Our crack prognosticators gear up for the IHRA championship predictions …

Each year our “crack” staff of prognosticators joins together shortly after the final test session to determine the champions of the upcoming season. We had a dismal 25% success rate last season but we feel good about our chances this year. Here’s how we see it all shaking out for 2008.


TOP FUEL

BOBBY LAGANA

Lagana has been the ultimate underdog ever since he started racing a dragster transported on a classic ramp truck. Against all odds, the Scarsdale, NY.-based Lagana was an ankle-biter in those days; capable of biting until it hurt but never take a lethal chomp. As the years progressed, a maturing Lagana learned how to stretch his parts, making key relationships along the way. In the last five seasons Lagana has transformed his operation from also-ran to contender status.

Ever wonder what Lagana could have pulled off with the budget to run against the best in the class? This year we predict you’ll find out as he drives Evan Knoll’s digger. His battle won’t be a cakewalk. He’ll have to fight Litton tooth and nail. Then again, this is the only way Lagana has raced.

2. Bruce Litton
3. T.J. Zizzo
4. Terry McMillen
5. Mitch King
6. Mike Strasburg
7. Chris Karamesines
8. Kevin Jones
9. Todd Paton
10. Scott Palmer

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

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NITRO FUNNY CAR

JACK WYATT

Wyatt is the kind of guy you can’t help but cheer for week after week. Last year Wyatt was voted by his peers as the sportsman of the year because of his insistence to go beyond the call of duty for his fellow racer. When you combine this classy trait with his talent of gaining the most from the least – you understand why he’s getting a look for title consideration.

Let’s face the facts, with a few breaks here and there Wyatt would already be a champion. He’s got our vote this year and he’ll confirm to a sometimes dismal world – nice guys can finish first.

2. Bob Gilbertson
3. Dale Creasy, Jr.
4. Andy Kelley
5. Jeff Diehl
6. Paul Lee
7. Terry Haddock
8. Todd Simpson
9. Matt Hagan
9. Gary Densham

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

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PRO MODIFIED

SCOTT CANNON, JR.

The second-generation Cannon is a lot more like his six-time championship winning dad than some would care to acknowledge. Remember in 1991 when Scotty Cannon went down to the wire with Al Billes for the championship? The kid’s 2007 battle with Mike Janis was strikingly similar. However, the epic battle in the early 1990s laid the foundation for two consecutive seasons of sheer dominance by the elder Cannon. The younger Cannon had a front row seat for the battle as a crew member.

We predict 2007 was merely a season for getting Jr.’s feet wet. The kid will get after the title chase early and relentless. He’ll have no other choice if he hopes to successfully defend as the level of competition will likely improve ten-fold from last year. Oh yeah, he’ll have to contend with his dad when they line up alongside one another. Here’s your Vegas tip – bet on the kid, he’s gonna be golden again.

2. Ed Hoover
3. Mike Janis
4. Mike Castellana
5. Scotty Cannon
6. Kenny Lang
7. Pat Stoken
8. Quain Stott
9. Jim Halsey
10. John Russo

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

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MOUNTAIN MOTOR PRO STOCK

ROBERT PATRICK

We’re not professional gamblers by any sense of the word, but when a driver comes out in pre-season testing and consistently establishes record-smashing standards like Patrick did [i.e. a 6.266], actions speak louder than words. Patrick didn’t retool in the off-season, he merely reloaded.

The engine program with Bob Ingles picked up some new ponies and talented tuner Rich Purdy has another potent brain in the camp with past Pro Stock World Champion Mike Bell. Not to mention Patrick, the Fredericksburg, Virginia-based driver has wanted the championship since childhood.

He’s taken every run down the strip seriously in this off-season and you can bet when he gets to San Antonio, he’ll be looking to keep the No. 1 on his window for a while.



2. Robert Mansfield
3. Pete Berner
4. Brian Gahm
5. Frank Gugliotta
6. Elijah Morton
7. Jeff Dobbins
8. John Montecalvo
9. Dean Goforth
10. Cary Goforth

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

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ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR

LAURIE CANNISTER –

Yes, you’d better get used to seeing this name in the winner’s circle. Many will readily admit they saw Laurie Cannister as a win waiting to happen and when she pulled the feat off in Budds Creek, Maryland, the general consensus was several more were waiting down the road. This season is “down the road” time.

Jog your memory banks to almost a decade ago and you’ll recall a very talented driver in the Pro Outlaw ranks driving a dragster sponsored by Nicorette who dominated her way to a championship. Fast forward a few seasons and you’ll remember a Kalbones Grilling Sauce sponsored driver who scored a few championships in Funny Car.

2. Rob Atchison
3. Paul Noakes
4. Dale Brand
5. Mark Thomas
6. Terry Munroe
7. Tony Bogolo
8. Neal Parker
9. Trevor Lebsack
10. Fred Tigges