Mother Nature was set on wreaking havoc on the Amalie Motor Oil North American Nationals, only
allowing for one Pro Stock qualifying session, and making Saturday a complete washout. However, she
also aided in perhaps one of the most pivotal Pro Stock match-ups of the season.
Coming into this event, John Montecalvo was 41 points behind leader Frank Gugliotta. To hold on to
a vital chance at the Championship Monte needed to gain some ground this weekend, and he did just
that. In the single round of qualifying, Montecalvo got down at an impressive 6.357 at 222.29,
placing him 4th. This matched him up against number 12 qualifier, and current points leader,
Gugliotta, in round number one. On Sunday all eyes were on this pair as huge Championship
implications unfolded. The race wasn't pretty as both drivers struggled to keep their cars on a
straight path to the finish. Montecalvo won the pedal-fest, going through at a 6.858 to Gugliotta's
losing effort of 7.274.
This brought Montecalvo within 14 points of Gugliotta, intensifying the Championship chase.
"What a weekend," relayed Monte. "We really needed Frank to go out first round, and the cards fell
our way and we were able to do the job ourselves. It wasn't pretty, but we got the job done and
tightened up the points. We're in a good position going into the final two races. I'm looking
forward to battling this out!"
Montecalvo's day ended after his exciting first round, when he succumbed to Mike Bruno in an upset
loss. "I knew I got in a little deep when I went up against Bruno," Monte explained. "So all I was
thinking was 'don't go red, don't go red!'I was confident in the team that we were going to have
the faster car- all I had to do was have a conservative light- but we all know what happens when
you think that way! Mike did a good job this weekend and made it to the final. Congratulations to
him and [winner] Bob Bertsch."
Now within 14 points of Frank Gugliotta, Montecalvo is less than one round away from taking over
the Pro Stock points lead. "It's definitely going to be a good fight. I have a great team and I
know we have what it takes to win this thing. We also have that car with the #1 [Pete Berner] on
the windshield making some moves, so right now the bulls eye is on Frank. I can't wait to get to
Maryland!!!"
