NHRA Quotes from Las Vegas

Compiled by Ian Tocher
Photos by Zack Hawthorne
11/9/04

The season may be winding down, but the quotes just keep on coming from NHRA competitors at the 4th annual ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals held Oct. 29-31, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Here, in their own words taken from NHRA and team press releases, are the thoughts of drivers and crew chiefs about the event.

TOP FUEL

“When I completed my passes for the day, there were plenty of qualified people around the starting line area to sign my license. I was on my way to see Tony Schumacher and instead, I went over to Morgan Lucas of Amato Racing. I asked my son and Morgan, who are two of the youngest drivers in Top Fuel, to sign this old guy's license.” -- Tony Zizzo Sr., a Top Alcohol veteran, on making some test runs in his son’s dragster as part of the process to earn a Top Fuel drivers license

"Second place is well within our reach. It won't be a cake walk by any means, but our team is putting forth 100-percent effort to try to climb one more rung on the ladder." -- Brandon Bernstein on being third going into the event, behind Tony Schumacher, who already clinched the championship, and Doug Kalitta in the runner-up spot

“We’re going to have to go rounds if we expect to hold on to ninth. It’s got everybody on the team counting points.” -- Scott Weis on leading Rhonda Hartman-Smith by just two points heading into the Vegas race

“It takes a full money vault to make a run at the likes of the three Kalitta cars, the Army of One car of Tony Schumacher, and the red and blue beer cars. I can only say we are encouraged by our talks to potential marketing partners at this time.” -- David Baca on his hopes to run a full season in 2005

"As they say, 'You don't race 'em on paper.' I have to admit though, there are certain cars that have the edge come race day. But any car out there can beat any other car at any given time. When you come to the line on Sunday you have a 50-50 chance of winning. No different than the guy in the other lane.” -- Cory McClenathan on beating the odds in the gambling capital of the world

“This isn't a tea party; this is serious business." -- Doug Herbert on his goal of winning at each race he enters

“We’re going to try a few things at the last two races. If they work, great, and if they don’t work, you can knock them off your to-do list.” -- Larry Dixon on entering test mode as the season winds down

“The Shootout is a great event, and I would love to take the Bud money and the free beer.” -- Doug Kalitta on the $100,000-to-win Budweiser Shootout race-within-a-race on Saturday at The Strip for the sport’s top qualifiers

"Unfortunately the driver let one get away today.” -- McClenathan on losing in round one of the Shootout to a holeshot by Bernstein

"Tomorrow's another day." -- Tony Schumacher after losing to David Grubnic in the semis of the Shootout