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MILAN, Mich. (May 29, 2008) - Dale Creasy Jr. was in good position to move on to the semifinals and end young Dan Wilkerson's debut weekend at the IHRA Motor City Nationals. He was out in front in their first round match-up, with nothing but clean asphalt between him and the finish line. But the car pitched left, Creasy hit a cone and what was an easy round win ended up going to Wilkerson because of a disqualification.
"Things like that happen in drag racing, no sense crying about it or dwelling on it," Creasy said. "We've already put it behind us as a team and are now focused on the Torco President's Cup Nationals in Maryland. We've had plenty of lucky rounds in our career…this time we just had one go the other way."
Creasy was well ahead of Wilkerson, who was driving the current points-leading NHRA car of his father, Tim Wilkerson, when he clipped the cone. His 5.498 at a slowing 186.95 mph got him to the line was quicker than Wilkerson's 6.728 at 128.55. But Creasy made no excuses and gave credit to the young Wilkerson.
"That kid is an incredible driver and his future in this sport, and the Nitro Funny Car class, is very bright," he said. "And he did what any good driver does... he sat back and took advantage of his opponent's mistake. Look at the weekend he had, he set a provisional world record in his first competitive pass in a Nitro Funny Car and just missed backing up that record by three thousandths of a second. Then he advanced to the finals. Amazing."
Despite the first round exit in Milan and the fact that Creasy is still in search of his first Ironman of the 2008 season, the two-time champion feels he is right where he needs to be.
"We're a couple of rounds behind Paul Lee and a round behind Matt Hagan," he said. "And the car has not responded to everything we've tried yet. I know my crew will work their rear ends off to get us back in the winner's circle and I have every confidence in the world they will do just that."
Last season at Maryland International Raceway Creasy was the #1 qualifier and set low ET of the race with a 4.920. He also posted the top speed at 310.41 mph, but stumbled in eliminations and fell to Jack Wyatt in the semifinals.
"MIR is a good track and we've had some success there," Creasy said. "We just have to work a little harder this year and try to get the job done. We’re still early in the season and there's a lot of racing left. We like where we're at right now."
To learn more about Dale Creasy, Jr. and the Torco Race Fuels Nitro Funny Car visit Dale Creasy Jr.
Creasy Snakebit in Milan
Timing cone ends defending Nitro Funny Car champion's weekend at IHRA Motor City Nationals
MILAN, Mich. (May 29, 2008) - Dale Creasy Jr. was in good position to move on to the semifinals and end young Dan Wilkerson's debut weekend at the IHRA Motor City Nationals. He was out in front in their first round match-up, with nothing but clean asphalt between him and the finish line. But the car pitched left, Creasy hit a cone and what was an easy round win ended up going to Wilkerson because of a disqualification.
"Things like that happen in drag racing, no sense crying about it or dwelling on it," Creasy said. "We've already put it behind us as a team and are now focused on the Torco President's Cup Nationals in Maryland. We've had plenty of lucky rounds in our career…this time we just had one go the other way."
Creasy was well ahead of Wilkerson, who was driving the current points-leading NHRA car of his father, Tim Wilkerson, when he clipped the cone. His 5.498 at a slowing 186.95 mph got him to the line was quicker than Wilkerson's 6.728 at 128.55. But Creasy made no excuses and gave credit to the young Wilkerson.
"That kid is an incredible driver and his future in this sport, and the Nitro Funny Car class, is very bright," he said. "And he did what any good driver does... he sat back and took advantage of his opponent's mistake. Look at the weekend he had, he set a provisional world record in his first competitive pass in a Nitro Funny Car and just missed backing up that record by three thousandths of a second. Then he advanced to the finals. Amazing."
Despite the first round exit in Milan and the fact that Creasy is still in search of his first Ironman of the 2008 season, the two-time champion feels he is right where he needs to be.
"We're a couple of rounds behind Paul Lee and a round behind Matt Hagan," he said. "And the car has not responded to everything we've tried yet. I know my crew will work their rear ends off to get us back in the winner's circle and I have every confidence in the world they will do just that."
Last season at Maryland International Raceway Creasy was the #1 qualifier and set low ET of the race with a 4.920. He also posted the top speed at 310.41 mph, but stumbled in eliminations and fell to Jack Wyatt in the semifinals.
"MIR is a good track and we've had some success there," Creasy said. "We just have to work a little harder this year and try to get the job done. We’re still early in the season and there's a lot of racing left. We like where we're at right now."
To learn more about Dale Creasy, Jr. and the Torco Race Fuels Nitro Funny Car visit Dale Creasy Jr.
