Doug Foley, Sewell, N.J., earned the No. 1 spot in Knoll-Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel after the first round of qualifying Friday at the Spring Nationals presented by Advance Auto Parts and Castrol. Other No. 1 qualifiers at Rockingham Dragway include Terry Haddock (Nitro Funny Car), Danny Rowe (Pro Modified), Terry Munroe (Alcohol Funny Car) and Rob Mansfield (Pro Stock).
Foley clocked a 4.552, 320.74 to take the top position. He won the “Last Man Standing” as well. Points leader Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, sits in the second position with a 4.631, followed by Michael Gunderson and Scott Weis at 4.677. Bobby Lagana Jr. sits on the bump-spot.
“The car moved around quite a bit,” said Foley. “It was a great run for us. That’s what we needed to come out and do. Everyone is running so tough this year that every point is going to count.”
Haddock, of Lynnwood, Wash., earned his first career provisional No. 1 qualifier in Knoll-Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car. He ran a 4.995 pass and locked up the “Last Man Standing.” Dale Creasy Jr., the current points leader sits second, followed by defending event champion Jack Wyatt and Todd Simpson. Jon Capps is on the bump-spot. Gastonia, N.C. -resident Bob Gilbertson is currently not in the field.
Laguna Hills, California-resident Rowe used the final Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified qualifying pass to sneak into the No. 1 spot and earn the “Last Man Standing” prize. Rowe ran the quarter-mile in 6.113, 234.70 and is followed by Mike Castellana, 6.185, Kirk Kuhns, 6.202 and Harold Martin, 6.223. Class points leader Ed Hoover, Gilbert, S.C., is currently not in the field.
Alcohol Funny Car points leader Munroe, Beaver, Pa., proved that his dominance in San Antonio last month was no fluke. He covered the track in 5.804-seconds at 240.04 mph to take the top spot and “Last Man Standing.” He’s trailed by Canadian Larry Dobbs, defending world champion Mark Thomas and Rob Atchison.
In Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock Mansfield, Winter Park, Fla., won the Quarter-Max Pro Stock Challenge with his provisional low qualifying ET of 6.333 seconds at 217.98 mph. Steve Spiess, a former winner at this event, sits in the second spot with a 6.342. Brian Gahm is third, followed by Mike Corvo and King, N.C.’s Rickie Smith.
Qualifying resumes at 9 a. m., with professional qualifying rounds two and three at 12 noon and 6:30 p. m., respectively. For more information, log onto www.ihra.com. The Spring Nationals is the second of twelve events on the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.
ROCKINGHAM, N.C.—Results Friday after qualifying for the Spring Nationals presented by Advance Auto Parts and Castrol at Rockingham Dragway, second of 12 events in the $19.5 million 2007 Knoll - Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.
Top Fuel—1. Doug Foley, 4.552 seconds, 320.74 mph; 2. Bruce Litton, 4.631, 314.61; 3. Michael Gunderson, 4.677, 312.42; 4. Scott Weis, 4.677, 306.74; 5. T. J. Zizzo, 5.186, 232.95; 6. Terry McMillen, 5.696, 155.19; 7. Scotty Cannon, 8.532, 87.34; 8. Bobby Lagana Jr., 9.773, 68.70.
Nitro Funny Car—1. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 4.995, 297.16; 2. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.255, 287.90; 3. Jack Wyatt, Stratus, 5.594, 236.26; 4. Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 5.665, 213.60; 5. Andy Kelley, Pontiac Firebird, 6.571, 241.71; 6. Mitch King, Chevy Corvette, 7.671, 115.30; 7. Paul Lee, Monte Carlo, 8.881, 95.75; 8. Jon Capps, Monte Carlo, 10.416, 82.86.
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