The skies over Brainerd Int'l Raceway were a clear beautiful blue
Monday morning, the day after the running of the Lucas Oil NHRA
Nationals. Yet, storm clouds were brewing.

When the NHRA announced in January they would limit the Top Fuel and
Funny Car teams to four test sessions throughout the season the
statement was clear.

The story, posted on January 21, 2009 opens with the following, “In
an ongoing effort to assist in curtailing escalating costs associated
with the operation of Professional nitromethane-category vehicles (Top
Fuel and Funny Car), NHRA has implemented the following testing
limitations for the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.
Unlimited testing for Top Fuel and Funny Car teams will be permitted
until the 2009 season opener at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Feb. 5. At
that point, and during the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
season (Feb. 5 to Nov. 15), Professional nitromethane teams will be
limited to a maximum of four one-day test sessions. This policy applies to both the team and driver.” (we bolded these words)

When you qualify fifth and the rain pours for two days, it provides the ultimate opportunity for
a driver to lay low and remain out of the media’s cross-hairs seeking
comment about their days from hell leading into the national event.

That’s kind of the approach Tony Pedregon took this weekend when it
came to discussing his split with the only crew chief he’s worked with
since leaving John Force Racing to field his own team.

The plan worked like a charm for Pedregon except for one key thing.
When you are faced with this kind of adversity, racing with a temporary
tuner and win the race against the odds, instead of hanging out in the
hauler, you must stand in a room with the media.

Pedregon faced the music, elated about his win in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int'l Raceway.

Earlier in the week, Top Fuel racer Morgan Lucas told the media that he wanted to win the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals for his parents because they gave so much to the sport.

Sunday in Brainerd, the good son presented his parents with quite the present.

For the second time in his career, Lucas hoisted the NHRA champion
trophy high above his head in the Top Fuel winner’s circle. The victory
also marked his second Brainerd victory since winning Top Alcohol
Dragster back in 2004.

“This is the best day of my life and the best feeling in the world,”
said Lucas as he addressed the assembled media. “I’m so weak everywhere
in my body and I still have goose bumps. I gotta say that I don’t know
what to do because we’ve accomplished the goals we set at the beginning
of the year.”

“Great to be here,” said Greg Anderson as he greeted the media following his first Pro Stock win of the season in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int'l Raceway.

“It's been a long time. It's been a long dry spell.”

Anderson wanted this win really bad. The last time he won at Brainerd
the trophy went to the family of John Hagan, the man who gave Anderson
his Pro Stock start. This time the Wally went to his father, Rod.

Junior Pippin is an enthusiastic 56-year-old Pro Stock Motorcycle rider who just wouldn't give up. Entering the Lucas

Les Welch

Oil
NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int'l Raceway, Pippin had yet to win a
round. Race after race Pippin bowed out in the first round as he
struggled to find the right combination for his Buell.

All that changed when Pippin, qualified 14th, roared down the
quarter-mile beating Andrew Hines on a hole shot. Pippin's .027 light
versus Hines .073 gave him just enough advantage to hold old the more
powerful V-Rod ridden by Hines.

Pippin was literally walking on air back at his trailer following the round win, his first ever.

Bob Gilbertson, owner/driver of the Rinnai Tankless Water Heater nitro
Funny Car, has joined forces with the Hampton Inn - University Place
for his return to NHRA competition at the 2nd Annual Carolinas
Nationals at the new zMAX Dragway in near-by Concord, N.C. on Sept.
17-20.
 
Located just six miles from zMAX Dragway, the Hampton Inn is right in
the heart of Charlotte's University area entertainment district and is
in walking distance to dozens of restaurants and night clubs.

Chris Rini closed the Mooresville Mad Dawg season in the same fashion he began – with a trip to the winner’s circle.

Rini
overcame the loss of lane choice to beat multi-time series champion
Ronnie Gardner in the final round of eliminations at Mooresville
Dragway in Mooresville, N.C.

"I can't say enough about ATI Performance, Speedtech, Car Quest, my engine builder Charlie Buck and my crew," said Rini.

The
victory came with an abundant share of struggles. Rini tweaked the
chassis set-up through every round, eventually making the field on the
bump spot for the eight-car field. A call to chassis builder Jerry
Bickel and a four-link change put Rini on the right path.

Bruce Boland, the reigning, and two-time Pro Modified Racing Association Champion continues to dominate the PMRA series, as the Hamilton,
Ontario-based racer won the PMRA event during the Stratford Spectacular
Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts
Sunday in Grand Bend, Ontario.
 
Driving the B&B Racing 1967 Chevy Nova, Boland eliminated Ike Maier
of Schomberg, Ontario in the final with a 4.10-second, 177.90-mph
winning pass over Maier’s 4.203-second, 165.65-mph run.
 
Boland paced the field in the fourth event of the 2009 PMRA tour,
qualifying number one with a 4.092-second, 181.15-mph pass. Boland took
out number five qualifier Jason Kalso of Clarkston, Michigan, in his
1970 Barracuda in the semi-final, and defeated Jack Grainy of North
Tonawanda, New York in the opening round.

Tony Pedregon raced to his third Funny Car victory of the season Sunday
at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.

Morgan Lucas, Greg Anderson and Hector Arana also were winners in their
respective categories at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
event. Only two races remain in the NHRA regular season before the
six-race playoffs – the Countdown to 1 – begins Sept. 18 at zMAX
Dragway near Charlotte, N.C.