Championship Drag Racing

Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Indianapolis, Ind.
(August 27-September 1)

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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 Antron Brown: Brown races to semifinals , secures No. 2 seed in Countdown to 1 Brandon Bernstein: Bernstein is quarterfinals finisher Clay Millican: Millican out in first round Cory McClenathan: McClenathan is semifinalist Dave Grubnic: Grubnic knocked out early Doug Herbert: Herbert goes to the quarterfinals Doug Kalitta: Kalitta takes runner-up finish Hillary Will: Will races to the quarterfinals J.R. Todd: Early exit for Todd Rod Fuller: Fuller cards first-round finish Tony Schumacher: Schumacher continues hot streak Sunday Antron Brown: Brown drives to No. 8 qualifying position Clay Millican: Steady Millican qualifies 10th Cory McClenathan: McClenathan holds on to No. 2 J.R. Todd: Todd vs. Kalitta at Indy's 'Big Go' Rod Fuller: Fuller drives to No. 13 spot Tony Schumacher: "The Sarge" claims sixth starting spot Saturday Antron Brown: Brown races to No. 7 spot Clay Millican: Millican's 3.893-second time is ninth-best Cory McClenathan: McClenathan No. 2 going into final day of qualifying J.R. Todd: Team learns more with each pass Rod Fuller: Fuller finishes in No. 12 position T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo keeps team in contention Tony Schumacher: Schumacher still not qualified Friday Antron Brown: Brown blazes tires Clay Millican: Millican continues making good runs Cory McClenathan: McClenathan is low qualifier in first day J.R. Todd: Todd races to provisional No. 2 Rod Fuller: Fuller flies to No. 7 spot T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo claims 8th spot Tony Schumacher: Schumacher not qualified Pre-race Antron Brown: Brown ready to "rock Indy" Brandon Bernstein: Bernstein aiming for the top Clay Millican: Confidence level up as Millican prepares for U.S. Nationals Cory McClenathan: McClenathan looks to score third U.S. Nationals title Dave Grubnic: Grubnic and team set to make their own fate Doug Kalitta: Kalitta doubly determined to claim Indy victory Hillary Will: Will focused and composed going into Indy J.R. Todd: Indy win would make Todd’s season Morgan Lucas: Modern Lucas Oil Stadium rides with Lucas Racing Rod Fuller: Fuller hopes to keep Indy momentum rolling Steve Torrence: Torrence ready for first Top Fuel experience at Indy T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo ready for "Big Go" Tony Schumacher: Schumacher set for annual visit to Indy

Monday Ashley Force: Pink weekend for Force Bob Tasca III: Tasca makes first-round exit Del Worsham: Worsham can't win for losing Frank Hawley: Hawley loses traction Jack Beckman: Beckman goes to third straight final, moves into sixth in points Melanie Troxel: Competitive elapsed times keep R2B2 Racing Dodge in contention Mike Neff: Neff goes to round two Robert Hight: Hight grabs second Indy win Ron Capps: Capps exits early Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson takes it to the semifinals Tommy Johnson: Team narrowly misses competitive field Sunday Bob Tasca III: Rookie driver earns No. 15 spot for first pro Indy appearance Del Worsham: Worsham is Showdown semifinalist, stays 8th for The Big Go Frank Hawley: Hawley earns U.S. Nationals start Gary Scelzi: Scelzi misses field Jack Beckman: Beckman collects No. 10 Jerry Toliver: Toliver not in show John Force: Force misses Indy field again Melanie Troxel: Troxel celebrates birthday with No. 6 qualifying start Mike Neff: Neff qualifies fourth Robert Hight: Hight frustrated by day's outcome Ron Capps: Capps is quickest in final qualifying Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson blazes to the final round in the Showdown Saturday Bob Tasca III: Tasca still seeking spot Del Worsham: Third time's a charm for Worsham Frank Hawley: Hawley's 4.218-second time good for 15th Gary Scelzi: Scelzi comes out swinging Jack Beckman: Beckman slips to 10th Jerry Toliver: Toliver still looking for spot in field John Force: Force facing another Indy DNQ Melanie Troxel: Troxel's under-the-lights 4.117-second run puts her sixth Mike Neff: Neff zips to No. 4 Robert Hight: Hight's can't improve Ron Capps: Three solid passes for Capps Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson lands in the ninth spot Friday Ashley Force: New paint, positive attitude Bob Tasca III: Ford’s JDRF car makes debut; Tasca 15th of the day Del Worsham: Tire smoke ends Worsham's Friday Frank Hawley: Tire smoke slows Hawley in first qualifying round Melanie Troxel: Troxel opens qualifying in ninth place Mike Neff: Neff feels the power of Indy Pre-race Ashley Force: Pink is empowering for Ashley Bob Tasca III: With special JDRF car design, Tasca eager to take on Indy Del Worsham: Worsham heads to Indy with '05 replay in mind Frank Hawley: Runner-up finish at Reading boosts confidence of Hawley Gary Scelzi: Scelzi chases first U.S. Nationals win in Funny Car Jack Beckman: Bolstered by Reading win, Beckman targets U.S. Nationals Jeff Arend: Arend set for debut in the DHL Funny Car Jerry Toliver: Toliver has sights set on Indy win John Force: One year later, Force has new perspective Melanie Troxel: Troxel hopes to put on good show for hometown fans Mike Neff: Neff wants Indy win to build momentum Robert Hight: Hight wants to start championship run at Indy Ron Capps: Capps ready for Countdown, Showdown Tim Wilkerson: With the points lead locked, Wilkerson is looking to have some fun Tommy Johnson: Johnson: Ultimate goal is to have a win at Indy on your résumé

Monday Dave Connolly: Connolly wins second straight U.S. Nationals, Jeg Coughlin: Fastest car doesn't deliver a win for Coughlin Justin Humphreys: Humphreys gives it his best shot in first round Kurt Johnson: KJ stung by semifinal finish Larry Morgan: Morgan celebrates wedding anniversary with runner-up finish Richie Stevens: Stevens loses in first round at Indy; keeps eye on Hurricane Gustav Rickie Jones: Jones claims first round win at Indy Sunday Dave Connolly: Connolly finishes 10th Johnny Gray: Gray shifts focus after qualifying Justin Humphreys: Humphreys bounces back, qualifies 12th Kurt Johnson: KJ and crew rally to claim the fifth starting spot Richie Stevens: Stevens comes back, qualifies 12th Rickie Jones: Jones qualifies for NHRA's 'Super Bowl' Warren Johnson: Starting 8th, WJ has his work cut out for him Saturday Dave Connolly: Connolly sixth after second qualifying day Jeg Coughlin: Improved performance keeps Jeggy in the mix Justin Humphreys: Humphreys has mechanical problem, now 18th Richie Stevens: Stevens 22nd after two days Tom Hammonds: Hammonds has best performance in third session - Warren Johnson: With two attempts remaining, WJ is fifth Friday Dave Connolly: Connolly puts up No. 2 time Jeg Coughlin: Coughlin squeezes into tight opening-day field Justin Humphreys: Humphreys grabs fourth spot Kurt Johnson: KJ is fifth following the first day Richie Stevens: Stevens qualified 14th Tom Hammonds: Hammonds makes sound start Warren Johnson: WJ opens qualifying in third Pre-race Allen Johnson: Victory at U.S. Nationals nearly as big as a championship for Johnson Dave Connolly: Connolly intent on clinching sixth place in Countdown Jeg Coughlin: Defending series champ also tour's most recent winner Johnny Gray: Gray’s new Stratus is tested and ready to go Justin Humphreys: Humphreys’ confidence rises with Dodge’s improved performances Kurt Johnson: KJ is cool, calm and collected heading into Indy Richie Stevens: Koretsky will be watching instead of competing Tom Hammonds: Comeback for Hammonds looks promising- Warren Johnson: WJ is approaching Indianapolis with a one track mind

Monday Andrew Hines: Hines takes V-Rod to final round Angelle Sampey: Rollercoaster weekend for Sampey Angie Smith: McBride happy with Indy outcome Chip Ellis: Ellis falls to teammate Chris Rivas: Rivas makes early exit Craig Treble: Treble goes to semis Matt Smith: Smith keeps top seed in the Countdown Peggy Llewellyn: Llewellyn does her job, but loses close opening-round race Steve Johnson: Johnson wins Indy, moves solidly into championship hunt Sunday Chip Ellis: Ellis keeps qualifying string alive Chris Rivas: Rivas pleased with performance Craig Treble: Treble ready to defend Indy title Hector Arana: It's all or nothing for Arana in championship chase Peggy Llewellyn: Llewellyn improves to start 14th Saturday Chip Ellis: Ellis eighth after three sessions Chris Rivas: Rivas puts up 6.978-second elapsed time in heat of day Craig Treble: Treble sits 12th Hector Arana: Arana leader of the pack Peggy Llewellyn: Llewellyn is 14th Friday Peggy Llewellyn: Llewellyn's 7.262-second effort good start for new team Pre-race Angie Smith: McBride, Carolina Speed team up for Indy and Charlotte Chip Ellis: Ellis goes for a double Chris Rivas: Rivas happy to have two opportunities to win Matt Guidera: Double the “The Big Go” for Guidera Matt Smith: Smith looking to stay on top Peggy Llewellyn: Llewellyn happy to be racing at U.S. Nationals Steve Johnson: Johnson primed and ready for The Big Go

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