IHRA Texas Nationals

[rebelracewriter]

IHRA Hooters Racing Series, Amalie Motor Oil, Texas Nationals

Presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks, and R.V.’s @ San Antonio Raceway

By J M Hallas

Millican backs up new IHRA World Record

Clay Millican wasted little time in backing up his 4.591 run from Saturday night, posting a 4.608 @ 312.86 in first round elimination win over Bob Hallock. The run made San Antonio Raceway the quickest IHRA track in history. Underdog, Spring Branch, Texas driver Donald Sosenka pulled an upset win against number two qualifier Rhonda Hartman-Smith in round one when Hartman-Smith spun the tires at half track. Sosenka’s Cinderella story came to an end in round two when John Smith(Rhonda’s husband) put Sosenka away after experiencing problems. This set the finals between Millican, who beat Bruce Litton in a good side by side battle in round two, and Smith. Smith knew he had work cut out against the winningest Top Fuel driver in IHRA. As the pro tree lit, Smith got out first, but way too early drawing the red light start. Millican from Drummond, Tenn. pasted up another sub 4.60 run, 4.598 @ 319.98 MPH, to grab the victory in his Werner Enterprises/Lehman Racing/Brad Anderson Engines/2003 Brad Hadman Chassis. Millican, who won 11 of 12 events last year, has only lost one round since 2001, and was his best effort since Cordova last year.

Consistency pays off for M. Stott

With consistent runs, Mitch Stott marched through the Pro Modified field on his way to the final round win over Houston’s Thomas Patterson. The Mill Spring, N.C. driver posted times of 6.237, 6.230, 6.225 and 6.243 to put the Radiac Abrasives/Jimmy Rector Engines/Tommy Monroe Chassis/63 Corvette in the winners circle @ 227.46 MPH. Patterson made his way to the finals with wins Chip King, top qualifier Mike Janis and Freddie Hahn who broke on the starting line.

Long Shot takes Funny Car honors

If you had five time world champ and number one qualifier, Mark Thomas in the finals against # 331 in last years standings, what would be the odds? Well, Tommy Bogolo beat those long odds as he put hole shot on the champ grabbing a . 05 advantage on the launch. Bogolo, from Hamilton, Ohio, ran a 5.901 @ 240.51 MPH to take Funny Car trophy in his Valco/Southern Racing Engines/Ram Jet Race Products/Logo Masters/1999 Olds Achieva.

MOPAR Gets first IHRA Pro Stock win since 1979

The finals of Pro Stock pitted last year’s champion Brian Gahm against Rick Jones. Jones tattooed Gahm on the lights, taking the lead by nearly 1/10th of a second, which is an eternity in Pro Stock. Gahm ran a quicker time, but the starting lead was enough for the Galesburg, Ill. pilot to take top honors, with Jones’ 6.635 @ 209.14 MPH being enough to beat Gahm’s quicker 6.613. Jones’ Quarter-Max/Kaase Engines/RJ Chassis/2002 Dodge Neon–yep Neon, was the first MOPAR win in 24 years, as well the first final round appearance since 1989.

Sportsman Class Finals

In Top Stock finals, Kevin Helms, Mineola, Tx. ran a 10.601 @ 129.77 MPH to beat Monty Bogans 10.171 @ 129.39 to put his 1969 396ci Chevy Camero in victory lane.

Portales, N.M. driver, Craig Hughes used a perfect .500 light to take the win over Britt Cummings in Top Sportsman. Hughes in his Hughes Trailer Sales/572ci/Dodge Charger ran a 7.613 on a 7.59 dial in at 182.40 MPH to win by a .0175 margin.(an eyelash)

After a starting line burn down, Britt Cummings made up for his Top Sportsman loss. The Hammond, La. driver in his Parts Pro/632ci Chevy/2000 Worthy Chassis ran a near-perfect 7.554 on a 7.55 dial in and a .509 light on his way to the Top Dragster crown by beating Steve Albritton.

The wheel standing Super Stocks had an odd final with both cars bringing out the red light on the start. Ft. Worth, Tx. native Don Grant got the win over JB Clegg in his Stampede Oil/302ci/Pontiac Trans Am, coming from the last qualifying position posting a 10.214 @ 130.43 MPH.

It was an all Hall finals as the brothers from Sweeny, Tx. Rusty and Steven Hall squared off in a pair of identical(except for color) 1968 Ford Mustangs. Both broke out on their dial index, but Steven was the closest to his and grabbed the victory in the Hall Brothers Racing/Total Body/428ci/Mustang with a 10.611 @ 121.85 MPH.

In Super Rod, it was another Cummings, this time Slate, with another near-perfect run taking the honors ahead of Brian Folk. S. Cummings left with a .409 light then ran a 9.906 on a 9.90 break out, to snag the win in the Huntsville Engines/396 ci/Chevy Corvette.

Ben Massey was first to the line in Quick Rod, but broke out giving the top spot to Jeromy Hefler. Hefler from Kennedale, Tx., piloted his Buz Post Pontiac/454ci/2001 Dragster at a 8.915 @ 158.33 MPH on a 8.90 dial index, while Massey ran a 8.866 for the break out.

Hot Rod saw another break out win, this time by Eric Sandlin from Eunice, Tx. as he put down a 10.902 on a 10.9 index, while Stephen Lawson was too quick at 10.882. Sandlin drove the 1973 454ci Chevy Camero sponsored by Mike Smith Machine Shop to a speed of 119.04 MPH

Jeff Carter got the win the Electronic class when Jeffery Speer lit the red. Carter ran a 12.018 @ 108.16 MPH in his 1972 Duster powered by a 340ci motor.

In the no box finals David Bixler and Michael Pearson both broke out, but Bixler was the least under his index of 9.45 running a 9.416 in his Hendrick Automotive/1923 Ford T-Roadster w/ 522ci Chevy power plant.

The Bracket, “King of the Hill” was also taken by the San Antonio native, Bixler. Despite a three-second leave advantage by Carter, Bixler was able to run him down at the finish line posting a 9.434 @ 130.36 MPH.

 

Texas Nationals Awards Winners.

Best Engineered Pro car went to the Pro Stock of John Bartunek in his 2002 Chevy Cavalier.

Best Appearing Pro car was Thomas Patterson in his radical 41 Willys Coupe, Pro Modified.

Best Appearing Pro Crew went to the Top Fuel team of Rhonda Hartman-Smith.

Jim Hanig won Best Engineered Sportsman car for his 2001 Mercury Cougar Super Stock.

Ed Stuart took Best Appearing Sportsman car with his 1938 Chevy Super Rod.

The team of Rick Wickline won honors in Best Appearing Crew.

Drag Review Editor’s Choice winner was the Super Rod of Wesley Brieten with his 1965 MGB.

The Jerry Haas Race Cars Pro Stock Grand Slam award went to top qualifier Charlie Peppers.

Rhonda Hartman-Smith took the Bazell Top Fuel bonus.

Charlie Peppers, Jason Collins, Doug Kirk and Rick Jones were the SUNOCO Pro Stock Shootout qualifiers.

 

Writers Notes. I want to thank all the IHRA officials for side-stepping a few rules to allow me to cover the event. Jim Marchyshyn for all his help throughout the event with driver info, qualifying and elimination results, and answering all my questions. To the ladies that kept us fed well over the entire weekend, with some great food. The crew from Fast News, Larry and Rick, for letting me kibitz in on their computer-generated start to finish times/speeds. Todd and Judy Zampese who put a lot on the line to bring in a show of this caliber to the San Antonio area.