Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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🏁 Travel back to the early days of the Bill Bader era of IHRA drag racing with this rare archival footage from the 2003 IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Maryland.

This event marked just the second IHRA national event under new ownership and featured some of the biggest stars of the era battling for championship glory.

🔥 Clay Millican earned his 28th career IHRA Top Fuel victory and his 100th career round win, defeating Bruce Litton in the final round aboard the Werner Enterprises dragster.

🔥 Carl Spiering shocked the Pro Modified field by driving from the No. 10 qualifying position to score his first career IHRA Pro Modified victory.

🔥 Rob Atchison continued one of the most dominant Funny Car seasons in IHRA history, capturing his sixth victory of the year.

🔥 Carl Baker strengthened his championship hopes with another Sunoco Pro Stock victory after nearly failing to qualify.

This rare video, preserved by drag racing historian Dave Wesolowski, captures a unique period in IHRA history when Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Modified and Pro Stock delivered some of the toughest competition in the sport.

🏁 Event Winners:
• Top Fuel – Clay Millican
• Funny Car – Rob Atchison
• Pro Modified – Carl Spiering
• Pro Stock – Carl Baker

📍 Maryland International Raceway
📍 Budds Creek, Maryland
📅 September 2003

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