Thundernationals Electrify Indy’s Motorcycle Weekend

Words and photos by Tim Hailey

Of all the events going on during this past weekend’s massive motorcycle festival in Indianapolis, nothing—not MotoGP, not AMA Flat Track, not the XDL stunt competition—attracted nearly as many competitive motorcycles as the 684 entries at the NHDRO/Manufacturers Cup Pingel Thundernationals at Lucas Oil Raceway. This wildly popular motorcycle drag racing event saw many milestone performances on the beautifully prepped racing surface at LOR.

As the name implies, the Pingel Thundernationals featured the kings of the sport—PR Factory Store Top Fuel. A solid four bike field of 1500+ horsepower, supercharged, nitromethane burning Fuel bikes put on a fabulous show, starting with Top Fuel rookie David Vantine leading Friday’s qualifying session with a 6.17. When perennial champion Larry “Spiderman” McBride ran 5.90s on Saturday, it seemed a forgone conclusion that he would be number one qualifier.

Last out on Saturday night, though, was veteran Alabama racer Chris Hand and his Redneck Express. Hand was receiving tuning help from John Alwine, who said to anyone standing nearby after the burnout that the bike’s clutch tune-up would either have it falling on its face or, “If it hooks, it’s really gonna go.”

And go it did. Right at the hit of the throttle, the bike threw a wall of header flame high into the sky and kept it lit high and 4 cylinders wide. “I’ve never seen a flame that high,” said McBride, watching as he pulled off helmet and gloves on the big end.