- Race Report
- IHRA Pro Mod Shootout
IHRA at Martin, MI
Kelley surprises with first win
Andy Kelley was thinking about parking his car a little early this season. Heading into the IHRA Torco Northern Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park, Kelley knew his race team was up against the wall financially. He also knew how quickly things could change.
Andy Kelley (Brad Turk photo)
Kelley, a Piedmont, S.C. resident, defeated Paul Lee in the Nitro Funny Car final round to claim his first career national event victory and get the financial boost he needed to be able to compete at the Sooner Nationals later this month.
“We were broke and thinking about quitting,” Kelley said. “Now we did something silly and won some money so we pretty much can’t quit. We have to keep on going. I’m glad I was able to win this and glad to be a part of IHRA. When the president of the sanctioning body comes over and shakes your hand to congratulate you…that makes you feel pretty special.”
Kelley qualified #5 and knocked off #1 qualifier Cory Lee in the first round. He then defeated John Lawson, who was driving the car Dale Creasy Jr. drove to the world championship last year, in the semifinals to move into the final-round match-up with Lee.
Lee (Wynnewood, Pa.) hazed his tires in the final round while Kelley made a clean pass right down the groove. He posted a 5.544 at 263.20 to grab the Ironman.
Spencer Massey (Brad Turk photo)
Spencer Massey (Fort Worth, Tex.) won the first two national events of the 2008 IHRA Nitro Jam season. He built an early lead in the Top Fuel points chase, only to see defending world champion Bruce Litton wrestle it away after the President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek, Md. After knocking off Terry McMillen in the final at US 131 Motorsports Park Massey took the points lead back with a 41-point advantage.
“This is a dream come true, it’s just unbelievable,” Massey said. “With three races left we’re 41 points in the lead, so I guess we kind of control our own destiny. It’s because of this whole Mitch King racing team, they are the best.”
Massey took over the points lead in the semifinals when he was able to slip past Litton. He then knocked off McMillen, who shook his tires at mid-track. Massey clocked a 4.741 at 312.57 to take the win light.
“I always say I just have to take things one race at a time, one round at a time,” he said. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We just have to keep our focus and not worry about the points, they will take care of themselves.”
The blower vs. nitrous debate has raged in Pro Modified ever since the class was instituted for the 1990 season. In recent years the supercharged drivers have had the advantage, but, if the Northern Nationals are any indication, the tide may be turning. Mike Castellana and Jim Halsey qualified 1-2 before each marching through their side of the ladder to set up an all-nitrous final round.
Though Castellana had the quicker car all day Halsey was able to get his Yellowbullet.com ’68 Camaro into the winner’s circle. Castellana had the advantage at the tree, .026 to .057, but he did not have enough power left to hold Halsey off on the track. Halsey clocked a 6.088 at 235.64 mph to better Castellana’s 6.124/229.12.
Jim Halsey (Joe McHugh photo)
“Some of the blower guys were asking me if they were going to put a weight penalty on us,” Halsey said with a chuckle. “But if it’s our time it’s our time. They’ve had a run at it for awhile now so we’ll enjoy it while we can.”