NHRA Quotes from Memphis

Compiled by Ian Tocher
8/26/04

The 17th annual O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals were held Aug. 20-22, at Memphis Motorsports Park, where once again the racers told the entire story in their own words through NHRA and team press releases.

TOP FUEL

“I’m definitely not going there for a tea party.”—Doug Herbert on his mission to win at Memphis

“It’s even more complicated than one would think. It’s hard enough to keep going rounds with so many cars in the field running so strong, but now we’re trying to get used to a new tire compound, a new 85 percent nitro mixture, constrained wing angles that limit downforce, and hot, humid racing conditions.”  — Brandon Bernstein on returning to warmer climates after racing on the West Coast and in Minnesota the last few weeks

“We’re going back with our Brad Hadman car for the Memphis race. We had it reworked and will be working with it this weekend. It’s ready to go. It’s going to be warm. The track is going to be hot. But don’t forget this Hadman car went down the Atlanta track in 130-degree temperature and did very well.”—Cory McClenathan on his team’s pre-race equipment strategy

“I just knew when I got to the finish line that it was number one. It felt good leaving and it drove straight down the track with no wobbles.” —Tony Schumacher on earning the provisional pole with a 4.581-second pass in Friday evening’s qualifying session

“This is a condition that has haunted us for several races now. Crew chief Todd Smith and the team are working overtime to get the problem corrected.”—McClenathan on struggling in qualifying with dropped cylinders and winding up 12th on the raceday ladder

“I don’t look any further ahead than the first round.” —Larry Dixon after qualifying 7th to face off against Brady Kalivoda in round one

“Being able to race against guys like Tony is such an honor for me.” —Morgan Lucas after barely edging Schumacher in the second round

“This is our first weekend to race with all of the NHRA rule changes, and we overcame all of that to make it to the semi-finals. I wouldn’t swap driver’s seats with any other team out here.”  -- Clay Millican on his part-time NHRA status after falling to Scott Kalitta in the semis

“In the last two rounds, the blower belt came off of the engine about 100 feet before the finish line, and you’re just waiting for your opponent to drive around you. Both times, we were fortunate to get the win light.” —Dixon on beating Lucas in the semis and S. Kalitta in the final round

“This is the fifth year in a row that we’ve been to the final here and I don’t have a clue why. I wish I knew so we could take that knowledge and apply it to other racetracks. Maybe it’s Elvis.” —Dixon again, on his phenomenal record at the home of ‘The King’

“Watching (Don) Garlits race was like watching Mike Jordan play ball. He just crushed everybody that he raced and he was my idol. I didn’t know about basketball or NASCAR growing up, all I knew was drag racing and Don Garlits was the man. To be even close to him is an honor.”  -- Dixon once more, on tying “Big Daddy” for third on the all-time NHRA Top Fuel wins list with his 35th career victory