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Benefiting from the use of a radically-designed supercharger and a 75-pound weight break, Critchley stopped nitrous-powered, Radiac-sponsored driver Mitch Stott in the final round. The flamed and fender-skirted Mercury ran a 6.304/224.28 to stop Stott, who put forth a valiant effort with a 6.334/224.06. "This is the greatest sensation in the whole world," said Rocca. "That's the only way that I could describe the feeling I had standing up there on the starting line. We have fought hard. We have argued and cussed. We have busted our butts to abide by the ever-changing IHRA rules and today we came out on top." The Aussie hired gun was all smiles. "I just try to do me job and hope it all pays off in the end," explained Critchley in his trademark accent. "I am sure that everyone back home already knows about this win. It's about 9 AM there and they'll be pouring a bundy rum to celebrate." The Funny Car title belonged to points leader Scott Weney. The Royersford, Pa.- based veteran continued his success in the division by topping local favorite Dave Ray, who lives ten minutes from New England Dragway, in Plaistow, N.H.
"Everybody's really putting forth a good effort on our team," explained Weney, who has been in every final round this season except for one. "We've really tried to do our homework before each race and we've been fortunate that it all has paid off." Pro Stock also created its own tricky points scenario as Jon Yoak scored his first national event victory of the 2000 season and in doing so ascended into a tie for the points lead at 601 with John Montecalvo, who lost in the semi-finals. Second place Ron Miller lost in the quarters to Montecalvo. Yoak, a former IHRA Pro Stock champion, defeated Jerry Yeoman in the final round by running a 6.650/210.64. Yeoman lost with an identical 6.650/208.71. This marked the first victory for Ford this season. "I think that this track has something special about it," explained Yoak. "This win is a real motivational tool for the Ford racers. I was really glad that we could win this one and it should pull us into the driver's seat for the championship." In Pro Outlaw, Laurie Cannister aided her championship points lead by taking out Mick Snyder in the final round. The Nicorette/Nicoderm CQ-sponsored driver from Clinton, Pa., scored a convincing win by carding a 6.045/219.26 to take out Snyder, who made it a close match with a 6.158/215.75. What was her secret to winning? "I drove it like I stole it," explained Cannister, who encountered a frustrating first round loss at the recently completed Mopar Parts World Nationals. "Someone told me to do that and that's what I did. I made sure that I didn't drive it like a girl." |
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Mopar
Performance Parts Pro Modified had a first-time winner as Johnny Rocca's
"Ironhorse" '49 Mercury, driven by Australian Troy Critchley dominated
the event. 
