CHAMPIONSHIPS CLINCHED AT 'THE ROCK'

Words and photos by Ian Tocher

Two young lions secured their places in history Sept. 21-23, at the IHRA's 3rd Annual CARQUEST Autumn Nationals at Rockingham (NC) Dragway. Top Fuel pilot Clay Millican, 35, and Pro Stock driver Gene Wilson, 28, both clinched their season titles after earning number-one qualifying positions and scoring the event win in their respective classes.

Clay Millican gives the #1 sign after clinching the 2001 IHRA Top Fuel championship at Rockingham Dragway.

Millican's victory was the sixth in a row for him and his Mike Kloeber-led Werner Enterprises team, breaking a 26-year-old record set by none other than "Big Daddy" Don Garlits himself. "For a drag racer this is the ultimate, most awesome thing that could happen," Millican exclaimed after beating a tire-smoking Louie Allison in the final. "I still can't believe it. Just to be mentioned with Don Garlits is a thrill, but to beat something he did, that's unbelievable!"

Wilson was no less enthused after beating John Montecalvo to earn hisseventh win this year.

Newly crowned Pro Stock titleist Gene Wilson tries to stay cool as temperatures soared to above 90 degrees at Rockingham.

"Man, if you had told me at the start of the year that we would win seven races, I wouldn't have believed you," the Canton, GA-based driver said. "I mean, who would? This is like a dream come true."

Four-time world champion Mark Thomas prevailed in the Funny Car final against the surprising Ronnie Midyette and extended his current points lead over Jimmy Rector. Perhaps the turning point of the year came in round two when Thomas went head-to-head against Rector.

"That was just so important to us. Beating Jimmy there gave us just a little breathing room for the last two races," Thomas said. "Not enough, though, 'cause we know he'll be back."

Like all pro category winners at Rockingham, Mark Thomas raced from the left (near) lane.

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