EPPING, N.H. — Prior to the July Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Todd and Barry Paton tapped Top Fuel novice Tim Boychuk to drive their 2004 McKinney for the remainder of the 2008 season.
The big payoff probably came a little sooner than they expected.
Boychuk drove past Terry McMillen in the final round of the IHRA Amalie Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway to claim his first-career victory, posting a 4.758 at 306.19 miles per hour to knock off a tire-smoking McMillen. Boychuk had a rough road to travel, but he was able to drive through Mike Strasburg (who set the track speed record) in the first round and point leader Spencer Massey in the semifinals to get to the run for the money.
“This is the best feeling in the world…it’s just awesome,” Boychuk said from the New England Dragway winner’s circle. “I have to thank the Patons for letting me drive the car. They really helped me out and have a great crew. It was a wonderful weekend.”
Andy Kelley is finishing 2008 with a fury, advancing to his third-consecutive Nitro Funny Car final and, after defeating Terry Haddock, visiting the winner’s circle for the second time this season. Kelley ran a 5.160 at 264.96 mph to take the victory over a tire-shaking Haddock. Kelley defeated Corey Lee in the first round and Matt Hagan in the semifinals. Though he lost in the final round, Haddock holds a commanding points lead heading into the season finale in Rockingham (N.C.) Dragway.
Chalk another one up for the nitrous Pro Modifieds — for the third race in a row, nitrous cars finished 1-2 on the qualifying sheet. Jim Halsey, behind the wheel of his nitrous-assisted 1968 Camaro, won his third national event of the season when he stopped Mike Castellana in an all-nitrous final round. Three of the four cars in the semifinals, Halsey, Castellana and Pat Stoken, were nitrous-assisted.
Paul Noakes captured the Alcohol Funny Car victory over Dale Brand, while Peter Berner bested Jeff Dobbins in Pro Stock and moved 25 points ahead of Dobbins in the season standings heading into Rockingham.
The results:
Top Fuel: Tim Boychuk, 4.758 seconds, 306.19 mph  def. Terry McMillen, 8.343 seconds, 100.57 mph.
Nitro Funny Car: Andy Kelley, Chevy Camaro, 5.160, 264.96 def. Terry Haddock, Dodge Stratus, 10.857, 95.69.
Pro Modified: Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.054, 233.64  def. Mike Castellana, Pontiac Firebird, 6.759, 154.28.
Alcohol Funny Car: Paul Noakes, Dodge Avenger, 5.884, 242.89  def. Dale Brand, Chevy Camaro, foul.
Pro Stock: Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.333, 222.88  def. Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.370, 222.00.
Top Dragster: Nick Meloni, Dragster, 6.958, 187.63  def. Justin Mason, Dragster, 7.017, 189.34.
Top Sportsman: Todd Fontana, Chevy Corvette, 6.948, 199.70  def. Robert Jones, Corvette, 6.897, 197.91.
Super Stock: Joe Santangelo Jr., Chevy Camaro, 10.434, 112.68  def. Raffe Karaguezian, Chevy Nova, foul.
Stock: Gregory Gay, Plymouth Super Bee, 10.919, 111.24  def. Patrick Kelliher, Chevy Camaro, 12.227, 107.10.
Quick Rod: Steve Mikus, Dragster, 8.893, 158.69  def. Brad Coryell, Dragster, 8.851, 166.07.
Super Rod: Ryan Ondrejko, Chevy Corvette, 9.879, 151.26 def. Jim Lintner, Chevy Beretta, 9.867, 147.29.
Hot Rod: Tony Elrod, AMC Gremlin, 10.924, 126.19  def. Matt Harper, Chevy Malibu, 10.915, 125.11.
ET Bracket: Michael Caron, Dragster, 7.756, 171.88  def. Patrick Smith, Buick Regal, 10.081, 131.02.
Mod ET: Patrick Smith, Buick Regal, 10.128, 120.36  def. Bill Fraser, Ford P/U, 10.028, 131.91.
Top ET: Michael Caron, Dragster, 7.750, 172.08  def. Martel Mario, Chevy Blazer, 9.664, 138.94.