New York’s Mike Castellana, the winner of the 2005 IHRA Pro Modified World Championship title, earned his first circuit victory since that season during IHRA’s Torco Presidents Cup Nationals in Maryland. Driving his rapidly improving and nitrous-injected ’68 Firebird, Castellana flew to a final round 6.097 secs at 238.93 mph to defeat the supercharged ’68 Camaro driven by Ed Hoover which ran a close 6.102 secs at 232.31 mph.

Castellana’s popular event win also included round win over Pat Stoken, Kenny Lang and Mike Janis.

Pro Modified racing at MIR was paced by Tommy D’Aprile who’s 6.042 secs effort driving the ’62 Chevy Belair owned by Mel Bush held up for low ET of the meet. Overall ’08 IHRA PM points leader Kenny Lang (from Manitoba) set top speed of the meet at 239.95 mph while enroute to a quarter-final round finish.

Nitro racing at M.I.R. featured a win in Top Fuel for Bobby Lagana Jr., and in Nitro Funny Car by 2X defending IHRA Champion Dale Creasy Jr.

Lagana Jr., earned his 4th career IHRA Ironman when he topped Bruce Litton in the championship round, winning a 4.869 secs 306.40 mph to 4.998 secs 225.82 mph decision. Litton, the overall IHRA points leader had the lead and appeared to have the event won before his motor let go in a fireball at about the 1000’ mark.

Top Fuel racing was an extremely short affair with only 6 entries in the class category.

Dale Creasy’s win in Nitro Funny Car was his first of the season. Creasy, from Illinois, drove his Chevy Impala past the upset minded Chevy Camaro of Todd Simpson in the final round winning easily with a 5.080 secs at 294.95 mph.

Creasy beat Mike Smith and Andy Kelly during rounds one and two. He had set low ET and top speed (4.967 secs / 300.40 mph) during qualifying.

Alcohol Funny Car racing saw Laurie Cannister extend her overall IHRA points margin with her 4th final round appearance (and 3rd victory) of the 2008 season.

Cannister wheeled her Chevy Camaro to a final round win over Paul Noakes, winning easily at 5.780 secs 246.57 mph compared to Noakes’ 6.015 secs at 238.17 mph. Laurie had gunned down pole qualifier Dale Brand in round one and defeated Mark Thomas on a holeshot in round two of class competition.

For Canadian Paul Noakes, the strong runner-up finish was his best of the season so far since taking over as driver of Terry McMillen’s popular Amalie-sponsored “Instigator” Funny Car. Fellow Canadian driver Larry Dobbs was credited with top speed of the meet in AFC. Larry roared to a career best 254.14 mph driving his Chevy Corvette during qualifying.

Pro Stock saw versatile racer Frank Gugliotta win for the first time in 2008, taking the Piranaz-sponsored Mountain-motored Ford Mustang to victory.

Gugliotta outran the Chevy Colbalt driven by Jason Collins in the final round, taking a 6.417 secs 219.86 mph to 6.431 secs 219.83 mph win-light.

Gugliotta, who is a home state Maryland-based driver, had taken the measure of Rob Mansfield, Pete Berner and Richard Freeman in earlier rounds and his win moved him to 3rd in IHRA championship points.

Jeff Dobbins, the current 2008 IHRA PS points leader, set both low ET and top speed during class qualifying at 6.358 secs and 221.56 mph. Dobbins’ Ford Escort was however shut down by Collins in round two of competition.

The Pro fields at MIR were set based on abbreviated qualifying after rainstorms washed out Saturday evening’s scheduled “Night of Fire” final round feature.