Mike Janis (Lancaster, N.Y.) continued his recent hot streak, claiming the Pro Modified Ironman with a final-round victory over John Russo. Janis posted a 6.025 at 241.63 to turn on the win light over Russo’s 6.127/241.24 pass.
Janis pulled within a couple of rounds of Scott Cannon at the top of the national points list, but failed to go to the Edmonton race and will not receive the 41-point bonus for attending each IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam event. Cannon will qualify for the 41 points when he stages his car in Rockingham.
“We can’t worry about that, we just have to try to get every point we can get,” Janis said. “What’s in the past is in the past and we’re going to see what we can do in Rockingham. This was a great race and we’ve really figured some things out lately.”
On Saturday, Brian Gahm (Lucasville, Ohio) claimed both ends of the IHRA world record in the Torco’s CompetionPlus.com Pro Stock class, clocking an astounding 6.281 at 223.95 mph, both records that were already backed up earlier in the event, break the e.t. record set by Pete Berner (Crete, Ill.) earlier in the Saturday session. The speed record was held by Steve Spiess (Manhattan, Ill.) at 223.84 mph, also set earlier in Saturday’s evening qualifying session.
“That was awesome,” Gahm said. “The conditions were right and we sat back and watched three other cars run in the 6.20’s. We shook the tires in the Pro Stock Showdown but knew we were safe in the field so we went for it. We knew the conditions were going to be as good as we would ever see…at least until next year.”
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Scott Cannon Jr. also rewrote the record books in Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified competition with a record-setting 5.938 pass at 242.63 mph to claim the top qualifying spot and grab Last Man Standing honors.
“We’re been trying to get all the points we can,” Cannon said. “We’ve been bumping up against the world record for awhile now and we’re thrilled we were able to get it. We’re chasing the championship and every single point is huge for this team.”
Cannon (Lyman, S.C.) is looking to claim his first career world championship after stepping into the car and taking over driving duties for his father, who won six career world titles. “It’s easy to brag when your son can do what he does out there,” Cannon Sr. said. “Maybe Junior is picking up where his old man left off.”
Pete Berner (Crete, Ill.) won his 18th career Ironman with a Pro Stock final victory over Dean Goforth. Berner claimed the win with a 6.307 at 222.40 to knock off Goforth’s 6.357/223.69.
“This was an amazing weekend and I’m very proud of what IHRA was able to do out here,” Berner said. “I’ll be honest, we were thinking about possibly going over to run on the other side but when you run IHRA it’s like running with family. We hug each other when we win or lose and I just don’t want to leave that.”
 John Nobile (left) and Frank Gugliotta show there are no hard feelings about the Pro Stock Showdown. |
Laurie Cannister (above) found the Winner’s Circle for the first time since 2002, taking home the Alcohol Funny Car championship with a win over Mark Thomas. Cannister clocked a 5.780 at 245.49 to get the win, driving for Kevin and Wendy Sims. After the race she had an announcement about her future.
“The car owners called me a couple of weeks ago and asked me if I wanted to drive in the last couple of events to see what would happen,” Cannister said. “That was the call I have been waiting a long time for. Now they asked me if I would drive the car next year, so we’re going to be driving a full IHRA schedule next season. I’m really excited about that and thrilled I was able to get the win here.”
Pro Stock Showdown -- John Nobile, Ford Mustang, 6.304, 221.49 def. Frank Gugliotta, Chevy Cobalt, 6.320, 222.51.
Top Dragster -- Jimmy Jones, Dragster, 7.691, 146.86 def. Aldan Miller, Dragster, 7.699, 131.96.
Top Sportsman -- Mike Kaufman, Chevy Corvette, 6.996, 197.45 def. Sandy Wilkins, Chevy Cavalier, 7.056, 193.29.
Quick Rod -- Tony Helms, Dragster, 8.900, 171.73 def. Rusty Cook, Dragster, 8.885, 177.51.