click here
Compiled by Ian Tocher
6/6/2007
After an extended four-week rest due to the postponed race at Bristol, the NHRA returned to action June 1-3, with the 19th annual O’Reilly Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX at Heartland Park in Topeka, KS. Brandon Bernstein took over the points lead with his third win this year in Top Fuel, while Mike Ashley earned his first-ever Funny Car title and Greg Anderson continued his domination with a fifth win this season in the Pro Stock ranks. And as usual, the racers told the whole story though quotes taken from NHRA and team press releases.
"We really made some clutch and oil changes
last year and those were two significant changes to the tune-up. The cars been performing better, and another big change over the winter is we got a couple of guys back on the team that used to be with us, that spent some time with Kalitta's car. They really brought some maintenance experience, and how to really maintain these cars. Not that we had a bad crew before, but the crew now is just really paying attention to what they are doing and making sure that everything goes back in the car exactly the way it was before. That's made a huge difference. If you have the same car every time, it's easier to tune. That's been a big turning point as well."
— Joe Hartley after securing his career-first number-one qualifying position, on what’s led to his part-time team’s improved performance
“It’s very special, and a little emotional, to race J.R. I just tried to concentrate on cutting a good light, keeping the car straight, and hoping the win light would come on. We both wanted to win, but at the end of the day we’re two buddies drag racing and having fun.”— Brandon Bernstein after beating close friend J.R. Todd in the final round for his third win this season
“I don't consider the number-four qualifier a let down.”— Rod Fuller on his worst qualifying position so far this season
“Tomorrow we're going to rock and roll. We have four rounds in the set.”— Clay Millican after qualifying his “RATT Mobile” tribute car to the ‘80s rock band in 7th place
"We went down the track and a lot of other cars didn't do that. But I'm not happy with it.”— Todd on his 12th-place starting position
“We are really glad to just be able to race on Sunday at this point. This isn't where we expected to be. It's rare when the bolts shear off once, but it's really odd that it happened twice. We'll fix it and get ready for Sunday.”— Cory McClenathan after qualifying 16th, on breaking blower pulley bolts in both of Saturday’s qualifying attempts