Creasy Ready for IHRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham

Dale Creasy, Jr. races the Chevy Impala Funny Car at Rockingham this weekend.

photo used with permission (c) Roger Richards

Reigning Nitro Funny Car World Champion seeks first Ironman of the 2008 season

ROCKINGHAM, NC (April 16, 2008) – Two-time defending IHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion Dale Creasy Jr. is ready to go. Two weeks after a mechanical glitch cost his team a potential trip to the Winner’s Circle in San Antonio, Creasy is looking to make a move at the IHRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham and move back into a very familiar position…the top of the Nitro Funny Car standings.

"My team is ready to go. We had a strong car and had the field covered by a tenth in San Antonio, but things just didn't work out in the final round," Creasy said. "As much as I hate to lose it was great seeing Steven Macklyn get his first career win because I was in that position not very long ago. To see his level of excitement made me feel a little better, but just for a couple of seconds. By the time I got back to the pits it was time to get back to work."

Creasy is building on a two-year stretch that is among the strongest in IHRA history. In those two short years he won nine races to move into fifth overall in the career IHRA Nitro Funny Car wins list. Last season he won an incredible 23 rounds (against just five defeats) and claimed six Ironmen. His entire crew returned intact for the 2008 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam season, giving him a tremendous amount of confidence to go after a third consecutive championship.

"My guys are amazing," Creasy said. "I never have to worry about things being done right the first time because they all take so much pride in this team and this car. Right after that final round in San Antonio every one of them put it behind them and started gearing up for Rockingham. The great thing about this team is the lack of egos. Each and every crew member is willing to do whatever it takes to put this car in the Winner’s Circle. ‘That is not my job’ has never been said in our pits and that’s the attitude it takes."

Creasy currently trails Macklyn by 19 points in the championship points chase heading to Rockingham Dragway. He is looking to close that gap.

"I love Rockingham," Creasy said. "The track is very good and the fans are incredible. That place fills up with passionate race fans who love and appreciate what we do. I enjoy mingling with the fans everywhere we go, but in Rockingham it’s just a little more special. Rockingham is one of the tracks where I've never won so we'll be looking to change that this weekend."

Creasy pulled into Rockingham Dragway Wednesday before heading into Raleigh and Durham to visit local television stations for their evening sports reports. He then headed back to the track to set up his pits and get ready for Friday qualifying.

"Visiting with the media is something I always enjoy," he said. "It takes a bit of time away from our race preparation, but visiting the local television stations and talking about IHRA drag racing, Torco Racing Fuels, Beaver Shredding and Rockingham Dragway is something I think is very important. I love this sport and will promote it any chance I get."

The IHRA Spring Nationals will kick off Friday, April 18 with one evening qualifying session at 6 p.m. There will be an afternoon and evening qualifying session Saturday, April 19 with final eliminations scheduled for Sunday, April 20.