Laurie Cannister Rockingham preview

Kalbones Back in the Ring for Round Two

Virginia Beach, VA – The first stop on the 2008 IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Tour proved that the Alcohol Funny Car class is going to be full of fun and even more surprises this season. Still flying on cloud-9 from the team’s outstanding weekend in San Antonio, which was full of National Records, number one qualifiers and of course the event victory, Kalbones Racing and Driver Laurie Cannister are already in high gear for the Rockingham event.

Tuner Dale Cannister feels that even though this next event is back to a quarter mile, what the Kalbones Grill’n Sauce team was able to learn in San Antonio will be a huge help for Rockingham and the rest of the season. “We definitely learned a lot. Whether it’s eighth mile or quarter mile, any pass that you are on the track, you learn something. Hopefully, we can take that learning and do well at the Rock.”

After the huge successes on the track in San Antonio, one may think that this would give the Kalbones team a little breathing room. Laurie Cannister has a fifty-two point lead over her closest competitor, Rob Atchison. “It's definitely too early yet but it's also great to be ahead of the game right from the start,” Laurie said. “I never feel comfortable with any points lead because you can lose it as easily as you got it! With Rob who never gives up, Mark who is always there, and Dale Brand who is a constant threat, just to name a few, how could anyone feel comfortable?”

What the points lead does do is put a “bull’s eye” on the Kalbones Grill’n Sauce team. While Dale Cannister doesn’t feel it’s much to worry about just yet, Laurie on the other hand tries to never think about it one way or another. “I'm just not going to worry about it,” she said. “We take it one round at a time and one race at a time. I'm sure the bull's eye is going to be passed around a lot this season in AFC.”

The last time the Kalbones team was on the track in Rockingham was the World Finals last fall. While the team wasn’t as successful as they would have liked to have been on race day, they were the number one qualifier with a 5.66. Should Mother Nature shine on the Nitro Jam Spring Nationals event, Crew Chief Mike Couch feels that number should once again be very obtainable and maybe even a little better.

“While it may look like we have pulled out all the stops in San Antonio that is far from the truth” Couch explained. “We have got to stay on our toes against these guys and do our best to continue to shine. Not just in qualifying but it needs to carry over to Sunday, too.”

When it comes right down to it, the attitude in the Kalbones’ camp is nothing but pure focus.

“We try not to worry about anyone else but ourselves.” Dale said. “I try to tune the car the best I can for the conditions we face each pass. My goal is to race the track, not the other teams.”

Laurie adds that it can be anyone's day on any race day. “Everyone in this class is capable of winning. That's what is going to make the AFC competition the one to watch in 2008.”

It will be one to watch indeed as round two of the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Series rolls into North Carolina and Rockingham Dragway April 18-20.

Laurie Cannister Fast Fan Facts
Birthday – July 23
Hometown - Johnstown, Ohio with husband, Tuner Dale Cannister
Children – Samson “Our Son” – Norwegian Elkhound
2002 & 2007 IHRA Alcohol Funny Car Champion – President’s Cup Nationals (Budds Creek)
2008 IHRA Alcohol Funny Car Champion – Texas Nationals (San Antonio)
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)


For more information about Laurie Cannister and Kalbones Racing Inc., visit the team website - www.kalbonesracing.com

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 – www.kalbones.com

Kalbones Racing Inc is also sponsored by:
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