A thousand words

Compiled from press releases by Kay Burk
No photos by Ron Lewis

Pro Mod racer Michael Gullqvist was at his auto repair shop in Stockholm, Sweden, Wednesday morning, May 12, when he got a call from R2B2 Racing team owner Roger Burgess asking him if he could fill in for Ray Commisso, who lost his father Ernesto late Tuesday evening in Toronto.

Five days later "Gully" is the toast of drag racing after becoming the first European in the 59-year history of the sport to win an NHRA national event.

"I'm at a loss for words," Gullqvist said from the winner's circle at Atlanta Dragway. "This was my third final in a row dating back to the European FIA championship last fall. I lost that one because I made a little mistake and then I had another final here in Gainesville (Fla.) in March driving another one of Roger's cars and lost that one as well with a red light so I was really anxious to get this win, especially under the circumstances of Raymond's father passing away."

Gullqvist was surprised to learn he was the first European racer to win an NHRA event but was pleased to bring attention to the FIA tour.

"I'm heavily involved with European drag racing and we have a good thing going over there," he said. "I'm not sure people here know how big it is but we have 50, 60, 70,000 people at our races. Pro Mod usually draws 50 or more cars at each event. If this (win) can bring our kind of drag racing to more American fans then I am very happy.

"I know lots of people in Sweden and all of Europe were pulling for us this weekend. I see the notes on Facebook and I got many messages on my mobile phone. It's been very exciting and I'm sure I will have a great reception when I return home.

"This is a win for Europe, for Sweden, for Canada (Commisso's native country), and for America. I'm very happy to bring this to Roger and his team."

This was the first victory of the year for Burgess's multi-car race team.

Following the stunning DNQ of team patriarch Roger Burgess and the first-round exit of Melanie Troxel in a close race against Rick Stivers, Gillqvist emerged as a force to be reckoned with.

Team Aeroquip’s Mike Janis came up a hair short this weekend in NHRA Get Screened America Pro Modified competition at the 30th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. Janis who qualified number one with a 5.91 elapsed time at over 243 miles per hour used a little luck and some hard work to make his way to the finals.

Janis was the beneficiary of two red lights during competition, one from Brad Personett and another from Rick Stivers. Janis also defeated Troy Coughlin at the wheel of his Jeg’s backed Machine.

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