Rockingham Al Billes; not a fluke

ROCKINGHAM, NC - Hot on the heels of his top qualifying effort at the IHRA's season-opening Prolong Winter Nationals at Darlington International Dragway, second-year Pro Mod racer Al Billes proved it wasn't a fluke by repeating the feat at the year's second national event.

Billes, from Barrie, Ontario, Canada, let it be known in no uncertain terms early on that he planned to be a serious contender for the title, and his CP Race Cars-built 1953 Studebaker has definitely been the class of the field so far in 2000. The bright yellow rocket has been running consistent 6.30's behind a supercharged engine program of Billes' own design and construction.

At the Holley Spring Nationals at "The Rock", Rockingham Dragway, Billes once again came out swinging, setting the pace early with a first round 6.346. In the process, he wounded his engine, and had to replace it before round two. His hold on the top qualifying spot was so strong, however, that when he came out with the fresh bullet under the hood and ran a "soft" 6.55, his initial number held up to earn him top qualifier honors for the second race in a row.

Billes dispatched Mitch Stott in the first round of eliminations, and Alan Pittman in round two. Facing the nitrous-aided '63 Corvette of #4 qualifier Todd Tutterow in the semi-finals, Billes had problems as the car slowed noticeably at the 330' mark, and he coasted through the top end to close out his weekend.

Billes is heading to his own backyard for the season's next race, and you can rest assured that he'll be pulling out all the stops in order to show well before his Canadian fans.

The next event on the IHRA tour will take place June 2-4, at Grand Bend Motorplex for the Mopar Parts Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol.