Muscle Car mania and More from the 63rd Annual NHRA Chevrolet Performance US Nationals.
The Big Go. Indy. Call it what you will, but for 63 years, the NHRA US Nationals has been ground zero for what is arguably the ultimate drag racing spectacle. With over 700 race cars from Stock Eliminator to Top Fuel, and six full days of on-track action, “the Nats” is something every drag racing fan should experience. And over that week of racing, fans will experience the very best in sportsman racing with the backbone NHRA categories, plus a variety of “specialty” classes that ramp up your adrenaline.
Whether you love nitro, classic muscle, or the latest EFI machines, the US Nationals has you covered. Indy is a race we love to attend, and we had our cameras snapping from dusk to dawn every day.
Racing begins the Wednesday before Labor Day with Super Gas, Super Comp, plus Stock and Super Stock qualifying. Our focus was on the two latter classes since we love American muscle, and frankly they provide awesome smoky burnouts and the best wheelies.
In addition, a group of wild Gassers pounded the track, and the Mopar crowd got its thrill with the fierce Super Stock 426 Hemi Darts and ‘Cudas in that ran in the Hemi Challenge. In contrast to the carburetor-fed Hemis, the SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown gave fans a thrill with modern, supercharged, EFI goodness. The FSS is a relatively new heads-up class specifically designed around the Dodge Drag Pak Challengers, Chevrolet COPO Camaros, and Ford Performance Cobra Jet Mustangs.
Showdown cars represent the latest from the Big Three, with factory-typ LS, Magnum, and Coyote engines, boosted by a common 2.9L Whipple Supercharger. A total of 22 cars battled for the 16 spots on the ladder and David Barton took the pole in a Chevy running 8.10 at 165 mph. The quickest Mopar in qualifying belonged to Geoffrey Turk (8.15/165) and the top Ford driver was Chuck Watson at 8.20/160 mph. Other notables were Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett in a Mopar (qualified 5th) and Pro Stock champ Erica Enders in a COPO that ran 8.48 to get the 15th spot.
Many NHRA purists consider Thursday and Friday of the Nationals the best days for sportsman drag racing. These days are set aside for Stock and Super Stock Class eliminations, and it’s all about the heads-up competition. Racers converge on Indy from US and Canada to pit themselves against the best and to hopefully go home with the coveted “Wally” trophy. Class eliminations is a tradition that’s been around for decades and winning isn’t easy. The 63rd Indy is proving to be a special one, and for now we have to close the laptop and get back to capturing more photos.
Stock Eliminator Class Finals
Driver, hometown, car/engine R.T. E.T. MPH
A/S (4)
W: Caleb McFarland, Manchester, Ohio (’01 Firebird/346) .057 9.959 133.39
L: Steven Ficacci, East Hanover, N.J. (’68 Camaro/396) .047 10.018 132.49
B/S (3)
W: Joseph Martens, North Olmsted, Ohio (’69 Camaro/396) .049 10.287 129.35
L: Tim Bishop, Queenstown, Md. (’97 Firebird/350) .054 10.313 129.13
C/S (2)
W: Ken Vaughn, Columbia, Tenn. (’96 Corvette/350) .085 10.464 127.62
L: Ben Wenzel Sr., Freeland, Mich. (’67 Camaro/302) .028 10.568 124.49
D/S (4)
W: Kyle Kohr, Myerstown, Pa. (’68 Camaro/396) .028 10.616 124.71
L: John Duzac, Covington, La. (’67 Camaro/302) .227 10.542 124.60
E/S (2)
W: Tom Gillam, Lafayette, Ind. (’70 Camaro/350) .057 10.729 122.52
L: Gary Russell, East Sparta, Ohio (’67 Camaro/350) .066 10.762 121.26
F/S (4)
W: Bill Sempsrott, Franklin, Ohio (’66 Nova/283) .084 10.964 120.76
L: Mike Welfel, Nashville, Tenn. (’66 Nova/327) .098 11.052 119.49
G/S (2)
W: John Hladky, Stuart, Neb. (’66 Nova/327) .029 10.914 120.16
L: Donnie Beeler, Elizabethtown, Ky. (’67 Camaro/327) .049 10.948 119.65
I/S (3)
W: Shane Smith, Central City, Ky. (’91 Corvette/350) .094 11.180 118.54
L: James Jeschke, Baden, Pa. (’84 Camaro/305) .049 15.324 55.38
K/S (2)
W: Tommy Turner, Tompkinsville, Ky. (’85 Mustang/302) .027 11.542 113.27
L: Kelly Pott-Hall, Angleton, Texas (’88 Mustang/302) .045 13.990 65.95
A/SA (12)
W: Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif. (’62 Fury/413) .018 9.831 132.70
L: Larry Hill, Hickory, Ky. (’70 Barracuda/440) .002 9.974 129.89
B/SA (14)
W: J. Allen Sherman, Pasadena, Texas (’00 Corvette/346) .038 10.059 129.85
L: Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis. (’15 Camaro/376) .133 10.045 131.27
C/SA (3)
W: Jason Line, Troutman, N.C. (’70 Gran Sport/455) .078 10.248 127.35
L: Douglas Duell, Newburgh, Ind. (’69 Barracuda/440) .041 10.435 124.38
D/SA (8)
W: Andrew Hill, Royal Oak, Mich. (’70 Camaro/350) .057 10.418 124.95
L: Randi Lyn Shipp, Floyds Knobs, Ind. (’67 Firebird/400) .019 10.628 122.21
E/SA (7)
W: Darrell Steiger, Clayton, Ind. (’70 Challenger/340) .014 10.636 122.01
L: Larry Gilley, Hilmar, Calif. (’69 Dart/340) .027 10.646 121.84
F/SA (2)
W: Chuck Beach, Delaware, Ohio (’68 Barracuda/340) .049 10.609 123.67
L: Adam Davis, Eva, Ala. (’73 Firebird/456) .030 10.995 107.21
G/SA (6)
W: Mitch Kight, Rouge Mount, N.C. (’67 Barracuda/383) .187 10.879 119.72
L: Corey Hopkins, North Branch, Minn. (’69 Dart/383) .054 11.037 117.07
H/SA (4)
W: Rod Butcher, Burlington, Mass. (’83 Camaro/305) .075 10.939 119.54
L: George Antrobius, Bellbrook, Ohio (’89 Camaro/350) .019 13.427 70.95
I/SA (5)
W: Katie Sepanek, Moosic, Pa. (’72 Chevelle/350) .078 11.273 114.13
L: Bo Fowler, Mooresville, Ind. (’78 Volare/360) .029 11.445 114.26
J/SA (2)
W: Jim Marshall, Indian Land, S.C. (’77 Nova/350) .221 11.217 115.60
L: Kenneth Stott, Landrum, S.C. (’90 Camaro/350) .018 11.536 113.85
K/SA (7)
W: Jim Hale, Van Buren, Ark. (’66 Belvedere/383) .065 11.599 112.30
L: Eugene Monahan, Brockton, Mass. (’89 Firebird/350) -.078 11.643 112.38
M/SA (2)
W: Marcus Widuch, Mount Juliet, Tenn. (’79 Aspen/318) .071 11.803 110.53
L: Patrick Downing, Adrian, Mich. (’83 Malibu Wgn/305) .025 11.966 108.19
N/SA (2)
W: Steve Sullivan, West Chester, Ohio (’88 Mustang/302) .238 11.967 109.41
L: Don Turk, Lebanon, Ind. (’74 Grand Am/400) .070 12.194 107.33
O/SA (2)
W: Paul Wong, Las Vegas, Nev. (’86 C-10/350) .016 12.114 105.02
L: Randall Campbell, Gray, Ky. (’86 C-10/350) .022 12.153 104.50
P/SA (2)
W: Marty Buth, Freeport, Ill. (’84 Mustang/140) .152 11.975 108.72
L: Dick Lux, San Antonio, Texas (’64 Mercury/289) -.103 13.090 100.83
U/SA (4)
W: B.J. Graham, Tempe, Ariz. (’76 Mustang/302) .127 13.216 98.56
L: John McCarthy, Lyndon, Ky. (’60 Kingswood/283) .008 13.696 96.51
V/SA (2)
W: Warren Birkett, BakerJr, La. (’85 Caprice/262) .217 15.240 85.95
L: Dan Tool, Jacksonville, Ill. (’80 Mustang/140) .234 15.253 89.70
EF/S (2)
W: Steve Polhill, London, Ont. (’81 Escort/98) .031 16.478 79.00
L: Ron Seibenick, Perry, Ohio (’84 Topez/140) -.018 16.288 77.45
FS/A (4)
W: Bill Skillman, Greenwood, Ind. (’14 Mustang/330) .104 8.662 157.41
L: Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind. (’14 Mustang/302) -.016 8.918 130.34
FS/B (3)
W: Brett Candies, Thibodeaux, La. (’10 Mustang/330) .022 8.953 150.28
L: Clarence Harding, Lowell, Ind. (’14 Camaro/427) .010 9.071 145.96
FS/C (7)
W: Jim Boburka, Coraopolis, Pa. (’15 Camaro/427) .008 9.235 143.14
L: Jonathan Allegrucci, Scott Township, Pa. (’15 Challenger/426) .052 9.222 140.39
FS/D (7)
W: Victor Cagnazzi, Mooresville, N.C. (’15 Camaro/396) .019 9.626 138.06
L: Rich Rinke, Oxford, Mich. (’13 Camaro/427) .262 9.452 144.24
FS/E (3)
W: Jeff Taylor, Sellersburg, Ind. (’15 Camaro/396) .034 9.855 134.27
L: Mike Pustelny, Almont, Mich. (’14 Mustang/302) .058 9.887 134.30
FS/F (5)
W: Daren Poole-Adams, Shelby, N.C. (’15 Camaro/350) .064 10.253 129.57
L: Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y. (’15 Camaro/350) .081 10.283 129.17
FS/G (4)
W: Luke Ubelhor, Bristow, Ind. (’09 Challenger/345) .226 10.150 133.75
L: Jeff Blanchard, Lowell, Ind. (’13 Mustang/363) .097 10.319 128.15
FS/H (2)
W: Ricky Pennington, Gardendale, Ala. (’12 Mustang/302) .008 10.508 126.03
L: Gary Robillard, Walker, La. (’09 Challenger/360) .063 10.567 125.20
FS/XX (22)
W: Kevin Skinner, Columbus, Ohio (’16 Mustang/302) .035 8.263 162.08
L: Scott Libersher, Wilmington, Ill. (’17 Camaro/427) 31.210 9.283 158.73
Driver, hometown, (car/engine) R.T. E.T. MPH Class Index Over/Under
Combo-Stick (5)
W: 3659 Ellis Buth, Warrensburg, Ill. (’76 Pinto Wgn/140) .114 15.575 83.64 W/S 16.40 -0.825
L: 3004 Rosalyn Gresens, Toledo, Ill. (’89 Mustang/302) NT-Broke After Staging
Combo-Auto (2)
W: 7024 Mark Madison, Seaside, Calif. (’65 Belvedere/426) -.429 9.677 135.47 AA/SA 10.70 -1.023
L: 3651 Bob Gere, Salem, Wis. (’72 Grand Sport/350) -.050 11.750 110.81 L/SA 12.70 -0.950
Combo-Factory (2)
W: 3077 Bill Dyer, Port Byron, Ill. (’10 Mustang/352) .070 10.464 128.49 FS/K 11.90 -1.436
L: 445 Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City, La. (’15 Camaro/350) .090 8.405 161.73 FS/AA 9.40 -0.995
Super Stock Class Finals
Driver, hometown, car/engine R.T. E.T. MPH
SS/AH (16)
W: James Daniels, Yardley, Pa. (’68 Dart/426) .013 8.404 155.96
L: Wendell Howes, Rothesay, N.B. (’68 Barracuda/426) .099 9.923 103.21
SS/A (2)
W: Ray Paquet, Holt, Mich. (’64 Fairlane/427) .046 8.620 154.67
L: Tony DePillo, Dayton, Ohio (’64 Savoy/426) .025 8.691 151.99
SS/B (3)
W: A.H. Adkins, Ravenswood, W.V. (’69 AMX/390) .019 8.996 145.25
L: Dallas Kelly, Cleves, Ohio (’64 Fairlane/427) .387 8.953 149.15
SS/BA (2)
W: Ollie Stephan, Scarborough, Ont. (’71 Corvette/454) .098 9.034 146.02
L: Sean Dornan, Republic, Ohio (’65 Belvedere/426) .035 18.595 52.68
SS/EA (2)
W: Kenny Schindler, Hendersonville, Tenn. (’68 Corvette/427) .094 9.502 138.10
L: Ryan Haag, Columbus, Ind. (’67 Camaro/396) .000 9.622 135.10
SS/FA (2)
W: Tony Hewes, Reno, Nev. (’69 Mustang/428) .105 9.298 141.68
L: R.J. Torres, El Paso, Texas (’68 Mustang/428) .049 14.854 61.94
SS/GA (3)
W: Craig Gualtiere, Amarillo, Texas (’67 Nova/327) .075 9.679 133.59
L: Jeremy Duncan, Charlestown, Ind. (’69 Camaro/350) .020 9.780 131.81
SS/HA (3)
W: Jeff Dona, Gordonville, Mo. (’98 Firebird/350) .055 9.415 139.70
L: Jerry Hatch, Lubec, Maine (’70 Challenger/440) .028 9.757 132.76
SS/IA (2)
W: Ricky Decker, Charlestown, Ind. (’94 Camaro/350) .086 9.482 137.01
L: Angelo DeCarlo, Schaumburg, Ill. (’63 Corvette/327) -.028 10.006 130.04
SS/JA (6)
W: Larry Zavala, Montebello, Calif. (’89 Camaro/350) .108 9.586 136.58
L: Tyler Bohannon, Louisville, Ky. (’88 Camaro/350) .003 9.706 134.44
SS/MA (5)
W: Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill. (’74 GTO/350) .076 10.813 120.88
L: Zack Running, Lapeer, Mich. (’84 Cutlass/403) .061 11.032 119.92
SS/NA (3)
W: Eric Stewart, Oswego, Ill. (’84 Cutlass/307) .148 11.157 115.66
L: Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb. (’56 Nomad/265) .032 11.329 114.67
GT/G (2)
W: David Neal, Columbus, Ind. (’05 Sunfire/327) .170 9.225 142.42
L: Jim Schaechter, Cumming, Ga. (’03 Cavalier/350) -.013 9.497 139.08
GT/M (2)
W: Gene Bichlmeier, Norfolk, Neb. (’66 Nova/283) .079 10.167 126.73
L: Brad Zaskowski, Belding, Mich. (’87 Camaro/327) .048 10.246 129.73
GT/N (3)
W: Ernie Neal, Columbus, Ind. (’05 Cavalier/350) .385 9.662 119.53
L: Bill Zaskowski, Belding, Mich. (’66 Nova/283) -.006 10.400 125.65
GT/FA (2)
W: Brina Splingaire, Kronewetter, Wis. (’08 Cobalt/350) .026 9.321 140.34
L: Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio (’10 Cobalt/346) .017 9.408 139.54
GT/GA (3)
W: Andy Kronenbitter, Millersport, Ohio (’10 Cobalt/350) .169 9.385 137.78
L: John Agneta, Folcraft, Pa. (’98 Firebird/428) -.015 9.543 138.47
GT/HA (3)
W: 33 Irvin Johns, Memphis, Ind. (’02 Cavalier/ 350) .031 9.390 139.93
L: BYE
GT/IA (4)
W: Marion Stephenson, Williamsport, Ind. (’06 Cobalt/350) .051 9.553 137.62
L: Todd Frantz, Louisville, Ky. (’08 G5/350) .027 9.586 134.02
GT/JA (3)
W: David Dupps, Germantown, Ohio (’08 Cobalt/350) .103 9.533 137.88
L: Johnnie Raikes, Bradsfordville, Ky. (’98 Grand Am/350) -.019 9.716 134.02
GT/KA (2)
W: Tom Beasley, Scott Depot, W.V. (’09 Cobalt/305) .076 9.907 133.41
L: Eric Reed, Beloit, Wis. (’71 Camaro/402) NT-No Show
GT/MA (4)
W: Leonard Mattingly, Cox’s Creek, Ky. (’95 Achieva/305) .136 10.010 132.44
L: David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala. (’87 Camaro/327) .026 10.168 129.42
GT/NA (2)
W: Robert Brewer, Broadlanda, Va. (’88 Cutlass/305) .099 10.152 128.38
L: Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kan. (’90 Camaro/327) .013 10.447 125.94
GT/QA (2)
W: Ronnie Dutton, Southside, Ala. (’80 Monza/350) .129 10.736 123.44
L: Ken Sharp, Middletown, Ohio (’90 Eldorado/425) .077 11.036 120.78
FSS/B (4)
W: Stephen Bell, Shreveport, La. (’15 Camaro/350) .203 8.060 165.56
L: Anthony Bongiovanni, Hopatcong, N.J. (’14 Mustang/302) .019 8.400 160.31
FSS/C (4)
W: Darrell Dietz, Medicine Hat, Alb. (’10 Mustang/330) .029 8.685 153.51
L: Joey Shipp, Whiteland, Ind. (’10 Mustang/330) .038 8.701 154.00
FSS/D (4)
W: Ray Skillman, Greenwood, Ind. (’10 Mustang/330) .094 8.735 153.65
L: David Barton, Robesonia, Pa. (’14 Mustang/429) .026 8.851 151.99
FSS/E (2)
W: Kevin Helms, Plant City, Fla. (’10 Challenger/426) .058 9.026 146.78
L: Gary Summers, Franklin, Ky. (’85 Mustang/302) .047 9.059 149.60
FSS/F (2)
W: Brett Candies, Thibodeaux, La. (’12 Camaro/427) .031 9.284 143.23
L: David Collette, Perryville, Md. (’11 Challenger/512) .130 9.345 141.53
FSS/K (3)
W: James Caro, Houma, La. (’10 Challenger/360) .042 9.457 128.55
L: Dennis Breeden, Plainville, Ind. (’10 Challenger/345) .045 9.558 136.41
FSS/L (2)
W: Carl Weisinger, Orlando, Fla. (’09 Challenger/360) .098 9.708 135.05
L: Keith Lynch, New Madison, Ohio (’09 Challenger/345) .071 10.311 100.19
FGT/B (5)
W: Paul Candies, Des Allemands, La. (’13 Mustang/427) .135 7.895 169.81
L: Roy Hill, Sophia, N.C. (’10 Mustang/331) .049 8.046 170.21
FGT/E (2)
W: Charley Downing, Britton, Mich. (’14 Mustang/302) .111 9.447 144.60
L: Jimmy Ronzello, Rockwood, Mich. (’08 Mustang/331) .083 9.563 145.27
FGT/L (2)
W: Al Ross, Flushing, Ohio (’72 Challenger/360) .139 10.027 129.54
L: Dennis Steward, Port Orange, Fla. (’64 Savoy/360) .053 10.206 129.73
Driver, hometown, (car/engine) R.T. E.T. MPH Class Index Over/Under
Combo-Stick (6)
W: 3858 Dan Jacobs, Elizabeth, Ind. (’05 Cavalier/305) .118 9.297 142.07 GT/K 10.75 -1.453
L: 5065 Wayne Denklau, Wayne, Neb. (’55 Wagon/265) .079 11.413 113.68 SS/P 12.50 -1.087
Combo-Auto (16)
W: 3681 Drew Allen, Winamac, Ind. (’03 S-10/331) .054 8.957 146.96 SS/TB 9.95 -0.993
L: 23 Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala. (’08 G5/304) .056 8.773 152.40 SS/DM 9.75 -0.977
Combo-FS (7)
W: 3388 Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, Mich. (’98 Avenger/360) .036 9.347 140.85 FGT/I 10.50 -1.153
L: 1409 Eric Bardekoff, Commack, N.Y. (’09 Firebird/350) .004 8.841 152.66 FGT/D 9.90 -1.059
The post 200 Photos From The Big GO! appeared first on Hot Rod Network.