MARTIN, Mich. — Andy Kelley was thinking about parking his car a little early this season. Heading into the Torco Northern Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, Kelley knew his race team was up against the wall financially. He also knew how quickly things could change.
Kelley defeated Paul Lee in the Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car final round to claim his first-career national-event victory, also getting the financial boost he needed to be able to compete at the Sooner Nationals later this month.
“We were broke and thinking about quitting,” Kelley said. “Now we did something silly and won some money, so we pretty much can’t quit. We have to keep on going.”
Kelley qualified fifth and knocked off No. 1-qualifier Cory Lee in the first round. He then defeated John Lawson, who was driving the car Dale Creasy, Jr. drove to the world championship last year, in the semifinals to move into the final-round match-up with P. Lee. P. Lee hazed his tires in the final round, while Kelley made a clean pass right down the groove. He posted a 5.544 at 263.20 to grab the Ironman.
Spencer Massey took over the Top Fuel point lead in the semifinals when he was able to slip past leader Bruce Litton. He then knocked off McMillen, who shook his tires at mid-track. Massey clocked a 4.741 at 312.57 to take the win light.
Laurie Cannister’s Alcohol Funny Car victory over Paul Noakes in the finals handed Cannister her fifth national-event victory in seven tries this season. She coasted to the finish line after Noakes lit the red light by .162 second.
Other winners included Jim Halsey over Mike Castellana in a matchup of top qualifiers in the Pro Modified division and Jeff Dobbins in Pro Stock after a red light from Pete Berner in the finals.
Ed Hoover won the biggest race of his career Saturday, pocketing $50,000 for winning the IHRA’s $100,000 Torco Pro Modified Shootout on Saturday.
Hoover squared off with Mike Castellana in the final round. Castellana, among the steadiest drivers in the pro modified ranks, lit the red light by a razor-thin .002 second.
“I didn’t see his red-light. I knew I had to be on my game and I didn’t know what kind of light I had,” Hoover said. “But for $50,000 I’ll take it. This was a great win for Trussell Motorsports and my entire crew. I got out of the car kicking myself in the head, then Jim Halsey came over and told me he red-lit. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t lying before I got too happy. I couldn’t believe it.”