BELIEVE IT, CARL. YOU WON!

Words by Ian Tocher
Photos by Roger Richards
10/6/03

n unlikely pair of combatants squared off in the Pro Mod final Sept. 28, at the 12th annual IHRA President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, where number-10 qualifier Carl "Big Dog" Spiering picked up his career-first win when number-13 man Roy Wasko redlighted.

Rob Atchison (photo) joined his Canadian compatriot in victory lane by winning his sixth Funny Car race this season, Carl Baker solidified his points lead with a win in Pro Stock, and Clay Millican finally won at the only track that handed him a loss last year.

PRO MOD

Lancaster, NY's Mike Janis led Pro Mod qualifying with a 6.201-seconds blast at 231.40 mph -- a new national top speed record -- then officially backed it up within the required one percent when he ran 6.222 at 232.07 in his first-round win over Patrick Doherty.

Points leader Mitch Stott failed to qualify for the second time this year, but his brother Quain Stott and Janis, his two closest rivals, failed to capitalize when Canadian Glen Kerunsky ended their days in the first and second rounds, respectively.

"I wish there was some way that I would never find out where I am at in the points." Quain Stott said after the loss. "Until someone tells me where I am at in the points, I do well. I don't know if it's pressure or what."

Spiering, with Dave Persico turning the wrenches on his supercharged Eaton/Cutler-Hammer-backed '57 Chevy, put the pressure on Thomas Patterson, Mike Castellana, and Kent Ferrell to reach the final, while Roy Wasko (above) took out Shannon Jenkins, Pat Moore, and Kerunsky with his nitrous-assisted 1968 Camaro.