Smoking semi-finals ends Creasy's day

BUDDS CREEK, Md. - Dale Creasy Jr. and his Torco Race Fuels Nitro Funny Car made there way to the Torco Race Fuels President's Cup Nationals in Maryland with one thing on their minds. After clinching the 2007 World Championship the week before in Milan Creasy and his team just wanted to finish the season strong.

Creasy would do just that, capturing the Last Man Standing award on Saturday night and the number one qualifying position with a 4.920 e.t at 310.41 mph. Their efforts would earn them a showdown in the opening round with Terry Haddock that saw the Evan Knoll sponsored team go up in smoke before Creasy got the car to hook after peddling it. When the car finally hooked it sent Creasy on what was described as a "snaky trail" crossing the finish line with at least three near incidents with the retaining walls.

"We've usually got a good hot weather tune-up," Creasy explained. "Today there was just something we couldn't find to get this car down the track."

Creasy's semi-final appearance against Mitch King would also prove to be a smoky affair for the Beecher, Illinois based team. It was only the fourth time that Creasy would be defeated this season during eliminations. King would go on to win the event.

"Mitch has had a good season," Creasy said of King's first victory. "It's the fourth time he's been to the finals. Congratulations to Mitch and his guys, they've worked hard for this (win)."

The next stop for the two-time IHRA World Champion will be the IHRA World Finals in Rockingham, North Carolina, October 19-21 at the Rockingham Dragway.

Dale Creasy, Jr. and his championship Torco powered Nitro Funny Car, partner with high quality and performance companies like; Torco Race Fuels, Oakley, Red Line Oil, MSD, Crane Cams, BME, Fram Autolite, Polydyn TX7, TEK PAK, VSI, GM Performance and Beaver Shredding.