Post by jkelly57 on Apr 7, 2008 12:39:19 GMT -6
Amalie Oil Texas Nationals, Presented by NAPA Auto Parts and the San Antonio Express-News @ San Antonio Raceway, 4/5/08
By J M Hallas
Marion, Tx.,(April 5th, 2008) Saturday morning saw drives, teams, and fans greeted by cool, sunny skies, that quickly warmed throughout the afternoon. The Sportsman Nationals were first up for completion as they began round two of eliminations bright and early.
Also on the Saturday ticket, were two more rounds of Pro class qualifying, wrapping up the evening with the always exciting, "Night of Fire." The sportsman classes would then turn around and begin the Texas Nationals eliminations. All of which are slated to run to the finish on Sunday beginning at 9:00AM with the sportsman eliminations, and Pro eliminations starting at 11:00AM.
I get a kick out of cruising the pits at this event. It's more like a short track race where you can get right up close to the cars, occasionally catch a driver, and experience the hustle and bustle of crews getting cars ready.
You can always spot a newbie to the sport as crowds gather around a Nitro car ready to test fire in the pits. The experienced will be standing back, while the newbies will try to get as close as possibly. I try to guesstimate how high they will jump or how fast they'll run away once that sucker fires off and the 90% Nitro permeates the air, burns your nose and eyes. Ah, yes the joys of drag racing......
Litton Tops in Top Fuel
Veteran Top Fuel Dragster driver, Bruce Litton starting off the 2008 season where he left off in 2007, the top of the Top Fuel heap. Litton, the 2007 IHRA World Champion as well as Amalie Oil Texas Nationals winner, ended qualifying in the number one spot. Two near bracket runs of 3.125 and 3.145, both at a little over 270.00 MPH, kept on top of qualifying from day one, round one.
Litton has seen his share of up and downs on the San Antonio track as well. After a serious crash during the inaugural Tex. Nationals, Litton found himself unconscious and on his side, before being Care-Flighted to BAMC,where he was examined and released almost in time to make it back for the finals against Clay Millican, where he joked about driving the rental car.
The Indianapolis, Indiana native drives the TFX Powered, Hadman Chassis, sponsored by Lucas Oil Products, Bruce Litton Trailer Sales and United Trailers,
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 1 Bruce Litton, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.125 271.95 271.95
2 72 Mike Strasburg, Lindon UT, Hadman-TFX 3.168 258.81 258.81
3 141 Bobby Lagana Jr., Munford TN, Hadman-BAE 3.193 265.01 265.01
4 5 Terry McMillen, Elkhart IN, McKinney-TFX 3.204 254.04 254.04
5 421 Spencer Massey, Galveston TX, McKinney-BAE 3.245 257.33 257.33
6 5050 Scott Palmer, Ozark MO, McKinney-BAE 3.256 245.05 245.05
7 373 Kevin Jones, Berea KY, Agan-TFX 3.259 213.87 213.87
8 323 Chris Karamesines, Chicago IL, Uyehara-BAE 3.270 251.11 251.11
------------ Not Qualified ------------
9 444 Fred Farndon, Edmond OK, Hadman-TFX 3.612 215.96 215.96
10 99 Todd Paton, Lake Forest CA, McKinney-TFX 3.678 213.27 213.27
11 1301 Doug Foley, West Berlin NJ, Attac-TFX 5.098 82.96 82.96
Gilbertson Grabs Number 1 Nitro Funny Car Spot
North Carolina's, Bob Gilbertson mastered the 1/8 mile San Antonio Raceway in Nitro Funny Car to grab the coveted number one qualifying spot. Gilbertson's first round run of 3.353 @ 255.92 MPH held all the way through the remaining two rounds of qualifying on Saturday.
Both an IHRA and NHRA campaigner, Gilbertson is no stranger to the winners circle, having won events in both sanctions. Sunday, he look to put his Dodge Stratus bodied car, debuting a new sponsor, Azul Tequila back into the win column to start 2008.
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 206 Bob Gilbertson, Charlotte NC, '05 Stratus 3.353 255.92 255.92
2 121 Terry Haddock, Lynnwood WA, '06 Stratus 3.425 236.88 240.81
3 2814 Matt Hagan, Christiansburg VA, '08 Monte Carlo 3.428 231.44 233.60
4 7 Jeff Diehl, Salinas CA, '07 Monte Carlo 3.436 256.89 256.89
5 499 Todd Simpson, Ponder TX, '03 Camaro 3.440 243.28 243.28
6 2 Jack Wyatt, Corydon IA, '06 Stratus 3.444 252.38 252.38
7 1 Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher IL, '08 Impala 3.463 247.84 247.84
8 763 Steven Macklyn, Salt Lake City UT, '06 Monte C 3.469 242.28 242.28
------------ Not Qualified ------------
9 5 Andy Kelley, Piedmont SC, '02 Firebird 3.518 241.02 241.02
10 443 Mitch King, Galveston TX, '05 Corvette 3.520 234.66 234.66
11 3404 Allen Middendorf, Wellington FL, '02 Camaro 3.665 215.24 215.24
12 600 Jason Duchene, Beaumont AB, '04 Firebird 5.083 95.92 96.53
Cannister Keeps Clicking Off Alcohol Funny Car Records
Proving to everyone, that girls can go as fast as boys, Laurie Cannister is putting a whooping on the Alcohol Funny Car field. The lady not only stepped up her program every round, but kept breaking her own records at the same time.
Cannister, started in round one of qualifying, by setting a new track speed an ET mark, an needing a back-up run to take the new world speed record. Round two saw her reset her own track numbers, back-p the world speed record and need yet another back-up run for a new ET world record. In the final round, guess what...yep, another benchmark for the track records, increased her previous world speed record, as well as bettering the ET record, but needing yet another back-up runs in elimination on Sunday.
Despite only a few years racing experience, Cannister driving the Kalbones Grill'n Sauce, 511 CI. Hemi powered, Camaro bodied, Pro Start Chassis has already earned the respect of her male piers, and picked up 1999 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year, and 2000 Pro Outlaw World Championship before moving tom Alcohol Funny Car, where she grabbed the victory in the Torco President's Cup Nationals in 2007.
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 9 Laurie Cannister, Johnstown OH, '99 Camaro 3.731@ 197.94^ 197.94
2 505 Dale Brand, Lynnville IA, '01 Camaro 3.813 192.74 192.77
3 657 Thomas Carter, Victoria TX, '05 Camaro 3.850 194.02 194.13
4 331 Tony Bogolo, Hamilton OH, '99 Mustang 3.851 189.95 189.95
5 4 Paul Noakes, London ON, '99 Avenger 3.872 193.54 193.54
6 1 Mark Thomas, Louisville OH, '08 Impala 3.877 190.70 190.70
7 357 Tim Stevens, Dorr MI, '06 Stratus 3.893 191.40 191.40
8 2 Rob Atchison, London ON, '06 Monte Carlo 3.897 194.18 194.44
------------ Not Qualified ------------
9 100 Terry Munroe, Beaver PA, '05 Monte Carlo 3.920 189.42 189.42
10 5 Larry Dobbs, Welland ON, '01 Corvette 3.949 187.00 187.00
@ = Track ET Record
^ = National Speed Record
Cannon Claims Top Spot in Pro Mods
So I bet you were thinking, ok it's multi-time Pro Modified Champion Scotty Cannon, right? Well partially. Proving once again the apple doesn't fall from the tree, Scott Cannon jr. took the number one qualifying spot after all was said and done.
The young Cannon in Torco Race Fuels, 68 Pontiac Firebird, used his best pass in the second round to bypass Mike Janis for the top spot with a 3.967 @ 188.12. Then had it stick through the final two rounds, while was trying to get dialed in, unsuccessfully shaking the tires off his last two runs.
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 1 Scott Cannon, Lyman SC, *'68 Firebird 3.967 188.12 188.60
2 2 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, *'07 Cobalt 3.972 187.52 188.65
3 81 Jim Halsey, Street MD, '68 Camaro 3.996 184.90 184.90
4 1853 Thomas Patterson, Spring TX, *'41 Willys 4.005 186.48 186.48
5 1237 Burton Auxier, Dixie WV, '53 Corvette 4.022 181.86 181.86
6 4 Ed Hoover, Gilbert SC, *'67 Camaro 4.024 182.95 185.41
7 2813 Scotty Cannon, Lyman SC, *'68 Firebird 4.027 185.64 185.64
8 9 Jason Hamstra, DeMotte IN, *'68 Camaro 4.039 181.94 181.94
9 1313 Chip King, Semora NC, *'69 Daytona 4.063 183.27 183.27
10 1944 Billy Harper, Paducah KY, '00 Viper 4.079 173.94 174.57
11 44 Mike Castellana, Westbury NY, '68 Firebird 4.121 176.40 176.40
12 1962 Tommy D'Aprile, Port Charlotte FL, *'63 Bel Air 4.160 174.84 181.47
13 5 Quain Stott, Columbus NC, *'63 Corvette 4.176 181.86 181.86
14 204 Billy Gibson, Chaptico MD, *'70 Superbird 4.250 174.12 174.12
15 7771 Steven Wiley, Liberty Hill TX, *'68 Camaro 4.278 168.49 168.49
16 6 Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe MB, *'53 Corvette 4.299 153.13 164.33
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 3710 Jason Stock, Lino Lakes MN, *'63 Corvette 4.321 173.14 173.14
18 112 Pat Stoken, Eureka MT, '68 Camaro 4.401 167.72 167.72
* = Supercharged Engine
Patrick Picks Off Top Spot in Pro Stock on Final Pass
Robert Patrick saved his best qualifying run for last and snuck into the number one spot with a 4.104 @ 174.96. Elisha Morton grabbed the top spot early, but gave way to Frank Gugliotta in round two. Patrick then left them in his wake on his last attempt.
A multi-time IHRA event winner, record holder and member of the prestigious 220.00 MPH club, Patrick has the top spot in his Purvis Ford, Easy Care Service Contacts, ADG, 815 CI. Hemi(J&B Performance) powered, 2007 Ford Mustang.
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 1 Robert Patrick, Fredericksburg VA, '07 Mustang 4.104 174.96 174.96
2 3 Frank Gugliotta, Mt. Airy MD, '07 Mustang 4.117 175.21 175.21
3 2 Pete Berner, Crete IL, '08 GXP 4.119 175.23 175.23
4 177 Elijah Morton, Jacksonville NC, '07 Mustang 4.128 174.21 174.21
5 759 Jeff Dobbins, Wilmington NC, '06 Escort 4.141 174.19 174.53
6 151 Dean Goforth, Holdenville OK, '07 GTO 4.148 173.23 173.49
7 335 Bob Bertsch, Willis MI, '07 Mustang 4.163 172.85 173.87
8 7 Rob Mansfield, Winter Park FL, '07 GTO 4.170 172.83 172.83
9 171 Larry O'Brien, Lakeshore ON, '04 Stratus 4.176 172.36 172.36
10 5 John Montecalvo, Center Moriches NY, '06 Cobalt 4.177 174.30 174.30
11 251 Cary Goforth, Holdenville OK, '08 Cobalt 4.184 170.95 173.12
12 428 Scott Hintz, Odessa TX, '03 Mustang 4.199 170.26 170.43
13 5037 Richard Freeman, Wynnewood OK, '08 Cobalt 4.202 171.29 171.29
14 626 Chuck DeMory, Winfield IL, '08 Mustang 4.216 170.77 170.77
15 11 Jason Collins, Rainbow City AL, '06 Cobalt 4.228 170.73 170.90
16 444 Cale Aronson, Chillicothe MO, '05 Escort 4.269 169.96 169.96
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 290 Trevor Eman, Orlando FL, '06 Escort 4.293 170.62 170.62
By J M Hallas
Marion, Tx.,(April 5th, 2008) Saturday morning saw drives, teams, and fans greeted by cool, sunny skies, that quickly warmed throughout the afternoon. The Sportsman Nationals were first up for completion as they began round two of eliminations bright and early.
Also on the Saturday ticket, were two more rounds of Pro class qualifying, wrapping up the evening with the always exciting, "Night of Fire." The sportsman classes would then turn around and begin the Texas Nationals eliminations. All of which are slated to run to the finish on Sunday beginning at 9:00AM with the sportsman eliminations, and Pro eliminations starting at 11:00AM.
I get a kick out of cruising the pits at this event. It's more like a short track race where you can get right up close to the cars, occasionally catch a driver, and experience the hustle and bustle of crews getting cars ready.
You can always spot a newbie to the sport as crowds gather around a Nitro car ready to test fire in the pits. The experienced will be standing back, while the newbies will try to get as close as possibly. I try to guesstimate how high they will jump or how fast they'll run away once that sucker fires off and the 90% Nitro permeates the air, burns your nose and eyes. Ah, yes the joys of drag racing......
Litton Tops in Top Fuel
Veteran Top Fuel Dragster driver, Bruce Litton starting off the 2008 season where he left off in 2007, the top of the Top Fuel heap. Litton, the 2007 IHRA World Champion as well as Amalie Oil Texas Nationals winner, ended qualifying in the number one spot. Two near bracket runs of 3.125 and 3.145, both at a little over 270.00 MPH, kept on top of qualifying from day one, round one.
Litton has seen his share of up and downs on the San Antonio track as well. After a serious crash during the inaugural Tex. Nationals, Litton found himself unconscious and on his side, before being Care-Flighted to BAMC,where he was examined and released almost in time to make it back for the finals against Clay Millican, where he joked about driving the rental car.
The Indianapolis, Indiana native drives the TFX Powered, Hadman Chassis, sponsored by Lucas Oil Products, Bruce Litton Trailer Sales and United Trailers,
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 1 Bruce Litton, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.125 271.95 271.95
2 72 Mike Strasburg, Lindon UT, Hadman-TFX 3.168 258.81 258.81
3 141 Bobby Lagana Jr., Munford TN, Hadman-BAE 3.193 265.01 265.01
4 5 Terry McMillen, Elkhart IN, McKinney-TFX 3.204 254.04 254.04
5 421 Spencer Massey, Galveston TX, McKinney-BAE 3.245 257.33 257.33
6 5050 Scott Palmer, Ozark MO, McKinney-BAE 3.256 245.05 245.05
7 373 Kevin Jones, Berea KY, Agan-TFX 3.259 213.87 213.87
8 323 Chris Karamesines, Chicago IL, Uyehara-BAE 3.270 251.11 251.11
------------ Not Qualified ------------
9 444 Fred Farndon, Edmond OK, Hadman-TFX 3.612 215.96 215.96
10 99 Todd Paton, Lake Forest CA, McKinney-TFX 3.678 213.27 213.27
11 1301 Doug Foley, West Berlin NJ, Attac-TFX 5.098 82.96 82.96
Gilbertson Grabs Number 1 Nitro Funny Car Spot
North Carolina's, Bob Gilbertson mastered the 1/8 mile San Antonio Raceway in Nitro Funny Car to grab the coveted number one qualifying spot. Gilbertson's first round run of 3.353 @ 255.92 MPH held all the way through the remaining two rounds of qualifying on Saturday.
Both an IHRA and NHRA campaigner, Gilbertson is no stranger to the winners circle, having won events in both sanctions. Sunday, he look to put his Dodge Stratus bodied car, debuting a new sponsor, Azul Tequila back into the win column to start 2008.
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 206 Bob Gilbertson, Charlotte NC, '05 Stratus 3.353 255.92 255.92
2 121 Terry Haddock, Lynnwood WA, '06 Stratus 3.425 236.88 240.81
3 2814 Matt Hagan, Christiansburg VA, '08 Monte Carlo 3.428 231.44 233.60
4 7 Jeff Diehl, Salinas CA, '07 Monte Carlo 3.436 256.89 256.89
5 499 Todd Simpson, Ponder TX, '03 Camaro 3.440 243.28 243.28
6 2 Jack Wyatt, Corydon IA, '06 Stratus 3.444 252.38 252.38
7 1 Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher IL, '08 Impala 3.463 247.84 247.84
8 763 Steven Macklyn, Salt Lake City UT, '06 Monte C 3.469 242.28 242.28
------------ Not Qualified ------------
9 5 Andy Kelley, Piedmont SC, '02 Firebird 3.518 241.02 241.02
10 443 Mitch King, Galveston TX, '05 Corvette 3.520 234.66 234.66
11 3404 Allen Middendorf, Wellington FL, '02 Camaro 3.665 215.24 215.24
12 600 Jason Duchene, Beaumont AB, '04 Firebird 5.083 95.92 96.53
Cannister Keeps Clicking Off Alcohol Funny Car Records
Proving to everyone, that girls can go as fast as boys, Laurie Cannister is putting a whooping on the Alcohol Funny Car field. The lady not only stepped up her program every round, but kept breaking her own records at the same time.
Cannister, started in round one of qualifying, by setting a new track speed an ET mark, an needing a back-up run to take the new world speed record. Round two saw her reset her own track numbers, back-p the world speed record and need yet another back-up run for a new ET world record. In the final round, guess what...yep, another benchmark for the track records, increased her previous world speed record, as well as bettering the ET record, but needing yet another back-up runs in elimination on Sunday.
Despite only a few years racing experience, Cannister driving the Kalbones Grill'n Sauce, 511 CI. Hemi powered, Camaro bodied, Pro Start Chassis has already earned the respect of her male piers, and picked up 1999 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year, and 2000 Pro Outlaw World Championship before moving tom Alcohol Funny Car, where she grabbed the victory in the Torco President's Cup Nationals in 2007.
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 9 Laurie Cannister, Johnstown OH, '99 Camaro 3.731@ 197.94^ 197.94
2 505 Dale Brand, Lynnville IA, '01 Camaro 3.813 192.74 192.77
3 657 Thomas Carter, Victoria TX, '05 Camaro 3.850 194.02 194.13
4 331 Tony Bogolo, Hamilton OH, '99 Mustang 3.851 189.95 189.95
5 4 Paul Noakes, London ON, '99 Avenger 3.872 193.54 193.54
6 1 Mark Thomas, Louisville OH, '08 Impala 3.877 190.70 190.70
7 357 Tim Stevens, Dorr MI, '06 Stratus 3.893 191.40 191.40
8 2 Rob Atchison, London ON, '06 Monte Carlo 3.897 194.18 194.44
------------ Not Qualified ------------
9 100 Terry Munroe, Beaver PA, '05 Monte Carlo 3.920 189.42 189.42
10 5 Larry Dobbs, Welland ON, '01 Corvette 3.949 187.00 187.00
@ = Track ET Record
^ = National Speed Record
Cannon Claims Top Spot in Pro Mods
So I bet you were thinking, ok it's multi-time Pro Modified Champion Scotty Cannon, right? Well partially. Proving once again the apple doesn't fall from the tree, Scott Cannon jr. took the number one qualifying spot after all was said and done.
The young Cannon in Torco Race Fuels, 68 Pontiac Firebird, used his best pass in the second round to bypass Mike Janis for the top spot with a 3.967 @ 188.12. Then had it stick through the final two rounds, while was trying to get dialed in, unsuccessfully shaking the tires off his last two runs.
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 1 Scott Cannon, Lyman SC, *'68 Firebird 3.967 188.12 188.60
2 2 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, *'07 Cobalt 3.972 187.52 188.65
3 81 Jim Halsey, Street MD, '68 Camaro 3.996 184.90 184.90
4 1853 Thomas Patterson, Spring TX, *'41 Willys 4.005 186.48 186.48
5 1237 Burton Auxier, Dixie WV, '53 Corvette 4.022 181.86 181.86
6 4 Ed Hoover, Gilbert SC, *'67 Camaro 4.024 182.95 185.41
7 2813 Scotty Cannon, Lyman SC, *'68 Firebird 4.027 185.64 185.64
8 9 Jason Hamstra, DeMotte IN, *'68 Camaro 4.039 181.94 181.94
9 1313 Chip King, Semora NC, *'69 Daytona 4.063 183.27 183.27
10 1944 Billy Harper, Paducah KY, '00 Viper 4.079 173.94 174.57
11 44 Mike Castellana, Westbury NY, '68 Firebird 4.121 176.40 176.40
12 1962 Tommy D'Aprile, Port Charlotte FL, *'63 Bel Air 4.160 174.84 181.47
13 5 Quain Stott, Columbus NC, *'63 Corvette 4.176 181.86 181.86
14 204 Billy Gibson, Chaptico MD, *'70 Superbird 4.250 174.12 174.12
15 7771 Steven Wiley, Liberty Hill TX, *'68 Camaro 4.278 168.49 168.49
16 6 Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe MB, *'53 Corvette 4.299 153.13 164.33
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 3710 Jason Stock, Lino Lakes MN, *'63 Corvette 4.321 173.14 173.14
18 112 Pat Stoken, Eureka MT, '68 Camaro 4.401 167.72 167.72
* = Supercharged Engine
Patrick Picks Off Top Spot in Pro Stock on Final Pass
Robert Patrick saved his best qualifying run for last and snuck into the number one spot with a 4.104 @ 174.96. Elisha Morton grabbed the top spot early, but gave way to Frank Gugliotta in round two. Patrick then left them in his wake on his last attempt.
A multi-time IHRA event winner, record holder and member of the prestigious 220.00 MPH club, Patrick has the top spot in his Purvis Ford, Easy Care Service Contacts, ADG, 815 CI. Hemi(J&B Performance) powered, 2007 Ford Mustang.
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 1 Robert Patrick, Fredericksburg VA, '07 Mustang 4.104 174.96 174.96
2 3 Frank Gugliotta, Mt. Airy MD, '07 Mustang 4.117 175.21 175.21
3 2 Pete Berner, Crete IL, '08 GXP 4.119 175.23 175.23
4 177 Elijah Morton, Jacksonville NC, '07 Mustang 4.128 174.21 174.21
5 759 Jeff Dobbins, Wilmington NC, '06 Escort 4.141 174.19 174.53
6 151 Dean Goforth, Holdenville OK, '07 GTO 4.148 173.23 173.49
7 335 Bob Bertsch, Willis MI, '07 Mustang 4.163 172.85 173.87
8 7 Rob Mansfield, Winter Park FL, '07 GTO 4.170 172.83 172.83
9 171 Larry O'Brien, Lakeshore ON, '04 Stratus 4.176 172.36 172.36
10 5 John Montecalvo, Center Moriches NY, '06 Cobalt 4.177 174.30 174.30
11 251 Cary Goforth, Holdenville OK, '08 Cobalt 4.184 170.95 173.12
12 428 Scott Hintz, Odessa TX, '03 Mustang 4.199 170.26 170.43
13 5037 Richard Freeman, Wynnewood OK, '08 Cobalt 4.202 171.29 171.29
14 626 Chuck DeMory, Winfield IL, '08 Mustang 4.216 170.77 170.77
15 11 Jason Collins, Rainbow City AL, '06 Cobalt 4.228 170.73 170.90
16 444 Cale Aronson, Chillicothe MO, '05 Escort 4.269 169.96 169.96
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 290 Trevor Eman, Orlando FL, '06 Escort 4.293 170.62 170.62