2009 IHRA PRESIDENT'S CUP NATS - SAME DAY COVERAGE
Sat, 2009-09-26 14:01
Heavy rain and less than favorable conditions have forced Saturday’s action at the IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway to be cancelled.
Racing will get back underway first thing Sunday morning.
“With the current conditions and the timeframe we have to work with there is simply no way to get the track ready for this evening’s event,” said Mike Baker, Director of Competition. “While we are certainly disappointed to have to call Saturday’s event, we hope to see everyone back tomorrow where the weather is calling for a much better day.”
Fans that purchased a ticket on Saturday will be able to redeem that ticket at no charge on Sunday.
Currently, on-track action is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with sportsman eliminations followed by the first round of professional eliminations at 11 a.m. The rest of the schedule will follow the usual format with pro eliminations at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Racing got underway Saturday morning with beautiful conditions greeting the racers. All seven sportsman classes were able to get in another round of qualifying and eliminations before the rain began during the mid-afternoon hours.
While several attempts were made to dry the track, off and on rain showers throughout the afternoon eventually led to the event being called just before 5 p.m.
All 10 classes were able to get in at least one round of qualifying on Friday and Saturday morning, with some classes able to get in their first round of eliminations.
Making the decision to scrap Saturday’s event even harder were the record numbers being put on the boards prior to the rain. In Top Sportsman Steve Drummond raced to a 6.322 second lap at 230.25 miles per hour, resetting both ends of the world record. In Top Dragster Troy Stone threatened to do the same with the records he currently holds with a 5.795 second lap at 238.47 miles per hour.
Both qualified first in their category.
In the professional classes all three categories remained unchanged from Friday as Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Kenny Lang (Pro Modified) and Pete Berner (Pro Stock) will start Sunday from the pole position in their respective categories.
Litton (Indianapolis, Ind.) qualified first based on his 4.697 second lap at 311.70 miles per hour put up Friday night. Thanks to his solid run Litton was able to make up five more points on Del Cox Jr. in the Top Fuel title chase.
Litton was followed by Dom Lagana (4.795, 295.85), Bobby Lagana (4.829, 235.64), Todd Paton (4.845, 297.68) and Mitch King (5.580, 237.42). Del Cox Jr., Smax Smith and Ron August round out the eight qualifiers for Sunday’s Top Fuel eliminations.
In Pro Modified Kenny Lang’s (Grande Pointe, Manitoba) world record contending lap of 5.884 seconds at 243.55 miles per hour put down on Friday will start him from the top spot on Sunday.
If he can back up the run within one percent on Sunday he will hold a new world record in Pro Modified.
The rest of the top five include Tony Pontieri (5.929, 243.33), Ike Maier (6.239, 231.79) Harold Martin (6.321, 204.66) and Andy Jensen (6.324, 154.92).
Finally the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock bunch was topped by two-time world champion Pete Berner (Crete, Ill.) who ran a 6.306 elapsed time at 222.00 miles per hour on Friday.
John Montecalvo (6.308, 222.11), Cary Goforth (6.309, 221.05), Mark Martino (6.358, 208.78) and Dean Goforth (6.359, 220.22) round out the top five entering eliminations.
With rain wreaking havoc on the schedule, the eight drivers qualified for the Elite 8 Pro Stock Shootout will have to wait one more race to get in their $40,000 shootout until the IHRA World Finals in Rockingham.
Racing action will get back underway at 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
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First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the IHRA President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, the ninth of 10 events in the 2009 Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.
Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 4.697 seconds, 311.70 mph vs. 8. Ron August Jr, 11.694, 67.52; 2. Dom Lagana, 4.795, 295.85 vs. 7. Smax Smith, 9.199, 85.54; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.829, 235.64 vs. 6. Del Cox Jr., 7.695, 106.71; 4. Todd Paton, 4.845, 297.68 vs. 5. Mitch King, 5.580, 237.42.
Pro Modified -- 1. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 5.884, 243.55 vs. Bye; 2. Tony Pontieri, Chevy Camaro, 5.929, 243.33 vs. 15. Benny Alfonso, Pontiac Firebird, 21.970, 33.14; 3. Ike Maier, Corvette, 6.239, 231.79 vs. 14. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 15.502, 60.69; 4. Harold Martin, Martin M 4, 6.321, 204.66 vs. 13. Frank Patille III, Buick Special, 12.388, 91.11; 5. Andy Jensen, Camaro, 6.324, 154.92 vs. 12. Chris Russo, Corvette, 12.252, 70.47; 6. Killer Brooks, Chevy Cavalier, 6.874, 186.07 vs. 11. Steve Bareman, Corvette, 12.029, 100.67; 7. Larry Plummer, Camaro, 7.054, 229.00 vs. 10. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 10.122, 73.59; 8. Tommy Gray, Camaro, 7.511, 130.07 vs. 9. Frederick Scriba, Corvette, 9.412, 105.60.
Pro Stock -- 1. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.306, 222.00 vs. Bye; 2. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.308, 222.11 vs. 15. Richard Freeman, GXP, 13.133, 67.32; 3. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.309, 221.05 vs. 14. Lester Cooper, Ford Mustang, 9.332, 97.92; 4. Mark Martino, Cobalt, 6.358, 208.78 vs. 13. John Konigshofer, Mustang, 9.253, 108.12; 5. Dean Goforth, GXP, 6.359, 220.22 vs. 12. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 8.874, 72.93; 6. John Pluchino, Mercury Cougar, 6.373, 219.44 vs. 11. Michael Bruno, Pontiac GTO, 6.839, 165.09; 7. Ned Katuran, Cobalt, 6.381, 213.37 vs. 10. JR Carr, GXP, 6.395, 217.67; 8. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.386, 219.86 vs. 9. Frank Gugliotta, GXP, 6.394, 216.27.
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SATURDAY NOTEBOOK - BUNNY BURKETT MORE THAN A LEGEND
BUNNY’S BACK - For anyone who thinks that drag racing is just two cars going in a straight line really fast, you couldn’t be any further from the truth.
There is so much more to the sport than just the action seen on the track. Just ask the living legend known the world over simply as Bunny.
For Bunny Burkett, the sport of drag racing has been many things. From providing a stage to climb from poverty to stardom, to providing a second family, to acting as a form of medicine, the sport of drag racing has been Burkett’s life for the past 44 years and will continue to be her life for as long as she lives.
“I never dreamed that when I first started racing on that little rinky dink track in Manassas, Virginia in 1965 that I would still be here 44 years later,” Burkett said. “But the fact that I have been able to stay in the sport with the amount of money and all that has to be spent today and still be here today – I never dreamed I would get to do this.”
To fully understand the story of Carol Burkett – the given name of Bunny – you have to travel all the way back to 1945 in the hills of West Virginia where Burkett was born. Growing up in poverty, Burkett and her family moved to Virginia at the age of 13 where she was introduced to the sport for the very first time.
Getting her start behind the wheel of her boyfriend’s ’55 Mercury at the age of 15 at Old Dominion Speedway, Burkett knew from an early age that all she ever wanted to do was race.
“It got in my blood early,” Burkett said with a laugh.
By the age of 19 Burkett finally had her very own car – a 1964 Mustang – and by 20 she was winning races on a regular basis. But in 1967, Burkett hit a bit of a snag.
Running into financial trouble, Burkett began work as a hostess at the former Playboy Club in Baltimore to help earn some extra money to continue racing and by the end of the year Burkett was back with a new car and a brand new nickname – Bunny. Burkett continued to race off and on over the next few years before fully committing to the sport in the 1980s. And it was during that time that Burkett claimed her very first championship.
Moving from the world of door cars to funny cars, Burkett quickly became one of the most dominating drivers in the sport behind the wheel of an Alcohol Funny Car. And in 1986, 26 years after the first time she sat in a racecar, Burkett was crowned champion for the very first time.
In the first year of Alcohol Funny Car in the ranks of the International Hot Rod Association, Burkett went out and dominated the field, beating out Greg Moss to claim the very first IHRA AFC championship and beginning her reign as the First Lady of Funny Car.
“I try not to think of it that way. I know a lot of people do think of it and it is no secret that I have acquired the title of the Second Lady of Drag Racing and the First Lady of Funny Car, but Shirley (Muldowney) made the path and it was pretty narrow,” Burkett said. “All I did was help widen it.”Over the next few years Burkett continued to compete, winning races and championships with both the IHRA and NHRA before finally cutting back on her schedule now well into her 60s.
But even though she wasn’t as dominating as she once was, during the 90’s and into the new millennium Burkett’s love of the sport continued to grow. And it is the fans, Burkett will admit, that keeps her going even at the age of 64.
“At this stage in my life it is definitely the fans that keep me going. If it were for money I would have had to quit a long time ago. And if it were for the glory, lets just say I have been there done that,” Burkett said. “I just keep coming back because it is the fans that get me out of every predicament, every illness and every crash.”
And Burkett has had her share of predicaments.
From a crash that nearly took her life in 1995 to being diagnosed with cancer twice, Burkett has battled her way through nearly every obstacle possible, but continues to drive and be an inspiration to people across the globe.
“I have died, had breast cancer, a mastectomy, hysterectomy, I have fell and broke my leg, had a hip replacement, had another form of cancer, but every single time all I could think of is getting back in that car,” Burkett said. “I had commitments and I had my fans. I mean they just get in a tizzy when I am not out here.”Still, even after all she has accomplished over the course of her incredible career, Burkett doesn’t want to be remembered for her accomplishments on the track.
“I don’t ever think of what I have done as being the first lady or being a lady in the sport. All I want is to be remembered as a good drag racer, a good driver and most of all a good person,” Burkett said.
No matter what happens, one thing is for certain – Bunny Burkett will not be forgotten.
From her accomplishments on the track to her inspiration off the track, Burkett will always be remembered as one of the greatest drag racers of all time.
And at Maryland International Raceway this weekend Burkett will once again show why she is considered one of the best in the business with a match race against Bill Naves. Parked right next to the concession stand that proudly displays her 1986 championship funny car on its roof, Burkett is thrilled to be back at her home track this weekend giving her fans another taste of Bunny and the Boys.
“I am so excited for this weekend. When I rolled in here yesterday and I got to park right beside my ’86 world championship car, my IHRA car up on that tower, I looked at Royce (Miller) with tears in my eyes and told him my life, my racing career is complete being able to be here again and park beside my IHRA world championship machine,” Burkett said. “Being the first funny car champion in IHRA and then having the honor of being on top of the snack bar while I am still active, while I am still alive is an incredible honor.
“Imagine that, I already have my own memorial.”
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FRIDAY QUALIFYING - LANG ON VERGE OF NEW PRO MOD RECORD; LITTON AND BERNER TOPS IN TOP FUEL, PRO STOCK
It is not often that a track is so good that drivers can’t handle it, but that was just the case Friday night.Perfect conditions wreaked havoc on a majority of the competitors on the opening day of the IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, but for the few who were able to figure it out Friday made for some of the most exciting passes of the year.
Highlighting Friday’s opening round was Kenny Lang’s world record pass of 5.884 seconds to place him on top of the Pro Modified charts, while Bruce Litton (Top Fuel) and Pete Berner (Pro Stock) also figured out the conditions and rocketed to the top of the charts in their respective divisions.
And Litton saved the best for last on Friday with a chart topping 4.697 second lap at 311.70 miles per hour to take the provisional top spot and Last Man Standing award in Top Fuel.
“The track is really good. I don’t know what it was, some of the cars weren’t going down and others were having really good laps and we made a nice pass and were blessed with a solid run,” Litton said.
With the bonus points awarded for being the fastest winner Friday night Litton was able to make up some ground in the Top Fuel title chase as he now trails Del Cox Jr. by less than 19 points.
“This was all Richard and Mike. They do an awesome job and they have great wisdom on what the car will and will not do,” Litton said. “It is all their call, I have nothing to do with that and with them calling the shots I feel pretty comfortable. I just have to thank Lucas for giving us this opportunity.”
Behind Litton was a new name to the Top Fuel charts in Dom Lagana. The younger brother of Bobby Lagana, Dom put down one of his best laps of his career with a 4.795, 295.85 pass to take the second spot.
Brother Bobby was just behind in third on a 4.829, followed closely by Todd Patton (4.845, 297.68) and Mitch King (5.580, 237.42).
After a slow start in the Pro Modified class that saw many of its own struggle to hook up with the track and the near perfect conditions, the second half of the session featured back-to-back world record times that could officially find their way into the record books if it is backed up during the weekend.Moments after Tony Pontieri laid down a 5.929 second lap, overtaking his own world record set earlier this year, he was bumped from the top by reigning world champion Kenny Lang thanks to a new world record pace of 5.884 seconds at 243.55 miles per hour.
“It felt like a decent lap, but it didn’t feel like an 88 run. We backed it off a little bit in the staging lanes because a lot of people were struggling to get down the track so we went a little on the conservative side,” Lang said. “We still went after it a little bit, but we didn’t give it all the car has in it.”
The tremendous run not only placed Lang at the top of the charts after one round, but it also gave him five more points over Ed Hoover in the championship hunt by being Friday’s Last Man Standing.
If Lang can back up the run within one percent at some point during the weekend he will become the new elapsed time world record holder with the first ever run in the eights.
“It felt smooth and good. It wandered toward the center a little bit, but it ran smooth and just so decent that it just felt like a good solid lap, but nothing like the numbers we put up,” Lang said. “This couldn’t have happened without the Al Billes horsepower. To go out and start to set a world record, to put up numbers like that is fairly impressive.”
Pontieri is just behind Lang with a still solid 5.929 second lap. Ike Maier, continuing his tremendous season, qualified third with a 6.239 second lap at 231.79 miles per hour.
Harold Martin (6.321, 204.66) and Andy Jensen (6.324, 154.92) rounded out the top five.
Jensen looked as if he would throw his hat into the world record hunt as well with a tremendous pass through the eighth mile, but problems at the top end forced Jensen to cut the run short in his turbocharged Camaro.
In Elite Motorsports Pro Stock John Montecalvo, who is just 19 points behind Frank Gugliotta in the championship hunt, made up five points on the leader in his quest for his first ever world championship by winning Friday’s Last Man Standing award.Montecalvo edged Gugliotta in the final Pro Stock pass of the evening running a 6.308 elapsed time at 222.11 miles per hour to claim the bonus points associated with being the fastest winning car of the evening.
“At this stage in the game every point counts. Qualifying, Last Man Standing – everything matters,” Montecalvo said. “Our goal coming in here was winning that thing tonight. We met our goal and now we just have to keep the pressure on Frank and keep going rounds and see where it all lands at the end of the season.
Despite the great run by Montecalvo it was Pete Berner who actually took the provisional pole position Friday with a chart topping 6.306, 222.00 lap, edging Montecalvo at the top of the charts.
Behind Berner and Montecalvo is Cary Goforth who ran a 6.309, 221.05 to qualify third after one round of competition. Mark Martino (6.358, 208.78), the No. 1 qualifier at the last IHRA national event, is fourth on the charts and point leader Gugliotta (6.394, 216.27) is fifth.
“The team is doing a phenomenal job. We have good horsepower and everything is clicking,” Montecalvo said. “Here it is, two races to go, so we are going to do everything we can. It is time to pull out all the stops.”
Along with wrapping up qualifying and setting the field, the drivers of the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock divisoin will also be competing in the Elite 8 Pro Stock Shootout on Saturday with the winner taking home their share of a $40,000 purse.
Gugliotta, Montecalvo, Berner, Goforth, Martino, Richard Freeman, J.R. Carr and Bob Bertsch will be placed on an eight-car ladder with the winner taking home $20,000.
Saturday’s action is scheduled to get underway at 9 a.m. with sportsman qualifying followed by professional qualifying at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. before the highly popular “Night of Fire” which is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m.
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Results Friday after qualifying for the IHRA President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, ninth of 10 events in the 2009 Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 4.697 seconds, 311.70 mph; 2. Dom Lagana, 4.795, 295.85; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.829, 235.64; 4. Todd Paton, 4.845, 297.68; 5. Mitch King, 5.580, 237.42; 6. Del Cox Jr., 7.695, 106.71; 7. Smax Smith, 9.199, 85.54; 8. Ron August Jr, 11.694, 67.52. Not Qualified: 9. Fred Farndon, DQ.
Pro Modified -- 1. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 5.884, 243.55; 2. Tony Pontieri, Chevy Camaro, 5.929, 243.33; 3. Ike Maier, Corvette, 6.239, 231.79; 4. Harold Martin, Martin M 4, 6.321, 204.66; 5. Andy Jensen, Camaro, 6.324, 154.92; 6. Killer Brooks, Chevy Cavalier, 6.874, 186.07; 7. Larry Plummer, Camaro, 7.054, 229.00; 8. Tommy Gray, Camaro, 7.511, 130.07; 9. Frederick Scriba, Corvette, 9.412, 105.60; 10. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 10.122, 73.59; 11. Steve Bareman, Corvette, 12.029, 100.67; 12. Chris Russo, Corvette, 12.252, 70.47; 13. Frank Patille III, Buick Special, 12.388, 91.11; 14. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 15.502, 60.69; 15. Benny Alfonso, Pontiac Firebird, 21.970, 33.14.
Pro Stock -- 1. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.306, 222.00; 2. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.308, 222.11; 3. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.309, 221.05; 4. Mark Martino, Cobalt, 6.358, 208.78; 5. Dean Goforth, GXP, 6.359, 220.22; 6. John Pluchino, Mercury Cougar, 6.373, 219.44; 7. Ned Katuran, Cobalt, 6.381, 213.37; 8. Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, 6.386, 219.86; 9. Frank Gugliotta, GXP, 6.394, 216.27; 10. JR Carr, GXP, 6.395, 217.67; 11. Michael Bruno, Pontiac GTO, 6.839, 165.09; 12. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 8.874, 72.93; 13. John Konigshofer, Mustang, 9.253, 108.12; 14. Lester Cooper, Mustang, 9.332, 97.92; 15. Richard Freeman, GXP, 13.133, 67.32.
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FRIDAY NOTEBOOK -
FAITH DRIVES TOP FUEL CHAMPION - When it comes to winning races, signing autographs and
living the life of a celebrity, Top Fuel driver Bruce Litton is just fine with the attention he receives on the weekends.After all, with a lucrative sponsor in Lucas Oil and a job that allows him to drive over 300 miles per hour and get paid doing it, what is not to like about living the life of a professional race car driver?
But that is not what drives Bruce Litton.
What drives Litton is something that runs much deeper than just racing, it goes beyond all of the fame and fortunate associated with being one of the best Top Fuel drivers in the sport today.
What drives Litton is his faith and it is that belief system that keeps him motivated and competing at such a high level.
“Faith plays the whole role in my life and racing is just a part of that. Everything we do is tied to faith. I am a firm believer and it doesn’t have anything to do with winning and losing, it has to do with our life and caring for the people around you,” Litton said.
And it is that giving nature that has made him such a popular figure on the Nitro Jam tour.
On any given race weekend you will find hundreds of people gathered around his pits as he takes the time out of his busy schedule to sign autographs and chat with fans. During races you will also find people helping out in his pits as honorary crew members, people Litton has helped at some point in his life.
All of this and Litton still finds time to win races and be in championship contention week in and week out. And all of this, Litton admits, wouldn’t be possible without his firm belief in God.
“I have been a Christian for 10 years now and I see things differently now. I feel for people that are in need and I want to help,” Litton said. “I meet people who are struggling either physically or
financially and I try to make a difference in their lives. “I am blessed in what I do. This sport has been good to me and I am blessed because I have a sponsor who helps me do what I do in Lucas. It really has been a fascinating ride.”
One example of Litton’s charity is his involvement with the Riley Hospital for Children and Karsyn Bell.
Karsyn Bell lost her battle with cancer earlier this year at the age of four and since then Litton has dedicated his season to raising awareness for the Riley Hospital for Children and their efforts to work toward the care and cure of children facing terminal illnesses.
With a bright pink sticker on the front of his dragster with Karsyn’s face and the hospital logo, Litton has brought awareness and thousands of dollars to the hospital thanks to his dedication to making a difference.
Litton even invited Karsyn’s parents to the Northern Nationals in Martin, Mich. earlier this year to be a part of the team.
“It is great to see people come behind the efforts of this team to promote the good work of Riley
with their support and prayers,” Litton said. “Every victory for this Lucas Oil team is hopefully a small victory for Karsyn and Riley Hospital as well.”Along with his work off the track, Litton admits that faith has played a major role in his life on the track as well.
After suffering a horrific crash at New England Dragway in September of 2006 that cracked his skull, broke his nose and elbow and required numerous surgeries, Litton admits that faith allowed him to get back in the car just four weeks later.
“I got beat up pretty good and I was fortunate that I came through it,” Litton said. “After the accident I thought it through and decided to come back in Rockingham a few weeks later to test and see if I could still do it. I wanted to get back in the car and get that under my belt.”
Litton returned to the car that Fall and, little did he know at the time, his decision to get back in the car played a key role in his championship the following season.
“When I got back in the car and saw that everything was alright it gave us confidence going into the next year. I wanted to make a hard charge for the 2007 season and it was that year that we went on to win the championship,” Litton said.
Fast forward two years later and you will still find Litton in a dragster going 300 miles per hour and once again he in the middle of the championship hunt.
But don’t think for a second that a championship and a record 48 career final rounds has changed the humble driver from Indianapolis.
Before every run you will still find Litton saying a little prayer and after every run you will find Litton graciously accepting both victory and defeat.
“For several years right before I start the car I generally say a prayer. I pray for the safety for whoever I am running and myself,” Litton said. “Then I pray for the outcome to be for the glory of God.”
And it is that attitude that makes Litton one of the most well liked drivers in the pits, in the stands and anywhere racing and generosity meet.
“I am out here because I get sponsored to do this and because I feel that God allows me to be out here,” Litton said. “It is my faith and love for what I do that keeps me going.”
FLYING UNDER THE RADAR - At first glance there are a lot of names that stand out entering the
2009 version of the Elite 8 Pro Stock Shootout.Drivers such as Frank Gugliotta, John Montecalvo and Pete Berner top that list, while even some lesser known drivers such as rookie Mark Martino, Elite Motorsports headman Richard Freeman, most recent race winner Bob Bertsch and surprise standout Cary Goforth can make a case for why they should be considered a favorite entering the $40,000 shootout this weekend at the IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.
Then there is J.R. Carr.
Quiet, confident and without a doubt one of the dark horses entering this weekend’s event, Carr has thrived in his first full IHRA season flying under the radar and quietly climbing the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock ladder.
A member of the three-car Elite Motorsports gang along with Gugliotta and Freeman, Carr has made quite a splash in his first season with two semifinal appearances and an 8-7 win-loss record in seven races.
“We are making progress and we are happy with that, but there is room for more improvement,” Carr said. “Still, we are happy with where we are at, especially with how tough the drivers are in this class.”Thanks to that consistency, a season that includes six consecutive races with at least a round win, Carr has climbed from eighth to fifth in points over the last four races entering this weekend’s President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.
Carr has also been a consistent qualifier and it is his passes prior to Sunday that has positioned himself in the Elite 8 Pro Stock Shootout this weekend.
“I have never been in anything like this before so I am thrilled to have this opportunity and glad to be in it,” Carr said.
With points awarded solely on qualifying, Carr qualified seventh of eight cars for the shootout and will unfortunately be matched up with teammate and point leader Gugliotta in the opening round.
“I got a good draw, didn’t I,” Carr said with a laugh. “But I am not complaining. I would rather be in it than not be in it so we are excited and we are going to give Frank a good race.
“I know I can get by Frank.”
In two prior tries Carr has yet to beat his teammate, but if Carr can get around Gugliotta on Saturday – watch out.
Carr is undefeated against Martino and Bertsch, the other two drivers in the bottom half of the bracket, and he is 1-1 against drivers in the top half of the bracket making Carr a serious contender for this weekend’s $40,000 shootout.
But it won’t be easy.
Gugliotta has been to four Pro Stock Shootout finals in the past six years including a win in 2003. Berner and Montecalvo are also former winners of this race, making the field very top heavy with former champions.
All of this and, of course, there is still a national event to be run as well.
“I would love to win one or the other. Heck I will take both if I can,” Carr said.
PATRICK COMPETING IN FINAL IHRA EVENT - The road has been both smooth and rocky at times, but for IHRA Pro Stock racer Robert Patrick, plans to run the quarter-mile stretch at Maryland International Raceway [MIR] one last time with a mountain motor.
This weekend’s IHRA President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek, Md., represents the final event in which the former world champion from Fredericksburg, Va., will race a mountain motor Pro Stocker in the quarter-mile.
“We’ve had a good run and we’ve won some races and a championship,” said Patrick, noting the importance of engine builder Bob Ingles and his team.
Patrick, who plans to run a limited schedule in NHRA Pro Stock as well as in ADRL Extreme Pro Stock during the 2010 season, made his Pro Stock driving debut at MIR back in 1991 during the facility’s traditional Mountain Motor Nationals.
“My last mountain motor race to be here is only fitting,” Patrick added. “Bob really put a big effort into making us run strong in IHRA Pro Stock and although we had some breakage this year, we didn’t do too badly. He’s put together a good motor for me so that we can go out with a good performance.”
Patrick won 14 of 25 finals rounds as a competitor in the IHRA’s mountain motor Pro Stock division. He’s listed as the fourth winningest driver in mountain motor Pro Stock history behind Rickie Smith, Lee Shepherd and Doug Kirk.
This weekend the emphasis is on putting his best foot forward for the fans and enjoying the moment.
“There’s really no pressure on me for the points and if it wasn’t for the race being close to home, I might not have attended,” Patrick confided. “Everything that Royce Miller [MIR owner] has done for mountain motor Pro Stock racing, I am looking forward to coming over and supporting his event.”
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