NHRA Leaders Roar into the Big Go at Indianapolis with Fast Words

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) brings another “Big Go”—the 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, Aug. 31-Sept. 5, at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Indiana.

NHRA’s Big Go is host to a full field of sportsman and professional classes that requires six days of qualifying and racing action. A win at Indy is a drag racer’s dream and many prepare diligently for the biggest drag race of the year.

Troy Coughlin of Team JEGS ordered a new twin turbo-charged JEGS.com Pro Mod Camaro for the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series event. The Jerry Bickel designed '68 Chevrolet powered by a twin turbo 504 cid big block built by Duttweiler Performance is projected to produce 2,500-plus horsepower.

Coughlin is just one example of dedication to speed.

The race is also the last chance for some to make the Countdown to the Championship and the coveted first place berth that carries a 30 point bonus to the six-race playoffs. 

Mike Neff in Funny Car and Del Worsham in Top Fuel have commanding leads in their classes, but In Pro Stock only 30 points separate first place Greg Anderson from his teammate Jason Line. In Pro Stock Motorcycle Eddie Krawiec has a 51 point buffer to help old off Karen Stoffer’s bid to get first place.

Neff, Worsham, Anderson and Line described their mindsets going into the big race that ESPN will televise on Labor Day from noon to 6 p.m. (Sep.5) on ESPN2.

Mike Neff (Funny Car):

“For me personally it would be the biggest one ever,” Neff said. “I've never won Indy as a crew chief or a driver. I've probably been on the winning team about five times probably when I was working on the crew. But Indy is the big one, to win Indy would definitely be a highlight of my career.

“Ashley getting pregnant and me getting thrown back in here at the last minute, there really wasn't any pressure at the beginning. But now that we've done as well as we have and now that we are in the points lead, now I'm starting to feel the pressure because you just don't want to let it slip away now. The Countdown is coming, and you're just hoping that you can finish strong and keep it going.”

Del Worsham (Top Fuel Dragster):

“Right now the most important thing to me would be locking up that top spot in the points for the championship,” Worsham said. “I've won Indy before. It's a great race to win. It's very exciting. But my main focus right now is making sure that that spot is locked up.”

Greg Anderson(Pro Stock Car):

“We've only got one more race before the Countdown, and I've said it before, it's a deal you've kind of got to get into winning mode before you get to the Countdown,” Anderson said. “You can't flounder, test, do whatever you want to do, I've tried this before, and then when the Countdown comes flip a switch and all of a sudden be good and be able to win races."

“The way the competition is in this crazy class. Everybody is just absolutely out for blood.”

Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle):

“The most important thing about it is obviously getting those 30 extra points,” Krawiec said. “One of the key things is having a rounds cushion. With the way the Countdown is set up now where you have the opportunity to gain some obviously very valuable points, being in qualifying, the key there is having that extra cushion.

“You always want to check that little mark for Indy on your win column. You know, everybody wants to win Indy.”

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. 

Unless otherwise noted, quotes and information were obtained from official release materials provided by NHRA and team representatives.

Photo credit: Gary Larsen at Racetake.com