The dream is over, or has it just begun?

So, the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals are over. The stands have cleared, traffic is probably jammed up all along the surrounding roads, and everyone here in the press room is tap-tap-tapping away on their keyboards working to meet deadlines. My work here is done, except for you, my last little Indy blog.
 
 

I do tend to struggle with this moment each year, because after the build-up to the event and then living high on adrenaline for every day we’re here watching the event and running around talking to as many folks as we possibly can, all of a sudden it hits you like a big old over-sized fluffy pillow. Wha-bam! Fluffy pillow to the face. Stops you in your tracks. It doesn’t knock you over but for sure it stuns you for a minute. The event is done. Over. Pack up. Go home.

All we have now are the memories. Well, some of us have trophies. That’s pretty cool.

As I was transcribing Jeg Coughlin’s winner quote for the NHRA.com story, I looked up and saw Robert Hight walking on the deserted, hallowed track with his little girl, Autumn, on one side and Jack Beckman’s son, Jason, on the other. He had their little hands in his own, and Jason’s mom, Jenna, was crouched down taking a photo of the three of them walking down track. It was poignant, for sure. Not just because it was a pretty picture (I do so love a pretty picture), but also because it reminded me of how real our heroes are. I would guess that he’s just been through one of the craziest weekends of his racing career, but he still has enough in him to hold the hands of those little kids, and not worry about any kind of a tough-guy exterior. It’s something of a dichotomy, isn’t it? Wrapping those hands around the steering wheel of a 300+ mph Funny Car and then holding the tender hands of small children just a couple of hours later. Strange. And awesome. A fitting end to the long weekend for me, seeing that.

And now, on to Charlotte, where the Countdown to 1 begins. It’s a tremendous consolation to know that although this highly-anticipated, exceptionally exciting, whirlwind weekend has come to a conclusion, the road to determining who will come out on top and walk off with the Full Throttle Series championships has only just begun.
 

It's a family affair

Division 3 Super Comp racer Leslie Lucas held ND photographers Richard Wong and Jerrie Foss in rapt attention at the top end as she laid out a story about a couple of her friends, and they encouraged her to pass on the info to little old me so that I could share it with you folks (Richard Wong even snapped a photo to enhance the presentation; thanks, Richard!).

At right you see Richard’s image snapped just this morning during the third round of Super Gas. That’s Dave Dailey, age 75, driver of the "Wild Mountain" ‘48 Anglia in the far lane, and his opponent is ‘70 Buick Opel GT pilot Dave Barrett.

Here’s where it gets really cool: Barrett and Dailey are cousins and have been racing here at Indy since 1973. The Super Gasser kinfolk both had decent lights, but Dailey was three-thousandths quicker off the starting line and won on a .004-second breakout by Barrett. Dailey will be racing on Monday at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

A few fun facts about the cousins for ya: Back in 1963 Dailey drove a sweet six-cylinder altered known as “The Fugitive.” Barrett, currently 6th in the Division 3 standings, built the Anglia that Dailey is currently driving back in 1992, and he built his own Opel GT in 2002.

Though the two have been racing here together for many years, the third round pairing was the first time they’d ever run one another at the Big Go.

Ah, the magic that is Indy.
 

In our thoughts

Our hearts go out to the Lawrence family today. Pro Stock racer Kevin Lawrence was here competing in his second event of the season with his lovely wife, Pam, and their daughters, Danielle and Nicole, by his side when they received word that a close family member had fallen ill. The Lawrences have withdrawn their entry and headed home to be with their loved one.

Yesterday before receiving word of the troubles back home they shared some positive news: Daughter Nicole, a Top Sportsman racer who licensed in 2006 after attending Frank Hawley’s NHRA Drag Racing School, will race a couple of events this season in Brian Brown’s car in preparation for next season when she will drive a new Top Sportsman entry for Mickey Nickos and Richard Davis, who will be co-car owners and co-crew chiefs. Kevin says he’s also considering setting up his Pro Stock entry to allow Nicole to run as a B/Altered once or twice.

In the meantime, with Chicago-based engine builder Ted Karkazis (who has been hard at work and promises increased horsepower next year) on Kevin’s crew, as well as the help of Vince from sponsor Modern Carriage Werks, Joe from Hyperaktive Performance Solutions, and good friends like Chuck and Billy who accompanied the family to Indy, the team is looking towards a bright future, for sure.

You’re in our thoughts, Lawrence family.
 

Drive One, and note the attention to detail

Jim Cunningham had surely hoped that the blocks and heads for his two Ford Mustang Pro Stockers would be ready in time for Indy, but he and driver Erica Enders are proudly wheeling new Mustang bodies here despite the absence of the important new internal pieces still in the final stages of production. Though they look just the same, the bodies were fabricated by two different builders; Enders’ car was built by Don Ness, and Jerry Haas was the crafter of Cunningham’s. Though the two have yet to break into the show (at the time of this writing, we are in between the second and third qualifying sessions), both are pleased to be back on the track and are eager to show off their beautiful new Ford Mustangs.

“This body gives us something to compete with against the GXP and Stratus,” said Enders, the only active and fifth of all time female Pro Stock car competitor. “To be a part of the Ford program is really cool. We’re very excited, and next year will be very good for us.”

While the blocks and heads are being finessed, surely with much attention to detail, the bodies have been completed with great care - including the paint. Cunningham was keen to point out the fine airbrushed artwork on the nose of his prized new ride.

“Jim Hooker touched up both cars and his son did the airbrushing,” said Cunningham. “He did such a good job, right down to the Mustang horse on the front.”

Hooker couldn’t help adding a little personalized finishing touch. The dashboard on Cunningham’s ride has a hand-painted “radio,” with a sly inclusion of Hooker’s name on one of the buttons.

Erica’s car needed a slight modification and her crew guys were happy to help. The petite drag racer couldn’t quite make the reach to the reverser, so the helpful fellas customized an extended version, complete with a series of star cutouts to complement her Dragstar sponsor.

It was a pretty interesting visit, and as I said my goodbyes, CMS. Gen Mgr. George Lark, the do-all guy who handles just about anything that needs handling on Cunningham’s team, pulled me aside for a quick word.

“You know, if you looked up the word perseverance in the dictionary, you would find Jim Cunningham’s picture,” he said. “This team has gone through so much just to get here. We started the motors Sunday and Jim’s seized. Marcus [Bowen, crew chief] flew home and got a crankshaft and carried it on the plane so we could put the motor together. Then in St. Louis while they were testing Erica’s car, a lifter broke. Someone flying in on Thursday at 4pm was able to get the lifters we needed and fly them out. This team is no holds barred and no expense has been spared to do what needs to be done to get these cars on the racetrack.”

 

Cunningham's Mustang

Enders' near-identical ride

Go fast but slow down a bit, wouldja?

Oh my, how time flies. I forgot that about Indy; you get here early, but there is so much to do and see that before you know it, the day is over. It actually makes me just a little bit sad because I can already sense that it's slipping away, but it's also pretty exciting because we are that much closer to finding out who is going to walk away with the event trophies on Monday. This morning when we arrived the Super Stockers were in the lanes and the Mopar Hemi Challenge participants were gearing up for another round of action. These cars are beautiful, and that fact provides an added dimenision to drag racing, doesn't it? I have a fondness for all muscle cars and I'm a little bit of a Chevy girl at heart, but I will admit that I have an appreciation for Hemi power, and those 'Cudas and Darts are just flat out cool to look at.

Earlier this morning I made my way through the Pro Stock pits, and though my intention was to speak to everyone on the entry list for the class right here on day one,it's actually a bit of a balancing act. Especially when so many people have so many interesting things to say. I can't divulge everything that I learned today, but check the event notebook for a few tidbits, if you're so inclined.

Other than what's in the notebook, I will tell you that part of my so-far very full day consisted of spending some time talking to the Dave River Pro Stock team. River is ultra-friendly to everyone he meets and though he's serious on the track, he has a knack for keeping everything in perspective. His crew consists of two of his kids, Amanda and Robert, as well as family-friend Shark (I could tell you his real name but I'd have to k... well, you know). River is competing in his fifth event of the season and though he has yet to make the field, he sure has a lot of heart and that's a darn good foundation for success. Kind of interesting to ponder what the future may hold.

I also received word that an upcoming book detailing the expansive history of Mopar will include former drag racer and current engine builder Roy Johnson, master of the Pro Stock Hemi since 1997. The book is in the final stages of production and tomorrow I plan to do a little legwork to determine when it will be available for purchase. Meanwhile, Roy and the J&J Racing team, including co-crew chiefs Mark Ingersoll and Jeff Perley and driver Allen Johnson, are making sure their ducks are in a row for a full recovery from their unusual DNQ in Reading.

There was so much more, but the semi's are complete for the Hemi Challenge and Top Alcohol Funny Car is pulling up to the line. From here, this day is gonna get even faster, and I'm leaving blog land to soak it all up before it passes me by. Until tomorrow, drag race fans!

Dear Indy, you’re so cool

Swell. It’s supposed to be a scorching 102 degrees today in sunny SoCal, and the hills are ablaze with a wicked set of fires filling the air with ever-so-unhealthy levels of ash. At this point, escaping to the Midwest is vastly appealing, and O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is waiting for our team with open arms, the promise of fresh air, and at least a 20-degree temperature drop. I love you Indy, I really do, and for so much more than your predicted cooler weather and non-life-threatening nitrogen/oxygen atmospheric blend.

I know that (age aside) I’m still a baby when it comes to the ND staffers, but this will be my third trip to the Big Go, and in the past two excursions, I have accumulated a rather diverse and pleasing plethora of memories. To be front-row center for history in the making never ceases to thrill me, and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil is known for monumental announcements and historical happenings. Last season, for instance, remember when Alan Johnson announced he would be leaving Don Schumacher Racing to partner with His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani to form Al-Anabi Racing in 2009? And then remember when Tony Schumacher, under the tune of Alan Johnson, drove the U.S. Army dragster to a sixth consecutive victory of the year and his seventh Indy win in nine seasons after struggling to even make the field on the first two qualifying passes? Oh, the excitement! We were up, we were down, and we were sitting on the edge of our seats there in the old Indy tower. It was downright exhilarating watching it all play out.

Four-time Indy winner and 14-time Funny Car world champion John Force missed the field last season, and he did so for the second year in a row. Not the most fun thing I’ve witnessed in Indy, but still pretty monumental. Adding insult to injury for the champ last season, all of the John Force Racing stable cars exited early except that of Robert Hight, who went the distance and brought home the trophy, his second U.S. Nationals victory for the venerable team in his third consecutive final round there. With Mr. Hight surprisingly fighting to secure a spot in the Countdown this year, his performance will be no less critical, and it will be every bit as thrilling to watch the drama unfold.

At last year’s event, I was lucky enough to stand at the top end with Jill McKenna from NHRA Marketing for the final round of Funny Car’s U.S. Smokeless Showdown. Balanced on the back of a golf cart was the oversized cardboard check for $100,000 that the victor would hold up for the flashing cameras, signifying the cold, hard cash for a winning effort. The names of the finalists were reverse-printed on stickers for easy application, and Jill held one possible winner’s sticker in her hands, and I held the other, poised and ready to secure in place as soon as we received word of the outcome. Cruz Pedregon beat Tim Wilkerson to claim the Showdown title, and I was remarkably impressed with the skill and efficiency with which Jill smoothed Pedregon’s name onto the big ol’ piece of cardboard. Seeing the whole process made me feel a little bit like the behind the scenes of a magic trick had been revealed, and the energy in those final moments before the name was smoothed onto the check was prickly with electricity and giant question marks hovering overhead: Who would emerge victorious?

I can’t wait to get out there and feel that electricity again. Though the Showdown won’t be held this year, there will be a winner in the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, and drivers will be racing for the Indy Wally in each of the Pro classes - plus seven Sportsman categories. Memories are waiting to be made, history is about to be written, and National DRAGSTER will be there to cover it all. Sweet!

I’m ready to ditch the sweltering and smoky West Coast and head to the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Let’s get this show on the road!