Montcalvo uses an 800-plus cubic-inch Sonny Leonard engine in his Cobalt while Morton uses an 800-plus inch of his own building in his Mustang.
“We’ve been developing our own engine program,” Morton said, “and it takes time; we’ve had to be very patient. We had a very consistent car today and ended up with a national win. I could feel him coming up, but I knew the stripe was coming up quick. This (Rockingham) is what I call my home track, so it’s great to do it (win) right here…”
ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Laurie Cannister of Johnstown, Ohio, is on a tear. She kept her 2008 IHRA national event record perfect by beating two-time series champ Rob Atchison in the Alcohol Funny Car final.
Cannister, who had been retired from the sport for the last five years, put herself solidly ahead of Atchison in the race for the 2008 championship with her second national event win in a row. Her hemi-powered Chevy was quickest in every round. In fact, her Kalbone’s Grillin’ Sauce Chevy has been quickest in all qualifying and competitive rounds this season. She had some anxious moments on her way to the finals when she “chunked” both front tires in the semi-finals and had to borrow a pair from fellow competitor Dale Brand.
“I absolutely beat myself up after that first round,” she said, “but I just tried to get it out of my head and concentrate harder. Luckily my crew gave me a great car, but in the final we went up there with No. 1 cylinder hurt pretty bad. Actually, I put the thing into third gear and, right in the lights, it just quit.”
Pro-Am winners included Brett Nesbitt of McLeansville, N.C., who doubled-up in Quick Rod, adding the Spring Nationals title to the Summit All-Stars championship he earned on Saturday. Malinda Bertozzi, wife of multiple world champion Anthony Bertozzi, claimed the Top Dragster title while Sandy Wilkins prevailed in Top Sportsman, Bernard Weaver in Super Rod, Marshall Smith in Hot Rod, Jeff Tripp in Super Stock and Dan Fletcher in Stock.