NHRA Quotes from Phoenix
Firebird International Raceway, near Phoenix, was the site of the 23rd annual Checkers Schuck's Kragen Nationals Feb. 23-25, where Rod Fuller successfully defended his 2006 Top Fuel race title, Tony Pedregon took the Funny Car win in record-setting fashion, and Kurt Johnson rode a pair of holeshots to win in Pro Stock. And as always, the racers told the whole story through quotes taken from NHRA and team press releases.
TOP FUEL
"How cool is this to be back in the winner's circle in Arizona? Going into the final, I knew I was going for 15 straight rounds wins here. I was thinking, is this going to end?”— Rod Fuller after beating Melanie Troxel to join Dick LaHaie and Brandon Bernstein as the only Top Fuel drivers to win the Phoenix race in consecutive years
"Qualifying on top again is great, no question. But, what we really want is the trophy on Sunday. We're in this to win races."— Tony Schumacher on qualifying number one at both races so far this season, with a track record 4.430 E.T.
“That was fantastic. That has been my favorite word lately, and it definitely fits here.”— Clay Millican after running a career-best 4.479 to qualify 3rd for raceday
“The good news is that we got in the show, but we don't get lane choice and we have to race our landlord in the first round.”— Cory McClenathan after qualifying 9th, on facing off against Larry Dixon, who owns the building that houses the Carrier Boyz/Scott Griffin Racing Top Fuel team in Brownsburg, IN
"I didn't see him the whole time, so it surprised me when his win light came on.”— Hillary Will on losing a close first-round race to Whit Bazemore
"That's what makes our sport so exciting. You win or go home. Sometimes that will jump up and bite you like it did to us here.”— Connie Kalitta, team owner for Doug Kalitta and David Grubnic in Top Fuel and son Scott Kalitta in Funny Car, after all three lost in the opening round
“We smoked the tires first round, but I think there is a big lane problem up there. I think the right lane is not anywhere near as good as the left one.”— Morgan Lucas after losing to teammate Melanie Troxel in round one of eliminations