While the Nitro classes usually headline the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam, Saturday evening at Maryland International Raceway the door-slammers took center stage.

 

Brian Gahm (Lucasville, Ohio) claimed both ends of the IHRA world record in the Torco’s CompetionPlus.com Pro Stock class, clocking an astounding 6.281 at 223.95 mph, both records that were already backed up earlier in the event, break the e.t. record set by Pete Berner (Crete, Ill.) earlier in the Saturday session. The speed record was held by Steve Spiess (Manhattan, Ill.) at 223.84 mph, also set earlier in Saturday’s evening qualifying session.

 

Gahm ended up on top of the qualifying list, heading the quickest Pro Stock qualifying field in IHRA history. Daniel Seamon (Bellevue, Ohio) ended up on the bump spot with a 6.401

While the Nitro classes usually headline the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam, Saturday evening at Maryland International Raceway the door-slammers took center stage.

 

Brian Gahm (Lucasville, Ohio) claimed both ends of the IHRA world record in the Torco’s CompetionPlus.com Pro Stock class, clocking an astounding 6.281 at 223.95 mph, both records that were already backed up earlier in the event, break the e.t. record set by Pete Berner (Crete, Ill.) earlier in the Saturday session. The speed record was held by Steve Spiess (Manhattan, Ill.) at 223.84 mph, also set earlier in Saturday’s evening qualifying session.

 

Gahm ended up on top of the qualifying list, heading the quickest Pro Stock qualifying field in IHRA history. Daniel Seamon (Bellevue, Ohio) ended up on the bump spot with a 6.401

 

“That was awesome,” Gahm said. “The conditions were right and we sat back and watched three other cars run in the 6.20’s. We shook the tires in the Pro Stock Showdown but knew we were safe in the field so we went for it. We knew the conditions were going to be as good as we would ever see…at least until next year.”

 

Gahm could just shake his head about leading the quickest Pro Stock field in IHRA history.

 

“It’s just amazing,” he said. “Who would have ever thought you would see Pro Stocks running in the 6.20’s at over 223 miles per hour? It was just unbelievable.”

 

Scott Cannon Jr. also rewrote the record books in Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified competition with a record-setting 5.938 pass at 242.63 mph to claim the top qualifying spot and grab Last Man Standing honors.

 

“We’re been trying to get all the points we can,” Cannon said. “We’ve been bumping up against the world record for awhile now and we’re thrilled we were able to get it. We’re chasing the championship and every single point is huge for this team.”

 

Cannon (Lyman, S.C.) is looking to claim his first career world championship after stepping into the car and taking over driving duties for his father, who won six career world titles.

 

“It’s easy to brag when your son can do what he does out there,” Cannon Sr. said. “Maybe Junior is picking up where his old man left off.”

 

Clay Millican (Drummonds, TN) needed a strong evening run to move to the top of the Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel qualifying sheet. After watching T.J. Zizzo post a 4.595 at 324.36 mph to move to the top of the sheet Millican responded with a 4.585 at 319.37 to reclaim the pole.

 

Zizzo (Lincolnshire, Ill.) was able to pick up two points on Bruce Litton (Indianapolis, Ind.) in the Top Fuel championship points chase, leading in the sprint for the title by a slim six points heading into Sunday eliminations. Scotty Cannon is just 51 points behind Zizzo, sitting in third place.

 

Beecher, Ill. resident Dale Creasy Jr., who has already clinched his second consecutive Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car world championship, waited until the final pair the Saturday evening qualifying session to bump Bob Gilbertson off the #1 qualifying spot, clocking a 4.920 at 310.41 to edge Gilbertson’s 4.921 out by a thousandth. Creasy also claimed Last Man Standing brought to you by MetalWood Bat honors.

 

Dale Brand (Sully, Iowa) held on to the Alcohol Funny Car pole as his 5.604 at 249.39 mph stood up against all challengers during both Saturday qualifying sessions. Neal Parker claimed Last Man Standing brought to you by MetalWood Bat in the Saturday evening session.

 

Professional eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.