TOP FUEL
It's my dad's birthday, and I wanted to win it for him. He gives us the best equipment, hires the best crew people, and puts the best possible team out there, and he deserves this result. The car's perfect every week, and I'm motivated by not wanting to be the weak link in this whole deal.
— Tony Schumacher on his father, Don, after making the quickest pass of the race (4.486/328.30) to defeat Bob Vandergriff Jr. in the final round and become the first Top Fuel racer to win four consecutive NHRA championships
“The good or bad thing for me is that my license is current for another year. I can be the ‘DD’ when in need.” — David Baca on being a “designated driver” (or maybe “designated diver”) after qualifying 3rd as teammate to Countdown contender Rod Fuller
“It's been a great day and I'm happy to see my team smiling.” — Hillary Will after going 4.538 at 331.04 mph to qualify 7th with the highest top speed of her career
“One of these days a win is going to happen.” — Morgan Lucas after qualifying 9th with a 4.541 at a career-best speed of 330.47 mph
“That might have been our biggest run of the year.” — Fuller on securing the 11th starting position in his final qualifying attempt after not being in the field as of Friday night. It was just the second time this year that Fuller qualified in the lower half of the 16-car raceday field
“Hey, I'm happy with where we qualified. The last time we qualified No.14 we won the race! We plan on doing everything we can to make sure history repeats itself.” — Doug Herbert with a positive outlook on Saturday night
“They say tough years build character and we are tough characters.” — Clay Millican after DNQing at the season ender in Pomona