Curious observers of the just-completed NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka may have noticed amid the just sixteen fuel floppers that were on hand the absence of 2011 series regular Brian Thiel. The Pleasant Grove, CA racer, who had plans to contest the entire NHRA Full Throttle Series tour, has had quite a tumultuous beginning to his year, and following a disappointing and expensive DNQ in Atlanta two weeks ago, he and his team have opted to take a couple races off and regroup before rejoining the tour next month.

In Houston, Thiel was paired with John Force in the opening round of eliminations but was timed out as the roof hatch opened right as he was preparing to stage, and then his season hit another low when his mount deposited oil on the racetrack in his final qualifying attempt at Atlanta, costing his team five points and $1,000.

Along with the Topeka event, Thiel and his N&S Tractor and Case IH Dodge Charger Funny Car is also absent from the entry list for the upcoming NHRA Supernationals in Englishtown but is entered for the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol and the remaining events on the schedule. Thiel currently sits 17th in the Funny Car points standings after failing to make the qualified field at four of the first six races and experiencing more than his fair share of engine explosions and pure bad luck.