Mountain-motored Pro Stock racing at M.I.R. produces the quickest 16-car field in drag racing history. The well-attended program attracts 31-machines and produces an all time quick bump of 6.539 secs.

Pro Stock racing is paced for the 3rd straight event by fast-rising class star Rob Mansfield. The Florida-based racer drives the Wilson Manifolds-sponsored Pontiac Grand-Am to a sensational 6.465 secs which holds up as low ET of the event. Mansfield leaves the event as the IHRA’s new official speed record holder after a number of 216+ mph runs including an all time fastest 216.62-mph.

Mansfield does however fall short of victory lane when he has a red-light foul start while racing Pete Berner’s Ford Mustang in the semi-final round. Berner goes on to record his first career IHRA national event title when he uses a final round 6.511 secs 215.41 mph to defeat Frank “Flyin’ Meatball” Gugliotta’s Ford Escort. Gugliotta ran a losing 6.596 secs at 213.27 mph.

Pro Mod class racing also produced a first time circuit winner with long-time class competitor Billy Harper prevailing driving his nitrous-injected Dodge Viper. The Kentucky based driver beat soon to be crowned 2004 Pro Mod World Champion Mike Janis in the final as both drivers experienced tire shake problems.

With the runner-up finish, Janis, who ran both low ET and top speed in qualifying driving his Eaton Automotive Corvette (6.150 secs 231.95 mph), extended is overall points lead to a basically insurmountable margin over 2nd place man, Harold Martin. Martin was a surprising DNQ at the event, despite running a 6.373 secs (17th).

Pro Mod racing at Budds Creek attracted some new names to the class including surprise qualifiers Chuck Ulsch and Milt Decker who both managed to put their nitrous-injected ‘63 Corvettes into Sunday’s swift 16-car field. Ulsch, who is from Maryland, went on to a rather unexpected semi-final round finish.

Western Canada PM star Rick Distefano was the top finishing Canadian in the class. The Calgary-based driver qualified 6th with a 6.216 secs and powered by both the Stott brothers, Quain and Mitch during eliminations. “Ricky D” was forced to peddle the car in the semi-final round and he lost out to eventual winner Harper. The strong finish did however move Distefano to within 9 points of Harold Martin in the PM overall standings.

Canada’s Robbie Atchison scored what may prove to be the most important victory of his career so far when he won in Alcohol Funny Car. Robbie wheeled the London, Ontario-based Chevy-powered Erickson Manufacturing Pontiac Firebird to a final round win over Ohio’s Joe Comella who left before the tree was activated.

Atchison’s most important win of the event however came in round #2 when he met the challenge of overall points leader Mark Thomas. Thomas left too soon and Robbie scored with a 5.911 secs 239.65 mph clocking. That combined with his overall event title moved Atchison to within 19 points of Thomas (less then one round of racing) with two events left to be completed this season.

Atchison’s win, the 9th of his career, included low ET of the meet at 5.862 secs, which flashed up during round one. Popular Carol “Bunny” Burkett, from Virginia, had top speed in AFC at 241.15 mph.

AFC class racing included a strong showing by another Canadian driver, Scott Wildgust, from Stratford, ON. Driving his Bars Leaks-sponsored Pontiac Firebird, Scott qualified 6th (5.971 secs) and gunned down Mark Poyser and Terry McMillien before losing out to Joe Comella in the semi-final round.

Top Fuel racing produced a second career win for Doug Foley. Foley, from New Jersey, who recorded his first win at TMP last August, accomplished what few can claim -- he beat Clay Millican in a final round. Foley carded a winning 4.720 secs at 309.49 mph to topple Millican’s 4.782 secs at 305.56 mph.

Foley’s event win came from the #2 qualified position after he recorded a career best 4.718 secs at 314.90 mph during time trials. He also beat Todd Paton in a very close first round match-up (4.777 to 4.780 secs) and Bruce Litton in the semi final round.

TF class racing included an impressive debut performance for Joel Collins who was behind the wheel of the Cohart-sponsored TF dragster. Collins, who is from North Carolina, qualified 5th in what was his very first event hitting a 4.810 secs at 285.95 mph. Collins lost out to Tim Cullinan in round one.

Top Sportsman and Top Dragster fields at the President’s Cup Nationals were truly massive with 66 and 60 entries respectively. Gary Bingham won in TS and Steve Drummond prevailed in TD.

South Carolina’s Monty Bogan Jr won two Sportsman titles at the event. Bogan Jr. prevailed in Saturday’s Top Stock feature and then won in Super Stock on Sunday driving Chevrolets.