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Drag Racing Story of the Day!

Millican Wins Eighth Straight at
IHRA ACDelco Canadian Nationals

Canadian Konigshofer Takes First Pro Stock Win

By IHRA Communications

CAYUGA, Ont. - Clay Millican continued his quest for a perfect season by winning the Top Fuel title at the inaugural IHRA ACDelco Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park.

Millican tied Don Garlits 1975 record of appearing in eight finals in a season and defeated Bruce Litton for the sixth time this season and his eighth win. Millican's 17th victory tied the Drummonds, TN driver with Gene Snow in IHRA Top Fuel wins.

"I really had fun today," said a jubilant Millican in victory lane, "(Crew Chief) Mike Kloeber has become the master of the hot weather tune up and he showed why today. This Werner team does a good job for me and I want to do a good job for them. Today was a total team win."

Millican defeated Louie Allison and 17 year-old Top Fuel sensation Josh Starcher on the way to his 19th career final in the last 28 races.

"Louie scared me a little in the first round," explained Millican. "I knew he was going to try to leave early to try to take advantage, but we were ready for him."

Millican has won 14 of the last 15 races and won at every track on the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series.

Thomas Patterson won his first IHRA Pro Modified race by defeating points leader Al Billes, of Barrie, Ontario, in the finals.

"We blew up a motor against our teammate, Troy Critchley in the semi final round; I really didn't want to race Troy and wish we could have met in the final," said Patterson. "After we won, I told our team we would do what it took to get to the final, including blowing up another motor.

"Everybody talks about how Al (Billes) has so much luck. All we did this weekend was to convince Al's leprechaun we had deeper pockets," added Patterson.

Billes maintained his Pro Modified points lead by defeating the winner of the last two events, Shannon Jenkins, Carl Spiering and Quain Stott. Billes leads Ed Hoover and Shannon Jenkins by 69 points.

"We struggled throughout qualifying and made a bunch of changes. Sunday we just kept whittling away and the changes worked," explained Billes. "We had a tough side of the ladder today. I asked who I had second round; they told me (Ed) Hoover. I said, "Oh." I won that round and came back and ask who I had next. They said Shannon (Jenkins) and I said "Oh." So yes, it might have been a tough day but I usually try to stay focused and the results come to us."

Billes was the Pro Modified runner-up at the only other IHRA national event held at the former Cayuga Dragway Park, now Toronto Motorsports Park, in 1992

Dale Brand won his second consecutive Funny Car title, defeating points leader Jimmy Rector. The Sully, Iowa driver has closed the gap between himself and Rector with wins at Martin, Michigan and Toronto, and trails by 76 points.

"This was an outstanding win," said Brand. "The best race of the weekend was against Laurie Cannister in the semifinals. They are one of the teams that bring out the best in us.

John Konigshofer of Otterville, Ontario made Canada proud by winning his first-ever Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock title on native soil. Konigshofer was consistent all weekend long, defeating Doug Kirk and John Bartunek before facing John Montecalvo in the final.

Konigshofer left Montecalvo at the light with a massive holeshot and .471 reaction time, winning 6.637/211.43 to 6.634/210.28.

"It was a picture perfect weekend. We had a good car, good engine and a good crew," stated Konigshofer. "We set the pace all weekend and got the win in front of Canada. This is a great weekend for Team Konigshofer."

Steve Stordeur defeated Doug Vancil in the Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson final.

"This was a very important race for us to win," said Stordeur. "If Doug had won that would have been a tough spread to cover down the road. We're still in the championship hunt."

Vancil leads Stordeur by 45 points.

The next race on the 2002 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series schedule is the Sunoco World Nationals presented by Ethanol Performs, August 22-25, 2002 at Norwalk Raceway Park, Norwalk, Ohio.

CAYUGA, Ont. -- Sunday's final results from the Inaugural IHRA AC Delco Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park. The $1.1 million race is the eighth of 12 in the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Clay Millican, 4.816 seconds, 293.22 mph def. Bruce Litton, 5.187 seconds, 241.76 mph.

Pro Modified -- Thomas Patterson, Chevy Corvette, 6.375, 222.66 def. Al Billes, Studebaker, 6.324, 225.07.

Nitro Harley -- Steve Stordeur, 6.302, 221.85 def. Doug Vancil, 6.388, 198.61.

Funny Car -- Dale Brand, Pontiac Firebird, 6.203, 238.47 def. Jimmy Rector, Chevy Camaro, 8.351, 105.89.

Pro Stock -- John Konigshofer, Mercury Cougar, 6.637, 211.43 def. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cavalier, 6.634, 210.28.

Top Sportsman -- Gary Bingham, Pontiac Grand Am, 8.554, 112.79 def. Jeff McNally, Pontiac Trans Am, 9.038, 110.02.

Top Dragster -- Travis Colangelo, Dragster, 7.578, 167.07 def. Ricky Adkins, Dragster, 7.515, 177.23.

Modified -- John Markwat, Dragster, 8.342, 152.90 def. Larry Cummings, Dragster, 8.105, 137.44.

Quick Rod -- Penny Dabbs, Dragster, 8.891, 169.27 def. Jacob Elrod, Dragster, 8.875, 168.11.

Super Rod -- Chris Malloy, Cobra, 9.938, 139.67 def. Ted Cordingley, J2000, 9.904, 145.14.

Hot Rod -- Eddie Bolton, Plymouth Barracuda, 10.944, 111.74 def. Anthony Platania, Chevy Camaro, 10.875, 126.32.

Super Stock -- Gianni Cantusci, Pontiac Firebird, 10.778, 124.25 def. Wally Clark, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.810, 138.36.

Stock -- Chuck Weber, Chevelle, 11.829, 109.80 def. Vic Beleny, Ford Fairlane, 11.488, 115.30.

CAYUGA, Ont. -- Final round-by-round results from the Inaugural IHRA AC Delco Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park, the eighth of 12 events in the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series - TOP FUEL:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Josh Starcher, 9.969, 86.35 def. Bobby Lagana Jr, broke; Bruce Litton, 5.033, 273.27 def. John Sipple, 5.495, 263.41; Paul Romine, 5.109, 281.07 def. Roger Dean, 5.514, 256.60; Clay Millican, 4.852, 272.17 def. Louie Allison, foul; SEMIFINALS -- Litton, 5.036, 285.83 def. Romine, 5.088, 283.55; Millican, 4.895, 254.81 def. Starcher, 9.801, 91.53; FINAL -- Millican, 4.816, 293.22 def. Litton, 5.187, 241.76.

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Carl Spiering, Chevy Bel Air, 6.669, 214.04 def. Fred Hahn, Chevy Corvette, 7.301, 146.73; Sal Passarelli, Chevy Nova, 6.458, 217.42 def. Pat Moore, Bel Air, 11.458, 76.64; Al Billes, Studebaker, 6.414, 222.73 def. Mitch Stott, Corvette, 7.057, 168.94; Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.725, 170.75 def. Mike Janis, Corvette, foul; Steve Vick, Chevy Camaro, 6.429, 219.04 def. Alan Pittman, Willys, 6.517, 217.95; Troy Critchley, Corvette, 6.399, 222.58 def. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.455, 205.79; Thomas Patterson, Corvette, 6.443, 223.21 def. Paul Athey, Corvette, 12.398, 68.18; Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 6.290, 222.18 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.333, 222.44; QUARTERFINALS -- Patterson, 6.461, 213.91 def. Passarelli, 6.579, 211.63; Hoover, 99.900, no speed def. Billes, foul; Critchley, 6.393, 224.14 def. Vick, 6.354, 221.31; Jenkins, 6.279, 222.40 def. Spiering, 10.559, 122.72; Billes, 99.900, no speed def. Hoover, foul; SEMIFINALS -- Patterson, 6.332, 218.80 def. Critchley, 6.427, 223.28; Billes, 6.352, 224.92 def. Jenkins, 12.988, 73.60; FINAL -- Patterson, 6.375, 222.66 def. Billes, 6.324, 225.07.

NITRO HARLEY:

ROUND ONE -- Steve Stordeur, 6.420, 206.54 def. Joe Scatella, 7.933, 134.91; Mark Conner, 6.590, 204.79 def. Jack Romine, 7.279, 155.74; Doug Vancil, 6.292, 218.09 def. Ray Price, 7.345, 141.18; Johnny Mancuso, 6.485, 210.08 def. Mike Romine, 6.560, 208.75; SEMIFINALS -- Stordeur, 6.439, 208.84 def. Conner, 8.464, 108.12; Vancil, 6.365, 207.18 def. Mancuso, 6.481, 212.13; FINAL -- Stordeur, 6.302, 221.85 def. Vancil, 6.388, 198.61.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.892, 242.93 was unopposed; Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.881, 237.92 def. Jeff Lancaster, Firebird, foul; Jimmy Rector, Camaro, 5.932, 239.53 def. Paul Zgoda, Achieva, broke; Dale Brand, Firebird, 5.891, 240.81 def. Scott Wildgust, Firebird, 16.739, 65.52; Chris Foster, Dodge Avenger, 5.942, 239.23 def. Vincent Rastelli, Chevy Corvette, 6.359, 231.64; Ronnie Midyette, Camaro, 5.981, 236.96 def. Mike Etter, Firebird, 6.364, 227.88; Larry Dobbs, Corvette, 6.103, 229.16 def. Mark Thomas, Avenger, broke; Terry McMillen, Avenger, 7.349, 131.97 def. Mike Comella, Avenger, broke; QUARTERFINALS -- Atchison, 6.401, 151.68 def. Dobbs, foul; Brand, 5.872, 240.94 def. Foster, 7.901, 118.62; Cannister, 5.907, 242.06 def. McMillen, 5.987, 237.59; Rector, 5.932, 238.72 def. Midyette, 6.559, 158.35; SEMIFINALS -- Brand, 5.848, 241.54 def. Cannister, 5.864, 241.20; Rector, 5.892, 239.27 def. Atchison, 5.930, 238.26; FINAL -- Brand, 6.203, 238.47 def. Rector, 8.351, 105.89.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Pete Berner, Ford Mustang, 6.677, 209.33 def. Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar, broke; John Montecalvo, Chevy Cavalier, 6.667, 209.01 def. Chris Holbrook, Cougar, 6.707, 203.80; Dwayne Rice, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.713, 207.59 def. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.709, 208.20; John Bartunek, Grand Am, 6.679, 208.75 def. Jason Collins, Cougar, 6.775, 209.49; Jeff Dobbins, Ford Probe, 6.670, 209.82 def. Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.671, 210.47; Ron Miller, Cavalier, 6.703, 207.72 def. Hank Hill, Probe, 6.877, 208.04; Doug Kirk, Cavalier, 6.691, 209.30 def. Steve Spiess, Grand Am, 12.873, 84.50; John Konigshofer, Cougar, 6.680, 210.14 def. Frank Gugliotta, Probe, 6.795, 208.07; QUARTERFINALS -- Rice, 6.703, 208.14 def. Miller, 6.716, 208.23; Konigshofer, 6.665, 210.73 def. Kirk, 8.080, 129.77; Bartunek, 6.656, 208.94 def. Dobbins, 6.672, 204.23; Montecalvo, 6.652, 209.36 def. Berner, 6.725, 206.99; SEMIFINALS -- Konigshofer, 6.686, 210.80 def. Bartunek, 6.686, 208.07; Montecalvo, 6.641, 209.88 def. Rice, 6.700, 208.88; FINAL -- Konigshofer, 6.637, 211.43 def. Montecalvo, 6.634, 210.28.

CAYUGA, Ont. -- Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the Inaugural IHRA AC Delco Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park, the eighth of 12 events in the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1. Clay Millican, 992; 2. Bruce Litton, 856; 3. Paul Romine, 729; 4. Louie Allison, 525; 5. Josh Starcher, 461; 6. Roger Dean, 433; 7. Donald Reed, 374; 8. John Sipple, 293; 9. Jack Ostrander, 203; 10. Grant Flowers, 165.

Pro Modified

1. Al Billes, 625; 2. (tie) Ed Hoover, 556; Shannon Jenkins, 556; 4. Mike Janis, 437; 5. Mitch Stott, 403; 6. Fred Hahn, 350; 7. Harold Martin, 340; 8. Alan Pittman, 305; 9. Quain Stott, 269; 10. Thomas Patterson, 256.

Nitro Harley

1. Doug Vancil, 919; 2. Steve Stordeur, 874; 3. Ray Price, 732; 4. Johnny Mancuso, 708; 5. Mike Romine, 616; 6. Mark Conner, 614; 7. Joe Scatella, 297; 8. Mark Cox, 234; 9. Jay Turner, 232; 10. Jack Romine, 212.

Funny Car

1. Jimmy Rector, 740; 2. Dale Brand, 664; 3. Laurie Cannister, 450; 4. Mark Thomas, 385; 5. Rob Atchison, 316; 6. Terry McMillen, 300; 7. Ronnie Midyette, 297; 8. Mike Comella, 288; 9. John Vouros, 224; 10. Chris Foster, 198.

Pro Stock

1. Brian Gahm, 623; 2. John Montecalvo, 562; 3. Carl Baker, 502; 4. Jason Collins, 437; 5. Ron Miller, 387; 6. John Bartunek, 370; 7. Jeff Dobbins, 359; 8. Chris Holbrook, 302; 9. Doug Kirk, 294; 10. Dwayne Rice, 278.

IHRA Communications

 




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