SCOTTY CANNON'S BIG DAY
Mon, 2007-07-23 11:19
It took almost ten years to do it, but
Scotty Cannon said the wait was worth it. The six-time Pro Modified world
champion who graduated to nitro racing in 1999 scored his first career Top Fuel
crown at the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ont.
Just to think, less than three months ago, Cannon was sprawled
across an operating table undergoing surgery to repair a damaged disc. Today he
exited the Evan Knoll-owned, Seelye-Wright-sponsored dragster as if he was
running a marathon.
Hands Evan Knoll first team win in Top Fuel
It took almost ten years to do it, but
Scotty Cannon said the wait was worth it. The six-time Pro Modified world
champion who graduated to nitro racing in 1999 scored his first career Top Fuel
crown at the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ont.
Just to think, less than three months ago, Cannon was sprawled
across an operating table undergoing surgery to repair a damaged disc. Today he
exited the Evan Knoll-owned, Seelye-Wright-sponsored dragster as if he was
running a marathon.
Today’s success left a greater feeling than a shot of
cortisone. Nevermind the fact he holds 28 career national event victories, six
world championships and still remains the winning driver in the Pro Modified
division, today’s win validated a career of domination.
Cannon won on nitro.
“We got lucky, but I take it,” Cannon said. “We could have
hopped it up and did things different, but we went with our gut and decided to
leave it as it was. We were beat in the finals but we had the right combination
to win. It was our day to win. We had the most consistent race car today. I’ve
been doing this a long time but if you make it consistent you’re going to win.
My team did an incredible job. We may look like the Bad News Bears, but we
won.”
This one produced a number of firsts. It marked the first time
that an Evan Knoll-owned dragster had won a national event and it also marked
the first time that Cannon and Jimbo Ermalovich had won together.
Cannon entered eliminations as the third quickest dragster and
used the momentum to defeat Todd Paton and points leader T.J. Zizzo before
stopping Jim Cavaleri in the final round.
Cannon reached an NHRA Funny Car final but his last victory on
the IHRA tour came in 1998 when defeated Wally Stroupe during the IHRA
President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek, Md.
“It’s been nine years and only the second time since I have
been in the winner’s circle,” Cannon said. “Evan had faith in us. I had no idea
why. But he did and I am glad he did. I love him and respect him and I am trying
to do my best for him all the time. Today didn’t shock me but it made realize
that it isn’t so easy to make it back. I proved to myself that I can still pull
one out when I need to.”
The victory puts Cannon solidly in the third position in the
Top Fuel championship standings just 62 points behind Zizzo and 22 out of
second. Cannon wasn’t nervous until he realized that he was within striking
distance.
“I am stressed out more than I ever have. I want to win. I
don’t usually count the points, but today someone reminded me that we are only
90 points out of first. That’s within striking points. At first I didn’t want to
hear any points talk. But, you can’t help but think about it. I’m not even going
home. I’m testing all the time until we can get to Michigan. Lord knows we are
trying, the stars and moon line up and we might have a dog in the hunt. You can
rest assured this dog is still out there.”
Cannon will tell you that he was down on himself and drag
racing was the furthest thing from his mind. A call from Knoll changed his
thought process.
“Evan called me one day and asked me why I was parked,” Cannon
said. “He had more confidence in me than I had in myself. It wasn’t about the
money. I could have stayed at home and been just fine. But when someone believes
in you like that you have to get after it. I am giving this every ounce of
energy I can. If you don’t step out there and try your best when someone
believes in you than you have no clue about what it takes to be a champion.
Being a champion means you have the ability to get out there when you don’t see
the light at the end of the tunnel.
“We are doing as hard as we and if anyone can try any harder,
then God bless them.”
DUDE, WHERE'S MY THREADS?
The weekend started off on a rough note for Cannon. He was seen wandering around the pits Friday with a pack strapped
to his back. Now ordinarily that wouldn’t be unusual, but the story behind it
is worth telling.
Cannon, who is from
When pressed for details, Cannon muttered “(blank) no!” when asked if his bags had resurfaced. “I was ready for them this time, though,” he said. ”We were running real late for the plane, so I grabbed a shirt and a pair of pants and stuffed them in this pack. Guess I’ll have to go shopping real soon if the stuff doesn’t show up.” - Brian Wood
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