ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - Clay Millican opened defense of his IHRA Top Fuel championship Sunday with a victory in the 32nd annual Holley Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway.

In winning the first event in the 2002 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series, the 36-year-old Millican demonstrated once more that he and his Werner Enterprises Top Fuel dragster are in a class by themselves.

The third year driver from Drummonds, Tenn., beat 1999 and 2000 Spring Nationals champion Bruce Litton of Indianapolis, Ind., in the final round to earn his 10th victory in 21 IHRA starts. He earned $20,500 for 14.513 seconds of actual track time.

Other winners included Doug Vancil of Albuquerque, N.M., in Nitro Harley, Al Billes of Barrie, Ontario, Canada in Pro Modified, Ron Miller of Lebanon, Ohio in Pro Stock and Jimmy Rector of Vernon, Ala., in Funny Car.

Millican was the only champion to win wire-to-wire, but it wasn't exactly a romp for the man who last year broke the 25-year-old record set by drag racing legend Don Garlits when he won six consecutive events in the IHRA series

On his last qualifying run, Millican suffered a shoulder injury when the supercharger drive shaft broke in his 6,000 horsepower dragster. Then, in the final, he had to chase down Litton, who was seeking his third Spring Nationals win in four years.

Millican won with a time of 4.794 seconds at 294.63 miles per hour; Litton trailed at 4.849 seconds.

The Hooters IHRA Series next moves to Richmond, Va., for the April 18-21 running of the AC/Delco Nationals.

ROCKINGHAM - Final round professional results from Sunday's 32nd annual Holley Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway:

TOP FUEL - Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., 4.794, 294.63 mph, def. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, Ind., 4.849, 304.19 mph.

PRO MODIFIED - Al Billes, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, 1953 Studebaker, 6.324, 222.00 mph, def. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1968 Camaro, 14.936, 58.80 mph.

NITRO HARLEY - Doug Vancil, Albuquerque, N.M., 6.636, 198.52 mph, def. Ray Price, Raleigh, 7.439, 161.30 mph.

PRO STOCK - Ron Miller, Lebanon, Ohio, 2002 Chevy Cavalier, 15.913, 52.25 mph def. Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, 2001 Ford Mustang, foul.

FUNNY CAR - Jimmy Rector, Vernon, Ala., 2001 Camaro, 5.895, 237.63 mph, def. Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, 2001 Avenger, foul.

ROCKINGHAM - Round-by-round results from the 32nd annual Holley Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway, first of 12 events in the Hooter's IHRA Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL

First round - 1. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., 5.005, 214.76 mph, def. 8. Grant Flowers, Burlington, 11.421, 74.10 mph; 2. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, Ind., 4.933, 293.41 mph, def. 7. Don Reed, Kokomo, Ind., 9.195, 80.64 mph; 3. Louie Allison, Denver, Colo., disqualified, and 6. Roger Dean, Webster Springs, West Va., broke; 5. Paul Romine, Fishers, Ind., 5.095, 261.42 mph, 4. Jim Head, Columbus, Ohio, 8.673, 89.37 mph.

Semifinals - Litton, 4.882, 284.75 mph, bye; Millican, 4.714, 303.78 mph, def. Romine, 5.132, 268.12 mph.

FINAL - Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., 4.794, 294.63 mph, def. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, Ind., 4.849, 304.19 mph.

PRO MODIFIED

First round - 1. Tim McAmis, Hawk Point, Mo., 1963 Corvette, 6.213, 225.97 mph, def. 16. Ronnie Hood, Lenoir, 1963 Corvette, 6.588, 175.75 mph; 2. Al Billes, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, 1953 Studebaker, 6.575, 220.15 mph, def. 15. Mike Lockwood, Hadley, Pa., 1966 Corvette, 9.106, 91.93 mph; 14. Steve Salvadore, Barre, Mass., 1953 Corvette, 6.758, 170.11 mph, def. 3. Bob Rieger, Tampa, Fla., 1957 Bel Air, foul; 13. Rickie Smith, King, 2001 Dodge Viper, 6.385, 217.95 mph, def. 4. Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., 1963 Corvette, 9.409, 93.78 mph; 12. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1968 Camaro, 6.272, 221.82 mph, def. 5. Mitch Stott, Mill Spring, 1963 Corvette, 6.276, 224.58 mph; 11. John Russo, Daviers, Mass., 1992 Trans Am, 11.325, 87.35 mph, def. 6. Troy Critchley, St. Joseph, Mich., 1953 Corvette, foul; 7. Mike Ashley, Melville, N.Y., 1953 Studebaker, broke, and 10. Alan Pittman, Pelzer, S.C., 1941 Willys, broke; 8. Tommy Gray, Baltimore, Md., 1953 Corvette, 6.286, 222.11 mph, def. 9. Chip King, Semora, 2001 Dodge Avenger, 6.349, 218.80 mph.

Second round - Gray, 6.326, 220.55 mph, def. McAmis, 13.364, 76.22 mph; Jenkins, 6.289, 221.49 mph, def. Smith, 8.633, 102.81 mph; Billes, 10.805, 78.11 mph, bye; Salvadore, 6.729, 213.57 mph, def. Russo, 12.761, 96.31 mph.

Semifinals - Billes, 6.276, 224.88 mph, def. Salvadore, 6.761, 210.47 mph; Jenkins, 6.307, 220.94 mph, def. Gray, 6.319, 221.49 mph.

FINAL - Al Billes, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, 1953 Studebaker, 6.324, 222.00 mph, def. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1968 Camaro, 14.936, 58.80 mph.

NITRO HARLEY-DAVIDSON

First round - 1. Steve Stordeur, Goshen, Ohio, 6.463, 209.56 mph, def. 8. Mike Romine, Sturgis, Mich., 19.746, 60.56 mph; 2. Ray Price, Raleigh, 6.577, 196.67 mph, def. 7. Mark Conner, Canyon Lake, Texas, 10.900, 75.71 mph; 3. Jay Turner, Whitsett, 6.505, 208.65 mph, def. 6. Mark Cox, Yadkinville, 7.435, 130.22 mph; 4. Doug Vancil, Albuquerque, N.M., 6.487, 200.20 mph, def. 5. Johnny Mancuso, Houston, Texas, 13.229, 63.59 mph.

Semifinals - Vancil, 6.639, 208.26 mph, def. Stordeur, 6.638, 210.18 mph; Price, 6.535, 211.39 mph, def. Turner, 6.867, 202.30 mph.

FINAL - Doug Vancil, Albuquerque, N.M., 6.636, 198.52 mph, def. Ray Price, Raleigh, 7.439, 161.30 mph.

PRO STOCK

First round - 16. Jason Collins, Rainbow City, Ala., 1998 Ford Probe, 6.661, 210.41 mph, def. 1. Doug Kirk, Lenoir, West Va., 2001 Cavalier, 8.072, 137.19 mph; 15. John Bartunek, Pearl River, N.Y., 2002 Grand Am, 6.626, 207.82 mph, def. 2. Jerry Yeoman, Galena, Kan., 2002 Pontiac Grand Am, 13.528, 62.62 mph; 14. Tim Nabors, Lawrenceville, Ga., 2001 Cavalier, 6.674, 208.49 mph, def. 3. Carl Baker, N. Ridgeville, Ohio, 2002 Mercury Cougar, 24.093, 31.42 mph; 4. Hank Hill, Monroe, 1997 Ford Thunderbird, 6.621, 210.57 mph, def. 13. Steve Williford, Engelhard, 2002 Cavalier, 6.651, 207.94 mph; 5. Ron Miller, Lebanon, Ohio, 2002 Chevy Cavalier, 6.606, 209.07 mph, def. 12. Bill Huff, Shepherdsville, Ky., 2000 Mercury Cougar, 12.911, 92.09 mph; 6. Chris Holbrook, Redford, Mich., 2002 Mercury Cougar, 6.641, 207.98 mph, def. 11. Elijah Morton, Jacksonville, 2002 Mustang, broke; 10. Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, 2001 Ford Mustang, 6.615, 209.43 mph, def. 7. Dwayne Rice, Grove City, Ohio, 6.601, 209.26 mph; 9. Jeff Dobbins, Wilmington, 1999 Probe, 6.585, 211.16 mph, def. 8. John Montecalvo, Center Moriches, N.Y., 2002 Cavalier, 6.710, 207.43 mph.

Second round - Collins, 6.644, 209.34 mph, def. Dobbins, 6.607, 210.57 mph; Miller, 6.651, 208.26 mph, def. Hill, 6.645, 209.30 mph; Gahm, 11.099, 79.12 mph, def. Bartunek; foul; Holbrook, 6.650, 207.53 mph, def. Nabors, 6.725, 206.07 mph.

Semifinals - Miller, 6.666, 208.26 mph, def. Collins, 6.742, 208.46 mph; Gahm, 6.607, 209.49 mph, def. Holbrook, 6.644, 208.04 mph.

FINAL - Ron Miller, Lebanon, Ohio, 2002 Chevy Cavalier, 15.913, 52.25 mph def. Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, 2001 Ford Mustang, foul.

FUNNY CAR

First round - 1. Dale Brand, Sully, Iowa, 2001 Pontiac Firebird, 5.873, 238.05 mph, def. 16. Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa., 1997 Firebird, 5.964, 236.42 mph; 2. Jimmy Rector, Vernon, Ala., 2001 Camaro, 5.845, 240.17 mph, def. 15. Bill Naves, Salisbury, 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.277, 227.27 mph; 3. Laurie Cannister, Clinton, Pa., 1999 Camaro, 5.877, 238.05 mph, def. 14. Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, 2002 Avenger, 6.434, 184.42; 4. Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, 2001 Avenger, 5.952, 239.19 mph, def. 13. Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, 2000 Avenger, 11.379, 61.46 mph; 5. John Vouros, Victor, N.Y., 2000 Firebird, 5.911, 235.80 mph, def. 12. Mark Poyser, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1998 Mustang, 6.152, 230.33 mph; 6. Rob Atchison, London, Ontario, Canada, 2002 Firebird, 5.994, 231.60 mph, def. 11. Ray Drew, Union Grove, Wis., 1998 Mustang, 6.008, 230.57; 7. Ronnie Midyette, Virginia Beach, Va., 1994 Firebird, 6.155, 232.03 mph, def. 10. Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., 1999 Avenger, 6.594, 159.32 mph; 8. Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., 2001 Corvette, 6.016, 227.73 mph, def. 9. Bunny Burkett, Spotsylvania, Va., 2000 Avenger, 6.054, 237.34 mph.

Second round - Brand, 5.891, 236.34 mph, def. Lee, 6.002, 231.44 mph; Thomas, 5.855, 240.00 mph, def. Vouros, 5.939, 235.10 mph; Cannister, 5.866, 238.93 mph, def. Atchison, 5.931, 233.64 mph; Rector, 5.890, 239.14 mph, def. Midyette, 5.951, 234.13 mph.

Semifinals - Thomas, 5.827, 239.19 mph, def. Brand, 5.929, 235.89 mph; Rector, 5.842, 236.96 mph, def. Cannister, 5.959, 238.30 mph.

FINAL - Jimmy Rector, Vernon, Ala., 2001 Camaro, 5.895, 237.63 mph, def. Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, 2001 Avenger, foul.

ROCKINGHAM - Professional point standings in the 2002 Hooter's IHRA Drag Racing Series after the first of 12 races:

TOP FUEL - 1. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., 131; 2. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, Ind., 110; 3. Paul Romine, Fishers, Ind., 87; 4. Louie Allison, Denver, Colo., 68; 5. Jim Head, Columbus, Ohio, 67; 6. Roger Dean, Webster Springs, West Va., 66; 7. Don Reed, Kokomo, Ind., 65; 8. Grant Flowers, Burlington, 64.

PRO MODIFIED - 1. Al Billes, Barrie, Ontario, Canada; 115; 2. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 85; 3. Tommy Gray, Baltimore, Md., 69; 4. Steve Salvadore, Barre, Mass., 63; 5. Tim McAmis, Hawk Point, Mo., 56; 6. John Russo, Dauiers, Mass., 46; 7. Rickie Smith, King, 44; 8. Bob Rieger, Tampa, Fla., 34; 9. Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., 33; 10. Mitch Stott, Mill Spring, 32.

NITRO HARLEY - 1. Doug Vancil, Albuquerque, N.M., 113; 2. Ray Price, Raleigh, 95; 3. Steve Stordeur, Goshen, Ohio, 76; 4. Jay Turner, Whitsett, 74; 5. Johnny Mancuso, Houston, Texas, 52; 6. Mark Cox, Yadkinville, 51; 7. Mark Conner, Canyon Lake, Texas, 50; 8. Mike Romine, Sturgis, Mich., 49.

PRO STOCK - 1. Ron Miller, Lebanon, Ohio, 112; 2. Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, 87; 3. Chris Holbrook, Redford, Mich., 71; 4. John Bartunek, Pearl River, N.Y., 62; 5. Hank Hill, Monroe, N.C., 53; 6. Jeff Dobbins, Wilmington, 48; 7. Tim Nabors, Lawrenceville, Ga., 43; 8. Jason Collins, Rainbow City, Ala., 41. 9. Doug Kirk, Lenore, West Va., 36; 10. Jerry Yeoman, Galena, Kan., 35.

FUNNY CAR - 1. Jimmy Rector, Vernon, Ala., 115; 2. Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, 93; 3. Dale Brand, Sully, Iowa, 76; 4. Laurie Cannister, Clinton, Pa., 74; 5. John Vouros, Victor, N.Y., 52; 6. Rob Atchison, London, Ontario, Canada, 51; 7. Ronnie Midyette, Virginia Beach, Va., 50; 8. Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., 49; 9. Bunny Burkett, Spotsylvania, Va., 48; 10. Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., 47.