IT’S LEE, LITTON AND LANG AT MICHIGAN
Words by Jeff Burk
Photos by Steve Embling
5/28/08
The IHRA National event at Milan, MI saw the successful debut of a second generation Fuel Funny Car racer, the quickest and fastest ¼ mile pass for a nitrous injected Pro Mod in drag racing history 6.02/237, Chris Karamesines qualify for yet another Top Fuel field to continue his remarkable career and a couple of new names in the professional classes winner’s circle.
Five times IHRA Fuel Coupe racer Paul Lee had advanced to an IHRA final round and Five times he had come away empty-handed. All that changed at Milan Dragway when Lee defeated Fuel Coupe rookie Dan Wilkerson (with his dad and current NHRA Fuel Funny car points leader Tim Wilderson acting as his crew chief) to claim the Ironman at the IHRA Motor City Nationals.
Said Lee after his win, “This feels great, I’m very happy and excited but at the same time this is a relief,” Lee said after his 4.956/305.49 pass toppled Wilkerson. “You want to win so badly and you keep going to final rounds. I would go rounds and go rounds, but that final one kept eluding me for some reason. You need luck to win one of these things, and today we just had the luck.”
In the semifinal against Matt Hagan, Lee’s luck carried him through. He smoked the tires at the hit of the throttle and lifted out of the run. Hagan was well ahead at half-track, but his car went into tire shake, forcing him to pitch left and cross the center line. Lee coasted down the track to take the win light.
Luck also had a little something to do with Bruce Litton’s win in Top Fuel. The defending IHRA Top Fuel World Champ marched through the 8-car field to the event championship running consistent 4.60’s. In the final opponent Scott Palmer couldn’t get his car fired and the defending champ ran a strong 4.678/287.66 single to claim the win.