Top Fuel driver Doug Foley proved he hasn't missed a beat despite skipping most of the 2009 season when he raced to an impressive semifinal finish Sunday at the second annual Carolina NHRA Nationals.

The event was just the second start of the year for the owner of world-renowned Doug Foley's Drag Racing School, but he quickly reminded everyone why he's known as the "Giant Killer" by beating Brandon Bernstein and Doug Herbert before falling to eventual race winner Cory McClenathan by .004 seconds. Even McClenathan himself admitted in post-race interviews that Foley was a car length ahead of him before some inopportune tire spin just before the finish line allowed him to steal away the win.

Top Fuel driver Doug Foley proved he hasn't missed a beat despite skipping most of the 2009 season when he raced to an impressive semifinal finish Sunday at the second annual Carolina NHRA Nationals.

The event was just the second start of the year for the owner of world-renowned Doug Foley's Drag Racing School, but he quickly reminded everyone why he's known as the "Giant Killer" by beating Brandon Bernstein and Doug Herbert before falling to eventual race winner Cory McClenathan by .004 seconds. Even McClenathan himself admitted in post-race interviews that Foley was a car length ahead of him before some inopportune tire spin just before the finish line allowed him to steal away the win.

"We came this close to the final round," said Foley, holding his fingers a few inches apart. "Not bad for a team that hasn't raced in a year. In all seriousness, this doesn't surprise us at all. I've said that Doug Kuch is one of the best crew chiefs in the business. He just hasn't had a chance to show his stuff with a fully financed team.

"The main goal we had in racing Charlotte was to get some attention for our program by showing people we know what we're doing. We're not just out here for a weekend joy ride. We want to contend for NHRA championships and we have the car and crew to do that. I can't think of a better way to prove our point then to go out and have a showing like we did on Sunday."

The team will now park their dragster until proper funding can be found. At the national events in Charlotte and Reading, Pa., DAM Cancer, a charitable entity, supported the group. According to co-team owner Tim Lewis, the organization is hoping to put funding in place for a full-time run at the 2010 championship.

"We realize the economy has been down but things are starting to move again and we firmly believe we can help interested companies reach a very loyal and active audience that follows NHRA drag racing," Lewis said. "It helps tremendously to have a showing like we had in Charlotte because it raises the awareness of our team on a national level.

"I think we're fully capable of delivering a high return on investment, both on the racetrack and in the real world. We just need to find the right marketing partners that want to grow with a top-notch race team. The search is ongoing."

Advertisement