2nd generation driver Scott Cannon ran roughshod over the Pro Modified program during IHRA’s Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway. Driving his new Torco-sponsored ’68 Firebird, Cannon was the clear performance star from start-to-finish at the event using a wicked string of consistently quick and fast times while winning for the 2nd time in his career.

Cannon’s victory included low ET of the meet at 5.992 secs (which earned him the pole) and he was the only racer to dip sub 6.0 secs in PM during the event. He also recorded top speed -- 237.63 mph and during the race his team survived a surprise IHRA tech teardown unscathed.

Cannon beat the nitrous-cars of Harold Martin, Jim Halsey and Steve Vick to make the final round where he faced off against fast-improving Canadian PM star Kenny Lang. But when Lang’s car shook the tires, Cannon roared to a winning 6.020 secs at 236.17 mph. Cannon’s only other previous IHRA title had also come at Rockingham – during last year’s season-ending event.

Lang’s R/UP finish was the 2nd career IHRA final round appearance for the Manitoba-based Corvette driver. He qualified 12th and beat Ed Hoover, Pat Stoken and Mike Castellana in earlier action.

Pro Mod racing at Rockingham featured a truly surprisingly low car count with only 21 cars (!) entered for the event. Historically that race, which was considered a sort of Mecca for that class, has drew 35-45 entries.

Also claiming his 2nd career title at the event was another 2nd generation racer, Illinois-based Top Fuel driver T.J. Zizzo. Driving the Race News-sponsored dragster, Zizzo ambushed the field from the #3 qualified position, defeating Scotty Cannon, Scott Weis and ultimately Bobby Lagana Jr. to take the title.

TF qualifying was paced by Doug Foley who drove the Torco/Mach Series Accelerator car to both low ET and top speed at 4.552 secs and 320.74 mph. Foley was however upset in round one by Scott Weis.

For the third straight event at Rockingham, the nitro FC title went to Iowa’s Jack Wyatt. Driving a Dodge Avenger which paid special tribute to the recent victims at Virginia Tech, Wyatt qualified 4th and then mowed down Andy Kelly and Bob Gilbertson to make the final round versus Jon Capps (younger brother to Ron Capps).

Wyatt prevailed in a very close final round battle winning over Capps’ Chevy Monte Carlo; 5.188 secs 250.69 mph to 5.229 secs 290.76 mph.

Capps who was making only his 3rd start in the Nitro FC category, managed to earn his first pole when he shot to a 4.974 secs at 289.94 mph driving the Paul Smith-owned and VegasFuel Energy Drink-sponsored car during qualifying. Defending IHRA World Champion Dale Creasy was credited with top speed for the class at 302.35 mph.

New York’s John Montecalvo won over a very spirited Pro Stock program driving his Citgo-sponsored Chevy Cavalier. Montecalvo turned back defending IHRA World Champion Pete Berner in the final round winning a nip-and-tuck 6.388 secs 218.83 mph to 6.398 secs 218.65 mph decision. The victory included an important semi-final round match win over Robert Patrick’s Ford Cobra and with that Montecalvo was able to claim the overall IHRA points lead following the event victory.

Despite the rather hot atmospheric conditions, Pro Stock racers produced the 3rd quickest 16-car field in history with a bump spot of 6.435 secs and 11 of 16 cars running the 6.3 secs zone.

Rob Mansfield earned the pole at the event with a 6.333 secs run (low ET) in his Chevy Colbalt and collected the “Last Man Standing” prize during both Friday and Saturday’s qualifying sessions.

The event included an inspiring performance by the Canadian independent team of Anthony and Amo Paone whose new Pontiac GTO came around rather nicely during the event. Using a new engine program, that team made some drag racing history with the first ever sub 6.4 secs run by a Canadian team – running 6.398 secs during a shocking round win over Rickie Smith.

Alcohol Funny Car racing saw Mark Thomas pick up where he left off last year at Rockingham with another big win. Thomas fended off a bid by Pennsylvania’s Terry Monroe to win his second race in a row, when he beat Monroe 5.798 secs 246.39 mph to 5.852 secs 239.06 mph in the championship final.

Thomas qualified #2 for the event with a 5.813 secs effort and beat Larry Dobbs and Neal Parker in earlier competition.

Low ET went to Canada’s Robbie Atchison who got his car settled down temporarily in round one to run a winning 5.797 secs over Rocky Hummel. Atchison however had the tire shake blues again in round two and fell to Monroe.

AFC class racing included a return to action for popular lady driver Carol “Bunny” Burkett, who is from Virginia. Burkett, who has battled more recent medical problems, was driving a spectacular looking new Dodge Avenger and she qualified solidly #5 at 5.910 secs.