IHRA TORCO NORTHERN NATIONALS - SAME DAY COVERAGE
Nestled in beautiful Western Michigan is one of the most popular venues on the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam tour. The beautiful Knoll Gas Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan provides a wealth of beauty and a great place to witness the high horsepower IHRA drag racing can offer. Keep up with the results on our Same Day Coverage page.
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Litton Defeats Todd to Take Top Fuel Points Lead
Ashley, Hamstra, Noakes and Gugliotta Also Visit Winner’s Circle
Bruce Litton defeated J.R. Todd in the Top Fuel final of the Torco
Racing Fuels Northern Nationals. Litton, of Indianapolis, covered the
quarter-mile in 4.707 seconds, 287.72 mph, to take the win and the
Knoll Gas Nitro Jam points lead.
Other professional winners include Mike Ashley (Nitro Funny Car), Jason
Hamstra (Pro Modified), Paul Noakes (Alcohol Funny Car) and Frank
Gugliotta (Pro Stock).
Litton, who entered the Northern Nationals second place in the point
standings behind T.J. Zizzo, qualified No. 5 and took out No. 1
qualifier Doug Foley in round one. Todd, a regular competitor on the
NHRA circuit, took out Zizzo in the first round, therefore giving
Litton the opportunity he needed, if he could make it to the finals.
Litton’s second round opponent was Melanie Troxel. Litton used a
holeshot victory to defeat her, 0.058 reaction time to Troxel’s 0.082.
He then advanced to the finals against Todd, who dispatched Bobby
Lagana Jr. in his semi-final match.
Litton, a veteran Top Fuel competitor, was the one who years ago gave
Todd his first shot in a dragster. After racing under Litton, he sat
out a few years and returned to competition on the NHRA circuit,
winning two events in 2006 and “Rookie of the Year” honors.
But in the final round at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131, it was
all Litton. Todd smoked the tires 60-feet down the track and Litton
never looked back, making a perfect pass to the finish line and his
second win of the season. He now leads Zizzo by 21 points.
After the race Litton wanted to praise Todd for how far he has come.
“I am so proud of J.R.,” Litton said. “He has a lot of heart and desire
and has turned that heart and desire into becoming a champion. I am so
proud of him and his whole family.”
However, once the cars pulled up to the starting line the friendship was put on hold…at least for about five seconds.
“J.R. is really good and his record shows it,” Litton said. “But we
were here to win. J.R. is a good leaver and I knew I would have to be
on top of my game if I wanted to get out of here with a win.”
Ashley, Melville, N.Y., had dominated the Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels
Pro Nitro Funny Car class all weekend, qualifying No. 1 and holding the
low elapsed time and speed marks for the weekend, 4.812, 316.23. He
took out Gary Densham in the first round and advanced to the finals
when Jack Wyatt couldn’t make the call during the semifinals.
On the other side of the ladder, Mitch King dispatched Bob Gilbertson
in round one and current points leader Dale Creasy Jr. in round two. In
the finals, King’s car backfired on the burnout, giving Ashley a single
to win the race. Ironically, had King been able to make the pass, he
might have won as Ashley smoked the tires at 300-feet.
“We rolled out a brand new car for this deal,” Ashley said. “Every nut
and bolt, every piece of the car was brand new except for the body. On
the first lap we had eight cylinders, then for the rest of the weekend
we couldn’t find the other cylinder. No.1 kept going out and we were
running seven cylinders the rest of the weekend. In the final round we
changed the fuel blower system, put on the one from our other car and
it just had too much power for the final.”
As in Nitro Funny Car, the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified
final ended up being a single-pass. Hamstra, the 20 year-old from
Demotte, Ind., and Matt Hagan completed their burnouts, but Hagan’s car
wouldn’t go into reverse to get back to the line. After his crew pushed
him back, the car couldn’t stage. Hamstra still made a nice pass,
6.176, 229.55 to take his first career win.
“I really wish we could have ran Matt in the final round,” Hamstra
said. “He’s a great racer and a great competitor, but the starter waved
me in so I had to go. We ran a good number anyway so we’ll take it.”
Hamstra and Hagan had tough routes to the final. Hamstra took out Carl
Spiering and points leader Scott Cannon Jr. Hagan went through former
world champion Mike Janis and Ed Hoover.
In Alcohol Funny Car, Noakes’ win made it two in a row against fellow
Ontario-native Rob Atchison. He defeated the former three-time world
champion two weeks ago during the Mopar Canadian Nationals.
Noakes took out Scott Wildgust in round one, then Terry Munroe in the
second. On the other side, Atchison defeated a tough first round
opponent in Mark Thomas, then Terry McMillen to advance to the final.
They were close off the starting line, but Noakes outran Atchison and
crossed the stripe first, with a 5.875 elapsed time to Atchison’s 5.906.
“We’re probably going to get a lot of other Alcohol Funny Cars
complaining about the Canadian Funny Cars,” Noakes said. “I’m sure
they’re starting to stir up the Internet sites already. Rob really
helped me out last year and I love racing him in the final. Actually I
love racing him anywhere because we’re close friends and I’m sure we’d
like to race each other in the final every race.”
In Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock, Gugliotta, Mt. Airy, Md.,
defeated John Nobile in round one, then took out John Montecalvo to
advance to the semi-finals. Gugliotta won that round over a
red-lighting Steve Spiess.
On the other side of the ladder, Larry O’Brien beat defending world
champion Pete Berner in the first round, then Dean Goforth and Robert
Patrick. But in the final, it was all Gugliotta. He had the better
reaction time and quicker ET – 6.423 to 6.473.
“I really am excited to get this win; it was my first win with Rick and
Bonnie Jones,” Gugliotta said of his car owner Rick Jones and his wife
Bonnie. “It was a great race and a great weekend.”
The next event on the $19.5 million Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing
Series is the Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New
England Dodge Dealers, August 10-12, at New England Dragway. For more
information, log onto www.ihra.com.
Monday's final results from the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals
at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131. The race is the sixth of 11
in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel -- Bruce Litton, 4.707 seconds, 287.72 mph def. J.R. Todd, 11.254 seconds, 80.71 mph.
Nitro Funny Car -- Mike Ashley, Dodge Charger, 11.906, 79.29 def. Mitch King, Chevy Corvette, broke.
Pro Modified -- Jason Hamstra, Chevy Corvette, 6.176, 229.55 def. Matt Hagan, Corvette, broke.
Alcohol Funny Car -- Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.875, 241.89 def. Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.906, 238.98.
Pro Stock -- Frank Gugliotta, Chevy Cobalt, 6.423, 217.11 def. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.473, 214.89.
Final round-by-round results from the Torco Racing
Fuels Northern Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131, the
sixth of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag
Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Bobby Lagana Jr., 13.712, 62.80 def. Clay Millican, foul;
Melanie Troxel, 4.662, 326.71 def. Scotty Cannon, 4.795, 271.24; J.R.
Todd, 4.595, 314.97 def. T.J. Zizzo, 12.160, 74.85; Bruce Litton,
4.695, 299.26 def. Doug Foley, 10.873, 87.46;
SEMIFINALS -- Litton, 4.671, 322.34 def. Troxel, 4.664, 321.58; Todd, 4.632, 311.13 def. Lagana Jr., 11.611, 83.10;
FINAL -- Litton, 4.707, 287.72 def. Todd, 11.254, 80.71.
NITRO FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.272, 296.50 def.
Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 10.897, 87.93; Jack Wyatt, Dodge
Stratus, 4.964, 292.08 def. Terry Haddock, Stratus, 5.242, 293.54;
Mitch King, Chevy Corvette, 5.839, 173.03 def. Bob Gilbertson, Stratus,
7.129, 161.90; Mike Ashley, Dodge Charger, 4.986, 304.46 def. Gary
Densham, Chevy Impala, 10.006, 95.61;
SEMIFINAL -- King, 5.235, 285.53 def. Creasy Jr., 5.474, 201.73; Ashley, 10.733, 80.22 def. Wyatt, broke;
FINAL -- Ashley, 11.906, 79.29 def. King, broke.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Jason Hamstra, Chevy Corvette, 6.211, 228.07 def. Kenny
Rucker, Willys, 6.468, 219.76; Pat Stoken, Chevy Camaro, 6.496, 209.36
def. Jim Halsey, Camaro, foul; Carl Spiering, Camaro, 6.317, 232.67
def. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 12.741, 91.63; Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 6.517,
223.28 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.953, 164.73; Kenny Lang, Corvette,
6.207, 230.21 def. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.628, 174.44; Matt
Hagan, Corvette, 6.287, 228.34 def. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.307,
237.42; Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.151, 232.19 def. Mike Castellana, Ford
Mustang, 6.315, 220.98; Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.135, 232.71
def. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.235, 233.88;
QUARTERFINALS -- Hagan, 6.377, 227.38 def. Nielsen, 6.542, 223.17;
Hamstra, 6.219, 228.31 def. Spiering, 6.261, 232.31; Hoover, 6.165,
230.88 def. Stoken, 6.171, 227.57; Cannon, 6.157, 231.75 def. Lang,
6.193, 230.21;
SEMIFINALS -- Hagan, 6.183, 228.69 def. Hoover, 11.642, 76.57; Hamstra, 7.245, 220.62 def. Cannon, 12.180, 112.47;
FINAL -- Hamstra, 6.176, 229.55 def. Hagan, broke.
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.924, 240.98 def. Scott
Wildgust, Chevy Monte Carlo, 6.026, 240.25; Terry McMillen, Dodge
Avenger, 6.054, 217.11 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, broke; Rob
Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.904, 238.01 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo,
5.915, 243.33; Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.904, 235.06 def. Tony
Bogolo, Mustang, 6.215, 222.44;
SEMIFINAL -- Noakes, 5.911, 240.59 def. Munroe, 5.912, 234.53; Atchison, 6.009, 237.50 def. McMillen, 6.022, 233.28;
FINAL -- Noakes, 5.875, 241.89 def. Atchison, 5.906, 238.98.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Rickie Smith, Chevy Cobalt, 6.479, 214.01 def. Ron Miller,
Chevy Cavalier, 6.528, 211.89; Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, 6.525, 214.31
def. Anthony Paone, Pontiac GTO, 6.514, 212.93; Dean Goforth, GTO,
6.448, 215.00 def. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.502, 215.65; John
Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.445, 216.86 def. Dan Sweeney, GTO, 13.150, 89.70;
Robert Patrick, Shelby Cobra, 6.459, 213.94 def. Jeff Dobbins, Ford
Escort, 6.472, 216.10; Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.420, 216.27 def. Rob
Mansfield, GTO, 6.439, 215.58; Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.499,
214.08 def. Pete Berner, GTO, foul; Frank Gugliotta, Cobalt, 6.434,
216.41 def. John Nobile, Mustang, 6.474, 214.11;
QUARTERFINALS -- Patrick, 6.420, 215.37 def. Smith, 6.473, 213.47;
O'Brien, 6.529, 214.28 def. D. Goforth, foul; Gugliotta, 6.444, 216.31
def. Montecalvo, broke; Spiess, 6.421, 216.93 def. Bertsch, 6.572,
213.03;
SEMIFINALS -- Gugliotta, 6.866, 211.56 def. Spiess, foul; O'Brien, 6.485, 213.40 def. Patrick, 6.492, 214.21;
FINAL -- Gugliotta, 6.423, 217.11 def. O'Brien, 6.473, 214.89.
Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following
the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park
at US 131, the sixth of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas
Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series -
Top Fuel
1. Bruce Litton, 486; 2. T.J. Zizzo, 465; 3. Scotty Cannon, 402; 4.
Bobby Lagana Jr., 339; 5. Doug Foley, 299; 6. Terry McMillen, 250;
7. Mitch King, 134; 8. Mike Strasburg, 129; 9. Jim Cavalieri, 121;
10. Kevin Jones, 109.
Nitro Funny Car
1. Dale Creasy Jr., 584; 2. Terry Haddock, 415; 3. Jack Wyatt, 411;
4. Andy Kelley, 343; 5. Bob Gilbertson, 300; 6. Mitch King, 246; 7.
Paul Lee, 219; 8. Jon Capps, 195; 9. Gary Densham, 173; 10. Mike
Ashley, 111.
Pro Modified
1. Scott Cannon, 422; 2. Ed Hoover, 379; 3. Pat Stoken, 345; 4.
Quain Stott, 295; 5. Kenny Lang, 293; 6. Matt Hagan, 283; 7. Danny
Rowe, 278; 8. Jim Halsey, 254; 9. Mike Janis, 221; 10. Jason
Hamstra, 183.
Alcohol Funny Car
1. Mark Thomas, 548; 2. Terry Munroe, 516; 3. Rob Atchison, 486; 4.
Larry Dobbs, 367; 5. Terry McMillen, 267; 6. Paul Noakes, 233; 7.
Tim Stevens, 185; 8. Tony Bogolo, 173; 9. Trevor Lebsack, 119; 10.
Scott Wildgust, 102.
Pro Stock
1. Robert Patrick, 490; 2. Pete Berner, 427; 3. Frank Gugliotta,
424; 4. (tie) John Montecalvo, 380; Steve Spiess, 380; 6. Brian Gahm,
293; 7. Rob Mansfield, 278; 8. Rickie Smith, 227; 9. (tie) Bob
Bertsch, 185; Dean Goforth, 185.
Rain Postpones Martin Eliminations
Officials have postponed Sunday’s eliminations during the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals in Martin, Mich. The day began with rain which pushed racing back until the afternoon. After about four hours of on-track time, light showers began to fall on Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131, calling an end to the day’s racing.
Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car and Alcohol Funny Car are in the finals; Pro Modified and Pro Stock the semi-finals. The Pro-Am classes will be completed Monday as well.
Racing is scheduled to resume at 10 a.m. with sportsman eliminations. Professional classes will run at 11 a.m. and 12 noon.
Sunday tickets will be honored Monday.
The Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals is the sixth event of the $19.5 million Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. For more information and results, log onto www.ihra.com.
Sunday's final results from the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131. The race is the sixth of 11 in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
Pro Modified Shootout -- Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.137, 232.75 def. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, broke.
Moser 'Axle Mania' Sportsman All Star Shootout -- Marco Abruzzi, Chevy Camaro, 4.626, 152.85 def. Scotty Stillings, Pontiac Grand Am, 5.746, 121.68.
Final round-by-round results from the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131, the sixth of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Bobby Lagana Jr., 13.712, 62.80 def. Clay Millican, foul; Melanie Troxel, 4.662, 326.71 def. Scotty Cannon, 4.795, 271.24; J.R. Todd, 4.595, 314.97 def. T.J. Zizzo, 12.160, 74.85; Bruce Litton, 4.695, 299.26 def. Doug Foley, 10.873, 87.46;
SEMIFINALS -- Litton, 4.671, 322.34 def. Troxel, 4.664, 321.58; Todd, 4.632, 311.13 def. Lagana Jr., 11.611, 83.10;
NITRO FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.272, 296.50 def. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 10.897, 87.93; Jack Wyatt, Dodge Stratus, 4.964, 292.08 def. Terry Haddock, Stratus, 5.242, 293.54; Mitch King, Chevy Corvette, 5.839, 173.03 def. Bob Gilbertson, Stratus, 7.129, 161.90; Mike Ashley, Dodge Charger, 4.986, 304.46 def. Gary Densham, Chevy Impala, 10.006, 95.61;
SEMIFINALS -- King, 5.235, 285.53 def. Creasy Jr., 5.474, 201.73; Ashley, 10.733, 80.22 def. Wyatt, broke;
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Jason Hamstra, Chevy Corvette, 6.211, 228.07 def. Kenny Rucker, Willys, 6.468, 219.76; Pat Stoken, Chevy Camaro, 6.496, 209.36 def. Jim Halsey, Camaro, foul; Carl Spiering, Camaro, 6.317, 232.67 def. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 12.741, 91.63; Mark Nielsen, Camaro, 6.517, 223.28 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.953, 164.73; Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.207, 230.21 def. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.628, 174.44; Matt Hagan, Corvette, 6.287, 228.34 def. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.307, 237.42; Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.151, 232.19 def. Mike Castellana, Ford Mustang, 6.315, 220.98; Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.135, 232.71 def. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.235, 233.88;
QUARTERFINALS -- Hagan, 6.377, 227.38 def. Nielsen, 6.542, 223.17; Hamstra, 6.219, 228.31 def. Spiering, 6.261, 232.31; Hoover, 6.165, 230.88 def. Stoken, 6.171, 227.57; Cannon, 6.157, 231.75 def. Lang, 6.193, 230.21;
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.924, 240.98 def. Scott Wildgust, Chevy Monte Carlo, 6.026, 240.25; Terry McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 6.054, 217.11 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, broke; Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.904, 238.01 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.915, 243.33; Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.904, 235.06 def. Tony Bogolo, Mustang, 6.215, 222.44;
SEMIFINALS -- Noakes, 5.911, 240.59 def. Munroe, 5.912, 234.53; Atchison, 6.009, 237.50 def. McMillen, 6.022, 233.28;
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Rickie Smith, Chevy Cobalt, 6.479, 214.01 def. Ron Miller, Chevy Cavalier, 6.528, 211.89; Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, 6.525, 214.31 def. Anthony Paone, Pontiac GTO, 6.514, 212.93; Dean Goforth, GTO, 6.448, 215.00 def. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.502, 215.65; John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.445, 216.86 def. Dan Sweeney, GTO, 13.150, 89.70; Robert Patrick, Shelby Cobra, 6.459, 213.94 def. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.472, 216.10; Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.420, 216.27 def. Rob Mansfield, GTO, 6.439, 215.58; Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.499, 214.08 def. Pete Berner, GTO, foul; Frank Gugliotta, Cobalt, 6.434, 216.41 def. John Nobile, Mustang, 6.474, 214.11;
QUARTERFINALS -- Patrick, 6.420, 215.37 def. Smith, 6.473, 213.47; O'Brien, 6.529, 214.28 def. D. Goforth, foul; Gugliotta, 6.444, 216.31 def. Montecalvo, broke; Spiess, 6.421, 216.93 def. Bertsch, 6.572, 213.03;
PRO MODIFIED SHOOTOUT:
ROUND ONE -- Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.155, 230.45 def. Quain Stott, Chevy Corvette, 9.166, 99.08; Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.133, 233.76 def. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 17.460, 54.22; Danny Rowe, Corvette, 7.789, 151.49 def. Carl Spiering, Camaro, foul; Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.084, 232.87 def. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.143, 236.05;
SEMIFINALS -- Lang, 6.191, 233.03 def. Rowe, 6.214, 227.50; Halsey, 6.201, 227.80 def. Cannon, 6.164, 234.61;
FINALS -- Lang, 6.137, 232.75 def. Halsey, broke.
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Ashley Holds Nitro Funny Car Pole at Torco Northern Nationals in Front of Largest Single Day Crowd in IHRA History
Mike
Ashley is happy to be back running in IHRA competition. The former Pro
Modified driver, who finished second in the world during the 1990
season before moving on to compete in the Nitro Funny Car class in NHRA
competition, crossed over back into Nitro Jam competition to run at
Knoll Gas Motorsports Park in the Torco racing Fuels Northern
Nationals.
By setting the ET track record and clocking a 4.812 pass at 316.23 mph
Ashley, a Mellville, N.Y. resident, claimed No. 1 qualifier honors and
will square off with Gary Densham in the first round of eliminations
Sunday.
“That wasn’t the prettiest run, but we got out of here with the No. 1
Qualifier,” Ashley said after a shaky 5.03 pass in the Saturday evening
session. “I came home to IHRA this weekend and we’re having a great
time. This crowd was amazing, the atmosphere was great and this
facility is awesome…this team is having a lot of fun.”
Bob Gilbertson (Charlotte, N.C.) finished second on the qualifying
sheet with a 4.860 pass at 289.07 mph. He will face Mitch King in the
first round of eliminations Sunday. Terry Haddock (4.991) and Dale
Creasy Jr. (5.041) rounded out the top half of the Nitro Funny Car
ladder.
Doug
Foley (Sewell, N.J.) paced the quickest Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels
Pro Nitro Top Fuel field in IHRA history with a track record 4.559 pass
at 323.19 mph. Bobby Lagana (Scarsdale, N.Y.) ended up on the bump spot
with a 4.725 to top the 2005 Rockingham World Finals for the quickest
field in IHRA history.
After his record-setting run Foley’s chutes came out late and he ended up nosing into the sand trap at the end of the track.
“Putting it in the sand, I haven’t done that in a long time so it was
pretty exciting,” Foley said. “My Crew Chief Doug Kuch is one of the
smartest people in drag racing and he gave me a great car. But it was
the entire team, it takes all 15 guys to make me look good.”
The Saturday night Top Fuel qualifying session also featured the
quickest side-by-side Top Fuel pass in track history when J.R. Todd and
Clay Millican both ran in the 4.50s. Todd ran a 4.584 in the right lane
while Millican posted a 4.598 in the left.
Mike
Janis claimed both ends of the track record and captured Saturday “Last
Man Standing” honors with his 6.033 pass at 240.42 mph Saturday
evening. Janis drove his ’07 Cobalt to nose out Scott Cannon, who
clocked a 6.084 at 232.87 in his ’68 Firebird to finish No. 2 on the
qualifying sheet.
“The 240 was really a big deal to us,” Janis said of his track record
speed. “We’ve been in the 237 and 239 range before but this was the
first time we’ve gone 240. The motor is still together so we’re happy
with it.”
Kenny Lang ended up qualifying sixth, but he left the track Saturday a
little richer. He was able to claim the Torco’s CompetionPlus.com Pro
Modified Shootout title by knocking off Jim Halsey in the final. Halsey
could not get his nitrous-powered ’68 Camaro fired for the final round
of the Shootout.
“This will definitely help us out,” Lang said of the $20,000 prize.
“All year we’ve been trying to go fast and go some rounds so this is
going to help out program. It’s too bad Jim had a bad break there in
the final but we feel like we would have given him a run for his money
if he would have been able to make the round. This was huge. This was
the biggest race we’ve ever won so we’re thrilled.”
The top five qualifiers in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock
class should not surprise anyone…they are the same top five in world
championship points standings. 
Frank
Gugliotta, currently No. 5 in the world, ended up in the No. 1 spot
Saturday with a 6.386 pass at 220.22 mph while defending world champion
and current No. 2 in the world Pete Berner finished at the No. 2
qualifier at an identical 6.386 at a slower 218.51 mph.
Current points leader Robert Patrick ended up fourth on the Pro Stock
qualifying ladder while Steve Spiess (No. 3) and John Montecalvo (No.
5) rounded out the top five.
Mark Thomas, who had been to four final rounds in five 2007 events
heading into the Torco Northern Nationals. He claimed his fifth No. 1
qualifying position of the season Saturday night when he went from
stripe-to-stripe in 5.815 at 245.85 mph. Thomas will face his close
friend and fiercest rival Rob Atchison in the first round of
eliminations Sunday. Paul Noakes, who won two weeks ago in Grand Bend,
ended up second on the sheet and will race Scott Wildgust in Round 1
Sunday.
Professional eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 10:30 p.m., 12
noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. For more information, log onto www.ihra.com.
The Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals is the sixth of eleven events
on the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.
First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the
Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at
US 131, the sixth of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas
Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying,
which ended Saturday.
Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Foley, 4.559 seconds, 327.03 mph vs. 5.
Bruce Litton, 4.630, 328.54; 2. J.R. Todd, 4.584, 311.92 vs. 6. T.J.
Zizzo, 4.649, 299.60; 3. Melanie Troxel, 4.593, 327.19 vs. 7. Scotty
Cannon, 4.725, 314.31; 4. Clay Millican, 4.598, 319.98 vs. 8. Bobby
Lagana Jr., 4.725, 305.42.
Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Mike Ashley, Dodge Charger, 4.812, 316.23
vs. 5. Gary Densham, Chevy Impala, 5.054, 297.81; 2. Bob Gilbertson,
Dodge Stratus, 4.860, 289.07 vs. 6. Mitch King, Chevy Corvette, 5.072,
282.48; 3. Terry Haddock, Stratus, 4.991, 300.00 vs. 7. Jack Wyatt,
Stratus, 5.100, 271.35; 4. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.041,
297.68 vs. 8. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.120, 297.88.
Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.033,
240.42 vs. 9. Matt Hagan, Chevy Corvette, 6.189, 231.12; 2. Scott
Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.084, 232.87 vs. 10. Chip King, Dodge
Daytona, 6.200, 234.17; 3. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.093, 236.05 vs. 11.
Mike Castellana, Ford Mustang, 6.206, 227.27; 4. Carl Spiering, Chevy
Camaro, 6.109, 234.41 vs. 12. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 6.233, 229.98; 5.
Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.123, 234.00 vs. 13. Mark Nielsen, Camaro,
6.236, 229.63; 6. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.124, 233.76 vs. 14. Harold
Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.251, 223.21; 7. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.155,
230.45 vs. 15. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.277, 227.15; 8. Jason Hamstra,
Corvette, 6.158, 231.00 vs. 16. Kenny Rucker, Willys, 6.336, 218.62.
Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.815,
245.85 vs. 5. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.856, 242.76; 2. Paul
Noakes, Ford Mustang, 5.843, 242.76 vs. 6. Scott Wildgust, Monte
Carlo, 5.891, 246.35; 3. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.843, 242.41
vs. 7. Terry McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 5.945, 235.68; 4. Terry Munroe,
Monte Carlo, 5.850, 239.36 vs. 8. Tony Bogolo, Mustang, 6.001, 233.28.
Pro Stock -- 1. Frank Gugliotta, Chevy Cobalt, 6.386, 220.22
vs. 9. John Nobile, Ford Mustang, 6.431, 218.05; 2. Pete Berner,
Pontiac GTO, 6.386, 218.51 vs. 10. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus,
6.439, 217.67; 3. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.388, 219.54 vs. 11. Rob
Mansfield, GTO, 6.449, 215.68; 4. Robert Patrick, Shelby Cobra, 6.393,
219.19 vs. 12. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.452, 216.55; 5. John
Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.395, 218.62 vs. 13. Dan Sweeney, GTO, 6.457,
216.51; 6. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.419, 219.58 vs. 14. Dean Goforth,
GTO, 6.470, 216.62; 7. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 6.423, 217.14 vs. 15.
Anthony Paone, GTO, 6.476, 215.00; 8. Rickie Smith, Cobalt, 6.430,
218.41 vs. 16. Ron Miller, Chevy Cavalier, 6.479, 213.91. jumped
to the No. 1 position with a 6.409 ET, however, current points leader
Robert Patrick had a better reaction time and crossed the finish line
first during the run. Therefore, Frank Gugliotta, who picked up the No.
2 spot with a 6.414, earned the Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge for the
quickest winning pass. Bob Bertsch, Willis, Mich., sits third, followed
by Patrick and John Montecalvo.
Racing resumes Saturday at 9 a.m., with professional qualifying rounds
at 12 noon and 7 p.m. For more information, log onto www.ihra.com. The
Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals is the sixth of eleven events on
the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.
Results Friday after qualifying for the Torco Racing Fuels Northern
Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131, sixth of 11 events
in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.
Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Foley, 4.579 seconds, 327.03 mph; 2.
J.R. Todd, 4.597, 307.16; 3. Bruce Litton, 4.630, 328.54; 4. Clay
Millican, 4.671, 318.39; 5. Melanie Troxel, 4.673, 322.19; 6. Bobby
Lagana Jr., 4.725, 305.42; 7. Scotty Cannon, 4.737, 314.31; 8. T.J.
Zizzo, 5.918, 148.04.
Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Mike Ashley, Dodge Stratus, 4.812, 316.23;
2. Bob Gilbertson, Stratus, 4.860, 289.07; 3. Terry Haddock, Stratus,
4.991, 298.21; 4. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.041, 297.68; 5.
Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.120, 297.88; 6. Jack Wyatt, Stratus,
5.520, 193.54; 7. Gary Densham, Chevy Impala, 5.574, 201.01; 8. Mitch
King, Chevy Corvette, 10.878, 71.64.
Pro Modified -- 1. Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.118,
228.96; 2. Quain Stott, Chevy Corvette, 6.123, 234.00; 3. Kenny Lang,
Corvette, 6.124, 228.54; 4. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.125, 237.80; 5.
Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.146, 234.49; 6. Matt Hagan, Corvette, 6.189,
231.12; 7. Jason Hamstra, Corvette, 6.210, 218.12; 8. Mark Nielsen,
Chevy Camaro, 6.236, 229.63; 9. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.239, 218.72; 10.
Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.276, 223.21; 11. Pat Stoken, Camaro,
6.277, 227.15; 12. Kenny Rucker, Willys, 6.349, 218.44; 13. Burton
Auxier, Corvette, 6.773, 224.17; 14. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 8.736,
105.51; 15. Shannon Jenkins, Pontiac GTO, 10.267, 85.90; 16. Jason
Stock, Camaro, 11.620, 72.94.
Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Mark Thomas, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.815,
245.85; 2. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 5.843, 242.41; 3. Scott
Wildgust, Monte Carlo, 5.891, 246.35; 4. Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo,
5.893, 239.36; 5. Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, 6.001, 233.28; 6. Terry
McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 6.002, 234.13; 7. Paul Noakes, Mustang, 6.007,
234.37; 8. Don Gerardot, Pontiac Firebird, 6.075, 185.51.
Pro Stock -- 1. Pete Berner, Pontiac GTO, 6.409, 218.51; 2.
Frank Gugliotta, Chevy Cobalt, 6.414, 219.15; 3. Bob Bertsch, Ford
Mustang, 6.423, 217.14; 4. Robert Patrick, Shelby Cobra, 6.425, 218.12;
5. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.433, 217.91; 6. Dean Goforth, GTO, 6.470,
216.62; 7. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.473, 219.04; 8. Dan Sweeney, GTO,
6.482, 216.51; 9. Ron Miller, Chevy Cavalier, 6.502, 213.87; 10. Doug
Kirk, Cobra, 6.530, 213.77; 11. Ed Machacek, Cavalier, 6.658, 210.34;
12. Bert Jackson, Cavalier, 6.904, 182.58; 13. Larry O'Brien, Dodge
Stratus, 7.061, 178.40; 14. Chuck DeMory, Ford Escort, 9.231, 165.70;
15. Ned Katuran, Cobalt, 10.106, 92.80; 16. Anthony Paone, GTO, 10.695,
114.70.
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Ashley Provisional Nitro Funny Car No. 1
Resets Knoll Gas Motorsports Park Speed Record
Mike Ashley, Melville, N.Y., took the No. 1 Nitro Funny Car qualifying
position after round one during the Torco Racing Fuels Northern
Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131. Ashley covered the
quarter-mile south of Grand Rapids, Mich., in a track record-setting
4.812-seconds to kick off the first night of the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam.
Trailing Ashley in Nitro Funny Car is Bob Gilbertson, 4.860, followed
by Terry Haddock and Dale Creasy Jr. Ashley also earned the Last Man
Standing bonus for the class, awarded to the quickest winning pass for
the night and worth a 5 extra points.
In Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel, Doug Foley took the
top spot with a 4.579 elapsed time, resetting the track record and
earning the Last Man Standing. J.R. Todd is second, 4.597, followed by
Bruce Litton, who reset the track speed record with a 328.54. Clay
Millican, IHRA’s defending world champion, is fourth. Current points
leader T.J. Zizzo sits on the bump spot.
Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified points leader Scott Cannon Jr. 
currently
sits qualified No. 1 and earned the night’s Last Man Standing, followed
by Quain Stott and Kenny Lang. Mike Janis sits fourth and reset the
track speed record with a 237.80 mph pass.
In Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock, Pete Berner, Crete, Ill.,
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THURSDAY, August 2, 2007
Racer Gates Open 9:00am Tech Open 10:00am - 9:00pm
Credentials / Parking for Racers Ends 1:00am
FRIDAY August 3, 2007
Racer Gate & Tech Open 7:00am
Tech Closes at the end of each classes’ Final Qualifying Session
Sportsman Qualifying 8:00am
Run Order Q1: HR, ST, QR, SS, TD, TS, SR, Top ET, Moser TT, Mod ET
Run Order Q2: HR, (*ST-Class), QR, SS, TD, TS, (ST Class), SR, Top ET,
Moser TT, Mod ET (*2nd Round of ST qualifying counts as 1st Rd of class
eliminations)
Starting Line Closed to Crew Chiefs & Teams 6:40pm
Pre-Race Ceremony 6:45pm
PRO Qualifying 7:00pm
Run Order: PS, Moser E1, AFC, PM, Moser E2, TF, NFC, Motz
SATURDAY August 4, 2007
Racer Gate Credentials & Tech Open 8:00am
Tech Closes at the end of each classes’ Final Qualifying Session
God Speed ‘Church Service’ 8:00am
Sportsman Eliminations (2 rounds) 8:00am
Run Order: HR, ST, QR, SS, TD, TS, SR, Top ET, Mod ET
Torco Pro Mod Shootout Contestant Photo 11:00am
PRO Qualifying 12:00 Noon
Run Order: PM, (Torco PM Shootout Rd 1), PS, AFC, NFC, TF (2nd PM
qualifying session counts as Rd 1 of the Torco Pro Mod Shootout)
Sportsman Elimination’s Continue After PRO Round
Torco Pro Mod Shootout Semi-Finals & Moser Axle Mania E3 4:00pm
PRO PIT PARTY 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Starting Line Closed To Crew Chiefs & Teams 6:40pm
Pre-Race Ceremony 6:45pm
“NIGHT OF FIRE” PRO Qualifying 7:00pm
Run Order: PS, Moser Semi Finals, AFC, PM, Torco PM Finals, Moser Finals, NFC, TF, Motz
SUNDAY August 5, 2007
No Racer Gate Credentials Spectator Will Call
God Speed ‘Church Service’ 7:30am & 8:15am
Special Awards 8:30am
Sportsman Eliminations Continue 9:00am
Run Order: Mod ET, Top ET, HR, ST, QR, SS, TD, TS, SR
Pre-Race Ceremony 10:15am
PRO Eliminations (Rd 1) PS, PM, Sportsman 10:30am
PRO Eliminations (Rd 2) NFC, TF, AFC, PS, PM,
Sportsman
12:00pm
PRO Semi-Finals: PS, AFC, PM, NFC, TF
2:00pm
Finals: Sportsman, PS, AFC, PM, NFC, TF, Motz 4:00pm
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