2009 NHRA U.S. NATIONALS - BME SAME DAY COVERAGE
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MONDAY FINAL ELIMINATIONS - SCHUMACHER TIES GARLITS FOR MOST TOP FUEL WINS AT PRESTIGIOUS MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
Force Hood, Coughlin and Arana also race to victory at world’s most prestigious drag race
Tony Schumacher continued his domination of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil Monday, racing to his eighth victory at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park and tying legendary “Big Daddy” Don Garlits for the most Top Fuel wins at the world’s most prestigious drag race.
Ashley Force Hood, Jeg Coughlin, and Hector Arana also were winners of the final regular season event in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The Countdown to 1, NHRA’s six-race championship playoffs, begins Sept. 18 with the NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, N.C.
Schumacher, who has been to the last eight final rounds at this event and 10 overall since he began his career at this race in 1996, powered to his fourth victory of the season and 60th of his career, with a performance of 3.861 seconds at 314.17 mph in his U.S. Army dragster to hold off rival Larry Dixon, who trailed with a 4.208 at 228.58 in his Al-Anabi Racing dragster.
“This win is special not just because we tied Don Garlits, but because we won Indy again,” said Schumacher, who pocketed $100,000 for the win. “To win this race for the eighth time and put the 60th trophy on my shelf is awesome. This is the U.S. Nationals. To have this much dominance at any track is incredible, but to be able to do it here at Indy is unbelievable. I don’t know why this is my lucky track, but I’m sure glad it is.”
Schumacher said to beat three-time Indy winner Dixon and his old teammates in the final was satisfying. Dixon drives for the new team created by Schumacher’s former crew chief, Alan Johnson. Together Schumacher and Johnson were virtually unstoppable, winning consecutive championships during the last five seasons and rewriting most of the Top Fuel record book during a stellar 2008 campaign.
“To hold this trophy at the end of the day with all the pressure and circumstances and beat a great team like they have over there in the final round, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Schumacher said. “The reason I race is for days like this.”
Force Hood became the third female to win the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in a pro category and the first ever in Funny Car when she earned her second win of the season by outrunning teammate Robert Hight in the final round. Force Hood joined Shirley Muldowney, who won this race in Top Fuel in 1982 and two-time Indy Pro Stock Motorcycle winner Angelle Sampey in the record books when she crossed the finish line in 4.170 at 294.75 in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. She earned $100,000 for her third career victory.
It was actually the second time Force Hood has won this event. Back in her sportsman racing days, she made her maiden trip to the winner’s circle here.
“When I won in ’04, it was my first national event win, and I happened to win at the 50th annual U.S. Nationals, and you couldn’t pick a better time to win your first event,” said Force Hood of her Top Alcohol Dragster victory. “I don’t think I really realized what was going on that day. Now, I can look back and appreciate it. It’s funny because before that final round, I was thinking, ‘OK, Robert seems to have magic here. When that team comes here, they do really well.’ I’ve spent a lot of winner’s circles here with his team, so I thought maybe this was going to be his day. Then Jerry Darien walked by, and I just had to laugh because I thought, ‘Well, it’s been our day here before, too, with Darien and Meadows — we won here, too.’ It kind of relaxed me a little. Either way, team Force was going to get in that winner’s circle.”
Hight, in his fourth consecutive Indy final round appearance, finished in 4.217 at 271.19 in his Auto Club Mustang and with his effort for the day locked in the 10th position in the point standings and secured a berth in the playoffs.
Defending world champ Coughlin finished the Pro Stock regular season in impressive fashion, winning his seventh race and claiming the No. 1 position for the playoffs. Coughlin earned his third U.S. Nationals win and 48th of his career with a run of 6.689 at 206.48 in his JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt to hold off final round opponent Greg Stanfield, who posted a 6.691 at 206.35 in his Attitude Apparel Pontiac GXP.
“We had a three-time world champion in the first round in Greg Anderson and it doesn’t get any tougher than him,” said Coughlin, who also beat Roger Brogdon and top qualifier Mike Edwards to advance to the final. “It was a huge win (against Anderson) for a number of reasons. He was trying to protect Jason Line’s opportunity to unseed us for the No. 1 spot going into the Countdown to 1. The win over Greg all but sealed the No. 1 spot for us, which means a lot because you get an extra 20 points going into it. That’s how we started the day, but then good old Lady Luck put us through the next three rounds, without question. Hopefully we haven’t used up all that luck yet as we just got the Countdown started and it’s a six-race dash for the Full Throttle championship. Let me tell you, it’s going to be one interesting battle in Pro Stock.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana earned his third victory of the season and first ever at Indy by powering his Lucas Oil Buell to a 7.026 at 189.10 to defeat Michael Phillips in the final, who posted a 7.086 at 185.84 on his Phillips Racing Suzuki. Karen Stoffer secured the final playoff position when she won her first round match and Steve Johnson lost.
"This is the sweetest moment for me," Arana said. "All the years I struggled people always told me, 'There is something better for you,' but I always wondered when my time was going to come. Now, I've won three races this year including the U.S. Nationals and I can't ask for anything more."
In addition to Coughlin, Tony Pedregon also secured the No. 1 playoff spot in Funny Car with his first round win over Del Worsham. Antron Brown (Top Fuel) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) had already claimed the top playoff spots in their categories. Each of the regular season champions receive a 20-point bonus to start the playoffs.
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SUNDAY FINAL QUALIFYING - BROWN, HIGHT, EDWARDS AND SMITH EARN NO. 1 QUALIFYING AWARDS AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
Antron Brown raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, the world’s most prestigious drag race.
Robert Hight, Mike Edwards and Matt Smith also will lead their categories into Monday’s 11 a.m. eliminations as the No. 1 qualifiers of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.
Brown scored his seventh top qualifying position of the season with his performance of 3.835 seconds at 319.22 mph in his Matco Tools dragster. A two-time winner of this event in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Brown will try to win it for the first time in Top Fuel tomorrow at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis when he faces rookie Spencer Massey in the opening round.
“You wouldn't think of (Spencer) qualifying No. 16, so we're going to have to race him like it's the final round,” Brown said. “Racing Spencer this year, he'll cut a light on me then I'll cut a light on him. I don't look to go up there and give anybody an advantage. I want to leave on everybody. There are a handful of guys in the class that are great leavers, so you always have to bring your 'A' game."
Clay Millican claimed the 10th spot in the Countdown to 1 in Top Fuel when 11th place Joe Hartley, who came into this race trailing Millican by three points, failed to qualify.
Hight took his first top qualifying award at this race and the second of the season with his run of 4.082 at 309.20 in his Auto Club Ford Mustang. Defending winner Hight, who has won this event two of the last three years, will face Grant Downing in the first round.
“That was four pretty impressive qualifying runs that the Auto Club Ford Mustang put down; that’s just stout,” Hight said. “It’s hard to run one of these fuel cars, especially a Funny Car, that many times down the track in a row. Dating back to last weekend when John [Force] was in the car in Reading, that’s nine runs in a row down the racetrack without dropping cylinders and all the little things that can go wrong, so that’s very, very stout. It’s better late than never I guess because we’ve struggled all season long, and we’ve never been that messed up; we’ve always been close.”
Hight is one of three drivers, including defending series champ Cruz Pedregon and rookie Matt Hagan, who are locked in a tight battle to make the Countdown to 1, NHRA’s playoffs. Following this event the top 10 drivers in each pro category will compete in the six-race championship playoffs, which begin Sept. 18 at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.
Hagan will face Hight teammate Ashley Force Hood in the first round, while Pedregon will race Hagan teammate Ron Capps in the opener.
“Going into tomorrow, we have a big day ahead of us,” Hight said. “We’re basically No. 12, and we did what we needed to do in qualifying: We out-qualified Cruz and Hagan. Now, we have to go two rounds further than Cruz and a round further than Hagan. Ashley has Hagan first round, so that’s good for us. Basically, when I look at the ladder, if we win the race tomorrow, we’re in the Countdown because we would have raced Cruz in the semis or else he was already out, and that’s the two rounds we need. If I beat him in the semis, that gives me one round.Then if I go on and win the final, that gives us a second round, and that puts us in the Countdown. That’s huge.”
In Pro Stock, Edwards earned his 10th No. 1 effort of the season and first at this event with his run of 6.581 at 209.01 in his ART/Young Life Pontiac GXP. Edwards, who won here in 1998, will face Rickie Jones in the first round.
“I have to pinch myself, because qualifying No. 1 at the U.S. Nationals, that’s pretty special,” said Edwards of his 16th career No. 1 position. “It’s just another great weekend for my team. I know I sound like a broken record, but we’re just making such very good runs on this race track. We had some difficulties there on Saturday morning but the guys at the shop got [a new engine] together and brought it up last night, and we’ve got everything in place. It looks like everything is good. I want to thank my guys and tell them how much I really appreciate them. It’s the team, it’s not just one person. It takes everybody to do this. And I give God all the glory because it’s all up to him.”
Six-time Indy winner Warren Johnson failed to qualify, which automatically ensures that 10th place qualifier Johnny Gray and 16th place qualifier Rickie Jones will earn the final two spots in the Countdown to 1 in the 200 mph category.
Smith claimed his second No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 16th overall in Pro Stock Motorcycle, covering the quarter-mile distance in 6.918 at 192.38 on his Nitro Fish Ultimate Gear Suzuki. Smith, a three-time finalist here and 2006 winner, will face Junior Pippin in the opening round.
"I won this race before and this is my third low qualifier in the last four years at this track so for some reason we seem to shine here," said Smith. "We hurt an engine in the Ringers [Pro Bike Battle] yesterday and last night, Steve [Tartaglia, crew chief] took our engine back to Don Schumacher Racing up the road in Brownsburg and he worked until 2 a.m. to get it right and today, it was a rocket ship. We have six engines and he could have used any one of them but this is Indy and he wanted our best one in the bike today so he rebuilt it. He deserves all the credit. That run was really fast. It pulled the front wheel when I plugged sixth gear and the Suzuki’s almost never do that. It’s great to be No. 1 and now I know we have a good tune-up for tomorrow.”
In the Countdown battle in the two-wheel category, Steve Johnson gained two points on Karen Stoffer, so they enter tomorrow’s eliminations tied in the point standings. He will face Chip Ellis, while Stoffer faces L.E. Tonglet in the first round.
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First-round pairings for professional eliminations Monday for the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Sunday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Antron Brown, 3.835 seconds, 319.22 mph vs. 16. Spencer Massey, 3.972, 306.81; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.836, 316.82 vs. 15. T.J. Zizzo, 3.972, 308.14; 3. Brandon Bernstein, 3.846, 316.30 vs. 14. Bruce Litton, 3.955, 307.58; 4. Larry Dixon, 3.850, 312.86 vs. 13. Clay Millican, 3.941, 309.56; 5. Morgan Lucas, 3.851, 314.61 vs. 12. Terry Haddock, 3.914, 300.60; 6. Cory McClenathan, 3.851, 311.63 vs. 11. David Grubnic, 3.902, 313.07; 7. Doug Kalitta, 3.862, 315.12 vs. 10. Rod Fuller, 3.888, 310.63; 8. Pat Dakin, 3.875, 313.95 vs. 9. Shawn Langdon, 3.888, 312.71. Did Not Qualify: 17. Ron August, 4.013, 298.93; 18. Joe Hartley, 4.025, 297.75; 19. Del Cox Jr, 4.848, 300.80; 20. Chris Karamesines, 4.956, 234.94; 21. Troy Buff, 5.625, 291.32.
Funny Car -- 1. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.082, 308.35 vs. 16. Grant Downing, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.230, 283.25; 2. Ashley Force Hood, Mustang, 4.093, 309.20 vs. 15. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.171, 299.46; 3. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.093, 308.85 vs. 14. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.166, 297.35; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Solara, 4.098, 305.36 vs. 13. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.154, 299.73; 5. John Force, Mustang, 4.107, 307.09 vs. 12. Jim Head, Solara, 4.143, 304.46; 6. Del Worsham, Solara, 4.109, 303.98 vs. 11. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Impala, 4.141, 301.67; 7. Jerry Toliver, Monte Carlo, 4.110, 302.69 vs. 10. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.141, 301.87; 8. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.126, 302.69 vs. 9. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.128, 303.78. Did Not Qualify: 17. Bob Bode, 4.292, 290.69; 18. Justin Schriefer, 12.015, 102.70; 19. Brian Thiel, broke.
Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.581, 209.01 vs. 16. Rickie Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.689, 207.02; 2. Jason Line, GXP, 6.620, 208.23 vs. 15. Justin Humphreys, GXP, 6.665, 205.82; 3. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.630, 207.88 vs. 14. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.652, 207.56; 4. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.633, 207.91 vs. 13. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.650, 207.85; 5. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.635, 208.30 vs. 12. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cobalt, 6.650, 208.04; 6. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.637, 207.78 vs. 11. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.649, 207.21; 7. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.640, 207.78 vs. 10. Johnny Gray, Stratus, 6.647, 207.72; 8. Ryan Ondrejko, GXP, 6.641, 206.95 vs. 9. Vinnie Deceglie, Stratus, 6.646, 207.37. Did Not Qualify: 17. Kurt Johnson, 6.701, 207.43; 18. Steve Schmidt, 6.701, 205.32; 19. Warren Johnson, 6.703, 207.94; 20. V. Gaines, 6.715, 204.60; 21. Bob Benza, 6.731, 205.22; 22. Mark Buehring, 6.828, 202.03; 23. Jim Cunningham, 6.856, 203.83; 24. Erica Enders, 6.942, 201.46; 25. Dave River, 6.988, 197.74; 26. John Nobile, 7.149, 206.95; 27. Matt Hartford, 7.478, 206.80; 28. Mark Hogan, 7.754, 203.92; 29. John Gaydosh Jr, 8.900, 201.97; 30. Kevin Lawrence, broke; 31. Frank Gugliotta, broke.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.918, 192.38 vs. 16. Junior Pippin, Buell, 7.064, 184.07; 2. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.936, 191.89 vs. 15. Angie McBride, Buell, 7.063, 186.54; 3. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.957, 192.66 vs. 14. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.059, 188.49; 4. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 6.971, 191.57 vs. 13. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 7.057, 189.04; 5. Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.979, 189.66 vs. 12. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.045, 187.73; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.014, 188.54 vs. 11. Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 7.028, 187.68; 7. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.015, 186.77 vs. 10. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.023, 188.17; 8. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.018, 190.43 vs. 9. Douglas Horne, Buell, 7.020, 188.94. Did Not Qualify: 17. Bailey Whitaker, 7.066, 186.54; 18. David Hope, 7.087, 185.64; 19. Joe DeSantis, 7.123, 185.82; 20. Mike Berry, 7.192, 181.40; 21. Redell Harris, 7.211, 183.12; 22. Katie Sullivan, 7.324, 183.27; 23. Geoff Godfrey, 7.549, 166.99.
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SATURDAY QUALIFYING - HINES WINS RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE
Dixon, Hight, Edwards and Arana continue to lead Mac Tools U.S. Nationals qualifying
Andrew Hines raced to the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle victory for the fourth time in his career Saturday at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, the world’s most prestigious drag race.
Hines beat the Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying leader and bonus event top seed Hector Arana in the final round at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis to earn the $25,000 payday for the special event that features the eight best bike teams from the last year.
Hines took the win on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson when Arana fouled at the start on his Lucas Oil Buell.
“I can’t tell you what this means to me,” said Hines, who also scored Ringers titles in 2004, 2006 and 2007. “It was tough to see Hector go red but as soon as I saw my win light on, I thought to myself, 'I just won 25 grand.’ With the economy being what it is, this really does a lot for our team. To win this race four times is also special. The only other riders who have done that are my brother, Matt, and John Myers. John was my idol and to be a member of that club really means a lot to me.”
In other racing, Larry Dixon, Robert Hight and Mike Edwards joined Arana in maintaining their No. 1 qualifying positions at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event, the final race of the regular season. Sunday’s final qualifying sessions are at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Monday’s eliminations begin at 11 a.m. The top 10 teams in each pro category following this event will compete in the six-race Countdown to 1, NHRA’s championship playoffs.
Dixon continued to lead Top Fuel qualifying order with his performance of 3.850 at 306.81 from Friday.
"I have egg on my face, because I said [Friday night] that the 3.85 wouldn't hold up," Dixon said. "I really thought that it would take an .80 or an .81 to take the pole tonight. There were a whole lot of .85s, and we just happened to be on the right side of them. We were trying to run a low-.80 as I'm sure a lot of other guys were, but for one reason or another it didn't work. We're going to run in race day-type of conditions tomorrow and work on our setup. I feel very fortunate to be low right now. Unless something crazy happens tomorrow, it might hold up."
Hight posted a 4.082 at 308.35 in his Auto Club Ford Mustang to pace the Funny Car qualifying order. His three other teammates, Ashley Force Hood, Mike Neff and team owner John Force, completed the top four.
“First off, 1, 2, 3, and 4 for our John Force Ford Mustangs -- that’s never happened,” Hight said. “We’ve had it lined up before, and someone’s messed it up. It could get messed up tomorrow, trust me, but we’re 1, 2, 3, and 4 going into tomorrow at the biggest race of the year, that’s an accomplishment. It’s still not over yet because they’re calling for some clouds tomorrow, and if we have cloud cover, NHRA’s done a great job on this racetrack and there’s going to be a lot of 4.0s tomorrow. It could even shuffle tomorrow, the top spots."
Edwards clocked a 6.581 at 209.01 in his ART/Young Life Pontiac GXP in Pro Stock.
“This morning’s run, condition-wise, was better; tonight was a little more humid,” Edwards said. “We made another great run this morning, but then we had a misfortune with the engine and changed it. We were still low of the round, but it wasn’t quite what we wanted. We’re still real confident. These engines are all so close. It’s disheartening to break an engine because it’s so expensive, but there’s no worry about this engine. It’s the one I won with in Seattle. It won’t be a late night for us, but we do have the broken motor on the way back to the shop and a new motor on the way here. We’ll have it by tomorrow; we will be prepared, and I think in the morning, that will be the session. Whatever you can do, you better do it then.”
Arana led Pro Stock Motorcycle with a 6.936 at 191.89 on his Lucas Oil Buell.
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Results Saturday after the first three of five rounds of qualifying
for the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at
O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, 18th of 24 events in the NHRA
Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Sunday for
Monday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Larry Dixon, 3.850 seconds, 306.81 mph; 2. Cory
McClenathan, 3.851, 311.63; 3. Antron Brown, 3.852, 314.39; 4. Tony
Schumacher, 3.855, 313.51; 5. Morgan Lucas, 3.859, 314.61; 6. Doug
Kalitta, 3.877, 315.12; 7. Pat Dakin, 3.880, 312.21; 8. Rod Fuller,
3.888, 310.63; 9. David Grubnic, 3.902, 313.07; 10. Shawn Langdon,
3.904, 310.27; 11. Brandon Bernstein, 3.908, 308.78; 12. Terry Haddock,
3.914, 300.60. Not Qualified: 13. Joe Hartley, 3.919, 289.76; 14.
Bruce Litton, 3.931, 307.37; 15. Clay Millican, 3.935, 309.56; 16.
Spencer Massey, 3.942, 306.81; 17. T.J. Zizzo, 3.945, 301.74; 18. Troy
Buff, 3.950, 291.32; 19. Del Cox Jr, 3.978, 300.80; 20. Ron August,
4.037, 288.21; 21. Chris Karamesines, 4.169, 234.94; 22. Luigi Novelli,
5.413, 121.01.
Funny Car -- 1. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.082, 308.35; 2.
Ashley Force Hood, Mustang, 4.093, 309.20; 3. Mike Neff, Mustang,
4.093, 308.85; 4. John Force, Mustang, 4.107, 307.09; 5. Del Worsham,
Toyota Solara, 4.109, 303.98; 6. Cruz Pedregon, Solara, 4.124, 303.84;
7. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.126, 302.69; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang,
4.128, 303.78; 9. Jim Head, Solara, 4.143, 304.46; 10. Tony Pedregon,
Chevy Impala, 4.147, 300.93; 11. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.171,
299.46; 12. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.184, 297.55. Not Qualified: 13. Jack
Beckman, 4.184, 296.89; 14. Ron Capps, 4.225, 292.65; 15. Bob Bode,
4.237, 290.69; 16. Brian Thiel, 4.238, 294.63; 17. Jerry Toliver,
4.254, 284.45; 18. Grant Downing, 4.310, 227.27; 19. Justin Schriefer,
6.436, 102.70.
Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.581, 209.01; 2.
Jason Line, GXP, 6.620, 208.23; 3. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.630, 207.88;
4. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.633, 207.91; 5. Greg Anderson, GXP,
6.635, 208.30; 6. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.637, 207.78; 7. Ron Krisher,
Chevy Cobalt, 6.641, 207.78; 8. Ryan Ondrejko, GXP, 6.641, 206.95; 9.
Vinnie Deceglie, Stratus, 6.646, 207.37; 10.Johnny Gray, Stratus,
6.647, 207.72; 11. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.650, 208.04; 12. Rodger
Brogdon, GXP, 6.650, 207.85. Not Qualified: 13. Larry Morgan, 6.655,
207.56; 14. Steve Spiess, 6.656, 207.21; 15. Warren Johnson, 6.661,
207.94; 16. John Nobile, 6.665, 206.95; 17. Rickie Jones, 6.667,
207.02; 18. Kurt Johnson, 6.675, 207.43; 19. Justin Humphreys, 6.687,
205.47; 20. Matt Hartford, 6.691, 206.80; 21. Bob Benza, 6.703, 205.22;
22. Steve Schmidt, 6.709, 204.85; 23. V. Gaines, 6.727, 204.60; 24. Jim
Cunningham, 6.753, 203.83; 25. Kevin Lawrence, 6.793, 202.82; 26. Mark
Buehring, 6.816, 202.03; 27. Mark Hogan, 6.819, 203.92; 28. Frank
Gugliotta, 6.819, 201.43; 29. John Gaydosh Jr, 6.822, 201.97; 30. Erica
Enders, 6.823, 201.46; 31. Dave River, 6.963, 196.53.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.936, 191.89; 2.
Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.957, 192.66; 3. Matt Smith, Suzuki,
6.968, 190.65; 4. Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.979, 189.66; 5. LE Tonglet,
Suzuki, 7.015, 186.77; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.016, 187.91; 7.
Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.018, 188.57; 8. Michael Phillips,
Suzuki, 7.023, 191.46; 9. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.023, 186.30; 10.
Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 7.028, 187.47; 11. Bailey Whitaker, Buell, 7.066,
186.54; 12. Douglas Horne, Buell, 7.087, 187.31. Not Qualified: 13.
Angie McBride, 7.090, 184.37; 14. Wesley Wells, 7.099, 187.16; 15. Jim
Underdahl, 7.099, 187.00; 16. Craig Treble, 7.102, 188.49; 17. Junior
Pippin, 7.122, 183.87; 18. David Hope, 7.140, 182.23; 19. Redell
Harris, 7.167, 183.02; 20. Joe DeSantis, 7.176, 185.82; 21. Mike Berry,
7.186, 181.40; 22. GT Tonglet, 7.196, 183.69; 23. Katie Sullivan,
7.197, 183.27; 24. Geoff Godfrey, 7.752, 164.25.
Final round-by-round results from the 18th annual Ringers Gloves Pro
Bike Battle at Indianapolis Raceway Park, a special event for Pro Stock
Motorcycle held during the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
presented by Lucas Oil, the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle
Drag Racing Series:
PRO BIKE BATTLE:
ROUND ONE -- Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.968, 190.57 def. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.023, 186.30; Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.056,
184.42 def. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.104, 188.49; Andrew Hines,
Harley-Davidson, 6.973, 192.38 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.016,
187.91; Hector Arana, Buell, 6.936, 191.89 def. Matt Guidera, Buell,
7.037, 184.85;
SEMIFINALS -- Hines, 6.957, 192.66 def. Krawiec, 7.018, 188.57; Arana, 7.022, 190.70 def. Smith, foul;
FINAL -- Hines, 6.970, 192.58 def. Arana, foul.
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FRIDAY QUALIFYING - HIGHT, DIXON, EDWARDS AND ARANA LEAD QUALIFYING AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
Robert Hight raced to the Funny Car qualifying lead Friday at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, the world’s most prestigious drag race.
Larry Dixon, Mike Edwards and Hector Arana also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.
Defending winner Hight, who is in a tight battle with Cruz Pedregon and Matt Hagan for the 10th spot in the Countdown to 1, NHRA’s championship playoffs, gained some confidence for his quest when he powered his Auto Club Ford Mustang to the top of the qualifying order with a performance of 4.107 seconds at 305.36 mph.
Pedregon qualified third in his Advance Auto Parts Toyota Solara with a 4.124 at 302.35, while Hagan was sixth in his Shelor.com Dodge Charger with a 4.171 at 299.46. Pedregon is currently 10th in the standings, followed by Hagan in 11th and Hight is 12th, 38 points back.
The top 10 drivers in each pro category after this event will race for NHRA Full Throttle Series world championships in a six-race playoff, which starts Sept. 18 at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.
“This is definitely a great start to a big, big weekend for the Auto Club team,” Hight said. “We’ve dug ourselves a huge hole, and what’s amazing is we’re within striking distance, two rounds. It’s going to be important to out-qualify Cruz and Hagan because qualifying points could put me behind and make it to where I have to make up three rounds. It’s 38 points now. That’s two rounds, so we want to keep it under 40, and this was definitely a good start.”
Hight feels like his team will have to run quicker during tomorrow’s two sessions (noon and 5:45 p.m.) to hang on to the top spot.
“Tomorrow, we’re after Top Fuel, so we’re going to be running when it’s a little darker, a little later, and a little cooler,” said Hight, who has advanced to the final round at this event the last three years, winning twice. “And as the weekend goes on, more cars run, and the track gets a little better. Tomorrow night, I’m betting that that 4.10 will not 
hold up, so we’re going to have to step up a little tomorrow night if we want to maintain the top spot. This definitely gives us an opportunity to press a little harder tomorrow night because we’re in the show. You know (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, that’s his forte. We’ll be trying to run a 4.0 tomorrow night, I guarantee it.”
Dixon led Top Fuel qualifying with a 3.850 at 302.89 in his Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing dragster. It would be his fifth No. 1 of the season if the time holds up through Sunday’s final two qualifying sessions (11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.).
"It's nice to get down the track and know you have a car that will stay in the top 12," Dixon said. "It was a long day for the team. I think we made more changes in the clutch in the staging lanes than we did all day in the pits. We're happy with the run, and I think tomorrow night's session will really determine who gets the pole."
Edwards is in position to claim his 10th No. 1 qualifying position of the season in Pro Stock. He drove his ART/Young Life Pontiac GXP to a leading time of 6.624 at 207.66.
“It’s a long way to go to be No. 1 on Sunday,” Edwards said. “Four more runs, and there are a lot of good cars. We’re just getting started and I’m sure that won’t hold up. We’ll have to keep battling away and try to make the best adjustments we can, race the track, and see what comes up.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana, who is the No. 1 seed for Saturday’s Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle all-star event (1:15 p.m.), powered his Lucas Oil Buell to the top qualifying position with an effort of 6.985 at 190.30.
"We just freshened up our engine, so we have zero runs on that motor [before the run], so I was a really nervous because I didn't know what it was going to do," said Arana, who will face Matt Guidera in the first round of the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, of which the winner will take home a $25,000 payday. "I saw several guys laying 7.0s and I was wondering who was going to be the first to run 6.90s. The run felt alright; it wasn't the perfect run, but I'll take a 6.98 for the first hit at the U.S. Nationals. This is my hometown now, so I want to do good."
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Results Friday after the first of five rounds of qualifying for the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday and Sunday for Monday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Larry Dixon, 3.850 seconds, 302.89 mph; 2. Cory McClenathan, 3.863, 305.36; 3. Rod Fuller, 3.888, 310.63; 4. Antron Brown, 3.912, 306.74; 5. Brandon Bernstein, 3.919, 299.66; 6. Bruce Litton, 3.931, 307.02; 7. Troy Buff, 4.122, 224.92; 8. Del Cox Jr, 4.123, 248.48; 9. Chris Karamesines, 4.169, 234.94; 10. Clay Millican, 4.308, 201.46; 11. Morgan Lucas, 4.473, 180.26; 12. Terry Haddock, 4.799, 150.93. Not Qualified: 13. Doug Kalitta, 4.872, 150.75; 14. Spencer Massey, 5.024, 137.13; 15. Luigi Novelli, 5.413, 121.01; 16. Tony Schumacher, 5.477, 124.29; 17. David Grubnic, 6.590, 96.60; 18. Ron August, 7.214, 118.44; 19. T.J. Zizzo, 7.264, 87.81; 20. Pat Dakin, 7.479, 93.13; 21. Shawn Langdon, 17.097, 68.55.
Funny Car -- 1. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.107, 305.36; 2. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.113, 304.60; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Solara, 4.124, 302.35; 4. Ashley Force Hood, Mustang, 4.138, 301.07; 5. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.158, 302.14; 6. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.171, 299.46; 7. John Force, Mustang, 4.176, 300.20; 8. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.184, 297.55; 9. Brian Thiel, Charger, 4.238, 294.63; 10. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.253, 290.82; 11. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.254, 274.89; 12. Jim Head, Solara, 4.289, 239.02. Not Qualified: 13. Grant Downing, 4.310, 227.27; 14. Tony Pedregon, 5.340, 145.38; 15. Bob Bode, 6.066, 109.28; 16. Del Worsham, 6.799, 89.17; 17. Ron Capps, 8.130, 81.06; 18. Justin Schriefer, 8.339, 75.83.
Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.624, 207.66; 2. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.635, 208.20; 3. Jason Line, GXP, 6.639, 207.05; 4. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.645, 206.92; 5. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cobalt, 6.652, 207.27; 6. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.663, 205.94; 7. Vinnie Deceglie, Stratus, 6.668, 206.35; 8. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.669, 206.86; 9. Ryan Ondrejko, GXP, 6.670, 206.07; 10. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.675, 207.15; 11. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.679, 206.39; 12. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.684, 206.26. Not Qualified: 13. Justin Humphreys, 6.687, 205.35; 14. Rickie Jones, 6.696, 206.16; 15. Matt Hartford, 6.696, 205.98; 16. Kurt Johnson, 6.699, 207.05; 17. Larry Morgan, 6.702, 206.26; 18. Warren Johnson, 6.721, 207.24; 19. Steve Schmidt, 6.726, 204.05; 20. V. Gaines, 6.727, 204.60; 21. Bob Benza, 6.763, 204.29; 22. Kevin Lawrence, 6.816, 202.03; 23. Mark Hogan, 6.819, 203.25; 24. John Gaydosh Jr, 6.822, 201.01; 25. Frank Gugliotta, 6.826, 200.47; 26. Erica Enders, 6.843, 200.83; 27. Dave River, 6.973, 196.53; 28. Jim Cunningham, 7.210, 201.76; 29. John Nobile, 7.355, 144.40; 30. Johnny Gray, 12.601, 67.96.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.985, 190.30; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.989, 190.75; 3. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 7.018, 190.65; 4. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.023, 191.46; 5. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.054, 185.84; 6. Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 7.056, 186.38; 7. Matt Guidera, Buell, 7.069, 185.66; 8. Douglas Horne, Buell, 7.087, 186.92; 9. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.111, 186.69; 10. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 7.140, 185.74; 11. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.150, 185.33; 12. Angie McBride, Buell, 7.157, 184.22. Not Qualified: 13. Bailey Whitaker, 7.167, 181.69; 14. Junior Pippin, 7.240, 183.87; 15. Joe DeSantis, 7.249, 184.37; 16. David Hope, 7.405, 179.02; 17. Redell Harris, 7.424, 147.47; 18. Mike Berry, 7.495, 176.81; 19. Katie Sullivan, 7.594, 174.66; 20. Geoff Godfrey, 7.752, 164.25; 21. GT Tonglet, 7.809, 133.39; 22. LE Tonglet, 11.515, 69.02; 23. Wesley Wells, DQ; 24.
Karen Stoffer, DQ; 25. Shawn Gann, DQ.
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EVENT PREVIEW - RACING'S LURE BROUGHT LUCAS TO INDY
Morgan Lucas grew up in Southern California, but racing’s lure eventually pulled him back to the state where his parents’ successful oil products business first blossomed. Today, Lucas Oil Products is highly visible throughout the world and especially in Indiana, where the company is not only involved in promoting world class auto racing events, but is also a major player as sponsor of the home field for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium.
Partly due to ease his heavy travel schedule and mostly to be near a hotbed of racing activity year round, Lucas relocated to the Circle City from the sunny West Coast a few years back, and now he feels more a part of Indianapolis than ever.
“I definitely consider Indy home,” Lucas said. “It feels like home, as much as anything can when you travel as much as we do. My family is from Indiana so this has always been the place we’ve called home. We’re from here. Since my folks signed on as sponsors of the Colts stadium in downtown, it’s really raised the profile of our company, especially in Indianapolis. When you meet people and tell them your name the immediate question is, ‘Are you related to the people that have the stadium?’ It’s like, ‘yeah, that’s mom and dad.’ My parents are socialites now. It’s pretty funny.”
With two race victories this season in his GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster, Lucas is hoping to add another to his win column at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, Sept. 2-7 at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The tradition-rich race will be showcased during more than 10 hours of coverage on ESPN2 HD and it is the final regular season race in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series before the top 10 fields in each pro category are set for NHRA’s six-race championship playoff, the Countdown to 1.
“Indy is always a very hectic weekend for us,” Lucas said. “There are more demands on my time than usual and you kind of just have to put your head down and plow through it all. The race itself means so much to drag racers. It’s certainly one you want to win at some point in your career. Living here, it takes on even more significance because all my friends and family are there wishing us well. Plus, everyone from the shop can come out with their families and enjoy a weekend at the races.”
Lucas recently gave his parents – Forrest and Charlotte – a very special weekend in Brainerd, Minn., when he claimed a victory there from the No. 1 qualifying position. He says the win, his second of the season, is one that he is extremely proud of.
“The Brainerd race was so satisfying because we just out-performed everyone,” Lucas said. “There were no lucky breaks, red lights, people smoking their tires or blowing up; we just beat everyone because we had the best car that day. It was a dream weekend with mom and dad there and being a Lucas Oil race. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to top that.”
Lucas now sits sixth in the Top Fuel points order and seems to have some momentum going as the 18-race NHRA regular season is winding down and the start of the six-race Countdown to 1 is just a few weeks away. At the beginning of the season he wanted to race consistently enough to win a race or two and make the Countdown to 1. Now, with both of those goals checked off his list, his competition must consider him a threat to win at any time, as well as a contender for the championship.
“We’re not setting any more goals this year,” Lucas said. “We’re just going to do the best we can every race and see where it falls. I don’t want the guys to feel like we have to push it any more than we already have been. Everything’s working so good right now. There’s no need to change the way we’re doing things.”
Other Top Fuel favorites at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals include series points leader Antron Brown, who has five victories this season in his Matco Tools dragster and has already clinched the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Seven-time U.S. Nationals winner Tony Schumacher, who has won this race the last three seasons in his U.S. Army dragster, will try to tie legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits’ record of eight Indy wins. Three-time Indy winner Larry Dixon and two-time winner Cory McClenathan are always strong performers at this event.
Clay Millican and Joe Hartley will have a personal one-on-one battle going to secure the 10th and final spot in the Coutndown to 1. Millican currently sits in the 10th spot and leads hard-charging Hartley by three points.
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EVENT PREVIEW - TONY PEDREGON HOPES TO FINISH REGULAR SEASON STRONG WITH A MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS TROPHY IN HAND
Two-time NHRA Funny Car world champion Tony Pedregon loves the view from where he is sitting as he prepares for the world’s most prestigious drag race.
The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series points leader with three victories this season, Pedregon is ready to make the final regular season charge in his Wicked Quick/Q-Horsepower Chevy Impala and position himself as the top seed in his category for the six-race Countdown to 1, NHRA’s championship playoffs.
It’s a statement that Pedregon can make comfortably now. Two races ago there may have been a little hesitation. After suddenly splitting with longtime crew chief Dickie Venables just days prior to the race in Brainerd, Minn., Pedregon was faced with a rush of uncertainty for his race program. However, his team rallied behind new car chief Tony Shortall and the help of brother Cruz’ crew chief Rahn Tobler, and won the race in Brainerd. A semifinal finish at Reading followed. Crisis averted.
In a blur, Pedregon went from thinking his season might be over, to a deep second wind that has lifted his team’s determination to finish off what has been a stellar season.
“We’ve had a little bit of drama,” Pedregon said. “It was a new challenge and some unchartered ground for me as a team owner. Anytime you have a change you have that fear of getting out of your comfort zone. But then we won Brainerd and that was probably the biggest emotional victory in my career. Now, the real work lies ahead.”
Pedregon will try to win a race that has so far eluded him during his successful career and solidify his position as the NHRA regular season Funny Car champion at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The tradition-rich race, which will be held Sept. 2-7 and will be showcased during more than 10 hours of coverage on ESPN2 HD, is the final regular season race in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series before the top 10 fields in each pro category are set for NHRA’s six-race championship playoff, the Countdown to 1.
“At Indy there’s a lot at stake,” Pedregon said. “We want to have the points lead at the end of that event and get the 20 bonus points going into the Countdown because that takes some of the pressure off. I haven’t won that race, so I think that would be a great way to finish off this regular season by winning that one. I am to the point in my career where I’d like to get that done. I do believe we have the potential to win it.”
Pedregon has watched both of his brothers win the event – Cruz on three occasions and Frank in 1999. He has been the top qualifier there twice, including last season, and has only advanced to the final round at the event one time, when he was runner-up to Whit Bazemore in 2001.
For a guy that’s won 43 races, two world championship titles and visited the winner’s circle at just about every track on the circuit, even he’s a bit perplexed.
“I am not superstitious at all,” Pedregon said. “I think the biggest challenge with that event is that it falls at a time of the year when you have warm conditions. With all the teams I have raced with over the years we have never really been a team that won races with a hot track setup. I believe at this time I have the best race car and the best chance I have ever had to get it done.”
Pedregon is well aware of the event’s history and status in the world of motorsports. He says he doesn’t lose any sleep over the fact that he has never won the race, but he admits it is a race that he would certainly love to win before he’s through.
“I really believe the ultimate for any driver is to win the championship,” Pedregon said. “But if you had to single out any one race, the U.S. Nationals would be the one. It has the most history, is the biggest paying and the most prestigious. It is our Indy 500.”
Neither of Pedregon’s top two championship rivals – Ron Capps nor Ashley Force Hood – have won the race either. In fact, only four drivers in the current top 10 – Tim Wilkerson, John Force, Del Worsham and Cruz Pedregon – have celebrated a victory at Indy.
Pedregon says he and his team are going to employ the same race routine at the U.S. Nationals that has led them to wins at Chicago, Englishtown and Brainerd this season. He’ll also sprinkle in some strategy that’s geared just for the Big Go.
“My approach to this event will be the same,” Pedregon said. “I will rely on my experience. We want to pace ourselves because it is a very long week and the goal is to race smart. You have to have a good start on Friday in the first qualifying session. That run is very critical and really sets the tone for the weekend. If you can get solidly in the field, it takes some of the pressure off and you can start working on your race day setup. If you don’t do well on Friday, then it seems like you are behind the rest of the weekend.”
As for the Countdown to 1, which begins Sept. 18 at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, N.C., Pedregon says he will race every round like it’s his last one.
“Our strategy for the Countdown is the same philosophy we used in 2007,” Pedregon said. “You go into it like there is no margin for error on any run. We try to press the whole time and run as hard as we can and never hold anything back. We race wide open and full throttle and the rest is destiny.”
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RICKIE JONES LOOKING TO KEEP DREAM SEASON ALIVE AT PRESTIGIOUS MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
Rickie Jones can’t remember a time when he wasn’t at the race track. The son of noted race car builder Rick Jones, Rickie always tagged along with his dad as he would visit drag strips across the country to make sure the Pro Stock and Pro Mod cars that he built were meeting the racers’ expectations.Eventually Rickie started working in his dad’s shop and then he was bit by the racing bug himself. He started with his own Junior Dragster and now as he’s on the verge of making the Countdown to 1, NHRA’s playoffs, in a 200-mph Pro Stock car. Every now and then, the younger Jones has to take a step back and make sure this is all real.
“This is a dream come true,” the 22-year-old Jones said. “At the beginning of the season we set our goals and they were to try and qualify for every race and make it into the top 10.”
His mission is nearly accomplished.
In his second season of competition in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Jones is ninth in the Pro Stock points order and he has qualified for every race so far. He is 27 points ahead of legendary Warren Johnson in the standings and 36 in front of 11th-place Johnny Gray, who posted a runner-up finish two weeks ago in Reading, Pa.
“I am really excited, but a little nervous at the same time going to Indy,” Jones said. “I want to hold on to the position we’re in. We’ve been in the top 10 the whole year and I don’t want to lose it now.”
Jones will make his final stand for a berth in the NHRA playoffs in his Quarter-Max/RJ Race Cars Dodge Stratus at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, Sept. 2-7 at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The tradition-rich race will be showcased during more than 10 hours of coverage on ESPN2 HD and it is the final regular season race in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series before the top 10 fields in each pro category are set for NHRA’s six-race championship playoff, the Countdown to 1.
Jones has been praised by his peers for his tenacity at the starting line with a stellar reaction time average of .024. He says that statistic is no accident.
“We don’t have a top-half car,” said Jones, who has averaged an 11th place qualifying position, yet earned semifinal round appearances at Gainesville, Denver and Sonoma this season. “You know when you go up there to race that you are going to have to try and put a holeshot on your opponent and try to beat them that way. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do that and I spend a lot of time working on my reaction times with a simulator.”
The one thing the simulator doesn’t emulate is the talent in the other lane. NHRA Pro Stock racing is one of the most competitive forms of racing in all of motorsports. With talented drivers like series points leader Jeg Coughlin, three-time world champ Greg Anderson and six-time champ Johnson in the field – all three multiple-time U.S. Nationals winners – Jones knows that he has his work cut out for him. He says as a rookie he would get big eyes when he pulled into the staging lanes and knew he was going to race against Johnson, widely known as the “Professor of Pro Stock.” Now he says the only thing that makes him wide-eyed is seeing his win-light come on.
“I think I am over the holy cow feeling,” Jones said. “I wasn’t afraid my first year, but maybe just a little in awe that I was actually racing door to door with some of my heroes of the sport. Now I don’t have as much of the wow factor when I go to the starting line. I am just focused on cutting a great light and trying to beat these guys.”
And he’ll need to beat at least two of his heroes at Indy if he’s going to make it into the playoffs. But he has a good feeling. Last year at Indy Jones had the best moment of his rookie season at the Big Go. He qualified 11th out of 28 cars and won his first round meeting over veteran Ron Krisher.
Yep, you guessed it – he won that round on a holeshot.
“Last year just to qualify was special because there are so many cars trying to make that race and you know everyone brings the best they’ve got there,” Jones said. “After we qualified on Sunday, I spent about three hours signing autographs and thanking the fans for their support. It was crazy. After we won that first round there was so much excitement in the air. It was really awesome. I love Indy and I am really looking forward to getting back there.”
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STEVE JOHNSON NEEDS SOME MORE INDY MAGIC TO MAKE COUNTDOWN CHARGE AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
On two occasions Steve Johnson has literally come out of nowhere to win the Pro Stock Motorcycle trophy at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the world’s most prestigious drag race.In 2005, he won amid some controversy after a television replay was needed to verify that his bike actually crossed the finish line first in his final round meeting with Matt Smith. Last year no such technology was needed as he sped to the upset victory on his Snap-on Tools / Wyotech Suzuki over heavy pre-race favorite Andrew Hines.
The often zany and colorfully-candid Johnson just seems to find a way to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage. He’ll need to tap into that power this year at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, Sept. 2-7 at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The tradition-rich race will be showcased during more than 10 hours of coverage on ESPN2 HD and it is the final regular season race in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series before the top 10 fields in each pro category are set for NHRA’s six-race championship playoff, the Countdown to 1.
Johnson enters the race sitting just outside the top 10 in the point standings, two points behind Karen Stoffer. A trio of first round losses to rookie Doug Horne during the last three events has kicked Johnson from a comfortable eighth-place position in the standings and put him on the hot seat as he enters the final race of the regular season.
With three spots available for five riders, Reading runner-up Michael Phillips, Shawn Gann and Brainerd runner-up Junior Pippin also will be trying to secure berths in the championship playoffs at Indy. However, Johnson says his primary focus during the weekend will be trying to earn more points than GEICO Powersports Suzuki rider Stoffer.
“It’s between me and Karen really,” Johnson said. “We don’t have the steam to keep up with her in qualifying. We’ll need some luck in the first round.”
For Johnson, it is all about the challenge. He is up for it. Especially at this event, the Super Bowl of drag racing.
Johnson says the week is like no other: “Indy is an event where you get five hours of sleep a night, give your seat up on the plane to a soldier, find a hotel with a treadmill, eat plain oatmeal and turkey sandwiches all week, take the sponsors out for dinner at St. Elmo’s Steak House, find a couple of spare Vance & Hines engines, make sure your sponsors are happy even if you are struggling and hopefully find a friend or two that will do anything to help you out during that crazy week.”
He is very proud to call himself a two-time Mac Tools U.S. Nationals champion.
“It’s a time in a racer’s life that he or she just has to do it,” Johnson said. “It’s something that when it happens – the win – your stock rises. For some, just a little, but for others, a ton. But in either case the magic is when you have to flip a coin on a jetting call (in the tune-up) and it’s the right one and you win the race.”
And the other magic of Indy is taking the time to catch up with old friends.
“The last year (NHRA founder) Wally Parks went to the U.S. Nationals he and (board members) Dick Wells and Dallas (Gardner) and three golf carts full of people came to the motorcycle side of the track,” Johnson said. “I didn’t have a lounge or a big rig, but I had a card table, chairs and an ice chest. Wally sat with me and talked about bikes and where I thought the bikes would go. We talked about the salt flats and my school programs. When he left that day, I was so proud that he knew me, but it showed all the motorcycle teams how diverse this man was. He always listened…even to Steve Johnson.”
Johnson says another successful week at Indy would be a cure for his season to date, which has featured only one semifinal finish and two quarterfinal efforts.
“This season has been a huge struggle for sure,” Johnson said. “We have all of the ingredients that we need to be successful, but for some reason right now they aren’t mixing right. But we have a reputation of being a second-half team. We’ll see what happens.”
While his personal season hasn’t been going as planned, as president of PRO2, an organization that promotes motorcycle drag racing on the professional level, Johnson is on cloud nine.
“Our class is really great right now,” Johnson said. “Seeing Junior (Pippin) and so many Buells doing so well says a lot for our class. It shows the guys and girls at home as well as the fans and corporate America that anyone can win these races.”
Johnson is also qualified to participate in the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, a special bonus event that will be held Sept. 5 for the eight best riders from the last 17 Pro Stock Motorcycle races. He will face Hines in the first round. A winner’s share of $25,000 will be on the line in the special event that current series points leader and defending world champion Eddie Kraweic won last year on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.
