MORGAN LUCAS HOPES HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE GIVES HIM THE
EDGE AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
CLERMONT, Ind. - 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.
SCHEDULE: The first of five pro qualifying sessions is
scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Qualifying
continues at noon and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5
and concludes at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday,
Sept. 6. Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle eliminations
are at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Saturday,
Sept. 5. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on
Monday, Sept. 7.
TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 55th annual Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil by calling
(800) 884-NHRA, or via the Web at
www.ticketmaster.com.
ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise more than 10
hours of coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
presented by Lucas Oil beginning on Sunday, Sept. 6
with NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11
a.m., and followed by a two hour and 30 minute
qualifying show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). A two-hour
qualifying show will air later that day on ESPN2 HD at
5 p.m. (ET). On Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will
televise a one-hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools
U.S. Nationals preview show at noon (ET), followed by
a five-hour eliminations show starting at 1 p.m. (ET).
ON THE WEB: For complete online coverage of the Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, please
visit www.nhra.com.
* * *
TONY PEDREGON HOPES TO FINISH REGULAR SEASON STRONG
WITH A MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS TROPHY IN HAND
CLERMONT, Ind. - 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 three drivers in the current top
10 - Tim Wilkerson, John Force 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."
SCHEDULE: The first of five pro qualifying sessions is
scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Qualifying
continues at noon and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5
and concludes at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday,
Sept. 6. Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle eliminations
are at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Saturday,
Sept. 5. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on
Monday, Sept. 7.
TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 55th annual Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil by calling
(800) 884-NHRA, or via the Web at
www.ticketmaster.com.
ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise more than 10
hours of coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
presented by Lucas Oil beginning on Sunday, Sept. 6
with NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11
a.m., and followed by a two hour and 30 minute
qualifying show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). A two-hour
qualifying show will air later that day on ESPN2 HD at
5 p.m. (ET). On Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will
televise a one-hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools
U.S. Nationals preview show at noon (ET), followed by
a five-hour eliminations show starting at 1 p.m. (ET).
ON THE WEB: For complete online coverage of the Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, please
visit www.nhra.com.
* * *
RICKIE JONES LOOKING TO KEEP DREAM SEASON ALIVE AT
PRESTIGIOUS MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
CLERMONT, Ind. - 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."
SCHEDULE: The first of five pro qualifying sessions is
scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Qualifying
continues at noon and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5
and concludes at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday,
Sept. 6. Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle eliminations
are at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Saturday,
Sept. 5. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on
Monday, Sept. 7.
TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 55th annual Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil by calling
(800) 884-NHRA, or via the Web at
www.ticketmaster.com.
ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise more than 10
hours of coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
presented by Lucas Oil beginning on Sunday, Sept. 6
with NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11
a.m., and followed by a two hour and 30 minute
qualifying show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). A two-hour
qualifying show will air later that day on ESPN2 HD at
5 p.m. (ET). On Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will
televise a one-hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools
U.S. Nationals preview show at noon (ET), followed by
a five-hour eliminations show starting at 1 p.m. (ET).
ON THE WEB: For complete online coverage of the Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, please
visit www.nhra.com.
* * *
STEVE JOHNSON NEEDS SOME MORE INDY MAGIC TO MAKE
COUNTDOWN CHARGE AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
CLERMONT, Ind. - 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.
SCHEDULE: The first of five pro qualifying sessions is
scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Qualifying
continues at noon and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5
and concludes at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday,
Sept. 6. Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle eliminations
are at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Saturday,
Sept. 5. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on
Monday, Sept. 7.
TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 55th annual Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil by calling
(800) 884-NHRA, or via the Web at
www.ticketmaster.com.
ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise more than 10
hours of coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
presented by Lucas Oil beginning on Sunday, Sept. 6
with NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11
a.m., and followed by a two hour and 30 minute
qualifying show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). A two-hour
qualifying show will air later that day on ESPN2 HD at
5 p.m. (ET). On Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will
televise a one-hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools
U.S. Nationals preview show at noon (ET), followed by
a five-hour eliminations show starting at 1 p.m. (ET).
ON THE WEB: For complete online coverage of the Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, please
visit www.nhra.com.
-30-
55th ANNUAL MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS presented by
Lucas Oil FACT SHEET
WHAT: 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented
by Lucas Oil, the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Full
Throttle Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors
in four categories earn points leading to 2009 Full
Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships.
Sportsman competitors in seven categories earn points
leading to 2009 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
world championships.
WHERE: O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis,
Clermont, Ind. From I-465, exit Crawfordsville Road
(Hwy. 136). Head west for approximately four miles
through the town of Clermont. The main entrance to the
facility is on the left-hand side, one-half mile past
Raceway Road.
COURSE: Quarter-mile drag strip, 1,320 feet (Top Fuel
and Funny Car categories will compete to 1,000 ft.
distance at this event); Track elevation is 700 feet
above sea level; Track direction is south to north.
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 7.
PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $2
million.
SCHEDULE:
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2 - Sportsman qualifying and time
trials, 9 a.m.
THURSDAY, Sept. 3 - Sportsman qualifying and
eliminations, 8 a.m.
FRIDAY, Sept. 4 - Sportsman qualifying and
eliminations, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 5 - Sportsman qualifying and
eliminations, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at Noon and 5:45 p.m.
RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
and 7:40 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 6 - Sportsman eliminations, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and
2:30 p.m.
MONDAY, Sept. 7 - Pre-race ceremonies, 9:30 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day,
a 30-minute magazine show at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours and
30 minutes of qualifying coverage at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of
qualifying coverage at 5 p.m. (ET).
Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise a special one
hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
at noon (ET).
Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise five hours of
eliminations coverage at 1 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Analog feed):
Friday, Sept. 4, 9:30 - 10 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 /
Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal) Saturday, Sept.
5, 10 - 10:30 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 6K
(11820 MHz, horizontal) Sunday, Sept. 6, 7:30 - 8 p.m.
(ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)
Monday, Sept. 7, 6:30 - 7 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 /
Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)
2008 WINNERS: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Robert Hight,
Funny Car; Dave Connolly, Pro Stock; Steve Johnson,
Pro Stock Motorcycle; Eddie Krawiec, Ringers Gloves
Pro Bike Battle
MOST VICTORIES: Bob Glidden, Pro Stock, 9; Don
Garlits, Top Fuel, 8; Don Prudhomme, Top Fuel and
Funny Car, 7; Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel, 7; Warren
Johnson, Pro Stock, 6; Dave Schultz, Pro Stock
Motorcycle, 6; Ed McCulloch, Funny Car and Top Fuel,
6; Greg Anderson, Pro Stock, 5; John Force, Funny Car,
4.
BONUS RACE: A lucrative bonus race for Pro Stock
Motorcycle will be showcased during the Mac Tools U.S.
Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.
RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE - a special bonus race
offering $25,000 to winner, with rounds Saturday at
1:15, 5:30 and 7:40 p.m.; The race features the eight
quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle riders from the last 24
races.
Defending winner: Eddie Krawiec
Most victories: Matt Hines, 4; John Myers, 4, Andrew
Hines, 3.
NHRA offers a $10,000 Double-Up Bonus for any rider
who can win the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle and the
Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil. Past
NHRA Double-Up Bonus winners of the Ringers Gloves Pro
Bike Battle: Reggie Showers, 2003; Antron Brown, 2000;
Matt Hines, 1998 and 1999; and Jim Bernard, 1991.
EVENT HISTORY: The most historic and prestigious event
in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, the Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil has been
contested annually since 1955. Originally known as
"The Nationals" and first held at an abandoned
airstrip in Great Bend, Kan., the event made stops at
Kansas City, Mo., Oklahoma City and Detroit before
eventually moving to O'Reilly Raceway Park at
Indianapolis in 1961. Past winners include "Big Daddy"
Don Garlits, an eight-time winner in Top Fuel; Shirley
Muldowney, 1982 Top Fuel winner; Don "The Snake"
Prudhomme, a seven-time winner and one of a handful of
drivers to win the event in both Top Fuel and Funny
Car; and Bob Glidden, the legendary Pro Stock driver
who dominated the race by advancing to the final round
in 13 consecutive seasons from 1977-'89. The Indiana
native won the event a record nine times. It is the
only major motorsports event to be contested on Labor
Day. In 2004 the event celebrated its 50th anniversary
in memorable fashion with spectacular racing witnessed
by one of the biggest crowds in NHRA history. Once
again this year the regular season of the Full
Throttle Countdown to the Championship concludes at
the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil so
teams will be racing hard to earn one of 10 available
spots in each pro category for the playoff round, the
Countdown to 1, which starts Sept. 18 in Concord, N.C.
FAST FACTS: The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented
by Lucas Oil is the final round of the Countdown to
10, the regular season segment of NHRA's Full Throttle
Series Countdown to the Championship. The top 10 teams
in each pro category following this event will advance
to the Countdown to 1, the playoff round of the
Countdown to the Championship, which starts Sept. 18
in Charlotte, N.C.... Tony Schumacher has advanced to
the last seven Top Fuel final rounds at the event and
is a nine-time U.S. Nationals finalist (winning
seven)... Schumacher's first career start came at the
U.S. Nationals in 1996 and the then rookie posted a
runner-up finish to Cory McClenathan... Pro Stock
phenom Greg Anderson has won the race five times in
the past eight seasons... Five female drivers
representing three professional categories are
pre-entered for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented
by Lucas Oil. Angelle Sampey, a two time winner in
Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Shirley Muldowney, who won
the race in 1982 in Top Fuel, are the only women to
win the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas
Oil in a pro category ...John Force, 14-time NHRA Full
Throttle Series world champion and winner of a record
126 events, has won the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
presented by Lucas Oil four times, his last coming in
2002... "The Professor" Warren Johnson has six Pro
Stock victories at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
presented by Lucas Oil, but none this decade. His last
victory at the event came in 1999 when he defeated his
former crew chief Greg Anderson in the final round.
WHAT TO WATCH: Teams in each pro category will be
battling for the final open positions in the Top 10 to
qualify for the Countdown to 1 as this event is the
last round of the regular season in the NHRA Full
Throttle Series Countdown to the Championship. The Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil is the
final of 18 races which comprise the Countdown to 10,
the regular season of the Countdown to the
Championship. The top 10 points earners in each pro
category following this race will advance to the
Countdown to 1, NHRA's playoffs in the Full Throttle
Series Countdown to the Championship...Drivers who are
involved in key battles for top 10 positioning in each
category include Clay Millican and Joe Hartley in Top
Fuel; Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan and Robert Hight in
Funny Car; Rickie Jones, Warren Johnson and Johnny
Gray in Pro Stock; and Michael Phillips, Shawn Gann,
Karen Stoffer, Steve Johnson and Junior Pippin in Pro
Stock Motorcycle... Tony Schumacher is seeking his
record-tying eighth Top Fuel victory at the Mac Tools
U.S. Nationals... Three-time Pro Stock world champion
Greg Anderson is seeking his sixth overall Mac Tools
U.S. Nationals victory while legend Warren Johnson is
seeking his seventh win at the prestigious race... The
winner of the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, a
special event for the eight best Pro Stock Motorcycle
competitors, will earn $25,000. A $10,000 double-up
bonus is available to the winner of the Ringers Gloves
Pro Bike Battle should he or she also win the Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil... Don
Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, Ed McCulloch and Jim Head
have won the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in both Top Fuel
and Funny Car. Top Fuel driver Antron Brown, who won
the race two times in Pro Stock Motorcycle, has the
opportunity to become the fifth driver to win the race
in multiple pro categories... Several family tandems
have a legacy of winning the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
presented by Lucas Oil, including the father-son
pairings of Don (FC) and Tony Schumacher (TF) and
Warren and Kurt Johnson (PS). Cruz and Frank Pedregon
are two brothers that have won the race in Funny Car,
as well as Jeg (PS) and Mike Coughlin (PST). This
weekend Top Fuel's Brandon Bernstein could join his
father Kenny, a three-time winner, and Doug Kalitta
could join uncle Connie, who won TF in 1994. Tony
Pedregon could join his two brothers on the Funny Car
win list, while Ashley Force Hood, who won the race in
TAD in 2005, could join her father John as a pro
winner of the prestigious event... Three racers can
secure their spots in the Countdown to 1 during
qualifying at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Doug
Kalitta (TF) and Mike Neff (FC) need only to qualify
to secure their positions, while Pro Stock's Kurt
Johnson only needs to make a qualifying pass to claim
his ticket to the Countdown to 1, NHRA's playoffs.
TRACK HISTORY: In 1958, led by Tom Binford, Frank
Dickie, Rodger Ward and Howard Fieber, 15
Indianapolis-area businessmen and racing professionals
invested $5,000 each to fund the development of what
would become O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.
The group purchased a 267-acre farm about seven miles
from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and developed a
multipurpose auto racing facility. The original
intention in creating O'Reilly Raceway Park at
Indianapolis was to design a 15-turn, 2.5-mile road
course. Nearly as an afterthought, and as an insurance
measure against economic problems, the investment
group decided to incorporate a quarter-mile drag strip
into the long straightaway of the 2.5-mile road course
design. Constructed with assistance from the NHRA, the
drag strip was the first of the three courses to be
completed, with the facility's first event held on the
strip in the fall of 1960. During the 1960 U.S.
Nationals in Detroit, a handshake agreement between
Binford and NHRA founder Wally Parks promised that the
event would move to O'Reilly Raceway Park at
Indianapolis in 1961. The historic three-year pact was
signed and sealed under a tree in Detroit Dragway's
pits, and O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
eventually became the home of NHRA's biggest annual
event. The NHRA purchased the entire facility in 1979.
The first major improvement came in 1983 with the
construction and dedication of Parks Tower, the
four-story drag strip tower. In 1998, new grandstands,
suites and a tower complex on the front straightaway
were completed at the oval track at a cost of nearly
$2.5 million, which included the repaving of the
entire oval surface as part of a three-phase facility
improvement project. In 2001, NHRA and O'Reilly
Raceway Park constructed a new drag strip racing
surface, replacing the strip with a 660-foot concrete
pad and laying new asphalt on the remainder of the
track and shutdown area. Prior to the 2003 Mac Tools
U.S. Nationals, eight new luxury suites were added
along the top of the west-side grandstands of the drag
strip, giving fans a unique perspective of the action
on the famed quarter-mile track. In 2006, new soft
barrier walls were added to the oval. In 2007, the
track announced its first track entitlement with
O'Reilly Auto Parts. The track - formerly known as
Indianapolis Raceway Park - is now known as O'Reilly
Raceway Park at Indianapolis. During the last
offseason, a new main track office building was
constructed near the track entrance.
QUICK QUOTES:
Tony Schumacher, Chicago, U.S. Army dragster,
seven-time U.S. Nationals Top Fuel winner: "It's
pretty obvious I look forward to the U.S. Nationals
each season. When you've had the kind of success the
U.S. Army team has had in Indianapolis over the years,
you definitely have to circle Labor Day weekend on the
schedule. Of course, you can't forget about the
importance of the race -- it is our Super Bowl and
everyone wants to win there. I've been reminded I'm
within one win of tying Don Garlits for the most Top
Fuel U.S. Nationals victories. You can be certain
we're going to go after that mark. Winning in Indy
would also allow us to build some momentum for the
Countdown to 1 which starts in Charlotte two weeks
later."
Antron Brown, Indianapolis, Matco Tools dragster,
two-time U.S. Nationals Pro Stock Motorcycle winner;
is seeking his first win at the event in Top Fuel;
also enters the race as Top Fuel points leader: "Indy
is the one race we all want to win. Next to winning
the championship, it's the biggest accomplishment a
team can have in NHRA drag racing. I've been fortunate
enough to win twice on the bikes and Mike Ashley, our
team owner, won in Funny Car a few years back with
Brian (Corradi) and Mark (Oswald) calling the shots on
his Funny Car. We're having a great season so far and
hopefully we can be in the top three coming into Indy
for the Countdown (to the Championship). That's really
our goal, to be in the top three heading into
Charlotte. Tony (Schumacher) and Larry (Dixon) have
dominated Indy in Top Fuel this decade and hopefully
we can upset their U.S Nationals party and put this
Matco Tools dragster into the winner's circle at
O'Reilly Raceway Park. They've been the story all
season and we liking flying under the radar too."
Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., NAPA Dodge Charger,
winner of five races this season and second in the
point standings: "Historically it's the race to win.
You hear everybody talk about it every year: If you
could only win one race it's the race you definitely
want to win before your career is over. Our goal is to
go into Indy and leave Indy leading the points and
gain those additional 20 points for being the regular
season point leader. My NAPA Auto Parts Dodge crew
chief Ed McCulloch has won Indy so many times that he
understands Indy more than anybody. I've tried to
downplay it over the years to try to make it so I
didn't get too emotional about the race, but it means
everything to a driver to be able to win the U.S.
Nationals. It's what our sport was kind of built on
years ago when all the drivers came from all over the
country to try to win Indy. It's the biggest race.
Being a race that's run on Monday, there's so much
more to that race that makes it stand out from
anything else. And now being the last race before the
Countdown, it gives that race a little more importance
than it had last year. "
Jeg Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt,
two-time U.S. Nationals Pro Stock winner and current
Full Throttle Series Pro Stock points leader: "There
is no other race like Indy. I have watched the sport
progress over the years and the careers unfold of some
of the greatest drivers and teams in the sport's
history at that race. My goal from a very young age
was, one, to race Indy, and two, to win the greatest
drag race on earth -- the U.S. Nationals.
Fortunately, our family has had a fantastic run at the
historic event. All five of us (also Jeg Sr, John,
Troy, Mike ) have reached the final at Indy;
collectively bringing home the Wally on six different
occasions. ORP gives you a special 'vibe' when you
pull through the gate. It's a vibe that makes you and
your team dig even further down to achieve yet another
Indy triumph. There's just no other race like it."
Eddie Krawiec, Indianapolis, Screamin' Eagle Vance &
Hines Harley-Davidson, 2008 Ringers Gloves Pro Bike
Battle winner and current Full Throttle Series Pro
Stock Motorcycle points leader: "Indy is a race that I
look forward to and Indy is where I call home now and
is also the place I got my first big NHRA win in the
Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle. It's the one time a
year that during qualifying we get to race for big
money with no pressure. I would love to put my
Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson V-Rod into the
winner's circle for back-to-back wins and keep the
Vance & Hines winning streak alive. Then come Monday
it's all business. It's the one win everyone wants and
is the hardest to get."
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.428 sec. Nov. '06, Pomona, Calif. by Tony
Schumacher*; 336.15 mph May '05, Columbus, Ohio by
Tony Schumacher* Funny Car - 4.659 sec. Feb. '07,
Chandler, Ariz. by Tony Pedregon*; 333.66 mph Nov.
2006, Pomona, Calif. by Jack Beckman* Pro Stock -
6.528 sec. Feb. '09, Pomona, Calif., by Greg Anderson;
212.03 mph March '09, Baytown, Texas, by Mike Edwards
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.860 sec. May '09, Madison,
Ill., by Andrew Hines; 197.45 mph, March '05,
Gainesville, Fla. by Andrew Hines
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.459 sec. by Tony Schumacher, Sept. 2005;
333.66 mph by Schumacher, Sept. 2007 Funny Car - 4.691
sec. by John Force, Sept. 2006; 331.04 mph by Robert
Hight, Sept. 2006 Pro Stock - 6.634 sec. by Allen
Johnson, Sept. 2008; 208.33 mph by Warren Johnson,
Sept. 2008 Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.932 sec. by Matt
Smith, Sept. 2008; 193.85 mph by Andrew Hines, Sept.
2005
* Note - performance records for Top Fuel and Funny
Car will not be officially recorded at this event.
INTERNET: For complete online coverage of the Mac
Tools U.S. Nationals, please visit www.nhra.com
TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472).
Tickets also are available at ticketmaster.com,
nhra.com, and oreillyracewaypark.com.
GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Wednesday:
Adult, $10, Junior (6-12 years), free; Thursday:
Adult, $14, Junior (6-12 years), free; Friday: Adult,
$35; Junior (6-12 years), $10; Saturday: Adult, $46;
Junior (6-12 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $49; Junior
(6-12 years), $10. Monday: Adult, $49; Junior (6-12
years), $10; Child (5 years and under), free in
general admission and pit areas each day.
RESERVED (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $45;
Junior (6-12 years), $20; Child (5 years and under),
$10. Saturday: Adult, $54-$58; Junior (6-12 years),
$18-$22; Child (5 years and under), $8-$12. Sunday:
Adult, $57-$61; Junior (6-12 years), $20-$24; Child (5
years and under), $10-$14. Monday: Adult, $57-$61;
Junior (6-12 years), $20-$24; Child (5 years and
under), $10-$14.
-30-
CONTACT: NHRA Communications Department, (626)
914-4761. Scott Smith, 317-281-5049; Anthony Vestal,
626-695-6649.
For the latest news releases, photos, logos,
statistics and event information, please visit
http://media.nhra.com
* * *
NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES POINT STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif -- Point standings (top 10) for NHRA
professional categories following the 17th of 24
events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL
1. Antron Brown, 1,435**; 2. Larry Dixon, 1,248*; 3.
Tony Schumacher, 1,194*; 4. Cory McClenathan, 1,040*;
5. Brandon Bernstein, 1,029*; 6. Morgan Lucas, 981*;
7. Spencer Massey, 980*; 8. Shawn Langdon, 932; 9.
Doug Kalitta, 765; 10. Clay Millican, 682.
FUNNY CAR
1. Tony Pedregon, 1,292*; 2. Ron Capps, 1,219*; 3.
Ashley Force Hood, 1,128*; 4. Bob Tasca III, 1,008*;
5. Jack Beckman, 996*; 6. Tim Wilkerson, 982*; 7.
Del Worsham, 929*; 8. John Force, 919*; 9. Mike
Neff, 872; 10. Cruz Pedregon, 801.
PRO STOCK
1. Jeg Coughlin, 1,438*; 2. Jason Line, 1,373*; 3.
Mike Edwards, 1,349*; 4. Greg Anderson, 1,222*; 5.
Allen Johnson, 1,076*; 6. Greg Stanfield, 862*; 7.
Ron Krisher, 847*; 8. Kurt Johnson, 824; 9. Rickie
Jones, 742; 10. Warren Johnson, 715.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
1. Eddie Krawiec, 1,026**; 2. Andrew Hines, 837*; 3.
Hector Arana, 722*; 4. Matt Smith, 720*; 5. Douglas
Horne, 685*; 6. Craig Treble, 673*; 7. Matt Guidera,
583*; 8. Michael Phillips, 500; 9. Shawn Gann, 475;
10. Karen Stoffer, 459.
* - Clinched berth in the NHRA Playoffs, the Countdown
to 1; ** - clinched No. 1 seed in the Countdown to 1.
