The 2015 US Nationals are in the books, hot and humid, a typical Indy. Many come here to experience what’s call the “Big Go”. Others are here for the best competition of performance and driving skill. Still others only come to win Class. In all cases they are here because its ‘INDY”. This year like years past, Indy showcases more than 650 Sportsman racers from all over the country.

Redman

Competitors start lining up at the gates days before the track opens. In some cases, they are parked along side the track a week before the stacking starts. Stacking before parking is a normal procedure at all NHRA nationals events, but the US Nationals are a sight to behold. The stacking area consists of three fields, and in the past they would fill up. In the last few years, parking officials of done such a good job that only one field is needed. Parking starts on Monday giving the parking crew control over arriving rigs. The overflow waits on the road inside the track, and then moves to the stacking are and then moves on into the race track. Its quite a thing to see. When talking to Redman, a 40 year plus NHRA official. He tell us that it takes lots of preparation and experience to get all the rigs parked in a timely and racer friendly manner at NHRA’s biggest race of the year.

Racing does not start until Wednesday, so it gives most races a day to get ready for competition.  Tech goes on for days and seems as it will never end. By the time tech is over, the officials have done a weeks worth of work is just a few days. Tech is just the beginning for the officials. With over 400 sportsman cars that have to be weighed and fuel checked during qualifying, tech officials are working none stop all day. Then there is the famous Indy tear down. Most races will tell you, you better be right if you are going to Indy. At Indy tech officials usually tear down 40 plus cars after qualifying. It takes place over 2 days and is not only tough on the racer, but the tech personnel as well.

Qualifying and time trails start on Wednesday. For Stock and Super Stock its all about getting in the show. The early morning shot is where most step up their car trying to get a solid spot in the 128 slots that are available. With 182 Stockers and 164 Super Stockers trying to make the 128 respective qualifying spots, it becomes a race with in its self. This years predictions were as high as .910 and as low as .820 under the index to make the show, lower for Super Stock. As it turned out it took .870 to make the show in Stock and .684 to make the show in Super Stock. The Super Classes get their times shots also to dial in their numbers and the tree. Comp is like Stock and Super Stock, trying to qualify in the best positions possible.

In Stock and Super Stock there are many races beside the main eliminator at Indy. Stock class, Super Stock class, The Hemi Challenge and the Factory Showdown. There are even challenges within certain classes, like the A/S Challenge and A/SA Challenge. This is what makes Indy Indy, there is so much going on, it is sometimes overwhelming.

This years winners bring old and new together, with past winners joining first timers. Any racer will tell you, if you could only win one race, Indy is the race to win. Its the Super Bowl of NHRA Drag Racing…… its THE BIG GO !

Competition:

Greg Kamplain takes on the number 1 qualifier Craig Bourgeois. Greg has only an .02 CIC hit, while Graig has a .07 CIC penalty. The CIC hits make all the difference giving Greg Kamplain his 3rd NHRA national event win, his 2nd INDY win.

Super Stock:

Jeff Roell has never been in a NHRA national event final. Jimmy DeFrank is a multi NHRA national winner and has won here before. Both drivers have great lights, but Jeff’s .003 package gives Jimmy no chance. Jeff was .003 on the tree and a dead on the 9.560 dial in to Jimmy’s .018 light running a 8.82 on a 8.80 dial. This is Jeff’s first NHRA national event win, and with numbers like that it wont be his last.

Stock:

Kyle Ratcliff and Tom Rambo battling for for the coveted Indy Wally.  Kyle with a .042 light and .028 over was all he needed to push Tom out by .006. Tom was late with a .102 light. This is number two for Kyle for NHRA national events, buts its oh so special when its …. INDY !

Super Comp:

Luke Bogacki vs Anthony Fetch, two racers who know the winner circle well. Luke is a many time NHRA national event winner as is Anthony. Luke has a .011 to Anthony’s .022, but its Luke’s day as Anthony has air bottle issues slowing and giving the win to Luke. This is Luke’s 10th NHRA national event win, and his first Indy.

Super Gas:

Lee Klingensmith and Francis Ross have never won a NHRA national event. Ross has a runner up and Lee is in his first. Francis has the better light .016 to Lee’s .021. Its a double breakout race, and Lee gets the win, breaking out less .004 to Francis’s .018. Lee gets his first NHRA national event win at Indy.