Drag Racing Online: The Magazine

Volume VIII, Issue 7, Page

Compiled by Ian Tocher
Photos by Rick Shute
7/19/06
A little history was made at the 27th annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals July 14-16, when rookie J.R. Todd became the first ever African-American NHRA Top Fuel winner. Joining Todd in the winner’s circle were defending Funny Car class champion Gary Scelzi with his first win of the year, Dave Connolly, who picked up his third Pro Stock victory in the last seven races, and two-time defending Pro Stock Bike champ Andrew Hines, who also earned his first event title this season. As much a story as the on-track action, though, was the oppressive, record-setting heat at the Denver-area strip. And as always, the racers told the story in their own words as seen through quotes taken from NHRA and team press releases filed from Bandimere Speedway.

"I didn't even know how to act down there. I was stunned.”— Rookie driver J.R. Todd on his top-end interview after beating class kingpin Tony Schumacher for bragging rights in Denver

"It's great to be low qualifier, but we hope we can break the jinx.”— Doug Kalitta on the fact that no first-place qualifier in Top Fuel has won an event so far this year

"When it's hot like this and then you factor in the altitude, it's a real challenge to get down the track."— Schumacher after qualifying in the 4th position

"It's miserable as a driver to sit there in a seven-layer firesuit, but I wouldn't want to change places with (crew chief) Lee (Beard) for anything. These are by far the toughest tuning conditions we've faced."— Rod Fuller on the 103-degree ambient temperature, the hottest day recorded in Denver-area history

"I can't tell you how hard it is sit down with your crew chief and figure out how to make your car slower, but that's basically what you have to do when it gets this hot.”— David Baca after qualifying 9th, on the challenges of racing at Bandimere this year

"We need to be on our toes on Sunday. Anything can happen, you might run well and get beat or you might run poorly and turn on the win light. One thing is certain: there will be lots of adversity.”— Bob Vandergriff after qualifying 10th

“We seem to have a problem with dropping holes. I think that could be our biggest issue. If we could get it to stop dropping cylinders, then I think we'll be okay.”— Melanie Troxel after qualifying 12th, on getting down the track in good shape in only one of her four qualifying attempts

"Sunday could be a pedal contest because of the heat, altitude and tricky track …  We had the highest track temperature I've ever raced on, 135 to 145 degrees Saturday.”— Cory McClenathan on the extreme conditions after qualifying 15th

“I had a good reaction time and our run, even though it wasn't that great, would have won most of the other races. It was just bad luck of the draw.”— Doug Herbert after losing a close one to Larry Dixon in the first round of eliminations