<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/jones1.jpg" alt="jones1" align="left"borders="0"/>
TULSA, OKLAHOMA (JUNE 24, 2007) – Kevin Jones, a barber from Berea, Ky., will probably be sending Doug Foley a gift card good for a lifetime of free haircuts. When Foley decided to pull out of the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors to compete in the NHRA race in Englishtown, Jones and Sipple Family Racing were contacted by IHRA to see if they were interested in filling out the Knoll-Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro NitroTop Fuel field by competing at the Nitro Jam event in Tulsa.
They had three days to get ready and head to Oklahoma , but the trip was more than worthwhile.
Jones drove past Bruce Litton, Indianapolis , to claim the first career Ironman for Sipple Family Racing. He carded a 5.138 at 260.71 mph to defeat Litton, who lost traction at half-track and lifted out of the run. Jones and crew chief Mike Sipple were thrilled with the victory, but they wish John “Doc” Sipple, the patriarch of Sipple Family Racing, could have been there to enjoy it with them.
“Doc” recently had a stint put in his heart and was back home in Kentucky recovering, unable to make the trip to Tulsa.
“This was the first time a Top Fuel team has ever pulled out of Berea without him in the rig,” Jones said. “It was kind of an emotional thing, but we knew we had to do what we had to do. If the Lord lays the way out for you, doggone it, that’s just the way it has to be. We may not understand it or like it, but if the grass is green the grass is green. You just have to follow that path.”
Dale Creasy Jr., the defending Knoll-Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car world champion from Beecher , Ill. , continued his early-season success by stopping Andy Kelley in the final round. Creasy entered the event with a slim three-point lead over Jack Wyatt in the championship points standings, but he topped Wyatt in the semifinals before a 5.078/289.14 pass in the final round gave him the Ironman.
“The only thing that could have ruined this thing today was the driver,” Creasy said. “My crew did a tremendous job. After the first run we didn’t like the way the motor looked. We didn’t hurt it but the crew didn’t like something about it. They changed it and 40 minutes later it was running great. These guys are the best. My crew and Evan Knoll. I just got off the phone with him and he’s ecstatic. I love the guy and he has done everything for me.”
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/nfcfinal2.jpg" alt="nfcfinal2" align="right"borders="o"/>Rob Atchison, London , Ont., tightened up the championship points race with a victory over defending world champion Mark Thomas in the final round. Atchison , who had the quickest car all day, put together a 5.846 at 241.89 mph to claim the Alcohol Funny Car Ironman.
“This is getting fun,” Atchison said. “I still think the car has more to give, but we’ve figured out how to consistently get down the track and that’s half the battle. This class is getting really exciting. Terry Munroe is running well early and you know Mark and I are going to be there all year. Any time you can beat Mark in a round, whether it’s the final round or whatever, it’s a big deal.”
Pat Stoken, Eureka , Mont. , won his first career national event when he defeated defending world champion Quain Stott in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified final.
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/STOKEN1.jpg" alt="STOKEN1" align="left"borders="0"/>Stoken was the first nitrous-powered Pro Modified to claim an IHRA national event victory since Mike Castellana captured the Ironman at the President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek during the 2005 season.
“This is great, it really hasn’t sunk in yet,” Stoken said. “I don’t know if there was ever a time during the race where I thought “you know, I could win this thing’ but the car was incredibly consistent and I was able to go rounds. I guess a nitrous car can win.”
Defending Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock world champion Pete Berner took an early step towards a successful title defense when he knocked off Brian Gahm in the final round. Berner posted a 6.419 at 216.27 mph with a .070 reaction time to top Gahm’s 6.414/216.03 with a .077 reaction time. Berner’s margin of victory was a scant .002 of a second.
“I knew I would have to be on my game because Brian is a two-time world champion,” Berner said. “That was the best drag race I have ever participated in. I actually had no idea who had won it and, truthfully, if Brian would have pulled it out I would have been thrilled for him.”
TULSA, Okla. -- Sunday's final results from the Inaugural Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park . The race is the third of 11 in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll - Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel -- Kevin Jones, 5.138 seconds, 260.71 mph def. Bruce Litton, 7.775 seconds, 92.11 mph.
Nitro Funny Car -- Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo , 5.078, 289.14 def. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 11.538, 86.42.
Pro Modified -- Pat Stoken, Chevy Camaro, 6.148, 226.24 def. Quain Stott, Chevy Corvette, 6.309, 226.28.
Alcohol Funny Car -- Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo , 5.846, 241.89 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 6.128, 197.97.
Pro Stock -- Pete Berner, Pontiac GTO, 6.419, 216.27 def. Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 6.414, 216.03.
TULSA, Okla. -- Final round-by-round results from the Inaugural Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy
Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park, the third of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll - Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Kevin Jones, 5.128, 249.53 def. Luigi Novelli, 5.892, 163.81; Scott Palmer, 5.176, 219.29 def. T.J. Zizzo, 6.243,
191.67; Mike Strasburg, 5.149, 280.78 def. Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.238, 217.04; Bruce Litton, 4.745, 119.34 def. Scotty Cannon, 4.924,
280.37;
SEMIFINALS -- Jones, 11.537, 76.80 def. Strasburg, foul; Litton, 4.667, 314.46 def. Palmer, 4.970, 250.04;
FINAL -- Jones, 5.138, 260.71 def. Litton, 7.775, 92.11.
NITRO FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.228, 287.05 def. James Day, Chevy Camaro, 7.834, 107.27; Jack Wyatt, Dodge
Stratus, 5.359, 261.17 def. Jon Capps, Monte Carlo, 5.537, 196.24; Todd Simpson, Camaro, 7.592, 121.30 def. Terry Haddock, Stratus,
9.443, 71.62; Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.928, 188.33 def. Paul Lee, Monte Carlo, 7.130, 139.83;
SEMIFINALS -- Creasy Jr., 5.128, 288.83 def. Wyatt, 5.322, 265.01; Kelley, 5.384, 281.71 def. Simpson, 6.121, 154.47;
FINAL -- Creasy Jr., 5.078, 289.14 def. Kelley, 11.538, 86.42.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Eddie Ware, Chevy Camaro, 6.333, 226.09 def. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.321, 219.36; Quain Stott, Chevy Corvette,
6.306, 230.33 def. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.343, 220.91; Matt Hagan, Camaro, 6.397, 223.25 def. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.515, 220.66;
Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.151, 233.16 def. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.274, 223.69; Danny Rowe, Corvette, 6.217, 230.21 def.
Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 8.352, 116.62; Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.228, 226.54 def. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.246, 230.41; Mike
Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.277, 232.35 def. Rickie Smith, Corvette, 6.312, 223.10; Shannon Jenkins, Pontiac GTO, 6.231, 229.90 def.
Jason Hamstra, Corvette, 6.522, 221.16;
QUARTERFINALS -- Ware, 6.244, 226.20 def. Hagan, 8.971, 104.21; Stoken, 6.164, 227.19 def. Janis, 6.702, 165.15; Cannon, 6.122,
230.72 def. Rowe, 6.222, 215.55; Stott, 6.153, 229.82 def. Jenkins, 11.692, 76.51;
SEMIFINALS -- Stoken, 6.146, 226.70 def. Ware, 6.367, 223.54; Stott, 6.221, 228.15 def. Cannon, 6.154, 231.20;
FINAL -- Stoken, 6.148, 226.24 def. Stott, 6.309, 226.28.
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.865, 242.76 was unopposed; Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.450, 167.34 def. Tim
Stevens, Dodge Stratus, broke; Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.935, 234.90 def. Terry McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 6.222, 229.24; Mark
Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.994, 242.23 def. Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, foul;
SEMIFINALS -- Atchison, 5.852, 241.37 def. Munroe, 6.025, 228.31; Thomas, 6.012, 238.38 def. Dobbs, 6.351, 195.56;
FINAL -- Atchison, 5.846, 241.89 def. Thomas, 6.128, 197.97.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Frank Gugliotta, Chevy Cobalt, 18.783, 81.42 def. Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, broke; Rob Mansfield, Cobalt, 6.513,
215.62 def. Doug Kirk, Shelby Cobra, broke; Dean Goforth, Pontiac GTO, 6.500, 215.17 def. Ronnie Humphrey, Ford Escort, 7.847,
129.17; Dan Sweeney, GTO, 6.543, 213.47 def. Robert Patrick, Cobra, 6.518, 215.41; Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.468, 216.17 def. Elijah
Morton, Mustang, 6.593, 213.50; John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.457, 216.27 def. Rickie Smith, Cobalt, 6.552, 215.75; Brian Gahm,
Mustang, 6.458, 216.51 def. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.548, 213.81; Pete Berner, GTO, 9.709, 92.90 was unopposed;
QUARTERFINALS -- Berner, 6.443, 216.79 def. Sweeney, 6.511, 213.50; Gugliotta, 6.480, 212.66 def. Spiess, 6.473, 214.31; Gahm,
6.408, 215.79 def. D. Goforth, 6.473, 214.42; Mansfield, 6.493, 214.21 def. Montecalvo, 6.582, 182.48;
SEMIFINALS -- Berner, 6.446, 216.31 def. Mansfield, 6.495, 214.42; Gahm, 6.404, 216.17 def. Gugliotta, 6.464, 212.43;
FINAL -- Berner, 6.419, 216.27 def. Gahm, 6.414, 216.03.
TULSA, Okla. -- Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the Inaugural Skull Shine Sooner Nationals
presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park, the third of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll
- Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series -
Top Fuel
1. T.J. Zizzo, 268; 2. Bruce Litton, 265; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 176; 4. Scotty Cannon, 165; 5. Doug Foley, 152; 6. Kevin Jones,
109; 7. Scott Weis, 97; 8. Michael Gunderson, 83; 9. (tie) Mitch King, 75; Mike Strasburg, 75.
Pro Modified
1. Scott Cannon, 237; 2. Pat Stoken, 206; 3. Danny Rowe, 200; 4. Ed Hoover, 168; 5. Quain Stott, 165; 6. Kenny Lang, 142; 7.
Jim Halsey, 124; 8. Burton Auxier, 108; 9. Matt Hagan, 105; 10. Eddie Ware, 104.
Nitro Funny Car
1. Dale Creasy Jr., 299; 2. Jack Wyatt, 239; 3. Jon Capps, 195; 4. Andy Kelley, 192; 5. Terry Haddock, 189; 6. Bob Gilbertson,
118; 7. Gary Densham, 111; 8. Paul Lee, 96; 9. Todd Simpson, 61; 10. Del Worsham, 60.
About IHRA
Headquartered in Norwalk , Ohio , the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), a division of Live Nation, promotes professional, semi-professional and local level racing opportunities for drivers at all levels. The $19.5 million Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series is a 12-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2007, the series will be comprised of nine events in major cities throughout the United States and three in Canada . The Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Championship presented by Mr. Gasket consists of competition at national events and 40 events in six regional divisions, while IHRA’s Summit SuperSeries is conducted nearly every weekend at over 70 IHRA-sanctioned tracks. Providing a safe environment to develop future stars, IHRA offers the Junior Dragster Racing Series for youths ages 8-17. Stand-alone events include Live Nation’s entertainment-filled “Thunder Jam” shows and the street legal racing and lifestyle event series Kumho Street Warriorz presented by Hooters. More information can be found at IHRA.com - Homepage Of IHRA Motorsports - A Division Of Live Nation.
About Live Nation
Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We strive to create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues® music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States , according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles , California , Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”
AN ALTERNATE TO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Kevin Jones, the fourth alternate after final qualifying, completes storybook weekend with Top Fuel Ironman victory at Tulsa Raceway Park
TULSA, OKLAHOMA (JUNE 24, 2007) – Kevin Jones, a barber from Berea, Ky., will probably be sending Doug Foley a gift card good for a lifetime of free haircuts. When Foley decided to pull out of the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors to compete in the NHRA race in Englishtown, Jones and Sipple Family Racing were contacted by IHRA to see if they were interested in filling out the Knoll-Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro NitroTop Fuel field by competing at the Nitro Jam event in Tulsa.
They had three days to get ready and head to Oklahoma , but the trip was more than worthwhile.
Jones drove past Bruce Litton, Indianapolis , to claim the first career Ironman for Sipple Family Racing. He carded a 5.138 at 260.71 mph to defeat Litton, who lost traction at half-track and lifted out of the run. Jones and crew chief Mike Sipple were thrilled with the victory, but they wish John “Doc” Sipple, the patriarch of Sipple Family Racing, could have been there to enjoy it with them.
“Doc” recently had a stint put in his heart and was back home in Kentucky recovering, unable to make the trip to Tulsa.
“This was the first time a Top Fuel team has ever pulled out of Berea without him in the rig,” Jones said. “It was kind of an emotional thing, but we knew we had to do what we had to do. If the Lord lays the way out for you, doggone it, that’s just the way it has to be. We may not understand it or like it, but if the grass is green the grass is green. You just have to follow that path.”
Dale Creasy Jr., the defending Knoll-Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car world champion from Beecher , Ill. , continued his early-season success by stopping Andy Kelley in the final round. Creasy entered the event with a slim three-point lead over Jack Wyatt in the championship points standings, but he topped Wyatt in the semifinals before a 5.078/289.14 pass in the final round gave him the Ironman.
“The only thing that could have ruined this thing today was the driver,” Creasy said. “My crew did a tremendous job. After the first run we didn’t like the way the motor looked. We didn’t hurt it but the crew didn’t like something about it. They changed it and 40 minutes later it was running great. These guys are the best. My crew and Evan Knoll. I just got off the phone with him and he’s ecstatic. I love the guy and he has done everything for me.”
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/nfcfinal2.jpg" alt="nfcfinal2" align="right"borders="o"/>Rob Atchison, London , Ont., tightened up the championship points race with a victory over defending world champion Mark Thomas in the final round. Atchison , who had the quickest car all day, put together a 5.846 at 241.89 mph to claim the Alcohol Funny Car Ironman.
“This is getting fun,” Atchison said. “I still think the car has more to give, but we’ve figured out how to consistently get down the track and that’s half the battle. This class is getting really exciting. Terry Munroe is running well early and you know Mark and I are going to be there all year. Any time you can beat Mark in a round, whether it’s the final round or whatever, it’s a big deal.”
Pat Stoken, Eureka , Mont. , won his first career national event when he defeated defending world champion Quain Stott in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified final.
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/STOKEN1.jpg" alt="STOKEN1" align="left"borders="0"/>Stoken was the first nitrous-powered Pro Modified to claim an IHRA national event victory since Mike Castellana captured the Ironman at the President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek during the 2005 season.
“This is great, it really hasn’t sunk in yet,” Stoken said. “I don’t know if there was ever a time during the race where I thought “you know, I could win this thing’ but the car was incredibly consistent and I was able to go rounds. I guess a nitrous car can win.”
Defending Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock world champion Pete Berner took an early step towards a successful title defense when he knocked off Brian Gahm in the final round. Berner posted a 6.419 at 216.27 mph with a .070 reaction time to top Gahm’s 6.414/216.03 with a .077 reaction time. Berner’s margin of victory was a scant .002 of a second.
“I knew I would have to be on my game because Brian is a two-time world champion,” Berner said. “That was the best drag race I have ever participated in. I actually had no idea who had won it and, truthfully, if Brian would have pulled it out I would have been thrilled for him.”
TULSA, Okla. -- Sunday's final results from the Inaugural Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park . The race is the third of 11 in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll - Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel -- Kevin Jones, 5.138 seconds, 260.71 mph def. Bruce Litton, 7.775 seconds, 92.11 mph.
Nitro Funny Car -- Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo , 5.078, 289.14 def. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 11.538, 86.42.
Pro Modified -- Pat Stoken, Chevy Camaro, 6.148, 226.24 def. Quain Stott, Chevy Corvette, 6.309, 226.28.
Alcohol Funny Car -- Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo , 5.846, 241.89 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 6.128, 197.97.
Pro Stock -- Pete Berner, Pontiac GTO, 6.419, 216.27 def. Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 6.414, 216.03.
TULSA, Okla. -- Final round-by-round results from the Inaugural Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy
Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park, the third of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll - Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Kevin Jones, 5.128, 249.53 def. Luigi Novelli, 5.892, 163.81; Scott Palmer, 5.176, 219.29 def. T.J. Zizzo, 6.243,
191.67; Mike Strasburg, 5.149, 280.78 def. Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.238, 217.04; Bruce Litton, 4.745, 119.34 def. Scotty Cannon, 4.924,
280.37;
SEMIFINALS -- Jones, 11.537, 76.80 def. Strasburg, foul; Litton, 4.667, 314.46 def. Palmer, 4.970, 250.04;
FINAL -- Jones, 5.138, 260.71 def. Litton, 7.775, 92.11.
NITRO FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.228, 287.05 def. James Day, Chevy Camaro, 7.834, 107.27; Jack Wyatt, Dodge
Stratus, 5.359, 261.17 def. Jon Capps, Monte Carlo, 5.537, 196.24; Todd Simpson, Camaro, 7.592, 121.30 def. Terry Haddock, Stratus,
9.443, 71.62; Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 5.928, 188.33 def. Paul Lee, Monte Carlo, 7.130, 139.83;
SEMIFINALS -- Creasy Jr., 5.128, 288.83 def. Wyatt, 5.322, 265.01; Kelley, 5.384, 281.71 def. Simpson, 6.121, 154.47;
FINAL -- Creasy Jr., 5.078, 289.14 def. Kelley, 11.538, 86.42.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Eddie Ware, Chevy Camaro, 6.333, 226.09 def. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.321, 219.36; Quain Stott, Chevy Corvette,
6.306, 230.33 def. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.343, 220.91; Matt Hagan, Camaro, 6.397, 223.25 def. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 6.515, 220.66;
Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 6.151, 233.16 def. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.274, 223.69; Danny Rowe, Corvette, 6.217, 230.21 def.
Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 8.352, 116.62; Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.228, 226.54 def. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.246, 230.41; Mike
Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.277, 232.35 def. Rickie Smith, Corvette, 6.312, 223.10; Shannon Jenkins, Pontiac GTO, 6.231, 229.90 def.
Jason Hamstra, Corvette, 6.522, 221.16;
QUARTERFINALS -- Ware, 6.244, 226.20 def. Hagan, 8.971, 104.21; Stoken, 6.164, 227.19 def. Janis, 6.702, 165.15; Cannon, 6.122,
230.72 def. Rowe, 6.222, 215.55; Stott, 6.153, 229.82 def. Jenkins, 11.692, 76.51;
SEMIFINALS -- Stoken, 6.146, 226.70 def. Ware, 6.367, 223.54; Stott, 6.221, 228.15 def. Cannon, 6.154, 231.20;
FINAL -- Stoken, 6.148, 226.24 def. Stott, 6.309, 226.28.
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.865, 242.76 was unopposed; Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 6.450, 167.34 def. Tim
Stevens, Dodge Stratus, broke; Terry Munroe, Monte Carlo, 5.935, 234.90 def. Terry McMillen, Dodge Avenger, 6.222, 229.24; Mark
Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.994, 242.23 def. Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, foul;
SEMIFINALS -- Atchison, 5.852, 241.37 def. Munroe, 6.025, 228.31; Thomas, 6.012, 238.38 def. Dobbs, 6.351, 195.56;
FINAL -- Atchison, 5.846, 241.89 def. Thomas, 6.128, 197.97.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Frank Gugliotta, Chevy Cobalt, 18.783, 81.42 def. Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, broke; Rob Mansfield, Cobalt, 6.513,
215.62 def. Doug Kirk, Shelby Cobra, broke; Dean Goforth, Pontiac GTO, 6.500, 215.17 def. Ronnie Humphrey, Ford Escort, 7.847,
129.17; Dan Sweeney, GTO, 6.543, 213.47 def. Robert Patrick, Cobra, 6.518, 215.41; Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.468, 216.17 def. Elijah
Morton, Mustang, 6.593, 213.50; John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.457, 216.27 def. Rickie Smith, Cobalt, 6.552, 215.75; Brian Gahm,
Mustang, 6.458, 216.51 def. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 6.548, 213.81; Pete Berner, GTO, 9.709, 92.90 was unopposed;
QUARTERFINALS -- Berner, 6.443, 216.79 def. Sweeney, 6.511, 213.50; Gugliotta, 6.480, 212.66 def. Spiess, 6.473, 214.31; Gahm,
6.408, 215.79 def. D. Goforth, 6.473, 214.42; Mansfield, 6.493, 214.21 def. Montecalvo, 6.582, 182.48;
SEMIFINALS -- Berner, 6.446, 216.31 def. Mansfield, 6.495, 214.42; Gahm, 6.404, 216.17 def. Gugliotta, 6.464, 212.43;
FINAL -- Berner, 6.419, 216.27 def. Gahm, 6.414, 216.03.
TULSA, Okla. -- Point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the Inaugural Skull Shine Sooner Nationals
presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park, the third of 11 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll
- Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series -
Top Fuel
1. T.J. Zizzo, 268; 2. Bruce Litton, 265; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 176; 4. Scotty Cannon, 165; 5. Doug Foley, 152; 6. Kevin Jones,
109; 7. Scott Weis, 97; 8. Michael Gunderson, 83; 9. (tie) Mitch King, 75; Mike Strasburg, 75.
Pro Modified
1. Scott Cannon, 237; 2. Pat Stoken, 206; 3. Danny Rowe, 200; 4. Ed Hoover, 168; 5. Quain Stott, 165; 6. Kenny Lang, 142; 7.
Jim Halsey, 124; 8. Burton Auxier, 108; 9. Matt Hagan, 105; 10. Eddie Ware, 104.
Nitro Funny Car
1. Dale Creasy Jr., 299; 2. Jack Wyatt, 239; 3. Jon Capps, 195; 4. Andy Kelley, 192; 5. Terry Haddock, 189; 6. Bob Gilbertson,
118; 7. Gary Densham, 111; 8. Paul Lee, 96; 9. Todd Simpson, 61; 10. Del Worsham, 60.
About IHRA
Headquartered in Norwalk , Ohio , the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), a division of Live Nation, promotes professional, semi-professional and local level racing opportunities for drivers at all levels. The $19.5 million Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series is a 12-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2007, the series will be comprised of nine events in major cities throughout the United States and three in Canada . The Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Championship presented by Mr. Gasket consists of competition at national events and 40 events in six regional divisions, while IHRA’s Summit SuperSeries is conducted nearly every weekend at over 70 IHRA-sanctioned tracks. Providing a safe environment to develop future stars, IHRA offers the Junior Dragster Racing Series for youths ages 8-17. Stand-alone events include Live Nation’s entertainment-filled “Thunder Jam” shows and the street legal racing and lifestyle event series Kumho Street Warriorz presented by Hooters. More information can be found at IHRA.com - Homepage Of IHRA Motorsports - A Division Of Live Nation.
About Live Nation
Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We strive to create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues® music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States , according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles , California , Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”
