 |
Quain Stott (Mitch's brother) qualified on top of a season-high
47 entries with a 6.197-secs pass at 228.54 mph, but fell to Thomas
Patterson in the opening round. Mitch Stott took out Alan Pittman, Ed
Hoover, and Rickie Smith to reach the final, while Jenkins gave his
championship hopes a big boost by trailering second-place points man
Al Billes in the opener, then beating Patterson and Tommy Gray.
Jenkins posted a strong .073-secs holeshot over Stott
in the final round, but his Camaro lost traction soon after and Stott
cruised to the win in 6.227 seconds at 227.77 mph.
VANCIL VICTORIOUS
Top Fuel Harley rider took another step toward backing
up his 2001 championship by beating Ray Price in the IHRA bike final
at Budd's Creek. Vancil also was aided in his quest by rookie rider
Steve Hopkins, who eliminated Steve Stordeur -- Vancil's closest points
rival and the number-one qualifier -- in the opening round.
Vancil qualified third and beat Jamie Emery, Johnny Mancuso,
and Price to take the event trophy home.
"We weren't the quickest bike out there, but that wasn't
our intention to start with," Vancil said. "We ran pretty consistent
today and we felt this was going to be a warm weather race and it all
fell into place."
TITLES CLINCHED
Despite a first-round loss to Jack Ostrander in Maryland,
defending IHRA Top Fuel champ Clay Millican officially made it two in
a row when Bruce Litton, his closest -- though still distant -- rival
in the points, also bowed out in the opening round, losing to Louie
Allison.
Also sewing up the season's title in Maryland was Pro
Stock driver Brian Gahm, who qualified number three in the 16-car field,
then beat Carl Baker, Gary Henry, and former world champion Floyd Cheek
to reach Canadian John Konigshofer in the final round.
Gahm cut a stellar .412 light in the final, then laid
down his best effort of the weekend, a 6.558 at 212.53 mph, while Konigshofer
got out of shape early and had to abort the run.
|
|
| Gahm_launch.jpg Cutline: Brian Gahm, from
Lucasville, OH, won his fourth race of the year and clinched the
IHRA's 2002 Pro Stock championship Sept. 29, at Maryland International
Raceway. |
|
|
