NHRA U.S. Nationals
Event 18 of 24 (Indianapolis)
Lucas Oil Raceway
Indianapolis, Indiana
August 31-September 3, 2018
NHRA Indianapolis Event Highlights:
- Three-time event champion
- Top Fuel (2011)
- Pro Stock Motorcycle (2000, 2004)
- Four-time No. 1 qualifier (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013)
2017 Indianapolis Recap:
Qualified sixth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Scott Palmer in E1; defeated by Steve Torrence in E2)
Last event (Brainerd):
Qualified third; Event runner-up (defeated Luigi Novelli in E1, Brittany Force in E2, Steve Torrence in E3; defeated by Billy Torrence in E4)
2018 Season Statistics:
21 round wins; ranked sixth in points
Career Statistics:
399 races; 66 wins (16 Pro Stock Motorcycle); 49 No. 1 qualifiers (11 PSM)
Noteworthy:
- Will reach the 400th event milestone this weekend
- Seeking his third consecutive final round appearance of 2018 (Seattle, Brainerd)
- Owns both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle victories at Indianapolis
- Hometown track (resides in nearby Pittsboro, Ind.)
Quotable:
“What makes the U.S. Nationals so special to me is that I distinctly remember growing up how my dad and uncle would make trips to Indy. I never knew what this place was, and every year they were like ‘we’re going to Indy, we’re going to Indy.’ We lived in New Jersey. They would just make that trek west straight across the Pennsylvania turnpike and straight out 70 right here to Indy. They would come home with their Indianapolis and U.S. Nationals shirts. That right there was a memory that always stuck in my mind, and now to actually be a part of it is unbelievable. It’s the heritage and history. Just this race meaning so much worldwide, not just here in the U.S. Competitors come from around the world because they know if they win Indy, they’ll have won on the biggest stage in drag racing history.”