Inaugural Amalie Oil Texas Nationals
(Mar 8-9th, 2003) San Antonio, Texas
Notes |
Results | Photos
NATIONALS NOTEBOOK:
IHRA’s inaugural national event attempt at San Antonio Raceway is plagued by poor weather. Original weekend dates (Mar. 1-2) are knocked out by rain so racers return for the completion of action the following weekend Mar. 8-9th.
Clay Millican maintains his absolutely torrid pace in IHRA Top Fuel. Clay runs Peter Lehman’s Werner Enterprises dragster to a IHRA national record 4.591 secs to take the pole and then goes on to this 21st career win. Millican runs a pair of 4.5 secs runs making him the first racer in IHRA history to dip sub 4.60 secs. Millican also nets top speed of the meet at 319.98 mph.
New IHRA Top Fuel rules show some benefit as the event lands 3 or 4 traditional NHRA Top Fuel circuit racers. NHRA regular John Smith takes his Prestone-sponsored car to the final against Millican but then fouls out. Smith’s wife, Rhonda Hartman-Smith, is also entered at the event and she qualifies 2nd behind Millican at a superb 4.629 secs and 319.52 mph. Rhonda’s 319.52 mph was reportedly her career best speed. 12 cars make qualifying runs in Top Fuel at the event.
Mitch Stott, fresh of his barrier breaking 5-secs run in pre-season action wins in Pro Mod driving the Radiac-sponsored supercharged Corvette. Stott is able to hold back the all new ‘41 Willys driven by Texan Thomas Patterson in the final round. Stott has now won the last four IHRA national events dating back to September last season.
New York’s Mike Janis nabs low ET of the meet in Pro Mod when he runs his supercharged ‘63 Corvette to a 6.119 secs to pace the field during week one action. Janis is however dealt out in round two by Thomas Patterson when Janis’s car gets loose and collects the guardwall.
Canada has two Pro Mod cars in competition at the Inaugural IHRA season event. Al Billes has a strong effort as he qualifies his Ontario-based supercharged Studebacker #3 at 6.262 secs and makes it to the semi final round. Billes loses a close match to eventual winner Mitch Stott - 6.225 secs 227.38 mph to 6.292 secs 223.28 mph. Alberta’s Glen Kerunsky is also entered at the event with his new Tim-McAmis built supercharged ‘57 Chevy. Kerunsky runs a 6.57 secs during the first weekend but the weather related postponement forces him to withdraw from competition and he does not return for the resumption.
Rick Jones scores a rare victory for Mopar in IHRA Pro Stock racing. His win is the first for the brand since Bobby Yeowell won in 1979. The win is also a career first win as a Pro driver for the Illinois racer and comes in his 815 CID Hemi-powered Dodge Neon. Jones uses a hole shot start in the final round to defeat defending IHRA World Champion Brian Gahm.
Michigan’s Chris Holbrook has a rough start to his 2003 racing season driving his new Mustang. On it’s second qualifying run the parachute does not deploy and Holbrook locks up the brakes sending the car on its roof. Holbrook is not injured however damage prevents the car from continuing in competition.
Alcohol Funny Car racing is a rather weak affair with only 11 cars showing for competition. Ohio’s Tony Bogolo wins the event when he outguns Mark Thomas in the final round. The win is Bogolo’s 5th career IHRA national event title.
