Matt Hagan Climbs Back into Nitro Funny Car Title Hunt
Tops Andy Kelley in final round at Sooner Nationals in Tulsa to pull within 51 points of front-running Terry Haddock
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<br><font color="Navy">“(The championship) is very obtainable right now,” Hagan said.</font>
<P>Tulsa, Ok. (Aug. 24, 2008) – When Matt Hagan did not qualify for the eight-car Nitro Funny Car field at the Northern Nationals in Martin three weeks ago, the prevailing thought was that his championship hopes flew out the window. After he stopped Andy Kelley to claim the Ironman Sunday at Tulsa Raceway Park those title hopes, which seemed so slim in Michigan , came roaring back.
In the blistering heat at Tulsa Raceway Park Hagan stopped Andy Kelley, the champion at US 131 Motorsports Park three weeks ago, in the final round to claim the Nitro Funny Car Ironman at the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals. The victory over Kelley capped a brilliant weekend for Hagan that saw him win 10 Last Man Standing bonus points, qualify #1 overall and end up pulling to within 51 points of Haddock at the top of the standings.
“I felt like someone ripped my guys out and was stomping on them,” Hagan said about his DNQ in Martin. “To be in the position we were in, having done so well and having won two races, that DNQ it felt like someone took a stick and hit me in the head.”
He did know, however, with John Smith tuning his 2008 Solera the championship chase was far from over.
“I have a lot of faith in them,” he said of Smith and his father, Paul Smith, who advises on the car. “They have a lot of ability and there was a lot of potential in this car. I figured it would just take one more race to prove it.”
Hagan was able to prove it with a career-best 4.994 run at 306.26 mph during Saturday evening qualifying. He followed that up with a string of steady runs in the 5.100-second range to march through eliminations. He knocked off Kelley in the final by clocking a 5.113 at 301.81 mph to topple Kelley’s 5.194/285.83 pass.
“(The championship) is very obtainable right now,” Hagan said. “I set my goals this year to win three races, and this is my third win. Now the goal is to win a championship and I think, with this race car and the Smiths tuning it, it’s possible.”
Spencer Massey ( Fort Worth , Tex. ) won his fourth Top Fuel Ironman of the season, giving himself some breathing room atop the national points standings, when he defeated Terry McMillen in the final at Tulsa Raceway Park . The win, coupled with his semifinal victory over Bruce Litton, gave him a 73-point bulge atop the Top Fuel standings.
“It’s never over until it’s over, but we have six rounds left and a 70-point lead give or take a few,” Massey said. “Our whole goal this race was to keep pace with Bruce Litton, I wanted to at lest go as many rounds as him so he couldn’t drive around us. When we beat Bruce in the second round it was a blessing, it was almost like winning the race to me.”
Massey almost was not around to try to keep pace with Litton. Heading into the final qualifying session Saturday he was on the wrong side of the bump spot. He did enough to get into the field, then defeated Mitch King in the first round before stopping Litton and McMillen. McMillen smoked his tires in the final while Massey ran a clean 4.891 at 304.94 mph.
“We have been to three finals in a row now, and this was our fourth win,” Massey said. “I’m really living the dream. What started really well in San Antonio has really snowballed. I’m getting more confident with the car and that has given me some confidence.”
Kenny Lang ( Grande Pointe , Manitoba ) needed a shot in the arm in Tulsa . The veteran Pro Modified driver had built a large early-season points lead, but had been in a four-race slump that had whittled his once-large lead down to just 47 points to Mike Castellana. At Tulsa Raceway Park Lang was able to right the ship.
He defeated Castellana in the final round to “hold serve” and keep control of his own destiny in the chase for the championship. Lang ran a 6.272 at 230.96 mph to drive past Castellana’s tire-shaking 7.060/158.73 in the final.
“Mike was tough and fast all weekend, so to go pace on pace with him on a weekend he was flying was really important,” Lang said. “Getting to the finals against him was good, beating him in the final was that much more important.”
Castellana picked up points on Lang during qualifying, claiming both five-point Last Man Standing bonuses. This made the final round that much more imperative for Lang.
“We picked up a little bit on him, not much, but we had a decent lead on him before and had worked it up to 90 points which was starting to get comfortable,” he said. “He got two Last Man Standings on us but we were able to win the race. This does not make things comfortable for us, but it does make things a little better.”
Dale Brand (Sully, Iowa ) was able to derail the Alcohol Funny Car train that is Laurie Cannister, handing her only her third round loss of the season in the final at Tulsa Raceway Park . Cannister has all but clinched the 2008 AFC world championship, but for one day Brand was at the top of the heap. He set a track record in the final round, clocking a 5.764 at 247.29 mph, to win his first Ironman of the season.
“That Cannister team is awesome, Dale is a great tuner and Laurie is a great driver,” Brand said. “But this weekend was the performance this car has been capable of all year. We’ve been struggling dramatically with our consistency, but Eric Brand really had this car consistent and in great shape this weekend.”
Brand qualified fourth on the ladder before defeating Tony Bogolo in the first round and Tom Carter in the semifinals.
“Our entire crew performed flawlessly this weekend so we’re very proud,” he said. “Any time we can beat Laurie’s team it’s pretty fulfilling.”
Pro Stock fans should take notice; the 2008 IHRA Pro Stock points chase promises to be one for the ages. Four drivers are within 74 points of the lead, with just three points separating front-runner Jeff Dobbins from Pete Berner. Berner tightened things up considerably when he knocked off John Montecalvo in the final round in Tulsa . Dobbins fell in the second round to Bob Bertsch and left Tulsa Raceway Park with 561 points. Berner has 558.
“The points race is very, very tight right now,” Berner said. “Everyone kind of moved around a little bit and it’s really close at the top. We just have to stay strong and not get caught up in it. If we can continue to make good runs things like this will happen.”
The win in Tulsa was Berner’s first visit to the Winner’s Circle this season.
“We went to three straight final rounds, but this was the first time we were able to get it done,” he said. “We got it done and it was a really good weekend for us.”
TULSA, Okla. -- Sunday's final results from the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park . The race is the eighth of 10 in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel -- Spencer Massey, 4.891 seconds, 304.94 mph def. Terry McMillen, 8.186 seconds, 104.39 mph.
Nitro Funny Car -- Matt Hagan, Chevy Monte Carlo , 5.113, 301.81 def. Andy Kelley, Chevy Camaro, 5.194, 285.83.
Pro Modified -- Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.272, 230.96 def. Mike Castellana, Pontiac Firebird, 7.060, 158.73.
Alcohol Funny Car -- Dale Brand, Chevy Camaro, 5.764, 247.29 def. Laurie Cannister, Camaro, 5.824, 242.80.
Pro Stock -- Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.402, 218.58 def. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.411, 219.36.
Top Sportsman -- Scooter Hampton, Pontiac Firebird, 7.718, 173.18 def. Bob Storie, Chevy Corvette, 6.973, 201.61.
Top Dragster -- Brian Folk, Dragster, 7.573, 155.67 def. Steve Evans, Dragster, broke.
Super Stock -- Tony Cowell, Chevy Camaro, 10.729, 123.80 def. Paul Blackmon, Oldsmobile Calais, 10.648, 123.52.
Stock -- Nick Folk, Chevy Camaro, 10.620, 116.83 def. Will Carrell, Chevy Chevelle, 12.134, 103.04.
Quick Rod -- Scooter Choate, Dragster, 8.875, 172.92 def. Steve Mikus, Dragster, 8.872, 155.65.
Super Rod -- Philip Pennington, Ford Roadster, 9.959, 169.68 def. Kamron Wright, Chevy Corvette, 9.885, 149.83.
Hot Rod -- Tim Wilson, Chevy Nova, 10.920, 110.88 def. Rusty Hull, Chevy Camaro, 10.894, 116.94.
TULSA, Okla. -- Final round-by-round results from the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park , the eighth of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Scott Palmer, 5.125, 227.69 def. Mike Strasburg, 8.720, 86.82; Spencer Massey, 4.762, 294.95 def. Mitch King, 20.845, 78.36; Terry McMillen, 4.691, 310.70 def. Tim Boychuk, 7.314, 107.26; Bruce Litton, 4.773, 276.63 def. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.936, 275.56;
SEMIFINALS -- Massey, 4.827, 307.93 def. Litton, 5.020, 239.10; McMillen, 9.125, 97.20 def. Palmer, broke;
FINAL -- Massey, 4.891, 304.94 def. McMillen, 8.186, 104.39.
NITRO FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Andy Kelley, Chevy Camaro, 5.107, 300.60 def. John Lawson, Chevy Impala, 5.162, 291.45; Paul Lee, Camaro, 5.821, 168.05 def. Jeff Diehl, Chevy Monte Carlo, 19.174, 66.62; Todd Simpson, Camaro, 5.183, 266.58 def. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.236, 275.96; Matt Hagan, Monte Carlo, 5.119, 286.98 def. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 5.347, 269.56;
QUARTERFINALS -- Kelley, 5.222, 293.03 def. Simpson, 5.860, 184.67; Hagan, 5.125, 300.40 def. Lee, 11.144, 88.78;
SEMIFINALS -- Hagan, 5.113, 301.81 def. Kelley, 5.194, 285.83.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.120, 234.09 def. Dave Pierce, Corvette, DQ; Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.234, 229.63 def. Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.208, 224.51; Ed Hoover, Chevy Camaro, 6.154, 231.60 def. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.295, 219.26; Mike Janis, Pontiac Firebird, 6.226, 231.87 def. Scott Cannon, Firebird, 6.165, 232.51; Jim Halsey , Camaro, 6.090, 232.07 def. Jason Stock, Corvette, broke; Mike Castellana, Firebird, 6.030, 235.06 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.164, 234.45;
QUARTERFINALS -- Lang, 6.252, 230.88 def. Janis, 6.369, 225.41; D'Aprile, 6.186, 231.71 def. Halsey, foul; Castellana, 30.414, no speed def. Hoover , 30.414, no speed;
SEMIFINALS -- Castellana, 18.746, 78.87 was unopposed; Lang, 6.197, 232.71 def. D'Aprile, 6.467, 210.14;
FINAL -- Lang, 6.272, 230.96 def. Castellana, 7.060, 158.73.
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Thomas Carter, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.909, 239.23 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.931, 238.55; Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.814, 241.37 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 11.004, 75.09; Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.923, 238.98 def. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.960, 239.40; Dale Brand, Camaro, 5.828, 243.55 def. Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, 8.502, 103.97;
QUARTERFINALS -- Brand, 5.781, 245.36 def. Carter, 5.884, 241.24; Cannister, 5.981, 201.85 def. Noakes, 9.827, 86.68;
SEMIFINALS -- Brand, 5.764, 247.29 def. Cannister, 5.824, 242.80.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, 6.443, 214.83 def. Scott Hintz, Mustang, 6.532, 215.41; Cale Aronson, Ford Escort, 6.527, 214.69 def. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, broke; Cary Goforth, Chevy Cobalt, 6.420, 217.00 def. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.503, 216.65; Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.446, 213.64 def. Chuck DeMory, Mustang, 9.449, 93.77; Jeff Dobbins, Escort, 6.454, 216.31 def. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.478, 215.55; Dean Goforth, Cobalt, 6.405, 217.07 def. Trevor Eman, Escort, 6.444, 216.97; John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.424, 217.46 def. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.430, 215.10; Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.388, 218.34 def. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.457, 214.89;
QUARTERFINALS -- Bertsch, 6.467, 215.62 def. Dobbins, foul; Montecalvo, 6.438, 217.42 def. C. Goforth, 6.436, 217.63; Aronson, 6.526, 213.81 def. D. Goforth, foul; Berner, 6.415, 218.09 def. Gugliotta, 15.051, 83.11;
SEMIFINALS -- Montecalvo, 6.425, 218.51 def. Bertsch, 7.912, 119.58; Berner, 6.415, 217.46 def. Aronson, 6.517, 215.27;
FINAL -- Berner, 6.402, 218.58 def. Montecalvo, 6.411, 219.36.
TULSA, Okla. -- Unofficial point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park, the eighth of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series -
Top Fuel
1. Spencer Massey, 724; 2. Bruce Litton, 651; 3. Terry McMillen, 572; 4. Mike Strasburg, 553; 5. Bobby Lagana Jr., 546; 6. Kevin Jones, 433; 7. Scott Palmer, 292; 8. Tim Boychuk, 177; 9. Mitch King, 158; 10. Chris Karamesines, 128.
Nitro Funny Car
1. Terry Haddock, 536; 2. Paul Lee, 513; 3. Matt Hagan, 485; 4. Steven Macklyn, 482; 5. Andy Kelley, 454; 6. Dale Creasy Jr., 392; 7. Jeff Diehl, 325; 8. Todd Simpson, 292; 9. Jack Wyatt, 242; 10. Cory Lee, 218.
Pro Modified
1. Kenny Lang, 588; 2. Mike Castellana, 531; 3. (tie) Tommy D{Aprile, 462; Jim Halsey , 462; 5. Mike Janis, 446; 6. Scott Cannon, 430; 7. Ed Hoover, 405; 8. Thomas Patterson, 308; 9. Jason Hamstra, 307; 10. Pat Stoken, 252.
Alcohol Funny Car
1. Laurie Cannister, 855; 2. Paul Noakes, 624; 3. Rob Atchison, 605; 4. Thomas Carter, 542; 5. Dale Brand, 411; 6. Mark Thomas, 372; 7. Larry Dobbs, 358; 8. Terry Munroe, 190; 9. Tony Bogolo, 166; 10. Tim Stevens, 165.
Pro Stock
1. Jeff Dobbins, 561; 2. Pete Berner, 558; 3. John Montecalvo, 503; 4. Frank Gugliotta, 487; 5. Elijah Morton, 402; 6. Bob Bertsch, 338; 7. Rob Mansfield, 309; 8. Cary Goforth, 301; 9. Robert Patrick, 289; 10. Richard Freeman, 270.
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 $21.5 million Knoll Gas Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series is a 10-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2008, the series will be comprised of eight 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 85 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 Street Warriorz. More information can be found at NitroJam.com.
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.”
Tops Andy Kelley in final round at Sooner Nationals in Tulsa to pull within 51 points of front-running Terry Haddock
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<br><font color="Navy">“(The championship) is very obtainable right now,” Hagan said.</font>
<P>Tulsa, Ok. (Aug. 24, 2008) – When Matt Hagan did not qualify for the eight-car Nitro Funny Car field at the Northern Nationals in Martin three weeks ago, the prevailing thought was that his championship hopes flew out the window. After he stopped Andy Kelley to claim the Ironman Sunday at Tulsa Raceway Park those title hopes, which seemed so slim in Michigan , came roaring back.
In the blistering heat at Tulsa Raceway Park Hagan stopped Andy Kelley, the champion at US 131 Motorsports Park three weeks ago, in the final round to claim the Nitro Funny Car Ironman at the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals. The victory over Kelley capped a brilliant weekend for Hagan that saw him win 10 Last Man Standing bonus points, qualify #1 overall and end up pulling to within 51 points of Haddock at the top of the standings.
“I felt like someone ripped my guys out and was stomping on them,” Hagan said about his DNQ in Martin. “To be in the position we were in, having done so well and having won two races, that DNQ it felt like someone took a stick and hit me in the head.”
He did know, however, with John Smith tuning his 2008 Solera the championship chase was far from over.
“I have a lot of faith in them,” he said of Smith and his father, Paul Smith, who advises on the car. “They have a lot of ability and there was a lot of potential in this car. I figured it would just take one more race to prove it.”
Hagan was able to prove it with a career-best 4.994 run at 306.26 mph during Saturday evening qualifying. He followed that up with a string of steady runs in the 5.100-second range to march through eliminations. He knocked off Kelley in the final by clocking a 5.113 at 301.81 mph to topple Kelley’s 5.194/285.83 pass.
“(The championship) is very obtainable right now,” Hagan said. “I set my goals this year to win three races, and this is my third win. Now the goal is to win a championship and I think, with this race car and the Smiths tuning it, it’s possible.”
Spencer Massey ( Fort Worth , Tex. ) won his fourth Top Fuel Ironman of the season, giving himself some breathing room atop the national points standings, when he defeated Terry McMillen in the final at Tulsa Raceway Park . The win, coupled with his semifinal victory over Bruce Litton, gave him a 73-point bulge atop the Top Fuel standings.
“It’s never over until it’s over, but we have six rounds left and a 70-point lead give or take a few,” Massey said. “Our whole goal this race was to keep pace with Bruce Litton, I wanted to at lest go as many rounds as him so he couldn’t drive around us. When we beat Bruce in the second round it was a blessing, it was almost like winning the race to me.”
Massey almost was not around to try to keep pace with Litton. Heading into the final qualifying session Saturday he was on the wrong side of the bump spot. He did enough to get into the field, then defeated Mitch King in the first round before stopping Litton and McMillen. McMillen smoked his tires in the final while Massey ran a clean 4.891 at 304.94 mph.
“We have been to three finals in a row now, and this was our fourth win,” Massey said. “I’m really living the dream. What started really well in San Antonio has really snowballed. I’m getting more confident with the car and that has given me some confidence.”
Kenny Lang ( Grande Pointe , Manitoba ) needed a shot in the arm in Tulsa . The veteran Pro Modified driver had built a large early-season points lead, but had been in a four-race slump that had whittled his once-large lead down to just 47 points to Mike Castellana. At Tulsa Raceway Park Lang was able to right the ship.
He defeated Castellana in the final round to “hold serve” and keep control of his own destiny in the chase for the championship. Lang ran a 6.272 at 230.96 mph to drive past Castellana’s tire-shaking 7.060/158.73 in the final.
“Mike was tough and fast all weekend, so to go pace on pace with him on a weekend he was flying was really important,” Lang said. “Getting to the finals against him was good, beating him in the final was that much more important.”
Castellana picked up points on Lang during qualifying, claiming both five-point Last Man Standing bonuses. This made the final round that much more imperative for Lang.
“We picked up a little bit on him, not much, but we had a decent lead on him before and had worked it up to 90 points which was starting to get comfortable,” he said. “He got two Last Man Standings on us but we were able to win the race. This does not make things comfortable for us, but it does make things a little better.”
Dale Brand (Sully, Iowa ) was able to derail the Alcohol Funny Car train that is Laurie Cannister, handing her only her third round loss of the season in the final at Tulsa Raceway Park . Cannister has all but clinched the 2008 AFC world championship, but for one day Brand was at the top of the heap. He set a track record in the final round, clocking a 5.764 at 247.29 mph, to win his first Ironman of the season.
“That Cannister team is awesome, Dale is a great tuner and Laurie is a great driver,” Brand said. “But this weekend was the performance this car has been capable of all year. We’ve been struggling dramatically with our consistency, but Eric Brand really had this car consistent and in great shape this weekend.”
Brand qualified fourth on the ladder before defeating Tony Bogolo in the first round and Tom Carter in the semifinals.
“Our entire crew performed flawlessly this weekend so we’re very proud,” he said. “Any time we can beat Laurie’s team it’s pretty fulfilling.”
Pro Stock fans should take notice; the 2008 IHRA Pro Stock points chase promises to be one for the ages. Four drivers are within 74 points of the lead, with just three points separating front-runner Jeff Dobbins from Pete Berner. Berner tightened things up considerably when he knocked off John Montecalvo in the final round in Tulsa . Dobbins fell in the second round to Bob Bertsch and left Tulsa Raceway Park with 561 points. Berner has 558.
“The points race is very, very tight right now,” Berner said. “Everyone kind of moved around a little bit and it’s really close at the top. We just have to stay strong and not get caught up in it. If we can continue to make good runs things like this will happen.”
The win in Tulsa was Berner’s first visit to the Winner’s Circle this season.
“We went to three straight final rounds, but this was the first time we were able to get it done,” he said. “We got it done and it was a really good weekend for us.”
TULSA, Okla. -- Sunday's final results from the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park . The race is the eighth of 10 in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel -- Spencer Massey, 4.891 seconds, 304.94 mph def. Terry McMillen, 8.186 seconds, 104.39 mph.
Nitro Funny Car -- Matt Hagan, Chevy Monte Carlo , 5.113, 301.81 def. Andy Kelley, Chevy Camaro, 5.194, 285.83.
Pro Modified -- Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.272, 230.96 def. Mike Castellana, Pontiac Firebird, 7.060, 158.73.
Alcohol Funny Car -- Dale Brand, Chevy Camaro, 5.764, 247.29 def. Laurie Cannister, Camaro, 5.824, 242.80.
Pro Stock -- Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.402, 218.58 def. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 6.411, 219.36.
Top Sportsman -- Scooter Hampton, Pontiac Firebird, 7.718, 173.18 def. Bob Storie, Chevy Corvette, 6.973, 201.61.
Top Dragster -- Brian Folk, Dragster, 7.573, 155.67 def. Steve Evans, Dragster, broke.
Super Stock -- Tony Cowell, Chevy Camaro, 10.729, 123.80 def. Paul Blackmon, Oldsmobile Calais, 10.648, 123.52.
Stock -- Nick Folk, Chevy Camaro, 10.620, 116.83 def. Will Carrell, Chevy Chevelle, 12.134, 103.04.
Quick Rod -- Scooter Choate, Dragster, 8.875, 172.92 def. Steve Mikus, Dragster, 8.872, 155.65.
Super Rod -- Philip Pennington, Ford Roadster, 9.959, 169.68 def. Kamron Wright, Chevy Corvette, 9.885, 149.83.
Hot Rod -- Tim Wilson, Chevy Nova, 10.920, 110.88 def. Rusty Hull, Chevy Camaro, 10.894, 116.94.
TULSA, Okla. -- Final round-by-round results from the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park , the eighth of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Scott Palmer, 5.125, 227.69 def. Mike Strasburg, 8.720, 86.82; Spencer Massey, 4.762, 294.95 def. Mitch King, 20.845, 78.36; Terry McMillen, 4.691, 310.70 def. Tim Boychuk, 7.314, 107.26; Bruce Litton, 4.773, 276.63 def. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.936, 275.56;
SEMIFINALS -- Massey, 4.827, 307.93 def. Litton, 5.020, 239.10; McMillen, 9.125, 97.20 def. Palmer, broke;
FINAL -- Massey, 4.891, 304.94 def. McMillen, 8.186, 104.39.
NITRO FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Andy Kelley, Chevy Camaro, 5.107, 300.60 def. John Lawson, Chevy Impala, 5.162, 291.45; Paul Lee, Camaro, 5.821, 168.05 def. Jeff Diehl, Chevy Monte Carlo, 19.174, 66.62; Todd Simpson, Camaro, 5.183, 266.58 def. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 5.236, 275.96; Matt Hagan, Monte Carlo, 5.119, 286.98 def. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 5.347, 269.56;
QUARTERFINALS -- Kelley, 5.222, 293.03 def. Simpson, 5.860, 184.67; Hagan, 5.125, 300.40 def. Lee, 11.144, 88.78;
SEMIFINALS -- Hagan, 5.113, 301.81 def. Kelley, 5.194, 285.83.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.120, 234.09 def. Dave Pierce, Corvette, DQ; Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 6.234, 229.63 def. Thomas Patterson, Dodge Charger, 6.208, 224.51; Ed Hoover, Chevy Camaro, 6.154, 231.60 def. Pat Stoken, Camaro, 6.295, 219.26; Mike Janis, Pontiac Firebird, 6.226, 231.87 def. Scott Cannon, Firebird, 6.165, 232.51; Jim Halsey , Camaro, 6.090, 232.07 def. Jason Stock, Corvette, broke; Mike Castellana, Firebird, 6.030, 235.06 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.164, 234.45;
QUARTERFINALS -- Lang, 6.252, 230.88 def. Janis, 6.369, 225.41; D'Aprile, 6.186, 231.71 def. Halsey, foul; Castellana, 30.414, no speed def. Hoover , 30.414, no speed;
SEMIFINALS -- Castellana, 18.746, 78.87 was unopposed; Lang, 6.197, 232.71 def. D'Aprile, 6.467, 210.14;
FINAL -- Lang, 6.272, 230.96 def. Castellana, 7.060, 158.73.
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Thomas Carter, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.909, 239.23 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.931, 238.55; Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.814, 241.37 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, 11.004, 75.09; Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.923, 238.98 def. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.960, 239.40; Dale Brand, Camaro, 5.828, 243.55 def. Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, 8.502, 103.97;
QUARTERFINALS -- Brand, 5.781, 245.36 def. Carter, 5.884, 241.24; Cannister, 5.981, 201.85 def. Noakes, 9.827, 86.68;
SEMIFINALS -- Brand, 5.764, 247.29 def. Cannister, 5.824, 242.80.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Bob Bertsch, Ford Mustang, 6.443, 214.83 def. Scott Hintz, Mustang, 6.532, 215.41; Cale Aronson, Ford Escort, 6.527, 214.69 def. Rob Mansfield, Pontiac GTO, broke; Cary Goforth, Chevy Cobalt, 6.420, 217.00 def. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 6.503, 216.65; Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 6.446, 213.64 def. Chuck DeMory, Mustang, 9.449, 93.77; Jeff Dobbins, Escort, 6.454, 216.31 def. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 6.478, 215.55; Dean Goforth, Cobalt, 6.405, 217.07 def. Trevor Eman, Escort, 6.444, 216.97; John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.424, 217.46 def. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.430, 215.10; Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.388, 218.34 def. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.457, 214.89;
QUARTERFINALS -- Bertsch, 6.467, 215.62 def. Dobbins, foul; Montecalvo, 6.438, 217.42 def. C. Goforth, 6.436, 217.63; Aronson, 6.526, 213.81 def. D. Goforth, foul; Berner, 6.415, 218.09 def. Gugliotta, 15.051, 83.11;
SEMIFINALS -- Montecalvo, 6.425, 218.51 def. Bertsch, 7.912, 119.58; Berner, 6.415, 217.46 def. Aronson, 6.517, 215.27;
FINAL -- Berner, 6.402, 218.58 def. Montecalvo, 6.411, 219.36.
TULSA, Okla. -- Unofficial point standings (top 10) for IHRA professional categories following the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors at Tulsa Race Way Park, the eighth of 10 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series -
Top Fuel
1. Spencer Massey, 724; 2. Bruce Litton, 651; 3. Terry McMillen, 572; 4. Mike Strasburg, 553; 5. Bobby Lagana Jr., 546; 6. Kevin Jones, 433; 7. Scott Palmer, 292; 8. Tim Boychuk, 177; 9. Mitch King, 158; 10. Chris Karamesines, 128.
Nitro Funny Car
1. Terry Haddock, 536; 2. Paul Lee, 513; 3. Matt Hagan, 485; 4. Steven Macklyn, 482; 5. Andy Kelley, 454; 6. Dale Creasy Jr., 392; 7. Jeff Diehl, 325; 8. Todd Simpson, 292; 9. Jack Wyatt, 242; 10. Cory Lee, 218.
Pro Modified
1. Kenny Lang, 588; 2. Mike Castellana, 531; 3. (tie) Tommy D{Aprile, 462; Jim Halsey , 462; 5. Mike Janis, 446; 6. Scott Cannon, 430; 7. Ed Hoover, 405; 8. Thomas Patterson, 308; 9. Jason Hamstra, 307; 10. Pat Stoken, 252.
Alcohol Funny Car
1. Laurie Cannister, 855; 2. Paul Noakes, 624; 3. Rob Atchison, 605; 4. Thomas Carter, 542; 5. Dale Brand, 411; 6. Mark Thomas, 372; 7. Larry Dobbs, 358; 8. Terry Munroe, 190; 9. Tony Bogolo, 166; 10. Tim Stevens, 165.
Pro Stock
1. Jeff Dobbins, 561; 2. Pete Berner, 558; 3. John Montecalvo, 503; 4. Frank Gugliotta, 487; 5. Elijah Morton, 402; 6. Bob Bertsch, 338; 7. Rob Mansfield, 309; 8. Cary Goforth, 301; 9. Robert Patrick, 289; 10. Richard Freeman, 270.
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 $21.5 million Knoll Gas Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series is a 10-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2008, the series will be comprised of eight 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 85 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 Street Warriorz. More information can be found at NitroJam.com.
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.”
