How could they miss these juicy bits regarding the IHRA North American Nationals? (The announcers certainly did, though they are sub-par compared to the NHRA announcers by a huge gap):
- Mark Thomas' Alcohol Funny Car win was his FIRST at the IHRA North American Nationals after being the ONLY driver to compete at every single North American Nationals (1992-93, 1998-2007). However, it is NOT his FIRST win at New England Dragway. His only other win was at the 1992 IHRA Northeast Nitrous Nationals, a non-nitro event that was held in addition to the North American Nationals when New England Dragway was an IHRA track in 1992 & 1993. How could no one recall this juicy bit of drama? To have been to EVERY SINGLE North American Nationals and not won until now!
- The Pro Stock story is equally as interesting. The two finalists (Patrick and Gugliotta) were also the two most recent winners of the event (2006 & 2005). Patrick had also won in 1993, making him the only driver in Pro Stock to win the North American Nationals more than once heading into the final. His foul allowed Gugliotta to join that elite group. No one noticed this either??
-In Pro Modified, there has never been a repeat winner at this event and that continued this year.
I'm sure there's more non-winner related stories, that wouldn't normally be in a press release. But come on - wouldn't this make for a more interesting read?
- Mark Thomas' Alcohol Funny Car win was his FIRST at the IHRA North American Nationals after being the ONLY driver to compete at every single North American Nationals (1992-93, 1998-2007). However, it is NOT his FIRST win at New England Dragway. His only other win was at the 1992 IHRA Northeast Nitrous Nationals, a non-nitro event that was held in addition to the North American Nationals when New England Dragway was an IHRA track in 1992 & 1993. How could no one recall this juicy bit of drama? To have been to EVERY SINGLE North American Nationals and not won until now!
- The Pro Stock story is equally as interesting. The two finalists (Patrick and Gugliotta) were also the two most recent winners of the event (2006 & 2005). Patrick had also won in 1993, making him the only driver in Pro Stock to win the North American Nationals more than once heading into the final. His foul allowed Gugliotta to join that elite group. No one noticed this either??
-In Pro Modified, there has never been a repeat winner at this event and that continued this year.
I'm sure there's more non-winner related stories, that wouldn't normally be in a press release. But come on - wouldn't this make for a more interesting read?