Laurie Cannister Martin preview

Cannister and Kalbones’ Team Look to Get Back on Track in Martin

July 29, 2008 – Johnstown, Ohio – As the final preparations are made on the Kalbones Grill’n Sauce AFC, Laurie Cannister is looking forward to getting back into the thick of the chase.

During the last event on the IHRA Nitro Jam Tour, the Kalbones car wasn’t sporting all the same pieces that had taken it to every final round preceding the Grand Bend, Ontario event. It was missing what had become the trusty supercharger and the tune up that went with it.

“With the amount of events that we have, we really don’t care to test during races but that’s what we needed to do. We’ve had this new blower for quite sometime,” explained Crew Chief Mike Couch. “Dale and I knew we needed to see what we could do with it and it needed to be sooner than later. So, Grand Bend it was.”

“I know we needed to try and see what the new blower would want or need, but I’m happy that for now, we are going back to the other one,” Laurie said. “We’re going to put the old one back on for this race at US 131 and go back to what we had been doing and hopefully get back on track. We’ll keep thinking in the meantime what we’re going to have to do to the new one to make it work like we know it should.”

While a few of the stops on the IHRA tour are new tracks for both Laurie and the Kalbones’ team to compete on, this week’s event at Martin, Michigan is like coming home. “I just love the fans at Martin,” Laurie raved. “And one of the best parts about the Michigan fans is that there are a lot of them, too. The attendance for the race is amazing and makes us look forward to the US 131 event just that much more.”

“I have participated in the Martin event both as a driver and crew, but I’m not kidding anyone when I say, it’s so much better as a driver. To pull up around the corner, for example, during the Saturday Night of Fire and see the stands just jam packed, you really want to give the folks the show they came to see,” Laurie added.

Before the race festivities are to take place, Laurie will participate with several other professional and sportsman teams in the media day planned for Thursday afternoon. There will also be a professional driver meet and greet/autograph session during the weekend, as well.

“This one is really going to be extra special,” said Laurie, when speaking of the meet and greet. “I always enjoy talking to the fans and handing out hero cards, but this one we will be welcoming Dale Creasy, Jr. back to the track. It will be so good to see him. I’m hoping he will join us for the autograph session, because I’m saving him a seat!”

All of this and so much more is slated to take place at the seventh event on the 2008 IHRA Nitro Jam tour. The Northern Nationals comes to US 131 at Martin, Michigan and the excitement begins this Friday and continues through Sunday.


(Release courtesy of Kathy Fisher - Photos courtesy of Roger Richards and CompetitionPlus.com)

Laurie Cannister Fast Fan Facts
Birthday - July 23
Hometown - Johnstown, Ohio with husband, Tuner Dale Cannister
Children - Samson "Our Son" - Norwegian Elkhound
2008 IHRA Alcohol Funny Car Champion - Texas Nationals (San Antonio), Spring Nationals (Rockingham), President’s Cup Nationals (Budds Creek) & Rocky Mountain Nationals (Edmonton)
2008 IHRA Alcohol Funny Car Runner-Up – Motor City Nationals (Milan)
2002 & 2007 IHRA Alcohol Funny Car Champion - President's Cup Nationals (Budds Creek)
2000 IHRA Pro Outlaw World Champion
1999 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year
Career quickest Quarter Mile elapsed time is 5.669
Career fastest Quarter Mile speed is 246.89
Career quickest Eighth Mile elapsed time is 3.731 (Current IHRA ET Record)
Career fastest Eighth Mile speed is 198.32 (Current IHRA Speed Record)
Cannister is the fastest and quickest female driver in IHRA Alcohol Funny Car history (Eighth & Quarter Mile)


About Kalbones Grill'n Sauce:
Serious Sauce for Serious Grill'n! We make it easy for you to become a grill master with our unique family recipe using only the finest and freshest ingredients. There are two secrets to producing great barbecue. The first is the slow cooking process which allows the meat to tenderize while maintaining all of the moist, natural, mouth-watering juices. The second is the sauce. Kalbones is a Southern Virginia style sauce which enhances and compliments the natural flavor of the meat with a distinctive home-style barbeque flavor. Whether the occasion is a pig pickin', tailgate party, or a backyard barbeque, Kalbones is your essential ingredient to success. Six mouth watering flavors to choose from and a new rub.

Better yet - Try them all! Mop Kalbones on beef, poultry, and seafood too - It's "not jus' for yer butts!"

For more information about Kalbones Grill'n Sauce, ordering, contests and great recipes visit - http://www.kalbones.com

Special Thanks to – Flatout Gaskets – www.flatoutgaskets.com

For More Info or Photos Contact – Kathy Fisher
Performance by Fisher Productions
Lima, Ohio
Web – www.performancebyfisher.com
Email – team_pr@performancebyfisher.com