FYI WIRZ: NHRA's Top Drivers Talk the 'Big Go' at Indianapolis

Top drivers in the NHRA Full Throttle Series talk about the “Big Go” at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis on Sept. 1-6.

From Top Fuel to Pro Stock: Larry Dixon, John Force, Robert Hight, Jack Beckman, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Greg Anderson, Andrew Hines, and Hector Arana define this special week in drag racing. 

These talented hot rod wranglers know this race is historically the biggest event of the season. Now it has even more momentum because it kicks off the start of the six-race Countdown playoffs. 

The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals commences this Sunday at 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on ESPN2. 

FYI WIRZ is the swift presentation of pertinent motor-sports topics compiled, condensed, and often written by Dwight Drum @ Racetake.com. Quotes provided by NHRA team media.

Larry Dixon (Top Fuel Dragster) (points leader)

“I really think it’s the history of the U.S. Nationals that makes it so special,” Dixon said. “I’ve lived here now for the last dozen years, I drive by the track (O’Reilly Raceway Park) almost every day. 

“But when the Nationals are in town, it just conjures up all those memories of all the years of going there and different things that happened and watching (Don) Garlits and Shirley (Muldowney) and everybody else race there. I am just honored to be able to compete in that race.”

Cory McClenthan (Top Fuel Dragster) (-40 points)

"I'm really excited to be racing in the Indianapolis area, where also Don Schumacher Racing is based,” McClenthan said. "I'm also excited to be starting the Countdown in second spot. It would be huge to win this event and try to make a statement.

"We need to go into the rest of the playoffs with some momentum and nobody has more momentum than Larry Dixon right now. 

"The better we can do this weekend and the more momentum we carry into the Countdown, the better. It's going to start with qualifying. We're going to take it one step at a time. Right now, my eyes are on the prize."

John Force (Funny Car) (points Leader)

“I’m excited that I’m back in the hunt and that I’m back at Indy,” Force said. “Since my crash in 2007, we’ve struggled. My car wasn’t a hitter,” Force said.

“But, with the help of my son-in-law, Robert Hight, and my daughter Ashley, and with the team around me, and me living in the gym, I’m back on my game.”

Robert Hight (Funny Car) (second -30 points)

“This is biggest race we have all year long," Hight said. "This is the grand daddy of them all. We’ve all had good luck here. It was exciting racing Ashley in the final last year.

It doesn’t get much better than that, to have two Force Ford Mustangs in the final. Don Garlits once told me that because I had won Indy I could retire now.

I want to win championships, though. I want to win more Indys and more championships. This is a great place to start the Countdown and we have had good luck there,”

Jack Beckman (Funny Car (third -40 points)

“This is the first year that Indy is actually going to be a Countdown race," Beckman said. “This event is so big that it if you did nothing else all year and you won Indy, it would be a year you would never forget.

"Indy is also unique that it's the only race where you start out qualifying with a night session. It would be fantastic to run quick out of the box, make a statement early, and try to get some of those bonus points on Friday.”

Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock Car) (third -40 points)

"If you're a drag racer, you don't need anything to pump you up for Indy,” Coughlin said. “This is the granddaddy of them all and has been since the start. Now that the NHRA has added the start of the Countdown into the mix, it's going to be all-time. I'm getting excited just talking about it."

Photo credit: JEGS.com

"I even remember coming here with my dad when he was racing because this was one of the tracks that was close enough to home (near Columbus, Ohio) that we could race all weekend and still drive home Sunday night so we didn't miss any school.

"Obviously, this is a big, big race for our team. It sets the tone for playoffs and with the Countdown only being 24 rounds of action, the pressure is ramped up quite a bit. We just need to keep doing what we've been doing and we should be in great shape."

Greg Anderson (Pro Stock Car) (Fourth -50 points)

“I’ve always considered the U.S. Nationals to be the most important race of the year, the one where doing well means the most to me,” Anderson said.

“I love going to Indy to race, and believe part of the reason I’ve done so well there is because of how I feel about it. 

“I go there and I’m just happy that I’m able to race at an event of this magnitude. It’s the biggest race in drag racing, comparable to any other series’ marquee event, the one with the most history and the biggest tradition, as well as the largest payout.” 

Andrews Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) (points leader)

“Winning Indy has eluded me in my career, and it is somewhat frustrating," Hines said. "In years past we have run well, but not good enough. We have struggled, and have had just plain bad luck. We have a history of winning (bonus events) there, just not the Wally.”

Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle) (-30 points)

"We've got new rings, new pistons, and a fresh bore," Arana said. "We tested it in Ohio and we're happy with the results. It's going to be huge. The Countdown is starting and we'll see what happens and who comes out of that race with the points lead."