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CAYUGA, Ontario -- CAYUGA, Ontario (July 27, 2003) - Clay Millican won his 25th IHRA Top Fuel race today during the ACDelco Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park. Millican's win over Bruce Litton in the final round tied him with drag racing legend Don Garlits for the most career Top Fuel wins in IHRA history. Mike Castellana, Pro Modified; Rob Atchison, Funny Car; and Jeff Dobbins, Sunoco Pro Stock were also winners in their respective categories.
"I never had any visions that something like this could ever take place," said Millican, driver of the Werner Enterprises/Lehman Racing dragster. "When Peter (Lehman) gave me the chance to drive a Top Fuel car, that was a big enough dream for me. Tying Don Garlits went beyond experiencing a dream. "I don't have a beard to shave like Big Daddy, so the team's decided to shave my head if I break the record," said Millican. "My wife is worried they'll give me a Mohawk and then the boys will want one too." Qualified third, Litton defeated 65 year-old John Sipple in round one. Litton took on number two qualifier Todd Paton of Paris, Ontario, in round two advancing to the finals.
"It was for days like this that I joined forces with Shannon Jenkins several years ago," explained Castellana. "This was just an incredible experience and has been nothing short of outstanding. The team came together as one and on this day, we did what we needed to do. It all came together." Hahn, the 2000 Pro Modified world champion from Elma, N.Y., defeated Mike Stawicki and Quain Stott in round one and two. Hahn defeated number one qualifier Rick Distefano, of Calgary, Alberta, in the semifinals.
"He was really on a string and Mark is really a good leaver," said Atchison. "Our car was pretty consistent and I knew that if we cut a good light, no one could touch us. Nothing against Mark, I was just confident in our car." Poyser, of Fort Wayne, Ind., defeated Terry McMillen round one, five-time world champion Mark Thomas round two and Tony Bogolo to advance to his first career final round. Dobbins had not won a round all year until defeating Pete Berner in round one of Sunoco Pro Stock. The Wilmington, N.C.-based driver went on to defeat 2002 world champion Brian Gahm and then Floyd Cheek in the semifinals. Dobbins, the 2002 Pro Rookie of the Year, defeated Chris Holbrook in the final round with a 6.589 e.t., 211.73 mph to Holbrook's 6.593, 211.66. "We had been struggling with this car all year," explained Dobbins, a former Top Sportsman World Champion. "We went through the car and undoubtedly were just down on power. We put in a new engine for this race and it went to the top real quick. The old Probe is back." Livernois Motorsports sponsored Holbrook began the day defeating teammate Chuck DeMory round one and Frank Gugliotta round two. Holbrook beat number one qualifier Mike Bell in the semifinals to meet Dobbins in the final. The next event on the 2003 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series is the 22nd Annual Northern Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 8 - 10. CAYUGA, Ont. -- Sunday's final results from the Second annual ACDelco Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park. The $1.1 million race is the seventh of 12 in the 2003 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series: Top Fuel -- Clay Millican, 4.707 seconds, 311.70 mph def. Bruce Litton, 4.836 seconds, 298.14 mph. Pro Modified -- Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro, 6.315, 221.02 def. Fred Hahn, Chevy Corvette, 6.341, 222.99. Funny Car -- Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.898, 233.16 def. Mark Poyser, Ford Mustang, broke. Pro Stock -- Jeff Dobbins, Ford Probe, 6.589, 211.73 def. Chris Holbrook, Ford Escort, 6.593, 211.66. Top Stock -- Joe Aluise Jr., Plymouth Belvedere, 9.946, 134.03 def. Matt Morgan, Chevy Camaro, foul. Top Sportsman -- Joe Ballog, Chevy Beretta, 7.415, 187.44 def. Gary Bingham, Pontiac Grand Am, 7.422, 178.76. Top Dragster -- Mike Bloomfield, 7.431, 177.98 def. Randy Folk, 7.484, 171.58. Quick Rod -- Ed McCleaft, Dragster, 8.900, 165.21 def. Rusty Cook, Dragster, 8.872, 161.98. Super Rod -- Charlie Kenopic, Ford Roadster, 9.919, 144.83 def. Mark Horton, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.936, 149.30. Hot Rod -- Ted Barnes, Datsun 510, 10.906, 120.85 def. Tim Kavanagh, Ford Thunderbird, 10.851, 131.82. Super Stock -- Scotty Stillings, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.534, 140.66 def. Richard Mowat, Pontiac Firebird, 9.789, 136.91. Stock -- Michael Beard, Dodge Dart, 11.334, 112.06 def. Chuck Nagy, Chevy Corvette, 12.505, 105.20. ET Bracket -- Brad Perkins, Chevy Camaro, 11.683, 106.11 def. Kevin Knight, Dragster, 8.297, 162.00.
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