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IHRA Swings into Canada for Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton Fifth race of 2008 season will provide halfway point of IHRA Nitro Jam Schedule
Norwalk, Ohio (June 19, 2008) – With the 2008 season championship points races heating up IHRA will head to Canada for the first of two Canadian races this season July 4-6. The CARS RV & Marine & Motorsport Rocky Mountain Nationals Presented by Torco Racing Fuels at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton will bring the thrill of the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam to the rabid racing fans in Western Canada for the sixth time since the race’s inception in 2003. It is one of the hottest tickets in town and consistently sets attendance records as each year the nitro frenzy grows in what is known as “ Festival City ” and one of the largest cities in North America area-wise.
While the City of Edmonton has embraced IHRA and the Rocky Mountain Nationals, the drivers have slowly warmed to Castrol Raceway. The longest haul on the circuit for most racers, many drivers have been reticent to make the long trip over the years. Those who have been to the facility, and have experienced the passion and enthusiasm of the drag racing fans in Alberta , would not miss the race for the world.
“I absolutely love that place,” Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel Top Fuel driver Bobby Lagana Jr. said of Castrol Raceway. “The fans are unbelievable. My entire life my one true love has been drag racing and coming to a city like Edmonton , where it seems like the entire town is in love with drag racing, always makes for a special weekend. Every year so many fans thank us for coming out there to race. Heck, we should be thanking them for coming out to watch us. Drivers who complain about the long tow should stop and think for a minute about how rabid and appreciative the fans in Edmonton are. I love it.”
A Scarsdale , N.Y. resident, it is a 2,500 mile trip each way for Lagana and his crew. But after his recent success at the President’s Cup Nationals in Maryland it will probably seem to the race team like a trip to the corner store.
“Yes, we’re having a great time,” Lagana said. “We really needed that win at MIR and the circumstances surrounding it made it that much sweeter. After the race in the winner’s circle I told the media I have everything I could possibly want. And I do.”
There are a number of adjectives you could use to describe Lagana’s win in Maryland …inspirational, unexpected, emotional…all applicable. It was the first time his younger brother Dom was officially the Crew Chief on the team’s 2004 Hadman Dragster. He wrenched the team to a Father’s Day win with family patriarch Bob Lagana Sr. looking on. The elder Lagana also got his hands dirty, helping to turn the car over between elimination rounds.
The victory also came at a critical time for the team as it put it right back in the middle of the 2008 Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel points chase. Lagana had a pedestrian 1-3 record in elimination rounds heading into the President’s Cup Nationals. He was in danger of watching his championship hopes slip away. However, after the race at MIR the points standings have tightened up considerably. Defending champion Bruce Litton, who won at the Motor City Nationals, currently leads the points chase with 383 points. Spencer Massey, the Top Fuel rookie who won the first two events on the 2008 schedule, is second with 253 points. Mike Strasburg is third with 296 points while Lagana sits fourth with 295. Scott Palmer rounds out the top five with 222 points.
Defending World Champion Dale Creasy Jr. ( Beecher , Ill. ) moved into the 2008 Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car points lead following his final-round victory over Todd Simpson at Maryland International Raceway. Creasy won an amazing six national events in 2007 and won his second career event, in 2006, at Castrol Raceway.
“We love racing in Canada ,” Creasy said. “Our first career win was in Canada at Grand Bend Motorplex and we won later in the season up in Edmonton . We love the track, love the city and really love the fans. The fans at Castrol Raceway create one of the greatest racing atmospheres you will find anywhere.”
Creasy leads Motor City Nationals winner Paul Lee by 45 points heading into Edmonton . Spring Rockingham champion Matt Hagan is third, 56 points back while Terry Haddock (74 points behind) and San Antonio champion Steven Macklyn (108 points behind) round out the top five.
Terry Haddock will enter Edmonton as the defending event champion. He knocked off Creasy in the final round last season to claim his first career Ironman.
The Torco Pro Modified class has been making news this season as true parity between the supercharged and nitrous entries has never been more evident. In 2008 two nitrous-assisted drivers, Jim Halsey in San Antonio and Mike Castellana in Maryland have visited the winner’s circle. The same supercharged driver, points leader Kenny Lang, has won the other two national events on the ’08 IHRA schedule.
Two nitrous drivers in particular have significantly increased their performance this season. Pat Stoken ran the quickest NOS pass in IHRA history when he clocked a 6.022 pass at Milan Dragway during the Motor City Nationals. Mike Castellana set the new speed mark en route to the Ironman in Maryland , blasting through the traps at 239.14 mph.
“Our nitrous guys have really stepped up, but Kenny Lang has been just as amazing this season,” IHRA senior director of race operations Mike Baker said. “Pro Modified has always been about parity, seeing how the supercharged guys measured up to the nitrous guys and vice versa. Everyone always talks about how IHRA is the true home of Pro Modified…well, the racers are the ones who make this true.”
Lang, on the strength of those two national event wins (one in Rockingham and one in Milan ) will enter the Rocky Mountain Nationals the 2008 points leader with 322 points. Jim Halsey is second with 256 points, Mike Castellana third with 254 points, defending champion Scott Cannon Jr. fourth with 241 points and Mike Janis fifth with 224 points.
Johnstown, Ohio’s Laurie Cannister has dominated IHRA’s Alcohol Funny Car class this season, rolling up an 11-1 round record in eliminations, qualifying #1 twice and winning three of four national events thus far in 2008. She has to be the odds-on favorite heading into the Rocky Mountain Nationals, but by no means will she have a cakewalk. Tom Carter won in Milan and set the IHRA speed record in the process with a backed-up 249.30 pass. Rob Atchison, a three-time world champion, has been to two final rounds this season. Seven-time world champion Mark Thomas seems to have things figured out after struggling earlier this season while Larry Dobbs had a stunning 254.14 pass at Maryland International Raceway, a number he was not able to back up but still the first AFC pass at over 250 mph in IHRA history.
Jeff Dobbins ( Wilmington , N.C. ) will enter the Rocky Mountain Nationals as the Torco Pro Stock points leader with 327 points. Elijah Morton (300 points), Frank Gugliotta (292 points), John Montecalvo (284 points) and Pete Berner (239 points) round out the top five.
The CARS RV & Marine & Motorsport Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Torco Racing Fuels will begin Friday, July 4 with professional and sportsman qualifying starting at 9:00am. Saturday will feature two Nitro qualifying sessions and IHRA’s legendary “Night of Fire.” Final eliminations will be held Sunday, July 6. For more information visit www.nitrojam.com or www.castrolraceway.com. Huge Advance Sale for Biggest Race in Nitro Jam Schedule Record-setting ticket sales to provide festive backdrop for CARS RV & Sport & Marine Rocky Mountain Nationals Presented by Torco Racing Fuels
NORWALK, OHIO; June 30, 2008 – The Canadian fans that pack Castrol Raceway in Edmonton for the Rocky Mountain Nationals keep upping the ante. For the third consecutive season the advance ticket sales are off the charts, setting records for duckets sold. The Rocky Mountain Nationals have come to the forefront as the premiere event on the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam schedule due to a variety of factors…the rabid passion of the fans, the hard work and forward thinking of track operators Rob and Kim Reeves and the commitment IHRA has made to making the Rocky Mountain Nationals something special.
“NHRA has the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and the rest of their events kind of lead up to that one,” IHRA president Aaron Polburn said. “We have the Rocky Mountain Nationals. While our other national event venues are strong with great fans, there is just a different kind of feeling when you walk into Castrol Raceway on race day. Rob Reeves and his entire team put on a great show but, honestly, you can find the major difference in the stands. Those fans are unbelievable.”
Case and point, Dr. Tom Carter has a memory of Castrol Raceway he will never forget.
“This was a couple of years ago. It was raining really hard and there was no way we were going to race for quite some time,” the Alcohol Funny Car driver from Cuero , Texas said. “I looked up in the stands and there were hundreds, literally hundreds, of fans sitting there having a great time. There was no shot we were going to get any racing in for hours but they were there having a blast. You just don’t find passion for drag racing like that anywhere else.”
Castrol Raceway in Edmonton is the Westernmost and Northernmost facility on the IHRA Nitro Jam national event schedule. It takes a strong commitment from IHRA racers to make the trip but, as defending Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel World Champion Bruce Litton said, the long haul is quickly forgotten when the energy and enthusiasm of the fans is felt.
“The fans in Edmonton make you feel special,” Litton said. “They are always so appreciative of you coming out to run in front of them. I know it’s a really long drive but you completely forget about it once you get there and spend time with those fans.”
The passionate fans are just one feature of a great race experience in Edmonton . Rob Reeves has provided another bonus for those racers who make the trip, spending over $100,000 to improve what was already one of the top racing surfaces on the IHRA circuit. He did so for one simple reason…to give something back to his racers.
“Realizing how much commitment and dedication to the series it takes for the IHRA stars to make the trip to Edmonton , it’s my job to ensure they are racing on the finest race track possible,” Reeves said. “I probably didn’t need to spend another $100,000 on new asphalt and a complete regrinding of the entire racing surface, but this event is a big deal to Western Canada and to the IHRA series. I’m going to do everything I can to make the trip worthwhile for the IHRA competitors who support the series.”
One of those IHRA competitors who are coming to support the series will be Torco Pro Modified driver Mike Janis. Janis has skipped the Edmonton before and it has cost him. In fact, two times during his IHRA career not attending the Rocky Mountain Nationals has cost Janis the world championship…once in 2004 and once last season.
“It’s going to be a long ride, but we are excited to race in front of all those great Edmonton fans,” Janis’ Crew Chief, Mike Janis Jr. said. “They make the whole trip worth the long drive.”
Top Fuel pilot Terry McMillen won his first career Top Fuel Ironman in Edmonton . He loves everything about the race.
“The fans are unbelievable,” he said. “They really make the place special. I’ve gotten over 200 e-mails over the last couple of weeks from people I’ve met in Edmonton who have taken an interest in my career. They follow what I’m doing all season and really come out to support everyone when we’re there…they will do anything for you. They want to take you out to eat, bring you gifts…all kinds of things.
“When you get to Castrol Raceway they make you feel like one of the family,” McMillen continued. “They’ll do anything for you and are really grateful IHRA comes out to put on such an entertaining program. To legitimately run for a world championship in IHRA you have to go to Edmonton . And once you get there you will have the time of your life.”
IHRA has incentives in place for drivers and teams who make the trip. There is a cash incentive in addition to a free car and driver and four free crew entries for each race team.
“I appreciate the crew passes and everything IHRA does for us,” Tom Carter said. “But the thing about Edmonton is the fans. I think they are the best fans anywhere. They appreciate us being there and appreciate the show we put on. And you make so many new friends up there. I can’t wait to get to Edmonton and can’t wait to get back in the car.”
The CARS RV & Marine & Motorsport Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Torco Racing Fuels will begin Friday, July 4 with professional and sportsman qualifying starting at 9:00am. Saturday will feature two Nitro qualifying sessions and IHRA’s legendary Cervus Contractors and JCB Heavy Equipment “Night of Fire.” Final eliminations, part of PartSource Championship Sunday, will be held Sunday, July 6. For more information visit www.nitrojam.com or www.castrolraceway.com.
Date Market Venue
April 4-6 San Antonio , TX San Antonio Raceway April 18-20 North and South Carolina Rockingham Dragway May 23-25 Detroit , MI Milan Dragway July 4-6 Edmonton , AB Castrol Raceway July 18-20 Grand Bend , ON Grand Bend Motorplex Aug. 1-3 Grand Rapids , MI Knoll Gas Motorsports Park Aug. 22-24 Tulsa , OK Tulsa Raceway Park Sept. 5-7 Boston , MA New England Dragway Sept. 19-21 Toronto , ON Toronto Motorsports Park Oct. 3-5 Washington , DC Maryland International Raceway Oct. 17-19 North and South Carolina Rockingham Dragway
EVENT SCHEDULE
MARCH March 15 & 16 - Costa Mesa , CA 2nd ORANGE COUNTY GET-TOGETHER Orange County Fair & Exposition Center. All years American Powered Cars & Trucks. Vendors, Huge Swap Meet & Car Corral.
March 29 & 30 - Pleasanton , CA 26th ALL AMERICAN GET-TOGETHER Fairgrounds - Pleasanton . All years American Powered Cars & Trucks. Vendors, Huge Swap Meet & Car Corral.
APRIL April 4, 5 & 6 - Del Mar, CA 8th DEL MAR NATIONALS Del Mar Fairgrounds. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
MAY/JUNE May 30 & 31, June 1 - Loveland , CO 11th DUPONT COLORADO NATIONALS The Ranch, Larimer Co. Fairgrounds. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
May 31 & June 1 - Pleasanton , CA 15th SUMMER GET-TOGETHER Fairgrounds - Pleasanton . All years American Powered Cars & Trucks. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
June 6, 7 & 8 - Indianapolis , IN 20th HOT ROD NATIONALS O’Reilly Raceway Park @ Indianapolis . Rods, Customs, Classics & Race Cars thru ‘72. Drags, Show ‘n Shine, Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
June 13, 14 & 15 - Atlanta , GA 2nd NAPA SOUTHERN NATIONALS Atlanta Motor Speedway . Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
June 27, 28 & 29 - Nashville , TN 3rd NASHVILLE NATIONALS LP Field, Tennessee Titan Stadium. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
JULY July 4, 5 & 6 - Des Moines , IA 17th 3M HEARTLAND NATIONALS Iowa State Fairgrounds. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
July 11, 12 & 13 - Columbus , OH 11th GOODGUYS PPG NATIONALS Ohio Expo Center. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars &Trucks thru ‘72. Friday Nite Drags, Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
July 25, 26 & 27 - Puyallup , WA 21st PACIFIC NORTHWESTNATIONALS Puyallup Fair & Events Center. Rods, Customs & Classics thru ‘72. Friday Nite Drags, Show ‘n Shine & Vendors.
AUGUST August 15, 16 & 17 - Spokane , WA 7th GREAT NORTHWEST NATIONALS Spokane Fair & Expo Center. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
August 15, 16 & 17 - Madison , WI 19th GREAT LAKES NATIONALS Willow Island @ the Alliant Energy Center . Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
August 22, 23 & 24 - Pleasanton , CA 22nd WEST COAST NATIONALS Fairgrounds - Pleasanton . Rods, Customs & Classics thru ‘57. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
August 29, 30 & 31 - Kansas City , KS 7th MID-WESTERN NATIONALS Kansas Speedway . Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
SEPTEMBER September 5, 6 & 7 - Norwalk , OH 7th BLUE SUEDE CRUISE Summit Motorsports Park. Rods, Customs, Classics & Race Cars thru ‘72. Drags, Show ‘n Shine, Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
September 12, 13 & 14 - Rhinebeck , NY 17th EAST COAST NATIONALS Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
September 19, 20 & 21 - Joliet , IL 2nd PEAK CHICAGOLAND NATIONALS Chicagoland Speedway. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral. September 26, 27 & 28 - Pocono , PA
September 26, 27 & 28 – Pocono , PA 4th GREAT AMERICAN NATIONALS Pocono Raceway. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
OCTOBER October 3, 4 & 5 - Ft. Worth , TX 16th LONE STAR NATIONALS Texas Motor Speedway . Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
October 17, 18 & 19 - Bowling Green , KY 1st NOSTALGIA NATIONALS Beech Bend Raceway Park. Rods, Customs, Classics & Race Cars thru ‘72. Drags, Show ‘n Shine, Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
October 24, 25 & 26 - Charlotte , NC 15th SOUTHEASTERN NATIONALS Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
NOVEMBER November 8 & 9 - Pleasanton , CA 19th AUTUMN GET-TOGETHER Fairgrounds - Pleasanton . All years American Powered Cars & Trucks. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
November 14, 15 & 16 - Scottsdale , AZ 11th SOUTHWEST NATIONALS WestWorld of Scottsdale . Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral. 2008 Race Dates June 6, 7 & 8 - Indianapolis, IN 20th HOT ROD NATIONALS O’Reilly Raceway Park @ Indianapolis. Race Cars, Rods, Customs, Classics thru ‘72. Drags, Show ‘n Shine, Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
July 11th – Columbus, OH Friday Night Hot Rod Drags National Trail Raceway. Race cars thru ’72 vintage
July 25th – Kent, WA Friday Night Hot Rod Drags Pacific Raceways. Race cars thru ’72 vintage September 5, 6 & 7 - Norwalk, OH 7th BLUE SUEDE CRUISE Summit Motorsports Park. Race Cars, Rods, Customs, Classics & thru ‘72. Drags, Show ‘n Shine, Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral.
October 17, 18 & 19 - Bowling Green, KY 1st NOSTALGIA NATIONALS Beech Bend Raceway Park. Rae Cars, Rods, Customs, & Classics thru ‘72. Drags, Show ‘n Shine, Vendors, Swap Meet & Car Corral. |
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