr. enters the World Finals only 22 points ahead of Wyatt, and 73 points ahead of pre-season favorite and Charlotte, N.C.-resident Bob Gilbertson. Creasy Jr. needs to qualify well and not let Wyatt advance any rounds beyond him in eliminations to ensure his first career world championship. Obviously a black flag penalty would be costly for anyone at this event. Of note, Wyatt won the IHRA Spring Nationals this past April in Rockingham.

“We just have to worry about doing our job and things will take care of themselves,” Creasy said. “Sure, we’ve been thinking about the championship and its something this team has been working towards for years, but we just have to keep our focus and go rounds.”

Quain Stott, Columbus, N.C., is in the same boat as Creasy. Stott took the lead in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified class with a win in Maryland, but his lead is tenuous at best. Glen Kerunsky, Calgary, Alberta, sits just 10 points behind Stott in second, but there are as many as four other drivers who could conceivably jump up and snatch the title away.

Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., on the strength of his win in Cayuga, Ontario, is 30 points behind Stott in third place. California’s Danny Rowe is 33 points back. Tommy D’Aprile, Port Charlotte, Fla., is 57 points behind Stott while Carl Spiering, Jordan Station, Ontario, has an outside shot to move into the lead as well, currently sitting 103 points behind Stott.

Mark Thomas, Canton, Ohio, did not win the Alcohol Funny Car Ironman in Maryland. However, that race might end up being the turning point if he holds on to win his sixth career World Championship.

Thomas, who enters Rockingham with 802 points, was the #1 qualifier at the President’s Cup while three-time defending World Champion Rob Atchison, London, Ontario, who currently has 754 points, failed to qualify for eliminations, causing him to surrender the points lead. Tom Carter, Cuero, Texas, with 724 points, remains in contention as well.

Tony Gillig, Pete Berner and Frank Gugliotta will slug it out for the title in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock class. Gillig, Lake Bluff, Ill., is in the driver’s seat with 784 points, but Berner (753) and Gugliotta (692) are in striking distance. Gugliotta, Mt. Airy, Md., is the defending World Finals champion.

The Universal Technical Institute World Finals, featuring the Saturday JCB “Night of Fire,” the concluding race of the 11-event eMax Drag Racing Series, will be held at Rockingham Dragway, October 20 – 22. To obtain media credentials or schedule interviews, please contact Travis Reynolds at (419) 706-8631, travisreynolds@livenation.com, or Mike Perry at (419) 660-4213, mikeperryihra@livenation.com.

NORWALK, Ohio (October 5, 2006) – IHRA has announced Universal Technical Institute, Inc., (UTI) will sponsor the upcoming World Finals at Rockingham (N.C.) Dragway, October 20 – 22. With nine campuses and 22 dedicated training centers in the United States, Universal Technical Institute is a provider of technical education training for automotive, motorcycle and marine applications.

“Universal Technical Institute is proud to serve as title sponsor of the 2006 IHRA Nitro Jam™ World Finals, and like motorsport enthusiasts across North America, we’re looking forward to seeing the IHRA crown five world champions at this landmark event,” said Terry Emig, UTI’s Director of Event Marketing. “UTI’s commitment to turn our students’ passion for automobiles into rewarding careers as professional technicians has driven us to build a strong, mutually beneficial partnership with the IHRA.”

UTI, with its specialized NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI) division, is the exclusive educational partner of NASCAR. NTI is located in Mooresville, N.C., and offers students specialized training for a career in automotive and racing technology.

The company also offers a Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) program to qualified students, which offers training for manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Porsche, Volvo, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.

“This sponsorship will give IHRA major exposure to students with a vested interest in the automotive industry,” said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “In addition to raising awareness of IHRA, this could open the door for prospective students to one day have the opportunity to work as a crew member or crew chief of a drag racing team, or find a vocation making performance products for drag racing applications.”

The Universal Technical Institute World Finals, featuring the Saturday JCB “Night of Fire,” the concluding race of the 11-event eMax Drag Racing Series, will be held at Rockingham Dragway, October 20 – 22. To obtain media credentials or schedule interviews, please contact Travis Reynolds at (419) 706-8631, travisreynolds@livenation.com, or Mike Perry at (419) 660-4213, mikeperryihra@livenation.com.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is a provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians.  The company offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at nine campuses across the United States, and manufacturer-sponsored advanced programs at 22 dedicated training centers.  Through its campus-based school system, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. offers specialized technical education programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI).  For more information, visit www.uticorp.com.

NORWALK, Ohio (October 5, 2006) – The International Hot Rod Association announced today the 2007 eMax Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series schedule. After 11 races in 2006, next year’s schedule creates a 12-event series throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Including new markets in Tulsa, Okla. and Mansfield, Ohio, the series will again kick-off March 23 – 25 at San Antonio Raceway with the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals and conclude October 19 – 21 at Rockingham (North Carolina) Dragway with the World Finals. Mansfield Motorsports Park will become the new host of the World Nationals on June 15 – 17, keeping the event in Ohio and in close proximity to the sanctioning body’s headquarters in Norwalk. The new event at Tulsa Raceway Park, the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals, will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 25 – 27.

“We’ve hosted extremely successful single-day shows in Tulsa, so the market is prime for an IHRA Nitro Jam event,” said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “The dragstrip being constructed at Mansfield Motorsports Park already contains the infrastructure necessary for our race. The facility has the experience hosting major events with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck race and IHRA has such a strong fan and competitor-base in Ohio, we’ll without a doubt pack the place.”

The Amalie Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway, Epping, N.H., which previously has been held in September, will move to July 20 – 22. The IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park will move from July to September 7 – 9. Also, the Suzuki Motor City Nationals at Milan (Mich.) Dragway has been moved to August 24 – 26.

“The momentum we’ve experienced this season will carry into the 2007 IHRA eMax Nitro Jam,” said IHRA vice president of marketing Jim Marchyshyn. “We’ve had a record year. With new markets in Tulsa and Mansfield, Ohio, next year, as well as maintaining our other strong venues, IHRA will continue growing.”

If 2006 proved anything, IHRA demonstrated that by simply altering the elimination ladder, the level of competition, that’s grown drastically in the last five years, could be realized. The result was some of the tightest championship chases in drag racing history. In the past, most championships were already decided with two or three races remaining. However, by placing the No. 1 qualified car against the No. 5 car (in an eight-car field, 1 vs. 9 in a 16-car field), instead of No. 1 vs. the slowest qualified car, IHRA forced drivers to race competitively every round.

“By altering the elimination ladder, we’ve forced competitors to bring their best each time they stage the car,” said IHRA vice president of race operations Skooter Peaco. “Too often we had first round single runs. Not to mention, some cars just run quicker at certain tracks. The new system keeps the quicker cars from racing those that are much slower. The less predictable we make each race, the more exciting it will be for our fans.”

The 2007 IHRA eMax Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series schedule is list below. For more information, log onto www.ihra.com. Media requests should be directed to Travis Reynolds at (419) 660-4225, travisreynolds@livenation.com, or Mike Perry, (419) 660-4213, mikeperryihra@livenation.com.

2007 IHRA EMAX NITRO JAM DRAG RACING SERIES NATIONAL EVENT SCHEDULE

March 23 – 25          
Amalie Oil Texas Nationals    
San Antonio Raceway

April 20 – 22           
IHRA Spring Nationals Presented by Advance Auto Parts 
Rockingham Dragway

May 25 – 27
Skull Shine Sooner Nationals
Tulsa Raceway Park

June 1 – 3          
MOPAR Canadian Nationals Presented by Castrol   
Grand Bend Motorplex

June 15 – 17  
IHRA World Nationals
Mansfield Motorsports Park

July 6 – 8
CARS RV & Marine & Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals Presented by Torco
Race Fuels     
Castrol Raceway

July 20 – 22
Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New England Dodge Dealers
New England Dragway

August 3 – 5       
Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals       
US 131 Motorsports Park

August 24 – 26                  
Suzuki Motor City Nationals        
Milan Dragway

September 7 – 9  
IHRA Canadian Nationals 
Toronto Motorsports Park

September 28 – 30
Torco Race Fuels President’s Cup Nationals  
Maryland International Raceway

October 19 – 21          
IHRA World Finals  
Rockingham Dragway          

NORWALK, Ohio (October 2, 2006) – JCB, the fourth largest heavy equipment manufacturer in the world, will sponsor the Saturday “Night of Fire” during the final 2006 IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series event, the World Finals, held at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina October 20 – 22.

JCB was founded in 1945 and today manufactures over 160 different models of machinery on five continents, employing more 4,000 people. Producing construction and agricultural heavy equipment, including backhoe loaders, forklifts, excavators and dump trucks, the company’s global headquarters is located in Rocester, Staffordshire, England. The North American headquarters is in Savannah, Ga.

JCB’s involvement with the IHRA began earlier this year in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with hospitality areas during the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway. JCB and IHRA saw the natural fit for another partnership.

“The Edmonton event is the reason we are sponsoring the ‘Night of Fire’ in Rockingham,” said Andrew Henderson, marketing manager, JCB Inc. “The enthusiasm shown by the organizers, teams and of course the public toward JCB meant we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to come back for more.

“We always put on a great show for the public, whether it’s the Dancing Diggers or the 100 mph JCB GT Backhoe Loader, you can guarantee that both children and parents will leave with a smile on their faces,” added Henderson.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to further showcase IHRA drag racing to JCB and their customers,” said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “Their professional presence left an impression on everyone during the Rocky Mountain Nationals. Between the supercharged wheel-standing backhoe, their high-traffic display trailer on the midway and the long line of construction equipment lining the entrance to Castrol Raceway, fans left that race seeing JCB yellow.”

Included in their “Night of Fire” sponsorship, during the event JCB will feature the “Dancing Diggers” synchronized backhoe dancing team, the supercharged wheel-standing backhoe, hospitality display area and the 350 mph record-holding JCB Dieselmax.

In 1945, Joseph Cyril Bamford (Mr. JCB) launched the construction and agricultural equipment manufacturing company that bears his initials. He began his business in a garage that measured 12 feet by 15 feet. The worldwide growth of the Backhoe Loader is due to Joe’s pioneering work on perfecting this machine in those early days. In just 60 years since Joe founded JCB, the company has grown to employ over 4,000 people and produce over 160 different models of machinery on five continents. For more information on JCB, log onto the company’s web site at www.jcb.com.

The IHRA World Finals, the concluding race of the 11-event eMax Drag Racing Series, will be held at Rockingham Dragway, October 20 – 22. To obtain media credentials or schedule interviews, please contact Travis Reynolds at (419) 706-8631, travisreynolds@livenation.com, or Mike Perry at (419) 660-4213, mikeperryihra@livenation.com.

Foley Conscious and Talking After Final Round Crash
By Mike Perry – IHRA Communications

CAYUGA, Ontario (September 25, 2006) – Clay Millican moved back to the top of the IHRA Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel championship points standings with a victory over Doug Foley in the final round at the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park. But the victory celebration was short-lived as Millican’s concern following the race was on the well-being of his friend and competitor.

In the final round Foley lost traction at half-track, slid into the left lane and collided with the wall. His car bounced back into the lane and drifted over into the right wall before coming to a stop. Foley was conscious after the crash, but was transported to West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville, Ontario, for further evaluation.

“I’ve made the final at all three Canadian races this year, but today, to be honest with you, I’d just assume I didn’t have this one,” said Millican. “I don’t want to win the championship this way; I don’t want to win a race this way.

“Besides everything today, this is definitely one of the most exciting chases IHRA’s ever had in Top Fuel. We have the same kind of chase we had my very first year racing Top Fuel when I lost the championship by seven points. Going into first round today I was behind by seven points, and I thought about that year, and how important every point is,” added Millican.

Dale Creasy Jr. took great strides towards claiming the 2006 Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car championship with his victory over Paul Lee in the final. Creasy, who entered the event with a slight lead over Jack Wyatt in the points standings, will head to the next race this weekend in Budds Creek, Md. with a 55-point advantage over Wyatt. It was Creasy’s third Nitro Funny Car national event victory of the season.

“This gives us some breathing room on the two and three guys (Wyatt and Bob Gilbertson),” said Creasy Jr. “With Gilbertson going out first round and qualifying No. 1, it gave us some extra points there. We’ve been fighting all year for this. We did exactly what we had to do this weekend. We qualified low and got the bye run, we ran good every round. The last round we had to step up a little bit, because Lee ran so well in the semifinals. We stepped up just enough.”

Mike Janis won his second national event on the 2006 IHRA eMax national event slate when he defeated John Russo in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified final round. Janis, the 2004 World Champion, carded a 6.320 at 228.61 mph to find his way into the Winner’s Circle again.

“We started the weekend running decent, qualified No. 6. We didn’t really make any killer-fast runs today, but it was a lucky day and we pulled it off,” said Janis. “We came into the race fourth in points, about three rounds out of first, and it was a big concern. We’ve moved up to second now, so that was a big deal every round, trying to get every point.”

Paul Noakes won his second Ironman of the season by defeating Larry Dobbs in the final round at the Canadian Nationals. Noakes had a round path to the final, having to drive through five-time World Champion Mark Thomas in the first round and Terry McMillen in the semifinal.

“We had a pretty stellar race car coming in this weekend,” said Noakes. “It was just stay on our game plan, try to get out front and let other people make mistakes. Last year I didn’t even qualify for three of these races, so I’m really happy to be in the winner’s circle today.”

Rob Mansfield continued his sizzling late-season charge and chalked up his first career Ironman when he knocked off defending World Champion Steve Spiess in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock final in Cayuga. Mansfield, who was the runner-up in New Hampshire two weeks ago, posted a 6.379 at 219.61 mph to defeat Spiess, who lit the red-light.

“I knew we had good power, and I knew we had a really good chance to win it,” said Mansfield. “If we could just put together four good rounds on race day, we were really confident we could come in and win this race. This win should put us in the top five. I’d like to see us finish fourth or third this year, but it may be tough to do now. The top three guys are running really well. If I can remain in the top five for this year, I’d be happy with that.”

Television coverage of the Canadian Nationals airs on SPEED:

Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car and JEG’S Top Stock - Saturday, October 7 at 6 p.m.

Pro Modified, Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Stock – Saturday, November 4 at 6 p.m.

The next event on the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series is the Torco Racing Fuels President’s Cup Nationals, September 29 – October 1, at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Md.

Foley, Pontieri, Patrick and Thomas Also No. 1 Qualifiers 

CAYUGA, Ontario (September 23, 2006) – Dale Creasy Jr. raced to the top of the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car qualifying Saturday with a 4.946-second run during the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park. Other No. 1 qualifiers include Doug Foley (Top Fuel), Tony Pontieri (Pro Modified), Robert Patrick (Pro Stock) and Mark Thomas (Alcohol Funny Car).

Creasy Jr. came into this event leading the points in a very tight chase with Jack Wyatt and Bob Gilbertson. Based on qualifying, he’s gained a point over Wyatt, who is qualified second, and six points on Gilbertson, in the 7th spot. In addition, the No. 1 spot will grant Creasy Jr. the first round bye, as the field is set with only seven cars.

For the second night in a row, Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel qualifying was cut short. With four cars yet to go down the track, rain began to fall, showing no signs of stopping in time for proper drying. The night was called and the portion of Top Fuel qualifying that was completed was thrown out.

Therefore, the fields are set based on round one of qualifying. Foley, the current points leader, who has never lost a round of competition at Toronto Motorsports Park, is No. 1 with a 4.791/318.99. Clay Millican is second with a 4.795, followed by Rick Cooper and Bobby Lagana Jr.

The Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified class was highlighted by Toronto’s Pontieri jumping to the No. 1 qualifying position with a track record-setting 6.060/236.38. Tommy D’Aprile is second, followed by Jim Halsey and Danny Rowe. Scott Cannon Jr. is on the bump with a 6.259.

The Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock qualifying changed little from Friday. Patrick, Fredericksburg, Va., sits in the first position with his 6.393/217.11 pass from round one. He’s trailed by Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, Frank Gugliotta and Steve Spiess. Elijah Morton sits on the bump-spot with a 6.480/214.35.

In Alcohol Funny Car, Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, remained in the No. 1 spot with his Friday night 5.831/244.83 run. Defending world champion and London, Ontario-native Rob Atchison improved on his position, jumping to the No. 2 spot with a 5.854/244.47. Terry Munroe, Tom Carter and Paul Noakes round out the top five.

Professional eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Final round is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.

CAYUGA, Ont. -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park.  Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Foley, 4.791 seconds, 318.99 mph  vs. 5. Todd Paton, 4.986, 294.31; 2. Clay Millican, 4.795, 302.55  vs. 6. Kevin Jones, 5.077, 263.00; 3. Rick Cooper, 4.917, 276.97  vs. 7. Chris Karamesines, 5.542, 246.30; 4. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.930, 267.80  vs. 8. Bob Leverich, 6.786, 191.43.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.946, 309.56  vs. 5. Vincent Arcadi, Monte Carlo, 6.157, 150.85; 2. Jack Wyatt, Pontiac Firebird, 5.041, 300.13  vs. 6. Smax Smith, Chevy Camaro, 6.355, 232.75; 3. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.095, 290.01  vs. 7. Bob Gilbertson, Stratus, 7.020, 142.88; 4. Paul Lee, Monte Carlo, 5.507, 202.64  vs. Bye.

Pro Modified -- 1. Tony Pontieri, Chevy Bel Air, 6.060, 236.38  vs. 9. Carl Spiering, Chevy Camaro, 6.196, 230.76; 2. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Corvette, 6.104, 233.72  vs. 10. Alan Pittman, Bel Air, 6.197, 226.28; 3. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.130, 228.04  vs. 11. John Russo, Camaro, 6.198, 228.85; 4. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 6.132, 231.56  vs. 12. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.208, 231.16; 5. Raymond Commisso, Camaro, 6.146, 232.35  vs. 13. Glen Kerunsky, Bel Air, 6.211, 232.35; 6. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.161, 231.44  vs. 14. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.247, 226.01; 7. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.174, 229.16  vs. 15. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.257, 224.36; 8. Eddie Ware, Camaro, 6.187, 231.99  vs. 16. Scott Cannon, Pontiac GTO, 6.259, 230.10.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.831, 244.83  vs. 5. Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.935, 240.34; 2. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.854, 244.47  vs. 6. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.939, 235.19; 3. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.858, 238.43  vs. 7. Terry McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 6.013, 235.80; 4. Thomas Carter, Chevy Camaro, 5.925, 239.02  vs. 8. Vincent Rastelli, Corvette, 6.124, 231.20.

Pro Stock -- 1. Robert Patrick, Shelby GT 500, 6.393, 217.11  vs. 9. Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, 6.444, 213.77; 2. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.401, 217.25  vs. 10. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.451, 215.48; 3. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.408, 218.12  vs. 11. Richard Penland, Escort, 6.460, 216.41; 4. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cobalt, 6.417, 216.27  vs. 12. John Bartunek, Cobalt, 6.463, 215.31; 5. Rob Mansfield, Cobalt, 6.430, 217.56  vs. 13. Rick Jones, Cobalt, 6.473, 214.55; 6. Jeff Dobbins, Escort, 6.433, 217.04  vs. 14. John Konigshofer, Mercury Cougar, 6.474, 215.68; 7. Pete Berner, Pontiac GTO, 6.434, 216.27  vs. 15. John Nobile, Escort, 6.476, 214.69; 8. Jerry Haas, GTO, 6.436, 216.00  vs. 16. Elijah Morton, Ford ZX2, 6.480, 214.35.

CAYUGA, Ontario (September 22, 2006) – Robert Patrick, following a win two weeks ago in New Hampshire, reset the Toronto Motorsports Park Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock elapsed time record Friday when he ran a 6.393-second pass during the IHRA Canadian Nationals. Patrick, Fredericksburg, Va., is followed on the first round qualifying sheet by Brian Gahm, Frank Gugliotta and Steve Spiess. Gugliotta established a new track best speed at 218.12 mph.

Jack Wyatt, currently second in the point standings, sits atop the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car class qualifying with a 5.042/284.81. He’s trailed by Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher, Ill., who despite losing traction at half-track, pedaled the car to a speed of 309.56 mph at the stripe. Paul Lee and Bob Gilbertson currently sit third and fourth.

Tommy D’Aprile, currently fifth in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified point standings, holds the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot with his track record-setting 6.104/233.72. Prior to this race, Ontario’s Carl Spiering held that mark with a 6.165/232.91. Danny Rowe, who trails Glen Kerunsky by only three points, sits second, followed by Jim Halsey and Mike Janis. Kerunsky is in the 10th position. If Rowe and Kerunsky remain in their respective qualifying positions, Rowe will take the points lead heading into Sunday’s eliminations.

In Alcohol Funny Car, it’s Canton, Ohio’s Mark Thomas in the No. 1 spot after one round of qualifying. Thomas, who is currently second in the point standings, covered the track in 5.831-seconds at 244.83 mph, and is followed by Larry Dobbs (Welland, Ontario) and Tom Carter (Cuero, Texas). Defending champion and points leader Rob Atchison is on the No. 8 bump spot. His car lost traction early in the run, a sign that despite his points lead and recent event win, the London, Ontario-native has yet to fix all the bugs in the race car.

The Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel qualifying was cut short due to rain. The round will be completed Saturday at 9 a.m.

Professional qualifying resumes as scheduled Saturday at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m. Final round at 4:15 p.m. Friday tickets will be honored Saturday.

CAYUGA, Ont. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park, sixth of 11 events in the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Jack Wyatt, Pontiac Firebird, 5.042, 284.81; 2. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.081, 309.56; 3.

Paul Lee, Monte Carlo, 5.507, 202.64; 4. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 7.584, 142.88; 5. Terry Haddock, Stratus, 9.108, 104.20; 6.

Vincent Arcadi, Monte Carlo, 13.719, 64.74.

Pro Modified -- 1. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Corvette, 6.104, 233.72; 2. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 6.157, 231.16; 3. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.159, 228.04; 4. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.161, 231.44; 5. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.174, 229.16; 6. Carl Spiering, Camaro, 6.196, 230.76; 7. John Russo, Camaro, 6.198, 228.85; 8. Eddie Ware, Camaro, 6.200, 229.74; 9. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.208, 231.16; 10. Glen Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.211, 232.35; 11. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.279, 224.58; 12. Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 6.289, 225.90; 13. Scott Cannon, Pontiac GTO, 6.341, 229.16; 14. Scott Wildgust, Bel Air, 6.411, 220.01; 15. Steve Bareman, Dodge Stratus, 6.732, 220.04; 16. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 7.149, 136.18.

Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.831, 244.83; 2. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.939, 235.19; 3.

Thomas Carter, Chevy Camaro, 5.963, 239.02; 4. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.991, 232.71; 5. Terry McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 6.013, 235.80; 6. Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 6.014, 239.06; 7. Vincent Rastelli, Corvette, 6.124, 231.20; 8. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 9.617, 85.51.

Pro Stock -- 1. Robert Patrick, Shelby GT 500, 6.393, 217.11; 2. Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 6.401, 217.25; 3. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.408, 218.12; 4. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cobalt, 6.417, 216.27; 5. Jeff Dobbins, Escort, 6.433, 217.04; 6.

Jerry Haas, Pontiac GTO, 6.436, 216.00; 7. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.444, 213.77; 8. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.451, 215.48; 9. Richard Penland, Escort, 6.460, 216.41; 10. John Bartunek, Cobalt, 6.463, 215.31; 11. Rick Jones, Cobalt, 6.473, 214.55; 12. John Konigshofer, Mercury Cougar, 6.474, 215.68; 13. Elijah Morton, Ford ZX2, 6.480, 214.35; 14. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.506, 214.28; 15. Anthony Paone, GTO, 6.535, 212.23; 16. Michael Bruno, GTO, 6.560, 205.04.

Last Race: Manchester, N.H., September 8 – 10, 2006

Next Race: Cayuga, Ontario, September 22 – 24, 2006
(Wins in brackets next to name)

KNOLL GAS - TORCO TOP FUEL

Doug Foley (1)                        626

Clay Millican (1)                       620

Bobby Lagana Jr (2)               511

Rick Cooper                            500

Bruce Litton                             497

Chris Karamesines                 321

Andrew Cowin (1)                   281

T.J. Zizzo (1)                           260

Louie Allison                            248

Mitch King                               157

KNOLL GAS - TORCO NITRO FUNNY CAR

Dale Creasy, Jr. (2)                603

Jack Wyatt (2)                         589

Bob Gilbertson (1)                   579

Vinny Arcadi                            500

Gary Densham (2)                  401

Terry Haddock                        373

Paul Lee                                  319

Gary Cooper                           223

Andy Kelley                             129

Doug Kalitta                            97

TORCO’S COMPETITIONPLUS.COM PRO MODIFIED

Glen Kerunsky (1)                   464

Danny Rowe                           461

Quain Stott (1)                         449

Mike Janis (1)                          412

Tommy D’Aprile                      377

Carl Spiering                           361

Jim Halsey                              360

Mike Castellana                       357

Scott Cannon Jr.                     346

Steve Bareman                       332

Kenny Lang                             332

ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR

Rob Atchison (1)                     679

Mark Thomas (2)                    641

Tom Carter (3)                        590

Terry Munroe                           415

Terry McMillen                         408

Fred Tigges                             390

Larry Dobbs                            320

Trevor Lebsack                       310

Paul Noakes (1)                      299

Neal Parker                             192

TORCO’S COMPETITIONPLUS.COM PRO STOCK

Tony Gillig (2)                          659

Pete Berner (2)                       618

Frank Gugliotta (2)                  562

Robert Patrick (2)                   555

John Nobile                             503

Rob Mansfield                         435

Jeff Dobbins                            432

Steve Spiess                           388

John Montecalvo                     344

Rick Jones                              279

Lagana, Atchison, Patrick and Ware also take home Ironmen at the Amalie Oil North American Nationals

By Mike Perry - IHRA Communications

EPPING, N.H. (September 10, 2006) – The IHRA Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car championship points battle might not be a two-man race after all. Bob Gilbertson, who entered the Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New England Dodge Dealers a distant third, picked up some ground on front-running Dale Creasy Jr., and second place Jack Wyatt by defeating Paul Lee in the final in Epping, N.H.

Gilbertson blew up his ’05 Stratus in the finals, but Lee handed him the victory by leaving the starting line early and activating the red-light for the automatic disqualification. The win was the Charlotte, N.C.-resident’s first IHRA national event victory of 2006, his other coming in 1992 in Cayuga, Ontario.