MONDAY NOTEBOOK

And the Winner Said – “We were running good all weekend, and
it’s hard being bridesmaid here at Indy last year.  I’m so proud to be here to
represent my guys this year and hold this trophy up for them.  They worked hard
all weekend.  This is Indy it’s great.  It’s the big go and I’m glad we went!”
– Josh Hernandez

MOPAR HEMI
CHALLENGE

SUNDAY NOTEBOOK -

Parity Now! - One person who got all juiced up over Matt
Smith’s 6.99 second qualifying pass was Steve Johnson.  Johnson, reigning Indy
champ (he asked me to say that) is not only a racer but the president of PRO2,
the professional riders’ organization for the Pro Stock Motorcycles.  Steve’s
role is to give the motorcycle contingent a single voice so they can be
effectively represented to NHRA management.

MONDAY - PRO STOCK NOTEBOOK

Gimmies and Do Overs – Greg Anderson admitted if
Dave Connolly wanted a do-over, he’d take one as well. Connolly was too quick on
the tree and Anderson could’ve been a bit quicker. Anderson will admit that a
.03 or quicker, and he’d have been an Indy runner-up.

MONDAY NOTEBOOK

Sophomore Officially - The event marks Mike
Ashley’s one year anniversary in the funny car category.  Ashley was a standout
in the Pro Modified category before switching to the nitro burners and recently
moved his Torco backed team under the umbrella of Don Schumacher Racing.

MONDAY - TOP FUEL NOTEBOOK

Keep up with this weekend's NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals action from
Indianapolis. Check out the results and our exclusive pit notebooks.

MONDAY NOTEBOOK –

TOP FUEL

Welcome to the TF rookie - Doug Kalitta has been in 52 final
rounds and this was Hillary Will’s first. The points leader admitted he didn’t
feel a bit of remorse en route to beating her.

“You can’t make it too easy on them,” Kalitta said. ‘She almost beat me. It
was her first opportunity to go after a win and by beating her makes her
hungrier.”

MONDAY
FINAL - FORCE, KALITTA, JOHNSON AND HINES WIN

RAIN-DELAYED
O'REILLY NHRA MID-SOUTH NATIONALS

EVENT NOTEBOOK