MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — A familiar face was back in the Winner’s Circle at Maryland Int’l Raceway. Six-time IHRA Top Fuel world champion Clay Millican, who raced a full schedule on the NHRA tour this season, arrived this past weekend to defend last season’s event championship. He succeeded, knocking off current point-leader T.J. Zizzo in the final round to claim his 51st-career national-event Ironman.
But Millican had to earn it. Zizzo, in a close race for the IHRA world championship, threw everything he had at Millican, posting a 4.685 at 321.73 mph. Millican was able to edge him with a 4.576 at 325.85…a pass that backed up his provisional record run of 328.14 set during Friday qualifying.
“That was unbelievable,” Millican said after the final. “We expected them to come out swinging, but never in my life did I expect them to throw out a 6.68 at 321. That was a great final round and I’m really proud of T.J. and his entire team. They had a big weekend, too.”
Mitch King had the biggest weekend of his racing career, claiming his first Nitro Funny Car victory by stopping Jack Wyatt in the final round. King clocked a 5.133 at 289.45 mph to stop Wyatt, who smoked his tires at the hit of the throttle.
“We have worked so hard and paid a lot of dues,” King said. “I can’t say enough about my guys. All year we’ve been running a Top Fuel car and a Nitro Funny Car. My guys have gone without eating, without sleeping, without a lot of things and they’ve never complained. I know, at every race, I have the hardest-working crew on the property.”
Mike Janis continued his recent hot streak, claiming the Pro Modified Ironman with a final-round victory over John Russo. Janis posted a 6.025 at 241.63 to turn on the win light over Russo’s 6.127/241.24 pass. Janis pulled within a couple of rounds of Scott Cannon at the top of the national point list, but failed to go to the Edmonton race and will not receive the 41-point bonus for attending each IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam event.
Pete Berner won his 18th-career Ironman with a Pro Stock victory over Dean Goforth. Berner took it with a 6.307 at 222.40 to knock off Goforth’s 6.357/223.69.
Laurie Cannister found the winner’s circle for the first time since 2002, taking home the Alcohol Funny Car championship with a victory over Mark Thomas.