PRO STOCK

Defending class champion Brian Gahm set the pace with his 2003 Mustang for the quickest Pro Stock field in IHRA history with a track record 6.526 at 212.26 mph. Chuck DeMory started from the 16th slot on raceday with a 6.597 at 210.18, also in an ’ ò03 Mustang. Number-eight qualifier John Montecalvo set the track speed record in his 2003 Cavalier with a 214.28-mph pass in the last round of qualifying that was just .014 off the all-time IHRA Pro Stock record.

Gahm (above) eventually fell to Baker in the semis, who defeated Jason Collins and former series champ Chris Holbrook in the prelims. On the other side of the ladder, Frank Gugliotta beat a redlighting Elijah Morton in the first round, then Doug Kirk in the quarters, and Pete Berner in the semis.

Gugliotta fell victim to the dreaded red bulb in the final round, leaving .015 too soon, while Baker cut an excellent .046 light in his Summit Racing ’ ò02 Cougar and ran 6.567 at 213.47 mph to secure the win.

"We made four good runs today and were able to keep lane choice," Baker (photo below) said. "A couple guys shook (their tires) against me, but I still would have been tough to beat today. The race against Brian (Gahm) was the toughest. He is the champ; he is the guy I have to beat."

After nine of 12 events, the win placed Baker atop the points list with 595, followed 47 points back by Gugliotta, with Gahm just one point behind him and Doug Kirk fourth at 536 points.

PRO MOD

Twenty-three cars attempted to qualify for the 16-car Pro Mod field at Epping, and Billy Harper eventually led the way with a track-record E.T of 6.186 at 228.19 in his nitrous-assisted 2000 Dodge Viper. Eventual finalist Mike Janis broke his own track speed record with a 231.36 mph blast in his blown '63 Corvette in qualifying fourth.

Jenkins, who put his nitrous-boosted 1968 Western Beef Camaro seventh on the qualifying list, overcame a holeshot by Harold Martin in round one, then beat Mitch Stott and used his own holeshot in the semis against Carl Spiering to reach his first final round in 2003. Meanwhile, Janis easily handled Pat Moore in the opening round, recovered against a holeshot by Jenkins' teammate Mike Castellana in round two, and beat a tire-smoking Quain Stott in the semis.

Janis deep-staged and took a .033 advantage off the start, but then made his slowest pass of the day at 6.390, while Jenkins ran straight and true to the win in 6.316 seconds at 220.58 mph. "We have been changing and testing so many things this season it is good to finally get back on track with a solid combination," Jenkins said later.

Leaving Epping, Mitch Stott led the Pro Mod points chase with 667, followed by his brother Quain at 553, and Janis at 522 points. Martin was a distant fourth at 357, with Castellana another 10 back in fifth.

Tony Rupert proves that sometimes looking cool is better than running well. The 1980 Malibu station wagon runs in the Top Sportsman class.