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( Marion , Texas ; April 5, 2008) – Defending Torco Pro Stock World Champion Robert Patrick proved things have not changed much from October to now…his 2008 Shelby Cobra is the car the rest of the class is chasing. Patrick powered to the #1 qualifying spot in San Antonio with a 4.104 pass at 174.96 mph. His Saturday evening pass is just four thousandths off the current world record.
Patrick recently ran the quickest naturally aspirated pass in drag racing history during a test session in Valdosta, but when the chips were down he went back to his trusty friend.
“We had some very good test sessions with our new motor, but we went back to our racing engine from last year this evening and were able to run a strong number,” Patrick said. “My team works really hard. The starting line is really good but it’s a little softer down the track. We tumbled the tires a little bit but were still able to post a good number.”
Bruce Litton ( Indianapolis , Ind. ) backed up his strong Friday efforts by posting the quickest Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel pass of the Saturday evening session. Litton ended up holding on to the top qualifying spot with a 3.125/271.95 pass.
“This is a great way to start the season, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Litton said. “We’ll get to work servicing the car and see what happens Sunday. The class is very strong and we know it’ll take a nice pass every round if we hope to advance.”
Bob Gilbertson ( Gastonia , N.C. ) held on to the Nitro Funny Car pole position while
Defending Torco Pro Modified champion Scott Cannon ( Lyman , S.C. ) ended up on top of the qualifying sheet at the Texas Nationals, carding a 3.967/188.12 pass Saturday evening to edge Mike Janis ( Lancaster , N.Y. ).
Laurie Cannister ( Johnstown , Ohio ) made a statement during Saturday evening Alcohol Funny Car qualifying. Cannister set the IHRA AFC speed world record and also claimed the ET mark with her 3.731/197.94 pass. Actually her ET was too quick to be backed up, but her Saturday evening run backed up her 3.788 afternoon pass.
“This is a great team,” Cannister said. “We’re thrilled to be out here racing again.”
The Amalie Oil Texas Nationals will continue Sunday with final eliminations beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Pro Stock and Pro Modified. Alcohol Funny Car and the Nitro Classes kick off eliminations at noon.
MARION, Texas -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts and The San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway, the first of 11 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.
Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 3.125 seconds, 271.95 mph vs. 5. Spencer Massey, 3.245, 257.33; 2. Mike Strasburg, 3.168, 258.81 vs. 6. Scott Palmer, 3.256, 245.05; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 3.193, 265.01 vs. 7. Kevin Jones, 3.259, 213.87; 4. Terry McMillen, 3.204, 254.04 vs. 8. Chris Karamesines, 3.270, 251.11.
Pro Modified -- 1. Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 3.967, 188.60 vs. 9. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 4.063, 183.27; 2. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 3.972, 188.65 vs. 10. Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 4.079, 174.57; 3. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 3.996, 184.90 vs. 11. Mike Castellana, Firebird, 4.121, 176.40; 4. Thomas Patterson, Willys, 4.005, 186.48 vs. 12. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 4.160, 181.47; 5. Burton Auxier, Chevy Corvette, 4.022, 181.86 vs. 13. Quain Stott, Corvette, 4.176, 181.86; 6. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 4.024, 185.41 vs. 14. Billy Gibson, Plymouth Superbird, 4.250, 174.12; 7. Scotty Cannon, Firebird, 4.027, 185.64 vs. 15. Steven Wiley, Camaro, 4.278, 168.49; 8. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 4.039, 181.94 vs. 16. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 4.299, 164.33.
Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 3.731, 197.94 vs. 5. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 3.872, 193.54; 2. Dale Brand, Camaro, 3.813, 192.77 vs. 6. Mark Thomas, Chevy Impala, 3.877, 190.70; 3. Thomas Carter, Camaro, 3.850, 194.13 vs. 7. Tim Stevens, Dodge Stratus, 3.893, 191.40; 4. Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, 3.851, 189.95 vs. 8. Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 3.897, 194.44.
Pro Stock -- 1. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 4.104, 174.96 vs. 9. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 4.176, 172.36; 2. Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 4.117, 175.21 vs. 10. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 4.177, 174.30; 3. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 4.119, 175.23 vs. 11. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 4.184, 173.12; 4. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 4.128, 174.21 vs. 12. Scott Hintz, Mustang, 4.199, 170.43; 5. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 4.141, 174.53 vs. 13. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 4.202, 171.29; 6. Dean Goforth, Pontiac GTO, 4.148, 173.49 vs. 14. Chuck DeMory, Mustang, 4.216, 170.77; 7. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 4.163, 173.87 vs. 15. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 4.228, 170.90; 8. Rob Mansfield, GTO, 4.170, 172.83 vs. 16. Cale Aronson, Escort, 4.269, 169.96.
Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 3.353, 255.92 vs. 5. Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 3.440, 243.28; 2. Terry Haddock, Stratus, 3.425, 240.81 vs. 6. Jack Wyatt, Stratus, 3.444, 252.38; 3. Matt Hagan, Chevy Monte Carlo, 3.428, 233.60 vs. 7. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 3.463, 247.84; 4. Jeff Diehl, Monte Carlo, 3.436, 256.89 vs. 8. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 3.469, 242.28.
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 an 11-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.”
Patrick in Mid-Season Form at Texas Nationals; Claims First Pro Stock Pole of Season at San Antonio Raceway
Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Bob Gilbertson (Nitro Funny Car), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car) and Scott Cannon (Pro Mod) also claim #1 qualifying positions at Knoll Gas Nitro Jam season-opener
( Marion , Texas ; April 5, 2008) – Defending Torco Pro Stock World Champion Robert Patrick proved things have not changed much from October to now…his 2008 Shelby Cobra is the car the rest of the class is chasing. Patrick powered to the #1 qualifying spot in San Antonio with a 4.104 pass at 174.96 mph. His Saturday evening pass is just four thousandths off the current world record.
Patrick recently ran the quickest naturally aspirated pass in drag racing history during a test session in Valdosta, but when the chips were down he went back to his trusty friend.
“We had some very good test sessions with our new motor, but we went back to our racing engine from last year this evening and were able to run a strong number,” Patrick said. “My team works really hard. The starting line is really good but it’s a little softer down the track. We tumbled the tires a little bit but were still able to post a good number.”
Bruce Litton ( Indianapolis , Ind. ) backed up his strong Friday efforts by posting the quickest Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel pass of the Saturday evening session. Litton ended up holding on to the top qualifying spot with a 3.125/271.95 pass.
“This is a great way to start the season, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Litton said. “We’ll get to work servicing the car and see what happens Sunday. The class is very strong and we know it’ll take a nice pass every round if we hope to advance.”
Bob Gilbertson ( Gastonia , N.C. ) held on to the Nitro Funny Car pole position while
Defending Torco Pro Modified champion Scott Cannon ( Lyman , S.C. ) ended up on top of the qualifying sheet at the Texas Nationals, carding a 3.967/188.12 pass Saturday evening to edge Mike Janis ( Lancaster , N.Y. ).
Laurie Cannister ( Johnstown , Ohio ) made a statement during Saturday evening Alcohol Funny Car qualifying. Cannister set the IHRA AFC speed world record and also claimed the ET mark with her 3.731/197.94 pass. Actually her ET was too quick to be backed up, but her Saturday evening run backed up her 3.788 afternoon pass.
“This is a great team,” Cannister said. “We’re thrilled to be out here racing again.”
The Amalie Oil Texas Nationals will continue Sunday with final eliminations beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Pro Stock and Pro Modified. Alcohol Funny Car and the Nitro Classes kick off eliminations at noon.
MARION, Texas -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts and The San Antonio Express-News at San Antonio Raceway, the first of 11 events in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.
Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 3.125 seconds, 271.95 mph vs. 5. Spencer Massey, 3.245, 257.33; 2. Mike Strasburg, 3.168, 258.81 vs. 6. Scott Palmer, 3.256, 245.05; 3. Bobby Lagana Jr., 3.193, 265.01 vs. 7. Kevin Jones, 3.259, 213.87; 4. Terry McMillen, 3.204, 254.04 vs. 8. Chris Karamesines, 3.270, 251.11.
Pro Modified -- 1. Scott Cannon, Pontiac Firebird, 3.967, 188.60 vs. 9. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 4.063, 183.27; 2. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 3.972, 188.65 vs. 10. Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 4.079, 174.57; 3. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 3.996, 184.90 vs. 11. Mike Castellana, Firebird, 4.121, 176.40; 4. Thomas Patterson, Willys, 4.005, 186.48 vs. 12. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Bel Air, 4.160, 181.47; 5. Burton Auxier, Chevy Corvette, 4.022, 181.86 vs. 13. Quain Stott, Corvette, 4.176, 181.86; 6. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 4.024, 185.41 vs. 14. Billy Gibson, Plymouth Superbird, 4.250, 174.12; 7. Scotty Cannon, Firebird, 4.027, 185.64 vs. 15. Steven Wiley, Camaro, 4.278, 168.49; 8. Jason Hamstra, Camaro, 4.039, 181.94 vs. 16. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 4.299, 164.33.
Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 3.731, 197.94 vs. 5. Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 3.872, 193.54; 2. Dale Brand, Camaro, 3.813, 192.77 vs. 6. Mark Thomas, Chevy Impala, 3.877, 190.70; 3. Thomas Carter, Camaro, 3.850, 194.13 vs. 7. Tim Stevens, Dodge Stratus, 3.893, 191.40; 4. Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, 3.851, 189.95 vs. 8. Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 3.897, 194.44.
Pro Stock -- 1. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 4.104, 174.96 vs. 9. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 4.176, 172.36; 2. Frank Gugliotta, Mustang, 4.117, 175.21 vs. 10. John Montecalvo, Chevy Cobalt, 4.177, 174.30; 3. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 4.119, 175.23 vs. 11. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 4.184, 173.12; 4. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 4.128, 174.21 vs. 12. Scott Hintz, Mustang, 4.199, 170.43; 5. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 4.141, 174.53 vs. 13. Richard Freeman, Cobalt, 4.202, 171.29; 6. Dean Goforth, Pontiac GTO, 4.148, 173.49 vs. 14. Chuck DeMory, Mustang, 4.216, 170.77; 7. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 4.163, 173.87 vs. 15. Jason Collins, Cobalt, 4.228, 170.90; 8. Rob Mansfield, GTO, 4.170, 172.83 vs. 16. Cale Aronson, Escort, 4.269, 169.96.
Nitro Funny Car -- 1. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 3.353, 255.92 vs. 5. Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 3.440, 243.28; 2. Terry Haddock, Stratus, 3.425, 240.81 vs. 6. Jack Wyatt, Stratus, 3.444, 252.38; 3. Matt Hagan, Chevy Monte Carlo, 3.428, 233.60 vs. 7. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 3.463, 247.84; 4. Jeff Diehl, Monte Carlo, 3.436, 256.89 vs. 8. Steven Macklyn, Monte Carlo, 3.469, 242.28.
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 an 11-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.”
