NHRA Quotes from Topeka
Compiled by Ian Tocher
Photos by Ron Lewis
6/2/06
Heartland Park Topeka (KS) reverberated with the thunder of NHRA drag racing May 26-28, where Doug Kalitta, Ron Capps and Dave Connolly picked up wins in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, respectively, at the 18th annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX. And of course, the racers told the story themselves in quotes taken from NHRA and team press releases.
“The conditions here were tough. It was hot all weekend and the track temperatures were really getting up there, but my guys did a great job of getting our race car down the track all eight laps (four qualifying) under power.”— Doug Kalitta after taking his third win in the last four events and his 27th career event title with a final-round win over Brandon Bernstein
"Qualifying hasn't necessarily been our strong point so far this year, and, quite honestly, being number-one qualifier hasn't worked out too well for anybody in either of the fuel classes. I'm happy to have the number-one spot, but it wouldn't break my heart if somebody took it away tomorrow.— Melanie Troxel on leading qualifying after the first two rounds on Friday
"Weather played a huge part in what happened this weekend.”— Cory McClenathan after qualifying 2nd, on the high temperatures and strong headwind on Saturday that the teams contended with in Topeka
"Without question, if we're going to start our climb in the standings, first-round losses have to come to an end right now."— Tony Schumacher after qualifying 4th, on the four opening-round exits he’s made in the last six races
“It went down the track four out of four times which translates to 100 percent and A-plus.”— Hillary Will grading her team’s effort after qualifying 7th
"The problem was the race track conditions were very, very good early in the run and the atmospheric conditions were very bad.”— Clay Millican on his 12th-place qualifying result
"That was definitely an ugly way to win. I had the car crossed up and it just didn't want to hook back up.”— Troxel on her tire-smoking duel with Alan Bradshaw in round one
"It was a good, old-fashioned drag race.”— Rod Fuller after coming up just a little short of Kalitta in the opening round
“(Crew chief) Jimmy Walsh has a good handle on the tune up and if I can get my act together at the starting line we'll start winning some rounds.”— J.R. Todd after losing to a holeshot by David Grubnic in round one
"Every race I learn something which is what rookies are supposed to do.”— Will after dropping her first-round match against Morgan Lucas