IHRA: 5th Annual ACDELCO Nationals

By C.J. Perry - IHRA Director of Public Relations

RICHMOND, VA – The long Memorial Day weekend saw some great racing action at the 5th Annual ACDelco Nationals presented by the Richmond Times Dispatch. In Top Fuel, Clay Millican took home his third straight win of the 2005 season and the fortieth of his career.

In Torco Pro Modified, Mike Janis shook off any early season doubts about whether he could contend for another title. Funny Car saw Rob Atchison overtake Mark Thomas for the points lead as he took home his second win of the season. The carousel of winners kept spinning in Torco Pro Stock as Rick Jones took home the victory.

Millican, from Drummonds, Tenn., saw his early season dominance continue as he bested Doug Foley in the final with a pass of 4.568 seconds at 320.36 mph, setting both track records in the process. Louie Allison, of Denver, Colo., was a surprising early qualifying leader when he let loose with a pass of 4.669 seconds at 302.21 mph.

Janis, from Lancaster, N.Y., rebounded from early season troubles that saw him fail to qualify for the first two races. The defending Torco Pro Mod World Champion methodically took apart the competition, clocking passes of 6.169, 6.256, and 6,216 during eliminations. Janis was able to coast to victory in the final as Al Billes, from London, Ont., failed to answer the call. Billes had earlier set the IHRA Torco Pro Mod record for speed at 236.22 mph.In Funny Car, Atchison, from London, Ont., took home his second victory of the season against a familiar foe Terry McMillen from Elkhart, Ind.

The two had met in the final at the season opening Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks and RVs and the San Antonio Express News. The outcome was the same as the first race as Atchison clocked a pass of 5.881 seconds at 238.34 mph to McMillen s 6.062 seconds at 235.35 mph. Atchison left Virginia Motorsports Park with a 48 point lead over second place Mark Thomas.

Jones, from Galesburg, Ill., walked away from another wild weekend in Torco Pro Stock as the last driver standing. Jones defeated Steve Spiess with a pass of 6.465 seconds at 216.90 in the final as Spiess car went into tire shake.