A beautiful Texas weekend came to a close Sunday (May 31) afternoon as Scott Weis (Top Fuel), Chris Russo (Pro Modified) and Frank Gugliotta (Pro Stock) all claimed victories at the Amalie Motor Oil Texas Nationals in Crandall, Texas.

It was the first career Ironman victories for Russo and Weis, while Gugliotta picked up his 11th career Ironman in IHRA Pro Stock competition.

In exhibition action, Gaylen Smith grabbed the win in the Outlaw Pro Modified shootout while Chris Gulitti (Top Sportsman), Russell Marr (Top Dragster), Kevin Helms (Super Stock), Bob Murray (Stock), Doug Miller (Quick Rod), Leonard Greathouse (Super Rod) and Jeremy Hefler (Hot Rod) all took home Ironman victories in sportsman competition.

Scott Weis

TOP FUEL

Coming into this weekend, all the talk surrounded the big three in Top Fuel – Bruce Litton, Del Cox and Bobby Lagana. Sunday afternoon, Scott Weis threw his name into the conversation.

Weis (Ashland, Va.) made a big splash in his return to IHRA Top Fuel competition this weekend with a victory over veteran Terry McMillen (Elkhart, Ind.) in the Top Fuel final at the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals.

“That was a great run in the heat. Wayne Dupree is an amazing man with these guys,” Weis said. “We were concerned with the race track because of the sun that had been on it all day and we smoked the tires in the first session, but I was able to pedal through it and keep up with it. In the second session I tried to crutch it a little bit and we made a few adjustments and had a good lap.

“Going into the final round my crew chief said I don’t know whether that made the difference or not, but do it again.”