Final Round ResultsTop Fuel: Bruce Litton, 4.606 seconds, 318.92 mph def. Scotty Cannon, 5.014 seconds, 234.82 mph. Nitro Funny Car: Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus, 4.877, 314.53 def. Cory Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.977, 303.30. Pro Modified: Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 5.995, 239.31 def. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.080, 235.27. Alcohol Funny Car: Rob Atchison, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.922, 241.80 def. Mark Thomas, Monte Carlo, 5.910, 243.06. Pro Stock: Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.313, 221.34 def. Robert Patrick, Shelby Cobra, 6.304, 221.05. Summit SuperSeries Box: Chad Hedgecock, Dragster, 7.450, 176.93 def. Steve Ferstl, Chevy Monza, 9.219, 145.96. Summit SuperSeries No Box: Will Steckly, Dodge Charger, 8.992, 144.97 def. Ed Talbert, Chevy Chevelle, 11.676, 112.89. Super Stock: Robbie Hudlow, PDA-1, 9.297/134.38, Dial: 9.23 def Robbie Draughon, SS/G, 10.087/130.87, Dial: 10.03 Stock Eliminator: Aaron Allison, D/CM, 10.317/10.32, dial 125.89 def. Michael Mayhew 11.974/11.99 dial 106.82 10.90 Hot Rod: John Furr, .048, 10.915/138.68 def. Greg Fowler, .062, 10.907/142.76
Top Sportsman: Robert Jones, 6.885/188.54, 6.86 dial def. Michael E. Koontz, 7.448/174.93, 7.38 dial Top Dragster: Russell Leach, 6.598/193.90, 6.56 dial def. Jason Harris, 6.831/185.03, dial 6.79 |
Notes and Quotes from Rockingham
LITTON STOPS THE BLEEDING
In getting his third win of this season and the 12th of his career, Bruce Litton put behind him the bridesmaid tag that had followed him throughout his pro career.
“It’s awesome,” Litton said of the double victory. “(But) I’m very humbled at the same time. We’ve had some good cars and some really good teams (in the past), but I think the key to this season was I got my guys back together. I love these guys and I think I needed to be surrounded by friends I really trust.”
In addition to runner-up finishes to Clay Millican in 2002, 2003 and 2004, he was third in points in 2000, 2001 and 2005.
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SETTLES MOVING ON
Dave Settles told DRO that the World Finals would be his last as the tuner for the Zizzo family. Settles tuned the car to several wins during his tenure with the team and they finished second in points to Bruce Litton this year. Wonder if Settles’ right hand man Mike Kern, of whom the often-acerbic Settles speaks highly, may tune the car should the team return in 2008.
DOBBINS WIN ALL FORD PRO STOCK FINAL
Robert Patrick, who won his first Pro Stock title, was beaten in the final round by Jeff Dobbins of Wilmington, NC. Dobbins used a holeshot to defeat the usually on-time Patrick.
”It was flawless all weekend,” Dobbins said of his 2006 Ford Escort. “It was a really good race for us and I was motivated in the final round to be the first guy to give a whipping to the new world champion.”
BERNER BULBS CHAMPIONSHIP CHANCES AWAY
This race was full of crucial first round losses. No. 1 Pro Stock qualifier Pete Berner bulbed away his chance to repeat as IHRA Pro Stock champion with a first-round foul start against former Pro Stock champ Brian Gahm. Berner’s unexpectedly early exit, which came after he had lowered the Rockingham track record to 6.281 seconds during qualifying, gave Robert Patrick the chance he needed.
STOKEN STOPS CANNON
Scott Cannon, who locked up his first series championship – and his family’s seventh – just by qualifying No. 1 on Saturday, had his Rockingham winning streak ended in the second round by Pat Stoken’s nitrous-injected, GM-powered, hugger orange Camaro. Cannon was victimized Sunday by tire shake, slowing his supercharged ‘66 Pontiac to a 6.727 seconds. He had set the new Rockingham track record at 5.969/239.27 in qualifying.