IHRA Epping: Millican Ties Garlits' Record
With Fifth Consecutive Win

By Paula Motolik and Bobby Bennett, Jr.

Epping, N.H. - Clay Millican, of Drummonds, Tenn., tied the record for the most consecutive wins in one season for the IHRA Top Fuel division. "Big Daddy" Don Garlits held the record, which stood for 26 years prior to the final round of the Amalie Oil North American Nationals, held at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.

The 'drive for five' by the Werner Enterprises team came with Millican's defeat of Louie Allison in the final round. Allison put on a great race by posting a 4.971/301.47 run to Millican's winning 4.751/314.75 effort.

"I've now experienced two incredible things, Big Daddy called me at Norwalk, and now I've tied him for the most consecutive wins. Life is good," Millican added enthusiastically.

Gene Wilson, of Canton, Ga., continued his win streak in Sunoco Pro Stock, increasing his win total to six this season. Wilson defeated Long Island native John Montecalvo in the finals with a 6.588/211.79 to a 6.650/210.05 run.

With six wins to his credit, Wilson is three wins away from breaking the eight-race single-season record held by Bob Glidden since 1976.

"Each win is incredible," explained Wilson. "Just because we have won six events, doesn't mean that we don't get as excited as we did with the first victory. This has been a dream season. The competition gets tougher with each outing, and I feel fortunate to give Charlie Hunt another win. My crew, Gary Henry and all of our sponsors make these wins possible."

In Mopar Pro Modified, Mike Janis increased his points lead by defeating Carl Moyer in the finals. Moyer, who was in his first final round since 1996, fought a hard battle against Janis. Janis grabbed his third win of the season with a 6.318/226.58 run. Moyer took the runner-up position with a game 6.352/221.78 pass.

The intense battle for the Funny Car championship continued to heat up as Mark Thomas and Jimmy Rector faced off in the final round for the second race in a row. The outcome was different this time around, Rector taking the win over Thomas with a 5.947/236.22 run. Thomas posted a 5.978/239.87 for the final round loss.

Doug Vancil worked his way back to the winner's circle in Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley, defeating defending World Champion Jay Turner in the finals. Vancil, from Albuquerque, N.M., recorded a 6.512/211.10 for the win, while Turner, who remains winless this season, claimed a 6.657/199.23 pass.

The next race on the IHRA Summit Drag Racing Series is CARQUEST Autumn Nationals at Rockingham Dragway in Rockingham, N.C. September 21-23.

EPPING, N.H. -- Sunday's final results from the sixth annual Amalie Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway. The $1.6 million race is the eighth of 11 events in the IHRA Summit Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Clay Millican, 4.751 seconds, 314.75 mph def. Louie Allison, 4.971 seconds, 301.47 mph.

Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley -- Doug Vancil, 6.512, 211.10 def. Jay Turner, 6.657, 199.23.

Mopar Pro Modified -- Mike Janis, Chevy Corvette, 6.318, 226.58 def. Carl Moyer, Chevy Bel Air, 6.352, 221.78.

Funny Car -- Jimmy Rector, Chevy Camaro, 5.947, 236.22 def. Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.978, 239.87.

Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock -- Gene Wilson, Mercury Cougar, 6.588, 211.79 def. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cavalier, 6.650, 210.05.

NOS Top Sportsman -- Steven DeRosa, S-10, 7.405, 189.07 def. Mark Brown, Corvette, 7.584, 184.72.

Annihilator Top Dragster -- Tim Butler, Worthy, 6.837, 191.78 def. Brian Lampton, RaceTech, 7.101, 182.16.

Hooker Modified -- Doc Bilbrey, Dragster, 7.687, 174.28 def. Michael Lyons, Dragster, 7.352, 171.69.

Dominator Quick Rod -- Wayne Horton, Dragster, 8.917, 164.97 def. Edmond Richardson, Dragster, 8.968, 159.99.

Holley Team G Super Rod -- Mark Horton, Firebird, 9.898, 148.95 def. Michele Leo, Corvette, 9.888, 135.35.

Weiand Hot Rod -- Steve McCarrick, Chevy, 10.927, 121.91 def. Donald Webb, Nova, 10.935, 122.16.

Lunati Super Stock -- Anthony Bertozzi, Grand Am, 9.429, 141.05 def. Gianni Cantusci, Firebird, 10.771, 124.10.

Earl's Stock -- Eugene Monahan, Firebird, 11.928, 108.16 def. George Mirza, Duster, 11.409, 114.51.

Lizzard Racing Engines TS Shootout -- Ron Iannotti, Corvette, 6.490, 210.54 def. Patrick Doherty, Corvette, 6.730, 207.98.

Lenco TD Shootout -- Randy Fraker, N&P, 6.130, 223.28 def. Jeff Chatterson, Gaddy, 10.653, 68.45.

EPPING, N.H. -- Final round-by-round results from the sixth annual Amalie Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway, the eighth of 11 events in the IHRA Summit Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Jim Bailey, 4.871, 280.72 def. Jim Head, 5.554, 184.19; Louie Allison, 4.886, 291.63 def. Bruce Litton, 5.134, 266.53; Roger Dean, 5.202, 282.42 def. Paul Romine, 6.017, 189.44; Clay Millican, 5.313, 186.25 def. Steve Smith, 5.470, 222.18; SEMIFINALS -- Allison, 4.851, 307.65 def. Dean, 5.270, 272.89; Millican, 4.745, 305.56 def. Bailey, 8.183, 91.19; FINAL -- Millican, 4.751, 314.75 def. Allison, 4.971, 301.47.

NITRO FUEL HARLEY:

ROUND ONE -- Stan Verheijen, 7.343, 191.32 def. Steve Stordeur, 7.543, 120.96; Doug Vancil, 6.504, 209.20 def. Johnny Mancuso, 6.579, 206.04; Tony Mattioli, 6.526, 216.51 def. Mike Romine, 7.541, 182.03; Jay Turner, 6.602, 203.92 def. Ray Price, foul; SEMIFINALS -- Vancil, 6.603, 213.20 def. Verheijen, 8.639, 117.71; Turner, 6.652, 204.45 def. Mattioli, 6.903, 167.34; FINAL -- Vancil, 6.512, 211.10 def. Turner, 6.657, 199.23.

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Paul Athey, Mercury, 6.362, 220.15 def. Shannon Jenkins, Chevy Camaro, foul; Carl Moyer, Chevy Bel Air, 6.410, 218.05 def. Steve Cossis, Chevy Corvette, 6.433, 221.09; Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.289, 224.21 def. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.359, 221.85; Mike Janis, Corvette, 6.277, 226.89 def. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.416, 218.62; Ronnie Hood, Corvette, 6.363, 221.16 def. Alan Pittman, Willys, 6.318, 226.01; Al Billes, Studebaker, 6.369, 223.54 def. Michael Lockwood, Corvette, 6.410, 221.71; Steve Vick, Camaro, 6.390, 221.38 def. Chip King, Dodge Avenger, 6.456, 220.22; Fred Hahn, Corvette, 6.274, 226.62 def. Todd Howard, Bel Air, 8.760, 102.88; QUARTERFINALS -- Billes, 6.436, 222.77 def. Vick, 7.456, 144.58; Moyer, 11.733, 72.72 def. Hahn, broke; Janis, 6.291, 222.66 def. Athey, 6.331, 222.73; Q. Stott, 6.455, 187.68 def. Hood, broke; SEMIFINALS -- Moyer, 6.349, 222.25 def. Q. Stott, 6.601, 224.73; Janis, 13.808, 83.00 def. Billes, broke; FINAL -- Janis, 6.318, 226.58 def. Moyer, 6.352, 221.78.

ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- John Vouros, Pontiac Firebird, 6.004, 231.36 def. Charles Gambino, Chevy Corvette, 6.836, 156.21; Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.922, 235.31 def. Dave Ray, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 11.170, 76.70; Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.914, 240.12 def. George McNeil, Cutlass, broke; Jimmy Rector, Camaro, 5.905, 236.84 def. Ronnie Midyette, Pontiac Trans Am, 6.086, 230.29; Dale Brand, Firebird, 5.932, 235.43 def. Richard Krafft, Avenger, 6.455, 176.30; James Libby, Camaro, 5.940, 235.35 def. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 6.008, 233.32; Larry Dobbs, Corvette, 6.013, 217.25 def. Dan Roman, Firebird, 8.443, 105.72; Fred Tigges, Camaro, 5.934, 240.59 def. David Rowe, Cutlass, 6.055, 231.24; QUARTERFINALS -- Rector, 5.878, 239.27 def. Brand, 6.053, 213.20; Cannister, 5.914, 236.46 def. Dobbs, 9.817, 86.69; Vouros, 5.967, 234.37 def. Tigges, 6.015, 231.04; Thomas, 5.962, 240.59 def. Libby, 6.049, 233.24; SEMIFINALS -- Rector, 5.890, 237.25 def. Vouros, foul; Thomas, 5.909, 241.15 def. Cannister, 5.886, 237.59; FINAL -- Rector, 5.947, 236.22 def. Thomas, 5.978, 239.87.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Ron Miller, Chevy Monte Carlo, 6.695, 208.59 def. Elijah Morton, Ford Probe, 6.704, 207.66; Carl Baker, Mercury Cougar, 6.634, 210.24 def. Dwayne Rice, Pontiac Firebird, 6.751, 208.42; Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 6.710, 208.17 def. John Konigshofer, Probe, 6.764, 209.56; Steve Spiess, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.704, 208.01 def. Anthony Paone, Chevy Camaro, 6.823, 205.72; Doug Kirk, Chevy Cavalier, 6.712, 207.11 def. Jason Collins, Probe, 6.763, 208.42; Tom Lee, Mustang, 6.682, 209.92 def. John Bartunek, Grand Am, 6.763, 205.66; John Montecalvo, Cavalier, 6.724, 198.41 def. Mike Del Nagro, Camaro, broke; Gene Wilson, Cougar, 6.590, 211.73 was unopposed; QUARTERFINALS -- Spiess, 6.664, 208.71 def. Kirk, 6.706, 208.46; Lee, 6.660, 210.14 def. Gahm, 6.700, 207.18; Montecalvo, 6.695, 208.65 def. Baker, 6.721, 209.82; Wilson, 6.607, 211.46 def. Miller, 6.706, 209.10; SEMIFINALS -- Montecalvo, 6.649, 209.39 def. Lee, 6.664, 210.24; Wilson, 6.597, 211.53 def. Spiess, 6.699, 208.23; FINAL -- Wilson, 6.588, 211.79 def. Montecalvo, 6.650, 210.05.

EPPING, N.H. -- Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the 6th annual Amalie Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway, the eighth of 11 events in the IHRA Summit Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

1. Clay Millican, 1,029; 2. Paul Romine, 821; 3. Bruce Litton, 774; 4. Jim Head, 689; 5. Jim Bailey, 615; 6. Louie Allison, 563; 7. Roger Dean, 474; 8. Steve Smith, 336; 9. Jack Ostrander, 121; 10. Shirley Muldowney, 108.

NITRO HARLEY:

1. Doug Vancil, 910; 2. Steve Stordeur, 801; 3. Tony Mattioli, 768; 4. Jay Turner, 727; 5. Johnny Mancuso, 630; 6. Ray Price, 627; 7. Mike Romine, 623; 8. Bill Furr, 414; 9. Stan Verheijen, 397; 10. Bob Malloy, 391.

PRO MODIFIED:

1. Mike Janis, 1,034; 2. Alan Pittman, 769; 3. Quain Stott, 750; 4. Ed Hoover, 645; 5. Carl Moyer, 584; 6. Fred Hahn, 583; 7. Ronnie Hood, 551; 8. Shannon Jenkins, 544; 9. Mitch Stott, 540; 10. Al Billes, 452.

FUNNY CAR:

1. Mark Thomas, 933; 2. Jimmy Rector, 920; 3. Laurie Cannister, 777; 4. John Vouros, 757; 5. Dale Brand, 723; 6. Terry McMillen, 487; 7. Larry Dobbs, 473; 8. Monty Todd, 461; 9. Terry Munroe, 343; 10. Fred Tigges, 324.

PRO STOCK:

1. Gene Wilson, 1,126; 2. Tom Lee, 865; 3. Ron Miller, 750; 4. Carl Baker, 627; 5. Brian Gahm, 625; 6. John Montecalvo, 621; 7. Dwayne Rice, 547; 8. Angelo Alesci, 494; 9. Elijah Morton, 454; 10. Jason Collins, 430.

www.ihra.com