Creasy Hopes Things are Steering in the Right Direction

Will look to put recent car handling problems behind him at President’s Cup Nationals

BEECHER, Ill. (June 9, 2008) - Dale Creasy Jr., the two-time defending IHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion, is convinced he has things headed in the right direction. After a steering problem caused him to hit a cone and be disqualified in the first round at the Motor City Nationals, the Beecher, Ill. resident is looking forward to getting back on the track.

“We had a little problem in Milan, but I think it was more the guy steering the car than the actual car hitting the cone,” Creasy said. “We looked at a couple of things and made some changes. The car really responded and it’s handling much better.”

Creasy will look to earn his first Ironman of the season at the Torco President’s Cup Nationals, June 13-15 at Maryland International Raceway. After dominating IHRA’s Nitro Funny Car class last season, winning six national events and rolling up a stellar 26-5 round record, the Creasy Family Motorsports team has struggled out of the gates in 2008. A final-round loss to Steven Macklyn in San Antonio was followed by a pair of first-round exits, one in Rockingham and the disqualification at Milan Dragway.

Despite the early-season struggles, Creasy knows he has plenty of time to turn things around. He is currently third in the IHRA championship points standings, 21 behind points leader Paul Lee and 11 behind Torco teammate Matt Hagan.

“We’re just now heading into the heart of the season and my guys have been working hard,” Creasy said. “We’re only one round and a point out of first place in the standings so I would say we’re in pretty good shape. This division is so competitive and I’m really excited to see how this points chase shakes out.”

Creasy will be looking to get his stretch run started at a facility that has not treated him too kindly over the last two seasons. In 2006 he qualified #3 at the President’s Cup Nationals, but broke after his burnout and could not stage his car in the first round against Jeff Diehl. Diehl would take the round win and eventually claimed the Ironman. In 2007 Creasy was the #1 qualifier at MIR with a 4.920 at 310.41 mph. He defeated Terry Haddock in the first round before tire-shake in the semifinals ended his weekend. Mitch King, his semifinals opponent, ended up in the Winner’s Circle, claiming the 2007 President’s Cup Nationals Ironman.

“I haven’t had the greatest luck at MIR but I really love the place,” Creasy said. “The racing surface is one of the best in the country and the fans are absolutely incredible. MIR is pretty special.”

Creasy will come to MIR fresh off his duties as Honorary Starter at the NHRA’s Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 Nationals in Joliet.

"That was a pleasant surprise,” Creasy said of being honored in Joliet. “I’m an IHRA guy through and through, but to go over there and spend some time with the NHRA guys was pretty cool. I have a lot of friends who run on the NHRA side and I enjoyed spending some time with them. But after that it was time to get back to work.”

The Torco President’s Cup Nationals will take place at Maryland International Raceway June 13-15. There will be one Nitro Funny Car qualifying session Friday evening. Final qualifying takes place Saturday with one afternoon session and one in the evening in concert with IHRA’s “Night of Fire.” Final eliminations will begin Sunday at noon. For more information on the President’s Cup Nationals please visit NitroJam.com.

To learn more about Dale Creasy, Jr. and the Torco Race Fuels Nitro Funny Car visit Dale Creasy Jr.

photo used with permission © Bob Szelag