Championship Drag Racing

Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Clermont, IN
(August 31-September 5)

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Team Reports News and notes from NHRA's Pro teams at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. These reports will be updated and new ones added as they become available. About these reports

Monday Brandon Bernstein: Bernstein qualifies No. 4; surprised with early loss Clay Millican: Kalitta outdistances Millican Cory McClenathan: Loss of traction ends Cory Mac’s quest for a third Indy title Doug Herbert: Herbert drives into semifinals Larry Dixon: Dixon captures third career U.S. Nationals victory Melanie Troxel: Troxel advances to second round after defeating “the other Kalitta” Morgan Lucas: Frustrating first round loss lets down Lucas T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo qualifies, out in first round Tony Schumacher: Schumacher loses in finals, takes over points lead Sunday Clay Millican: Millican’s 4.601-second time puts him 12th Cory McClenathan: McClenathan places No. 3 Doug Herbert: Herbert earns highest qualifying position of the season Larry Dixon: Dixon qualifies sixth Melanie Troxel: Indy local Troxel qualifies No. 10 T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo’s consistency put him 14th on ladder Tony Schumacher:  Schumacher takes pole Saturday Doug Herbert: Herbert runs career best time Larry Dixon: Dixon improves to sixth T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo runs a season best 4.615 in night session Tony Schumacher: "The Sarge" stays number one Friday Doug Herbert: Herbert opens with donation Larry Dixon: Dixon drives to No. 9 spot T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo stands in tenth after first round Tony Schumacher: Schumacher on top of charts Pre-race Brandon Bernstein: Bernstein excited to compete in NHRA’s premier event Clay Millican: Millican to drive Popular Mechanics-themed car at Indy Cory McClenathan: Cory Mac focused on winning Dave Grubnic: Grubnic encouraged after successful test session Doug Herbert: Herbert anxious for the big show in Indianapolis Doug Kalitta: Kalitta heads to Indy with a small lead and big expectations Jack Beckman: Beckman looks to add his name to esteemed Indy winner’s list Larry Dixon: Dixon hopes testing pays off at U.S. Nationals Melanie Troxel: Troxel geared up for U.S. Nationals with new car, outlook Morgan Lucas: Indy is the place to race Rod Fuller: Powers Motorsports hopes to bring home win No. 2 Scott Kalitta: Kalitta looks to Indy win to add to his legendary career Scott Weis: Weis defending his position at Indy Tony Schumacher: Schumacher hopes his luck continues at Indy

Monday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson back on track at Indy Del Worsham: Worsham doubles up Eric Medlen: Medlen out early on Monday Gary Densham: Densham falls short on bid to defend U.S. Nationals title Gary Scelzi: Scelzi takes over points lead John Force: Force out in the first round Phil Burkart: Burkart outlasts Force in round one Robert Hight: Hight loses round Ron Capps: Capps’ route to lead take a slight detour Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson runs out of air Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to first-round finish Tony Bartone: Bartone’s day ends in the first round Whit Bazemore: Bazemore scores semifinal finish Sunday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson qualifies for quickest Funny Car field ever Cruz Pedregon: Cruz misses the cut Del Worsham: Worsham wins Skoal Showdown, heads into "Big Go" #4 Gary Densham: Densham ready for the biggest race day of the season Gary Scelzi: Scelzi qualifies No. 7; goes to second round in Showdown Phil Burkart: Burkart consistent, and in the show Ron Capps: Capps snags No. 9 Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson makes nice runs in the heat, holds onto the No. 10 spot Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. qualifies fifth in quickest Funny Car field Tony Bartone: Bartone’s career best performance propels him into show Tony Pedregon: Pedregon grabs 15th slot Whit Bazemore: Bazemore on consistent path Saturday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson 12th in the quickest field ever Cruz Pedregon: Cruz still seeking spot in field Del Worsham: Worsham "goes deep" on home run night, 4.746 lands 4th Gary Densham: Densham runs season quickest pass Mike Ashley: Ashley makes huge strides in second day Phil Burkart: Burkart clings to 16th spot in ultra-quick historic field Phil Burkart: Burkart clings to 16th spot in ultra-quick historic field Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson sits in No. 10 spot Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. sits fifth Tony Pedregon: Pedregon regroups to compete in round three Friday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson 16th after first qualifying session at U.S. Nationals Cruz Pedregon: Cruz not currently qualified Del Worsham: Worsham sets Indy speed mark, lands 7th Phil Burkart: Burkart runs 4.852, only earns 14th spot Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson pleased with No. 5 qualifying spot Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. makes second quickest run of career Tony Pedregon: Pedregon begins weekend in 12th Pre-race Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson ready for 'the Big Go' Cruz Pedregon: Cruz looking to add to his Indy legacy Del Worsham: Worsham dreams big as 'the Big Go' approaches Eric Medlen: Medlen aims for fourth win in five races Gary Densham: Densham ready to defend title Gary Scelzi: Scelzi smack in the heat of all battles at Indy John Force: Force seeks redemption, points lead Paul Lee: Lee ready for double duty Phil Burkart: Burkart bets on the basics for Indy success Robert Hight: Hight in car that doubled-up a year ago Ron Capps: Capps puts focus on points race Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson looks for the U.S. Nationals to begin a new chapter Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. aims for two Indy wins Tony Bartone: Bartone and Dunn look to add to their success at the U.S. Nationals Tony Pedregon: Pedregon wants to win drag racing's SuperBowl Whit Bazemore: Two-time U.S. Nationals champion Bazemore looks for consistency in Indy

Monday Dave Connolly: Connolly advances to quarterfinals Richie Stevens: Stevens goes to his second final round of season Sunday Dave Connolly: Connolly second quickest Sunday afternoon; will start 9th Erica Enders: Enders makes history Greg Anderson: Anderson sets track records in qualifying No. 1 Jeg Coughlin: Jeg looks to make noise Jim Yates: Yates falls one-thousandth of second short of starting line-up Ken Koretsky: New-car blues keep Koretsky Out of field Kurt Johnson: KJ qualifies third Richie Stevens: Stevens hoping for best after qualifying No. 11 Warren Johnson: WJ steps up, will start second Saturday Greg Anderson: Anderson leads field Jeg Coughlin: Jeg looks for more Friday Kurt Johnson: KJ drives to the second spot Pre-race Dave Connolly: Connolly wants to shake out of slump Erica Enders: Enders ready to make history at Indy Greg Anderson: Anderson ready to defend Indy title again Jeg Coughlin: Coughlin's fast cars have him dreaming of Indy glory Jim Yates: Sea Ray Boats joins Yates' new Pontiac GTO for U.S. Nationals Ken Koretsky: Koretsky to unveil new Nitro Fish Wear Dodge Stratus at U.S. Nationals Kurt Johnson: KJ taking the 'Big Go' one step at a time Mark Pawuk: Pawuk’s new GTO ready for the 'Big Go' Ron Krisher: Krisher has been fast at Indy before Warren Johnson: W.J. works to turn up the wick at his 30th U.S. Nationals

Monday Andrew Hines:  Hines leads way with top qualifying, Full Throttle honors Angelle Sampey: Sampey beaten in semifinals Antron Brown: Brown out in first round Chip Ellis: Ellis advances to the quarterfinals Craig Treble: Race ends too early for Treble Erica Enders: Big weekend comes to a close for Enders GT Tonglet: Tonglet falls in opening round Matt Smith: Smith scores first career win Sunday Angelle Sampey: Sampey will start fifth Antron Brown: Brown qualified fourth Chip Ellis: Ellis No. 7 on new bike Craig Treble: Treble ninth Saturday Angelle Sampey: Sampey qualified third Antron Brown: Brown in fifth spot Chip Ellis: Ellis in fourth after three of five qualifying runs GT Tonglet: Tonglet survives Katrina, wins Pro Bike Battle Friday Angelle Sampey: Fuel problem sets back Sampey Antron Brown: Brown settles into third Chip Ellis: New G Squared/S&S Buell debuts Pre-race Angelle Sampey: Sampey survives Hurricane Katrina Antron Brown: Brown ready to double up at Indy Chip Ellis: Indy not just another race for G Squared Motorsports Connie Cohen: Cohen headed in the right direction Craig Treble: Treble carefully approaches U.S. Nationals. Geno Scali: Scali sets his sights on win lights in Indy Karen Stoffer: Stoffer primed for illustrious U.S. Nationals

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