Brad Personett raced to his first career victory in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Series Monday at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, the world’s most prestigious drag race.

Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, the 18th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series

Final round-by-round results from the 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, the 18th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series

Monday's final results from the 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The race is the 18th of 23 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series

Fireworks between drag racers is not uncommon, but last year’s confrontation between Tony Pedregon and John Force at the U.S. Nationals was plenty memorable.  The firestorm between Pedregon and Force ignited when Robert Hight, who pilots the Auto Club Ford Mustang for John Force Racing, just barely qualified for the Countdown in the No. 10 spot by capturing a controversial win over Force in the semifinals at the U.S. Nationals.

Hight’s win against his father-in-law and boss, knocked Cruz, Tony’s brother and defending NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car world champion, out of the Countdown. Force beat Cruz Pedregon in the second round.

When the engine in Rickie Smith's GSA Pro Modified Camaro broke a rod during Saturday qualifying at the NHRA U.S. Nationals and the resulting concussion blew out the driver's side window and damaged the door frame, it was a bit of a trick to get everything situated in time for the first round of qualifying this morning. With some major help from the Jerry Bickel guys in St. Louis and veteran car painter/announcer Brian Olson, who made the all-night drive to get a new door and window, Smith made the call for the final qualifying session with a proper door in place, right down to the 'R. Smith' scripted on the window.

“We got down there and the guy said, 'You're not going to believe this, but I found a window with the right name on it, Rich Smith,'” said Olson. “It was a used window [that had been salvaged from] an accident, but it wasn't damaged. It was funny. I thought I would get it all off before we even started going, but Rickie said, 'No, leave it like it is.'

Bob Glidden has never been so happy to DNQ.

The multitude of rabid Pro Stock fans at O’Reilly Raceway Park were all too happy to offer up a hearty applause and more than one standing standing ovation for the iconic drag racer.

The ten-time NHRA champion from Whiteland, Ind., was all smiles as he towed up the return road following his final run Sunday at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

“The fans are so incredible that it’s unbelievable,” said Glidden. “But, we knew we’d struggle. The guys on the team worked so hard to get me into the car and into the routine. I feel bad that we ran so poorly. This has been a great weekend.

The Alcohol classes had one final shot to break into the field or improve before round one of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals kicked off on Sunday afternoon, and folks came with guns loaded. The final 16 emerged and the thrilling battle for a title earned at The Big Go ensued.

The Top Alcohol Dragster competition began with Duane Shields and Marty Thacker recording identical 5.377s, but Thacker was .029 at the tree to Shields' .042 for the win. Shawn Cowie was a bit off his game on the launch but managed to get around Buddy Domingue, and Ken Perry's red-light start helped Mike Kosky win with a slower e.t.

Darren Nicholson was second off the starting line but first to the finish when Jim Whitely slowed, and Mike Manners smoked the hides at the hit, sending Randy Meyer ahead to round two. Chase Copeland clocked top speed of the meet, 276.63, in a winning effort over Dave Heitzman.

Despite a stout Funny Car field, no one could dethrone top qualifier Matt Hagan on the final day of qualifying for the U.S. Nationals.

Hagan’s blazing track record time of 4.039 seconds at 277.89 mph on Saturday night won him his first career pole at the U.S. Nationals.

“It’s huge to come out here and qualifying No. 1,” said Hagan, who is in his second season driving his Don Schumacher Racing Diehard Dodge. “I remember back when I was racing IHRA and I would come over here (to the NHRA circuit) and qualify No. 16 and that would feel like I won the race. In two years, to qualify No. 1 here (at the U.S. Nationals) is a huge step in the right direction for my career and I think for our whole program.”