Kim Morrell (Donna Bistran photo)

Ashley Owens with Paul “Fast by Gast" Gast (Joe McHugh photo)

Sharing that sentiment was John Montecalvo, who returned to the form that brought him four straight wins in Extreme Pro Stock earlier this year.

But none of them – or any win for that matter – felt as good as his first ADRL World Championship.

John Montecalvo (Joe McHugh photo)

“Winning the IHRA title was a lifelong goal and I’m glad we did. But I’ve got to say this just blows it away,” Montecalvo said. “Elated is the word to describe this. This has been a dream year.”

It was a dream finish, as Montecalvo went 4.08 in the first round before posting back-to-back 4.07s in beating Brian Gahm in the semifinals and Pete Berner, who upset No. 1 qualifier Cary Goforth in the semifinals, in the finals.

“We dropped off the map (late in the season) and we were really concerned,” Montecalvo said. “But the team got it together. I’m happy it came down to the four of us. It made it that much more rewarding.”