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ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 20, 2007) – Pro Modified driver Scott Cannon Jr. of Lyman, S.C., shattered the Rockingham Dragway track record Saturday, qualified No. 1 for Sunday’s 12th annual Knoll Gas Nitro Jam World Finals presented by the U.S. Air Force and, in the process, clinched the IHRA season championship.
By qualifying No. 1 the second generation pro increased his points lead over Mike Janis to an insurmountable 82 points, adding his first IHRA title to the six earned in the 1990s by his dad, Scotty Cannon.
Not to be outdone, the elder Cannon followed his son’s lead and will start Sunday from the No.1 position in the featured Top Fuel division after recording a best of 4.603 seconds at 307.72 miles per hour. It’s the first time in drag racing history that a father and son have led the pro qualifying in the same event.
Scott Cannon, who will be bidding Sunday for his third straight Rockingham victory, was clocked in 5.969 seconds at 239.27 miles per hour Saturday in the replica 1966 Pontiac Firebird in which he set the national record earlier last month at Budds Creek, Md. (5.938 seconds).
Other No. 1 qualifiers were Bob Gilbertson of Charlotte in Nitro Funny Car; points leader Pete Berner of Crete, Ill., in Pro Stock; and Laurie Cannister of Johnstown, Ohio, in Alcohol Funny Car.
Berner, driving a 2007 Pontiac GTO, equaled the existing national record in Pro Stock with a time of 6.281 seconds at 220.80 mph. He will move into Sunday eliminations leading Robert Patrick of Fredericksburg , Va. , by 10 points in one of the three races still undecided. As the No. 1 and No. 2 qualifiers, Berner and Patrick could meet in a decisive final round on Sunday.
For Scotty Cannon, 45, it was a good news, bad news Saturday. The good news was his No. 1 qualifying effort, the first of his Top Fuel career; the bad was that he was mathematically eliminated from a points race which will be decided in the first two rounds on Sunday. If both win in the first round, current leader T.J. Zizzo of Lincolnshire , Ill. , and perennial title runner-up Bruce Litton of Indianapolis would meet in round two to determine who gets the $150,000 bonus.
The third undecided points race, that for the Alcohol Funny Car title, could be decided in a first round race between former champion Rob Atchison of London, Ontario, Canada, and Cannister, who recorded a career best 5.669 at a track record speed of 246.89 mph to qualify No. 1. Atchison , down 35 points to Mark Thomas, must win to keep his slim title hopes alive.
ROCKINGHAM , N.C. – First round pairings for Sunday’s 12th annual Knoll Gas Nitro Jam World Finals presented by the U.S. Air Force at Rockingham Dragway:
TOP FUEL – 1. Scotty Cannon, Lyman , S.C. , 4.603, 307.72 mph, vs. 5. Bobby Lagana Jr., Scarsdale , N.Y. , 4.733, 309.56 mph; 2. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis , Ind. , 4.617, 314.83, vs. 6. Luigi Novelli, Crete , Ill. , 4.760, 291.82 mph; 3. Terry McMillen, Elkhart , Ind. , 4.617, 314.83 mph, vs. 7. Jeff O’Neill, Harrisburg , Pa. , 4.841, 301.33 mph;
4. T.J. Zizzo, Lincolnshire , Ill. , 4.622, 321.42 mph, vs. 8. Dave Gallegos, St. Mary’s, Kan. , 4.907, 286.01 mph.
NITRO FUNNY CAR – 1. Bob Gilbertson, Charlotte , N.C. , 2005 Dodge Stratus, 4.916, 305.91 mph, vs. 5. Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher , Ill. , 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo , 5.033, 290.88 mph; 2. Cory Lee, Oceanside , Calif. , 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.931, 305.22 mph, vs. 6. Jack Wyatt, Corydon , Iowa , 2006 Dodge Stratus, 5.067, 283.19 mph; 3. Terry Haddock, Lynnwood , Wash. , 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.981, 292.27 mph, vs. 7. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Teas, 2001 Chevy Camaro, 5.075, 284.99 mph; 4. Jeff Diehl, Salinas , Calif. , 2000 Pontiac Firebird, 4.985, 304.37 mph, vs. 8. Andy Kelley, Piedmont , S.C. , 2002 Pontiac Firebird, 5.205, 285.41 mph.
PRO MODIFIED – 1. Scott Cannon, Lyman , S.C. , 1966 Pontiac Firebird, 5.969, 239.27 mph, vs. 9. Tony Pontieri, Bolton , Ontario , Canada , 1957 Chevy Bel Air, 6.082, 234.53 mph; 2. Mike Stawicki, Medina , N.Y. , 1967 Chevy Camaro, 5.979, 233.16 mph, vs. 10. Chris Russo, Cedar Grove , N.J. , 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.084, 229.90 mph; 3. Mike Janis, Lancaster , N.Y. , 2007 Chevy Cobalt, 6.008, 237.13 mph, vs. 11. Matt Hagan, Christiansburg , Va. , 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.095, 233.80 mph; 4. Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe , Manitoba , Canada , 1953 Chevy Corvette, 6.016, 236.42 mph, vs. 12. Mark Nielsen, Brandford , Ontario , Canada , 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.104, 234.17 mph; 5. Chip King, Semora , N.C. , 1969 Dodge Daytona, 6.017, 230.06 mph, vs. 13. Pat Stoken, Eureka , Mont. , 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.122, 231.56 mph; 6. Quain Stott, Columbus , N.C. , 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.056, 235.93 mph, vs. 14. Burton Auxier, Dixie, West Va. , 1953 Chevy Corvette, 6.143, 224.43 mph; 7. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa , Ala. , 2007 Pontiac GTO, 6.077, 231.16 mph, vs. 15. Jason Hamstra, Demotte, Ind. , 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.162, 229.20 mph; 8. Jim Halsey, Street, Md. , 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.081, 231.28 mph, vs. 16. Tommy Gray, Baltimore , Md. , 2007 Pontiac GTO, 6.174, 233.72 mph.
PRO STOCK – 1. Pete Berner, Crete , Ill. , 2006 Pontiac GTO, 6.281, 220.80 mph, vs. 9. Brian Gahm, Lucasville , Ohio , 2007 Ford Mustang, 6.345, 220.22 mph.
2. Robert Patrick, Fredericksburg , Va. , 2006 Ford Shelby Mustang, 6.291, 220.04 mph, vs. 10. Dean Goforth, Holdenville , Okla. , 2007 Pontiac GTO, 6.348, 218.69 mph; 3. John Nobile, Dix Hills , N.Y. , 2008 Ford Mustang, 6.305, 219.47 mph, vs. 11. Bob Bertsch, Willis , Mich. , 2007 Ford Mustang, 6.351, 219.58 mph; 4. Cary Goforth, Holdenville , Okla. , 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.313, 219.54 mph, vs. 12. John Montecalvo, Center Moriches , N.Y. , 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.355, 219.72 mph; 5. Jeff Dobbins, Wilmington , N.C. , 2006 Ford Escort, 6.319, 220.66 mph, vs. 13. Elijah Morton, Jacksonville , N.C. , 2007 Ford Escort, 6.378, 199.79 mph; 6. Frank Gugliotta, Mt. Airy, Md. , 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.324, 218.62 mph, vs. 14. Dan Sweeney, Groton , Mass. , 2006 Pontiac GTO, 6.385, 216.39 mph; 7. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.337, 212.22 mph, vs. 15. Tommy Lee, Statesville , N.C. , 2007 Ford Mustang, 6.429, 215.24 mph; 8. Steve Spiess, Manhattan , Ill. , 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.342, 219.09 mph, vs. 16. Rob Atchison, London , Ontario , Canada , 2003 Pontiac Firebird, 5.788, 243.41 mph.
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR – 1. Laurie Cannister, Johnstown , Ohio , 1999 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.669, 246.89 mph, vs. 5. Rob Atchison, London , Ontario , Canada , 2003 Pontiac Firebird, 5.788, 243.41 mph; 2. Mark Thomas, Louisville , Ohio , 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo , 5.719, 245.18 mph, vs. 6. Melinda Green-King, Norfolk , Va. , 2007 Ford Mustang, 5.808, 240.99 mph; 3. Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa. , 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo , 5.739, 242.45 mph, vs. 7. Tim Stevens, Dorr , Mich. , 2006 Dodge Stratus, 5.826, 214.89 mph;4. Neal Parker, Millville, N.J., 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 5.767, 241.76 mph, vs. 8. Bunny Burkett, Spotsylvania , Pa. , 2006 Dodge Avenger, 5.833, 239.95 mph.
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 an 11-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2007, 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 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. 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.”
Scott Cannon Clinches Pro Mod World Championship with No. 1 Qualifying Effort in Rockingham
Father Scotty Cannon Sr. shares spotlight as No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 20, 2007) – Pro Modified driver Scott Cannon Jr. of Lyman, S.C., shattered the Rockingham Dragway track record Saturday, qualified No. 1 for Sunday’s 12th annual Knoll Gas Nitro Jam World Finals presented by the U.S. Air Force and, in the process, clinched the IHRA season championship.
By qualifying No. 1 the second generation pro increased his points lead over Mike Janis to an insurmountable 82 points, adding his first IHRA title to the six earned in the 1990s by his dad, Scotty Cannon.
Not to be outdone, the elder Cannon followed his son’s lead and will start Sunday from the No.1 position in the featured Top Fuel division after recording a best of 4.603 seconds at 307.72 miles per hour. It’s the first time in drag racing history that a father and son have led the pro qualifying in the same event.
Scott Cannon, who will be bidding Sunday for his third straight Rockingham victory, was clocked in 5.969 seconds at 239.27 miles per hour Saturday in the replica 1966 Pontiac Firebird in which he set the national record earlier last month at Budds Creek, Md. (5.938 seconds).
Other No. 1 qualifiers were Bob Gilbertson of Charlotte in Nitro Funny Car; points leader Pete Berner of Crete, Ill., in Pro Stock; and Laurie Cannister of Johnstown, Ohio, in Alcohol Funny Car.
Berner, driving a 2007 Pontiac GTO, equaled the existing national record in Pro Stock with a time of 6.281 seconds at 220.80 mph. He will move into Sunday eliminations leading Robert Patrick of Fredericksburg , Va. , by 10 points in one of the three races still undecided. As the No. 1 and No. 2 qualifiers, Berner and Patrick could meet in a decisive final round on Sunday.
For Scotty Cannon, 45, it was a good news, bad news Saturday. The good news was his No. 1 qualifying effort, the first of his Top Fuel career; the bad was that he was mathematically eliminated from a points race which will be decided in the first two rounds on Sunday. If both win in the first round, current leader T.J. Zizzo of Lincolnshire , Ill. , and perennial title runner-up Bruce Litton of Indianapolis would meet in round two to determine who gets the $150,000 bonus.
The third undecided points race, that for the Alcohol Funny Car title, could be decided in a first round race between former champion Rob Atchison of London, Ontario, Canada, and Cannister, who recorded a career best 5.669 at a track record speed of 246.89 mph to qualify No. 1. Atchison , down 35 points to Mark Thomas, must win to keep his slim title hopes alive.
ROCKINGHAM , N.C. – First round pairings for Sunday’s 12th annual Knoll Gas Nitro Jam World Finals presented by the U.S. Air Force at Rockingham Dragway:
TOP FUEL – 1. Scotty Cannon, Lyman , S.C. , 4.603, 307.72 mph, vs. 5. Bobby Lagana Jr., Scarsdale , N.Y. , 4.733, 309.56 mph; 2. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis , Ind. , 4.617, 314.83, vs. 6. Luigi Novelli, Crete , Ill. , 4.760, 291.82 mph; 3. Terry McMillen, Elkhart , Ind. , 4.617, 314.83 mph, vs. 7. Jeff O’Neill, Harrisburg , Pa. , 4.841, 301.33 mph;
4. T.J. Zizzo, Lincolnshire , Ill. , 4.622, 321.42 mph, vs. 8. Dave Gallegos, St. Mary’s, Kan. , 4.907, 286.01 mph.
NITRO FUNNY CAR – 1. Bob Gilbertson, Charlotte , N.C. , 2005 Dodge Stratus, 4.916, 305.91 mph, vs. 5. Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher , Ill. , 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo , 5.033, 290.88 mph; 2. Cory Lee, Oceanside , Calif. , 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.931, 305.22 mph, vs. 6. Jack Wyatt, Corydon , Iowa , 2006 Dodge Stratus, 5.067, 283.19 mph; 3. Terry Haddock, Lynnwood , Wash. , 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.981, 292.27 mph, vs. 7. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Teas, 2001 Chevy Camaro, 5.075, 284.99 mph; 4. Jeff Diehl, Salinas , Calif. , 2000 Pontiac Firebird, 4.985, 304.37 mph, vs. 8. Andy Kelley, Piedmont , S.C. , 2002 Pontiac Firebird, 5.205, 285.41 mph.
PRO MODIFIED – 1. Scott Cannon, Lyman , S.C. , 1966 Pontiac Firebird, 5.969, 239.27 mph, vs. 9. Tony Pontieri, Bolton , Ontario , Canada , 1957 Chevy Bel Air, 6.082, 234.53 mph; 2. Mike Stawicki, Medina , N.Y. , 1967 Chevy Camaro, 5.979, 233.16 mph, vs. 10. Chris Russo, Cedar Grove , N.J. , 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.084, 229.90 mph; 3. Mike Janis, Lancaster , N.Y. , 2007 Chevy Cobalt, 6.008, 237.13 mph, vs. 11. Matt Hagan, Christiansburg , Va. , 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.095, 233.80 mph; 4. Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe , Manitoba , Canada , 1953 Chevy Corvette, 6.016, 236.42 mph, vs. 12. Mark Nielsen, Brandford , Ontario , Canada , 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.104, 234.17 mph; 5. Chip King, Semora , N.C. , 1969 Dodge Daytona, 6.017, 230.06 mph, vs. 13. Pat Stoken, Eureka , Mont. , 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.122, 231.56 mph; 6. Quain Stott, Columbus , N.C. , 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.056, 235.93 mph, vs. 14. Burton Auxier, Dixie, West Va. , 1953 Chevy Corvette, 6.143, 224.43 mph; 7. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa , Ala. , 2007 Pontiac GTO, 6.077, 231.16 mph, vs. 15. Jason Hamstra, Demotte, Ind. , 1963 Chevy Corvette, 6.162, 229.20 mph; 8. Jim Halsey, Street, Md. , 1968 Chevy Camaro, 6.081, 231.28 mph, vs. 16. Tommy Gray, Baltimore , Md. , 2007 Pontiac GTO, 6.174, 233.72 mph.
PRO STOCK – 1. Pete Berner, Crete , Ill. , 2006 Pontiac GTO, 6.281, 220.80 mph, vs. 9. Brian Gahm, Lucasville , Ohio , 2007 Ford Mustang, 6.345, 220.22 mph.
2. Robert Patrick, Fredericksburg , Va. , 2006 Ford Shelby Mustang, 6.291, 220.04 mph, vs. 10. Dean Goforth, Holdenville , Okla. , 2007 Pontiac GTO, 6.348, 218.69 mph; 3. John Nobile, Dix Hills , N.Y. , 2008 Ford Mustang, 6.305, 219.47 mph, vs. 11. Bob Bertsch, Willis , Mich. , 2007 Ford Mustang, 6.351, 219.58 mph; 4. Cary Goforth, Holdenville , Okla. , 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.313, 219.54 mph, vs. 12. John Montecalvo, Center Moriches , N.Y. , 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.355, 219.72 mph; 5. Jeff Dobbins, Wilmington , N.C. , 2006 Ford Escort, 6.319, 220.66 mph, vs. 13. Elijah Morton, Jacksonville , N.C. , 2007 Ford Escort, 6.378, 199.79 mph; 6. Frank Gugliotta, Mt. Airy, Md. , 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.324, 218.62 mph, vs. 14. Dan Sweeney, Groton , Mass. , 2006 Pontiac GTO, 6.385, 216.39 mph; 7. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.337, 212.22 mph, vs. 15. Tommy Lee, Statesville , N.C. , 2007 Ford Mustang, 6.429, 215.24 mph; 8. Steve Spiess, Manhattan , Ill. , 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.342, 219.09 mph, vs. 16. Rob Atchison, London , Ontario , Canada , 2003 Pontiac Firebird, 5.788, 243.41 mph.
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR – 1. Laurie Cannister, Johnstown , Ohio , 1999 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.669, 246.89 mph, vs. 5. Rob Atchison, London , Ontario , Canada , 2003 Pontiac Firebird, 5.788, 243.41 mph; 2. Mark Thomas, Louisville , Ohio , 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo , 5.719, 245.18 mph, vs. 6. Melinda Green-King, Norfolk , Va. , 2007 Ford Mustang, 5.808, 240.99 mph; 3. Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa. , 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo , 5.739, 242.45 mph, vs. 7. Tim Stevens, Dorr , Mich. , 2006 Dodge Stratus, 5.826, 214.89 mph;4. Neal Parker, Millville, N.J., 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 5.767, 241.76 mph, vs. 8. Bunny Burkett, Spotsylvania , Pa. , 2006 Dodge Avenger, 5.833, 239.95 mph.
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 an 11-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2007, 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 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. 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.”
