Labor Day weekend in Indianapolis can mean only one thing: the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at the the historic Lucas Oil Raceway. Hundreds of the finest racers in the nation, from the professional ranks to the sportsman competitors, have made their annual pilgrimage to Indy for the richest and most prestigious of all drag races for their chance at immortality alongside the legends.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, who make it all possible. For all of your high performance and racing wheel and tire needs, look no further than Mickey Thompson!

Clermont, Ind. (Aug. 30, 2012) – Charlie Westcott Jr. of Parma, Mich., powered to the No. 1 spot in qualifying on Thursday in his 1968 “Warfish” Plymouth Barracuda at the 12th Annual Mopar® HEMI® Challenge at the NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Westcott Jr. banked the Mopar top qualifier $500 bonus with his second straight pole at the Indianapolis Mopar HEMI Challenge event, and will look to capture his second straight Indy win on Friday and fifth overall at the venue.

An impressive field of 23 Mopar-powered Super Stock A/HEMI (SS/AH) 1968 Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas battled it out at Lucas Oil Raceway. Westcott Jr. paced the pack with an elapsed time of 8.386-seconds in his HEMI machine. Clocking in at No. 2 was Jim Daniels of Bristol, Pa., in his 1968 Dodge Dart with an 8.458 mark, followed by Charlie Westcott Sr. in the third spot in his ’68 Plymouth ‘Cuda with an 8.488. Taking the fourth spot was former Indy Mopar HEMI Challenge champ Rick Houser of Pasadena, Calif., with an 8.491 effort in his 1968 Plymouth Barracuda, and Wendell Howes of Rathesay, Neb., rounded out the top five with an 8.510, also in a 1968 Barracuda.

“I think people were surprised when I put that .38 on the board, but I wasn’t,” said Westcott Jr. “Yesterday I had a few subpar passes. We found some adjustments in the suspension and the car went down the track really nice today.”

The Westcott family is aiming for its fourth Indy HEMI Challenge win five years. Westcott Jr. claimed victory in 2008 and 2011, with his father earning the win in 2009. Last year featured an all-Westcott final, and the father-and-son duo would relish a repeat performance.

“He almost beat me last year, because he had a lot better light (reaction time) than I did,” said Westcott Jr. of his battle with his father in the 2011 Mopar HEMI Challenge final. “He’s beat me a few times, and I’ve beat him a few times. It’s all about who makes the best runs. If the ladder works that way, it would be cool. That’s obviously ideal, to get both of these cars in the final and win as much money as we can.”

The Mopar HEMI Challenge winner will earn an impressive $15,000 purse tomorrow, with $1,500 slotted for the runner-up and $500 each for the third and fourth-place finishers.

“It’s a great deal. Mopar supporting us is a great thing, and without them I wouldn’t have one of these HEMI cars,” said Westcott Jr. “They put the money up and make it worthwhile to come out and try to claim the prize.

The elimination rounds for the 12th Annual Mopar HEMI Challenge will take place Friday, with the final round scheduled between NHRA Funny Car and Top Fuel qualifying rounds. To keep up on all the Mopar HEMI Challenge action on Twitter, follow @OfficialMopar. (Courtesy of Mopar)

Image courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

 Veteran driver Tony Schumacher raced to the Top Fuel qualifying lead in his U.S. Army dragster at the 58th annual Mac Tools US Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis during Friday’s opening qualifying session.
 
Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.
 
Schumacher ran low ET and top speed of the round with his 3.814 second pass at 324.67 mph under the lights at Lucas Oil Raceway which earned him the provisional No. 1 qualifying position.
 
“It was a lot of pressure tonight but the NHRA did a great job with the track and we got it right and ended up No. 1,” Schumacher said. “We wanted to get down the track tonight and we managed to earn the top spot. We tested here last week and we ran great and it definitely helped up tonight.”
 
Schumacher is tied with “Big Daddy” Don Garlits as the winningest driver at the Mac Tools US Nationals with eight wins and he hopes that starting the weekend off in the No. 1 position will lead to his ninth win at “The Big Go.”
 
“We’ve won this race eight times, but I’ve won one race in the last two years,” said Schumacher. “We’re just getting back to the way we used to be with the car running good. I’d rather race here than anywhere else because of the amount of success we’ve had.
 
“We’ve had some luck at other tracks, but this place has been so special from ’96 when I ran my first race as a kid who’d never driven a Top Fuel car in his life before and went all the way to the final. We’ve had so many great years and great moments.”
 
If Schumacher holds on to the No. 1 position it will be the fourth time he has been No. 1 qualifier at the Mac Tool US Nationals, fourth of the season and 70th of his career.

Image courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

Beckman earned the qualifying lead during the opening round of qualifying Friday evening under the lights at Lucas Oil Raceway. Beckman recorded a 4.051 second pass at 302.62 mph for the provisional No. 1 qualifying position heading into Saturday.
 
“It was hugely important [to get a good first run] because now it doesn’t matter what happens the rest of the weekend,” Beckman said. “Whether we get all the qualifying runs or not, we won’t get bumped out. We are absolutely safe, and everybody can breathe a sigh of relief.”
 
If Beckman maintains the No. 1 position through qualifying on Saturday and Sunday, it will be the third No. 1 qualifying position of the season, the seventh of his career and first at Indianapolis.
 
Enders continued her recent dominance in Pro Stock with her Chevy Cobalt when she went straight to the qualifying lead Friday afternoon thanks to her 6.624 second pass at 208.84 mph.
 
“I really feel very honored to be here, to be able to carry the momentum that we’ve had in the last few races into this event,” Enders said. “Our goal and what we’re really focused on is winning the championship. We’ve worked really hard all year, testing, and doing R&D stuff back in the engine shop. We wanted to be able to showcase what we’ve learned during the entire year right before the Countdown and then the last six races of the schedule.”
 
The most successful woman in Pro Stock history is coming off her third win of the season and if she holds onto the No. 1 qualifying position it will be the second No. 1 of the season and fifth of her career.
 
Two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Andrew Hines continued the Harley-Davidson dominance when he raced his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-Rod to the qualifying lead with his 6.928 second pass at 194.21 mph.
 
“We want to keep our streak going here,” Hines said. “I’ve won four times here in the [former] Ringers Gloves Battle so I know the way to the winner’s circle. I just need to get there on Monday. It does add some pressure to know we’ve won every race this year but we just want to keep it up.”
 
Qualifying for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event continues Saturday at 2:30 p.m ET and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations are set for Monday at 11 a.m.

 
BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Friday’s results after the first one of five rounds of qualifying for the 58th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, 17th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Monday’s final eliminations.
 
Top Fuel — 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.814 seconds, 324.67 mph; 2. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.817, 320.97; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.824, 321.88; 4. Shawn Langdon, 3.825, 304.19; 5. Brandon Bernstein, 3.835, 321.19; 6. Antron Brown, 3.844, 319.37; 7. David Grubnic, 3.844, 317.79; 8. Clay Millican, 3.872, 316.30; 9. Bob Vandergriff, 3.898, 317.64; 10. T.J. Zizzo, 3.908, 307.30; 11. J.R. Todd, 3.913, 313.00; 12. Terry McMillen, 3.964, 311.49.  Not Qualified: 13. Cory McClenathan, 4.004, 295.08; 14. Scott Palmer, 4.050, 278.52; 15. Ike Maier, 4.115, 264.75; 16. Tommy Johnson, 4.121, 227.38; 17. Luigi Novelli, 4.150, 241.45; 18. Troy Buff, 4.192, 270.97; 19. Hillary Will, 4.220, 203.86; 20. Keith Murt, 4.348, 193.43; 21. Pat Dakin, 4.437, 204.57; 22. Steve Torrence, 4.822, 151.15; 23. Bruce Litton, 4.948, 144.32; 24. Spencer Massey, 5.984, 103.69; 25. Morgan Lucas, 6.511, 109.25; 26. Chris Karamesines, 7.196, 78.86; 27. Brady Kalivoda, 7.449, 78.35.
 
Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.051, 302.62; 2. Johnny Gray, Charger, 4.079, 310.98; 3. Courtney Force, Ford Mustang, 4.085, 311.56; 4. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.089, 306.53; 5. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.107, 303.50; 6. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 4.108, 310.55; 7. John Force, Mustang, 4.119, 309.20; 8. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.122, 308.00; 9. Jeff Arend, Camry, 4.144, 310.27; 10. Jim Head, Toyota Solara, 4.151, 292.33; 11. Todd Lesenko, Chevy Impala, 4.209, 296.05; 12. Blake Alexander, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.224, 280.25.  Not Qualified: 13. Matt Hagan, 4.225, 294.95; 14. Bob Bode, 4.232, 292.58; 15. Tim Wilkerson, 4.533, 192.93; 16. Jon Capps, 4.693, 201.79; 17. Tony Pedregon, 5.851, 118.60; 18. Robert Hight, 6.584, 81.88; 19. Cruz Pedregon, 8.201, 87.49.
 
Pro Stock — 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Cobalt, 6.624, 208.84; 2. Vincent Nobile, Dodge Avenger, 6.631, 208.78; 3. Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.634, 208.42; 4. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.646, 208.52; 5. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.655, 208.17; 6. Mark Martino, Pontiac GXP, 6.659, 207.69; 7. Richie Stevens, Avenger, 6.673, 207.46; 8. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.674, 206.70; 9. V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.678, 207.66; 10. Ron Krisher, GXP, 6.687, 206.42; 11. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.693, 206.83; 12. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.705, 207.27.  Not Qualified: 13. Rodger Brogdon, 6.714, 206.13; 14. Chris McGaha, 6.716, 206.16; 15. Larry Morgan, 6.734, 206.80; 16. Greg Stanfield, 6.735, 205.16; 17. Richard Freeman, 6.745, 205.79; 18. Jerry Eckman, 6.771, 201.55; 19. Kevin Lawrence, 6.777, 203.86; 20. Lewis Worden, 6.790, 203.43; 21. Dave River, 6.879, 201.13; 22. John Gaydosh Jr, 6.919, 199.82; 23. Warren Johnson, 8.119, 122.05; 24. Mike Edwards, 11.826, 73.66; 25. Steve Spiess, 14.111, 53.93; 26. Kurt Johnson, 16.064, 67.76; 27. Steve Schmidt, 16.555, 49.88; 28. Mark Hogan, 26.083, 28.60; 29. Dave Connolly, broke.
 
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.928, 194.21; 2. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.932, 189.66; 3. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.953, 192.93; 4. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.978, 188.67; 5. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.992, 191.46; 6. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.998, 191.19; 7. Chip Ellis, Buell, 7.011, 190.43; 8. Matt Smith, Buell, 7.019, 190.22; 9. Mike Berry, Buell, 7.038, 189.52; 10. Kieth Burley, Buell, 7.059, 189.73; 11. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.069, 185.31; 12. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.073, 192.28.  Not Qualified: 13. Dawn Minturn, 7.091, 187.47; 14. John Hall, 7.118, 187.63; 15. Redell Harris, 7.127, 189.87; 16. Jim Underdahl, 7.140, 190.54; 17. Katie Sullivan, 7.247, 183.00; 18. Michael Phillips, 7.275, 179.33; 19. James Surber, 8.114, 176.51; 20. Steve Johnson, broke.

Don Walsh powered his ’11 Ford Mustang to the qualifying lead in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx portion of the Mac Tools US Nationals presented by Auto Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis during Friday qualifying action.

 
Walsh’s first qualifying attempt earned him the provisional pole with a 5.9869 second pass at 252.52 mph. Walsh is coming off his first career win at the most recent Pro Mod event in Norwalk, Ohio and if his time stands through Saturday and Sunday’s qualifying sessions it would be the first No. 1 qualifying position of his career.
 
Donald Martin powered his ’68 Camaro to the No. 2 spot with his 5.961 second pass at 243.85 mph. Danny Rowe sits third and Mike Castellana is fourth.
 
Qualifying continues Saturday at 2 p.m. ET and 5 p.m and Sunday at 2 p.m. Pro Mod eliminations start Sunday at approximately 5 p.m. and continue Monday starting at approximately noon ET.
***
BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Friday’s results after the first one of four rounds of qualifying for the 58th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, seventh of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Monday’s final eliminations.
 
Pro Modified — 1. Donald Walsh, Ford Mustang, 5.869, 252.52; 2. Donald Martin, Chevy Camaro, 5.961, 243.85; 3. Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.983, 243.41; 4. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.992, 241.67; 5. Pat Musi, Dodge Stratus, 6.004, 230.10; 6. Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 6.016, 254.57; 7. Todd Tutterow, Plymouth Duster, 6.031, 247.57; 8. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 6.040, 242.89; 9. Harold Martin, Chevy Corvette, 6.057, 236.75; 10. Scott Ray, Corvette, 6.113, 233.52; 11. Mike Knowles, Camaro, 6.140, 233.88; 12. Steve Matusek, Mustang, 6.169, 245.49; 13. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 6.254, 240.77; 14. Clint Satterfield, Camaro, 6.270, 241.11; 15. Roger Burgess, Corvette, 6.337, 230.41; 16. Chris Juliano, Mustang, 6.541, 215.44.  Not Qualified: 17. Adam Flamholc, 7.520, 120.05; 18. Leah Pruett, 8.726, 135.88; 19. Shannon Jenkins, 14.181, 73.78; 20. Kenny Lang, 17.967, 46.98; 21. Mike Janis, broke.