MORGAN LUCAS HOPES HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE GIVES HIM THE EDGE AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS


By

August 31, 2009

CLERMONT, Ind. - Morgan Lucas grew up in Southern California, but racing's lure eventually pulled him back to the state where his parents' successful oil products business first blossomed. Today, Lucas Oil Products is highly visible throughout the world and especially in Indiana, where the company is not only involved in promoting world class auto racing events, but is also a major player as sponsor of the home field for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium.

Partly due to ease his heavy travel schedule and mostly to be near a hotbed of racing activity year round, Lucas relocated to the Circle City from the sunny West Coast a few years back, and now he feels more a part of Indianapolis than ever.

"I definitely consider Indy home," Lucas said. "It feels like home, as much as anything can when you travel as much as we do. My family is from Indiana so this has always been the place we've called home. We're from here. Since my folks signed on as sponsors of the Colts stadium in downtown, it's really raised the profile of our company, especially in Indianapolis. When you meet people and tell them your name the immediate question is, 'Are you related to the people that have the stadium?' It's like, 'yeah, that's mom and dad.' My parents are socialites now. It's pretty funny."

With two race victories this season in his GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster, Lucas is hoping to add another to his win column at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, Sept. 2-7 at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The tradition-rich race will be showcased during more than 10 hours of coverage on ESPN2 HD and it is the final regular season race in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series before the top 10 fields in each pro category are set for NHRA's six-race championship playoff, the Countdown to 1.

"Indy is always a very hectic weekend for us," Lucas said. "There are more demands on my time than usual and you kind of just have to put your head down and plow through it all. The race itself means so much to drag racers. It's certainly one you want to win at some point in your career. Living here, it takes on even more significance because all my friends and family are there wishing us well. Plus, everyone from the shop can come out with their families and enjoy a weekend at the races."

Lucas recently gave his parents - Forrest and Charlotte - a very special weekend in Brainerd, Minn., when he claimed a victory there from the No. 1 qualifying position. He says the win, his second of the season, is one that he is extremely proud of.

"The Brainerd race was so satisfying because we just out-performed everyone," Lucas said. "There were no lucky breaks, red lights, people smoking their tires or blowing up; we just beat everyone because we had the best car that day. It was a dream weekend with mom and dad there and being a Lucas Oil race. I don't know if I'll ever be able to top that."

Lucas now sits sixth in the Top Fuel points order and seems to have some momentum going as the 18-race NHRA regular season is winding down and the start of the six-race Countdown to 1 is just a few weeks away. At the beginning of the season he wanted to race consistently enough to win a race or two and make the Countdown to 1. Now, with both of those goals checked off his list, his competition must consider him a threat to win at any time, as well as a contender for the championship.

"We're not setting any more goals this year," Lucas said. "We're just going to do the best we can every race and see where it falls. I don't want the guys to feel like we have to push it any more than we already have been. Everything's working so good right now. There's no need to change the way we're doing things."

Other Top Fuel favorites at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals include series points leader Antron Brown, who has five victories this season in his Matco Tools dragster and has already clinched the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Seven-time U.S. Nationals winner Tony Schumacher, who has won this race the last three seasons in his U.S. Army dragster, will try to tie legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits' record of eight Indy wins. Three-time Indy winner Larry Dixon and two-time winner Cory McClenathan are always strong performers at this event.

Clay Millican and Joe Hartley will have a personal one-on-one battle going to secure the 10th and final spot in the Coutndown to 1. Millican currently sits in the 10th spot and leads hard-charging Hartley by three points.

SCHEDULE: The first of five pro qualifying sessions is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Qualifying continues at noon and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 and concludes at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle eliminations are at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7.

TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil by calling (800) 884-NHRA, or via the Web at www.ticketmaster.com.

ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise more than 10 hours of coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil beginning on Sunday, Sept. 6 with NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11 a.m., and followed by a two hour and 30 minute qualifying show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). A two-hour qualifying show will air later that day on ESPN2 HD at 5 p.m. (ET). On Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise a one-hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals preview show at noon (ET), followed by a five-hour eliminations show starting at 1 p.m. (ET).

ON THE WEB: For complete online coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, please visit www.nhra.com.


* * *

TONY PEDREGON HOPES TO FINISH REGULAR SEASON STRONG WITH A MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS TROPHY IN HAND

CLERMONT, Ind. - Two-time NHRA Funny Car world champion Tony Pedregon loves the view from where he is sitting as he prepares for the world's most prestigious drag race.

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series points leader with three victories this season, Pedregon is ready to make the final regular season charge in his Wicked Quick/Q-Horsepower Chevy Impala and position himself as the top seed in his category for the six-race Countdown to 1, NHRA's championship playoffs.

It's a statement that Pedregon can make comfortably now. Two races ago there may have been a little hesitation. After suddenly splitting with longtime crew chief Dickie Venables just days prior to the race in Brainerd, Minn., Pedregon was faced with a rush of uncertainty for his race program. However, his team rallied behind new car chief Tony Shortall and the help of brother Cruz' crew chief Rahn Tobler, and won the race in Brainerd. A semifinal finish at Reading followed. Crisis averted.

In a blur, Pedregon went from thinking his season might be over, to a deep second wind that has lifted his team's determination to finish off what has been a stellar season.

"We've had a little bit of drama," Pedregon said. "It was a new challenge and some unchartered ground for me as a team owner. Anytime you have a change you have that fear of getting out of your comfort zone. But then we won Brainerd and that was probably the biggest emotional victory in my career. Now, the real work lies ahead."

Pedregon will try to win a race that has so far eluded him during his successful career and solidify his position as the NHRA regular season Funny Car champion at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at historic O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The tradition-rich race, which will be held Sept. 2-7 and will be showcased during more than 10 hours of coverage on ESPN2 HD, is the final regular season race in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series before the top 10 fields in each pro category are set for NHRA's six-race championship playoff, the Countdown to 1.

"At Indy there's a lot at stake," Pedregon said. "We want to have the points lead at the end of that event and get the 20 bonus points going into the Countdown because that takes some of the pressure off.  I haven't won that race, so I think that would be a great way to finish off this regular season by winning that one. I am to the point in my career where I'd like to get that done. I do believe we have the potential to win it."

Pedregon has watched both of his brothers win the event - Cruz on three occasions and Frank in 1999. He has been the top qualifier there twice, including last season, and has only advanced to the final round at the event one time, when he was runner-up to Whit Bazemore in 2001.

For a guy that's won 43 races, two world championship titles and visited the winner's circle at just about every track on the circuit, even he's a bit perplexed.

"I am not superstitious at all," Pedregon said. "I think the biggest challenge with that event is that it falls at a time of the year when you have warm conditions. With all the teams I have raced with over the years we have never really been a team that won races with a hot track setup. I believe at this time I have the best race car and the best chance I have ever had to get it done."

Pedregon is well aware of the event's history and status in the world of motorsports. He says he doesn't lose any sleep over the fact that he has never won the race, but he admits it is a race that he would certainly love to win before he's through.

"I really believe the ultimate for any driver is to win the championship," Pedregon said. "But if you had to single out any one race, the U.S. Nationals would be the one. It has the most history, is the biggest paying and the most prestigious. It is our Indy 500."

Neither of Pedregon's top two championship rivals - Ron Capps nor Ashley Force Hood - have won the race either. In fact, only three drivers in the current top 10 - Tim Wilkerson, John Force and Cruz Pedregon - have celebrated a victory at Indy.

Pedregon says he and his team are going to employ the same race routine at the U.S. Nationals that has led them to wins at Chicago, Englishtown and Brainerd this season. He'll also sprinkle in some strategy that's geared just for the Big Go.

"My approach to this event will be the same," Pedregon said. "I will rely on my experience. We want to pace ourselves because it is a very long week and the goal is to race smart. You have to have a good start on Friday in the first qualifying session. That run is very critical and really sets the tone for the weekend. If you can get solidly in the field, it takes some of the pressure off and you can start working on your race day setup. If you don't do well on Friday, then it seems like you are behind the rest of the weekend."

As for the Countdown to 1, which begins Sept. 18 at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, N.C., Pedregon says he will race every round like it's his last one.

"Our strategy for the Countdown is the same philosophy we used in 2007," Pedregon said. "You go into it like there is no margin for error on any run. We try to press the whole time and run as hard as we can and never hold anything back. We race wide open and full throttle and the rest is destiny."

SCHEDULE: The first of five pro qualifying sessions is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Qualifying continues at noon and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 and concludes at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle eliminations are at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7.

TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil by calling (800) 884-NHRA, or via the Web at www.ticketmaster.com.

ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise more than 10 hours of coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil beginning on Sunday, Sept. 6 with NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11 a.m., and followed by a two hour and 30 minute qualifying show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). A two-hour qualifying show will air later that day on ESPN2 HD at 5 p.m. (ET). On Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise a one-hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals preview show at noon (ET), followed by a five-hour eliminations show starting at 1 p.m. (ET).

ON THE WEB: For complete online coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, please visit www.nhra.com.


* * *

RICKIE JONES LOOKING TO KEEP DREAM SEASON ALIVE AT PRESTIGIOUS MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS

CLERMONT, Ind. - Rickie Jones can't remember a time when he wasn't at the race track. The son of noted race car builder Rick Jones, Rickie always tagged along with his dad as he would visit drag strips across the country to make sure the Pro Stock and Pro Mod cars that he built were meeting the racers' expectations.

Eventually Rickie started working in his dad's shop and then he was bit by the racing bug himself. He started with his own Junior Dragster and now as he's on the verge of making the Countdown to 1, NHRA's playoffs, in a 200-mph Pro Stock car. Every now and then, the younger Jones has to take a step back and make sure this is all real.

"This is a dream come true," the 22-year-old Jones said. "At the beginning of the season we set our goals and they were to try and qualify for every race and make it into the top 10."

His mission is nearly accomplished.

In his second season of competition in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Jones is ninth in the Pro Stock points order and he has qualified for every race so far. He is 27 points ahead of legendary Warren Johnson in the standings and 36 in front of 11th-place Johnny Gray, who posted a runner-up finish two weeks ago in Reading, Pa.

"I am really excited, but a little nervous at the same time going to Indy," Jones said. "I want to hold on to the position we're in. We've been in the top 10 the whole year and I don't want to lose it now."

Jones will make his final stand for a berth in the NHRA playoffs in his Quarter-Max/RJ Race Cars Dodge Stratus at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, Sept. 2-7 at historic O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The tradition-rich race will be showcased during more than 10 hours of coverage on ESPN2 HD and it is the final regular season race in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series before the top 10 fields in each pro category are set for NHRA's six-race championship playoff, the Countdown to 1.

Jones has been praised by his peers for his tenacity at the starting line with a stellar reaction time average of .024. He says that statistic is no accident.

"We don't have a top-half car," said Jones, who has averaged an 11th place qualifying position, yet earned semifinal round appearances at Gainesville, Denver and Sonoma this season. "You know when you go up there to race that you are going to have to try and put a holeshot on your opponent and try to beat them that way. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do that and I spend a lot of time working on my reaction times with a simulator."

The one thing the simulator doesn't emulate is the talent in the other lane. NHRA Pro Stock racing is one of the most competitive forms of racing in all of motorsports. With talented drivers like series points leader Jeg Coughlin, three-time world champ Greg Anderson and six-time champ Johnson in the field - all three multiple-time U.S. Nationals winners - Jones knows that he has his work cut out for him. He says as a rookie he would get big eyes when he pulled into the staging lanes and knew he was going to race against Johnson, widely known as the "Professor of Pro Stock."  Now he says the only thing that makes him wide-eyed is seeing his win-light come on.

"I think I am over the holy cow feeling," Jones said. "I wasn't afraid my first year, but maybe just a little in awe that I was actually racing door to door with some of my heroes of the sport. Now I don't have as much of the wow factor when I go to the starting line. I am just focused on cutting a great light and trying to beat these guys."

And he'll need to beat at least two of his heroes at Indy if he's going to make it into the playoffs. But he has a good feeling. Last year at Indy Jones had the best moment of his rookie season at the Big Go. He qualified 11th out of 28 cars and won his first round meeting over veteran Ron Krisher.

Yep, you guessed it - he won that round on a holeshot.

"Last year just to qualify was special because there are so many cars trying to make that race and you know everyone brings the best they've got there," Jones said. "After we qualified on Sunday, I spent about three hours signing autographs and thanking the fans for their support. It was crazy. After we won that first round there was so much excitement in the air. It was really awesome. I love Indy and I am really looking forward to getting back there."

SCHEDULE: The first of five pro qualifying sessions is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Qualifying continues at noon and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 and concludes at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle eliminations are at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7.

TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil by calling (800) 884-NHRA, or via the Web at www.ticketmaster.com.

ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise more than 10 hours of coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil beginning on Sunday, Sept. 6 with NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11 a.m., and followed by a two hour and 30 minute qualifying show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). A two-hour qualifying show will air later that day on ESPN2 HD at 5 p.m. (ET). On Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise a one-hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals preview show at noon (ET), followed by a five-hour eliminations show starting at 1 p.m. (ET).

ON THE WEB: For complete online coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, please visit www.nhra.com.


* * *

STEVE JOHNSON NEEDS SOME MORE INDY MAGIC TO MAKE COUNTDOWN CHARGE AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS

CLERMONT, Ind. - On two occasions Steve Johnson has literally come out of nowhere to win the Pro Stock Motorcycle trophy at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the world's most prestigious drag race.

In 2005, he won amid some controversy after a television replay was needed to verify that his bike actually crossed the finish line first in his final round meeting with Matt Smith. Last year no such technology was needed as he sped to the upset victory on his Snap-on Tools / Wyotech Suzuki over heavy pre-race favorite Andrew Hines.

The often zany and colorfully-candid Johnson just seems to find a way to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage. He'll need to tap into that power this year at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, Sept. 2-7 at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The tradition-rich race will be showcased during more than 10 hours of coverage on ESPN2 HD and it is the final regular season race in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series before the top 10 fields in each pro category are set for NHRA's six-race championship playoff, the Countdown to 1.

Johnson enters the race sitting just outside the top 10 in the point standings, two points behind Karen Stoffer. A trio of first round losses to rookie Doug Horne during the last three events has kicked Johnson from a comfortable eighth-place position in the standings and put him on the hot seat as he enters the final race of the regular season.

With three spots available for five riders, Reading runner-up Michael Phillips, Shawn Gann and Brainerd runner-up Junior Pippin also will be trying to secure berths in the championship playoffs at Indy. However, Johnson says his primary focus during the weekend will be trying to earn more points than GEICO Powersports Suzuki rider Stoffer.

"It's between me and Karen really," Johnson said. "We don't have the steam to keep up with her in qualifying. We'll need some luck in the first round."

For Johnson, it is all about the challenge. He is up for it. Especially at this event, the Super Bowl of drag racing.

Johnson says the week is like no other: "Indy is an event where you get five hours of sleep a night, give your seat up on the plane to a soldier, find a hotel with a treadmill, eat plain oatmeal and turkey sandwiches all week, take the sponsors out for dinner at St. Elmo's Steak House, find a couple of spare Vance & Hines engines, make sure your sponsors are happy even if you are struggling and hopefully find a friend or two that will do anything to help you out during that crazy week."

He is very proud to call himself a two-time Mac Tools U.S. Nationals champion.

"It's a time in a racer's life that he or she just has to do it," Johnson said. "It's something that when it happens - the win - your stock rises. For some, just a little, but for others, a ton. But in either case the magic is when you have to flip a coin on a jetting call (in the tune-up) and it's the right one and you win the race."

And the other magic of Indy is taking the time to catch up with old friends.

"The last year (NHRA founder) Wally Parks went to the U.S. Nationals he and (board members) Dick Wells and Dallas (Gardner) and three golf carts full of people came to the motorcycle side of the track," Johnson said. "I didn't have a lounge or a big rig, but I had a card table, chairs and an ice chest.  Wally sat with me and talked about bikes and where I thought the bikes would go.  We talked about the salt flats and my school programs.  When he left that day, I was so proud that he knew me, but it showed all the motorcycle teams how diverse this man was.  He always listened...even to Steve Johnson."

Johnson says another successful week at Indy would be a cure for his season to date, which has featured only one semifinal finish and two quarterfinal efforts.

"This season has been a huge struggle for sure," Johnson said. "We have all of the ingredients that we need to be successful, but for some reason right now they aren't mixing right. But we have a reputation of being a second-half team. We'll see what happens."

While his personal season hasn't been going as planned, as president of PRO2, an organization that promotes motorcycle drag racing on the professional level, Johnson is on cloud nine.

"Our class is really great right now," Johnson said. "Seeing Junior (Pippin) and so many Buells doing so well says a lot for our class. It shows the guys and girls at home as well as the fans and corporate America that anyone can win these races."

Johnson is also qualified to participate in the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, a special bonus event that will be held Sept. 5 for the eight best riders from the last 17 Pro Stock Motorcycle races. He will face Hines in the first round. A winner's share of $25,000 will be on the line in the special event that current series points leader and defending world champion Eddie Kraweic won last year on his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.

SCHEDULE: The first of five pro qualifying sessions is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Qualifying continues at noon and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 and concludes at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle eliminations are at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7.

TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil by calling (800) 884-NHRA, or via the Web at www.ticketmaster.com.

ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise more than 10 hours of coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil beginning on Sunday, Sept. 6 with NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11 a.m., and followed by a two hour and 30 minute qualifying show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). A two-hour qualifying show will air later that day on ESPN2 HD at 5 p.m. (ET). On Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise a one-hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals preview show at noon (ET), followed by a five-hour eliminations show starting at 1 p.m. (ET).

ON THE WEB: For complete online coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, please visit www.nhra.com.

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55th ANNUAL MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS presented by Lucas Oil FACT SHEET

WHAT:   55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in four categories earn points leading to 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. Sportsman competitors in seven categories earn points leading to 2009 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Clermont, Ind. From I-465, exit Crawfordsville Road (Hwy. 136). Head west for approximately four miles through the town of Clermont. The main entrance to the facility is on the left-hand side, one-half mile past Raceway Road.

COURSE: Quarter-mile drag strip, 1,320 feet (Top Fuel and Funny Car categories will compete to 1,000 ft. distance at this event); Track elevation is 700 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.

WHEN:   Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 7.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $2 million.

SCHEDULE:
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2  - Sportsman qualifying and time trials, 9 a.m.

THURSDAY, Sept. 3  - Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 8 a.m.

FRIDAY, Sept. 4  - Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 5  - Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at Noon and 5:45 p.m.
RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 6  - Sportsman eliminations, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

MONDAY, Sept. 7 - Pre-race ceremonies, 9:30 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS at 11 a.m.


TELEVISION:
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours and 30 minutes of qualifying coverage at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 5 p.m. (ET).
Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise a special one hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at noon (ET).
Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise five hours of eliminations coverage at 1 p.m. (ET).


SATELLITE (Analog feed):
Friday, Sept. 4, 9:30 - 10 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)
Saturday, Sept. 5, 10 - 10:30 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)
Sunday, Sept. 6, 7:30 - 8 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)
Monday, Sept. 7, 6:30 - 7 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)


2008 WINNERS: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Dave Connolly, Pro Stock; Steve Johnson, Pro Stock Motorcycle; Eddie Krawiec, Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle


MOST VICTORIES: Bob Glidden, Pro Stock, 9; Don Garlits, Top Fuel, 8; Don Prudhomme, Top Fuel and Funny Car, 7; Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel, 7; Warren Johnson, Pro Stock, 6; Dave Schultz, Pro Stock Motorcycle, 6; Ed McCulloch, Funny Car and Top Fuel, 6; Greg Anderson, Pro Stock, 5; John Force, Funny Car, 4.


BONUS RACE:     A lucrative bonus race for Pro Stock Motorcycle will be showcased during the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.

RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE - a special bonus race offering $25,000 to winner, with rounds Saturday at 1:15,
5:30 and 7:40 p.m.; The race features the eight quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle riders from the last 24 races.
Defending winner: Eddie Krawiec
Most victories: Matt Hines, 4; John Myers, 4, Andrew Hines, 3.

NHRA offers a $10,000 Double-Up Bonus for any rider who can win the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil. Past NHRA Double-Up Bonus winners of the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle: Reggie Showers, 2003; Antron Brown, 2000; Matt Hines, 1998 and 1999; and Jim Bernard, 1991.


EVENT HISTORY: The most historic and prestigious event in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil has been contested annually since 1955. Originally known as "The Nationals" and first held at an abandoned airstrip in Great Bend, Kan., the event made stops at Kansas City, Mo., Oklahoma City and Detroit before eventually moving to O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis in 1961. Past winners include "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, an eight-time winner in Top Fuel; Shirley Muldowney, 1982 Top Fuel winner; Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, a seven-time winner and one of a handful of drivers to win the event in both Top Fuel and Funny Car; and Bob Glidden, the legendary Pro Stock driver who dominated the race by advancing to the final round in 13 consecutive seasons from 1977-'89. The Indiana native won the event a record nine times. It is the only major motorsports event to be contested on Labor Day. In 2004 the event celebrated its 50th anniversary in memorable fashion with spectacular racing witnessed by one of the biggest crowds in NHRA history. Once again this year the regular season of the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship concludes at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil so teams will be racing hard to earn one of 10 available spots in each pro category for the playoff round, the Countdown to 1, which starts Sept. 18 in Concord, N.C.


FAST FACTS:     The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil is the final round of the Countdown to 10, the regular season segment of NHRA's Full Throttle Series Countdown to the Championship. The top 10 teams in each pro category following this event will advance to the Countdown to 1, the playoff round of the Countdown to the Championship, which starts Sept. 18 in Charlotte, N.C.... Tony Schumacher has advanced to the last seven Top Fuel final rounds at the event and is a nine-time U.S. Nationals finalist (winning seven)... Schumacher's first career start came at the U.S. Nationals in 1996 and the then rookie posted a runner-up finish to Cory McClenathan... Pro Stock phenom Greg Anderson has won the race five times in the past eight seasons... Five female drivers representing three professional categories are pre-entered for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.  Angelle Sampey, a two time winner in Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Shirley Muldowney, who won the race in 1982 in Top Fuel, are the only women to win the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil in a pro category ...John Force, 14-time NHRA Full Throttle Series world champion and winner of a record 126 events, has won the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil four times, his last coming in 2002... "The Professor" Warren Johnson has six Pro Stock victories at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, but none this decade. His last victory at the event came in 1999 when he defeated his former crew chief Greg Anderson in the final round.


WHAT TO WATCH: Teams in each pro category will be battling for the final open positions in the Top 10 to qualify for the Countdown to 1 as this event is the last round of the regular season in the NHRA Full Throttle Series Countdown to the Championship. The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil is the final of 18 races which comprise the Countdown to 10, the regular season of the Countdown to the Championship. The top 10 points earners in each pro category following this race will advance to the Countdown to 1, NHRA's playoffs in the Full Throttle Series Countdown to the Championship...Drivers who are involved in key battles for top 10 positioning in each category include Clay Millican and Joe Hartley in Top Fuel; Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan and Robert Hight in Funny Car; Rickie Jones, Warren Johnson and Johnny Gray in Pro Stock; and Michael Phillips, Shawn Gann, Karen Stoffer, Steve Johnson and Junior Pippin in Pro Stock Motorcycle... Tony Schumacher is seeking his record-tying eighth Top Fuel victory at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals... Three-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson is seeking his sixth overall Mac Tools U.S. Nationals victory while legend Warren Johnson is seeking his seventh win at the prestigious race... The winner of the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, a special event for the eight best Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors, will earn $25,000. A $10,000 double-up bonus is available to the winner of the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle should he or she also win the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil... Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, Ed McCulloch and Jim Head have won the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Top Fuel driver Antron Brown, who won the race two times in Pro Stock Motorcycle, has the opportunity to become the fifth driver to win the race in multiple pro categories... Several family tandems have a legacy of winning the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, including the father-son pairings of Don (FC) and Tony Schumacher (TF) and Warren and Kurt Johnson (PS). Cruz and Frank Pedregon are two brothers that have won the race in Funny Car, as well as Jeg (PS) and Mike Coughlin (PST). This weekend Top Fuel's Brandon Bernstein could join his father Kenny, a three-time winner, and Doug Kalitta could join uncle Connie, who won TF in 1994. Tony Pedregon could join his two brothers on the Funny Car win list, while Ashley Force Hood, who won the race in TAD in 2005, could join her father John as a pro winner of the prestigious event... Three racers can secure their spots in the Countdown to 1 during qualifying at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Doug Kalitta (TF) and Mike Neff (FC) need only to qualify to secure their positions, while Pro Stock's Kurt Johnson only needs to make a qualifying pass to claim his ticket to the Countdown to 1, NHRA's playoffs.


TRACK HISTORY: In 1958, led by Tom Binford, Frank Dickie, Rodger Ward and Howard Fieber, 15 Indianapolis-area businessmen and racing
professionals invested $5,000 each to fund the development of what would become O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The group purchased a 267-acre farm about seven miles from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and developed a multipurpose auto racing facility. The original intention in creating O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis was to design a 15-turn, 2.5-mile road course. Nearly as an afterthought, and as an insurance measure against economic problems, the investment group decided to incorporate a quarter-mile drag strip into the long straightaway of the 2.5-mile road course design. Constructed with assistance from the NHRA, the drag strip was the first of the three courses to be completed, with the facility's first event held on the strip in the fall of 1960. During the 1960 U.S. Nationals in Detroit, a handshake agreement between Binford and NHRA founder Wally Parks promised that the event would move to O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis in 1961. The historic three-year pact was signed and sealed under a tree in Detroit Dragway's pits, and O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis eventually became the home of NHRA's biggest annual event. The NHRA purchased the entire facility in 1979. The first major improvement came in 1983 with the construction and dedication of Parks Tower, the four-story drag strip tower. In 1998, new grandstands, suites and a tower complex on the front straightaway were completed at the oval track at a cost of nearly $2.5 million, which included the repaving of the entire oval surface as part of a three-phase facility improvement project. In 2001, NHRA and O'Reilly Raceway Park constructed a new drag strip racing surface, replacing the strip with a 660-foot concrete pad and laying new asphalt on the remainder of the track and shutdown area. Prior to the 2003 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, eight new luxury suites were added along the top of the west-side grandstands of the drag strip, giving fans a unique perspective of the action on the famed quarter-mile track. In 2006, new soft barrier walls were added to the oval. In 2007, the track announced its first track entitlement with O'Reilly Auto Parts. The track - formerly known as Indianapolis Raceway Park - is now known as O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. During the last offseason, a new main track office building was constructed near the track entrance.


QUICK QUOTES:

Tony Schumacher, Chicago, U.S. Army dragster, seven-time U.S. Nationals Top Fuel winner: "It's pretty obvious I look forward to the U.S. Nationals each season. When you've had the kind of success the U.S. Army team has had in Indianapolis over the years, you definitely have to circle Labor Day weekend on the schedule. Of course, you can't forget about the importance of the race -- it is our Super Bowl and everyone wants to win there. I've been reminded I'm within one win of tying  Don Garlits for the most Top Fuel U.S. Nationals victories. You can be certain we're going to go after that mark. Winning in Indy would also allow us to build some momentum for the Countdown to 1 which starts in Charlotte two weeks later."

Antron Brown, Indianapolis, Matco Tools dragster, two-time U.S. Nationals Pro Stock Motorcycle winner; is seeking his first win at the event in Top Fuel; also enters the race as Top Fuel points leader: "Indy is the one race we all want to win. Next to winning the championship, it's the biggest accomplishment a team can have in NHRA drag racing. I've been fortunate enough to win twice on the bikes and Mike Ashley, our team owner, won in Funny Car a few years back with Brian (Corradi) and Mark (Oswald) calling the shots on his Funny Car. We're having a great season so far and hopefully we can be in the top three coming into Indy for the Countdown (to the Championship). That's really our goal, to be in the top three heading into Charlotte. Tony (Schumacher) and Larry (Dixon) have dominated Indy in Top Fuel this decade and hopefully we can upset their U.S Nationals party and put this Matco Tools dragster into the winner's circle at O'Reilly Raceway Park. They've been the story all season and we liking flying under the radar too."

Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., NAPA Dodge Charger, winner of five races this season and second in the point standings: "Historically it's the race to win. You hear everybody talk about it every year: If you could only win one race it's the race you definitely want to win before your career is over. Our goal is to go into Indy and leave Indy leading the points and gain those additional 20 points for being the regular season point leader. My NAPA Auto Parts Dodge crew chief Ed McCulloch has won Indy so many times that he understands Indy more than anybody. I've tried to downplay it over the years to try to make it so I didn't get too emotional about the race, but it means everything to a driver to be able to win the U.S. Nationals. It's what our sport was kind of built on years ago when all the drivers came from all over the country to try to win Indy. It's the biggest race. Being a race that's run on Monday, there's so much more to that race that makes it stand out from anything else. And now being the last race before the Countdown, it gives that race a little more importance than it had last year. "

Jeg Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt, two-time U.S. Nationals Pro Stock winner and current Full Throttle Series Pro Stock points leader: "There is no other race like Indy.  I have watched the sport progress over the years and the careers unfold of some of the greatest drivers and teams in the sport's history at that race.  My goal from a very young age was, one, to race Indy, and two, to win the greatest drag race on earth -- the U.S. Nationals.  Fortunately, our family has had a fantastic run at the historic event. All five of us (also Jeg Sr, John, Troy, Mike ) have reached the final at Indy; collectively bringing home the Wally on six different occasions. ORP gives you a special 'vibe' when you pull through the gate.  It's a vibe that makes you and your team dig even further down to achieve yet another Indy triumph. There's just no other race like it."

Eddie Krawiec, Indianapolis, Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson, 2008 Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle winner and current Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader: "Indy is a race that I look forward to and Indy is where I call home now and is also the place I got my first big NHRA win in the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle. It's the one time a year that during qualifying we get to race for big money with no pressure. I would love to put my Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson V-Rod into the winner's circle for back-to-back wins and keep the Vance & Hines winning streak alive. Then come Monday it's all business. It's the one win everyone wants and is the hardest to get."


NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.428 sec. Nov. '06, Pomona, Calif. by Tony Schumacher*; 336.15 mph May '05, Columbus, Ohio by Tony Schumacher*
Funny Car - 4.659 sec. Feb. '07, Chandler, Ariz. by Tony Pedregon*; 333.66 mph Nov. 2006, Pomona, Calif. by Jack Beckman*
Pro Stock - 6.528 sec. Feb. '09, Pomona, Calif., by Greg Anderson; 212.03 mph March '09, Baytown, Texas, by Mike Edwards
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.860 sec. May '09, Madison, Ill., by Andrew Hines; 197.45 mph, March '05, Gainesville, Fla. by Andrew Hines

TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.459 sec. by Tony Schumacher, Sept. 2005; 333.66 mph by Schumacher, Sept. 2007
Funny Car - 4.691 sec. by John Force, Sept. 2006; 331.04 mph by Robert Hight, Sept. 2006
Pro Stock - 6.634 sec. by Allen Johnson, Sept. 2008; 208.33 mph by Warren Johnson, Sept. 2008
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.932 sec. by Matt Smith, Sept. 2008; 193.85 mph by Andrew Hines, Sept. 2005

* Note - performance records for Top Fuel and Funny Car will not be officially recorded at this event.


INTERNET: For complete online coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, please visitwww.nhra.com


TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also are available atticketmaster.com, nhra.com, and oreillyracewaypark.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Wednesday: Adult, $10, Junior (6-12 years), free; Thursday: Adult, $14, Junior (6-12 years), free; Friday: Adult, $35; Junior (6-12 years), $10; Saturday: Adult, $46; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $49; Junior (6-12 years), $10.  Monday: Adult, $49; Junior (6-12 years), $10; Child (5 years and under), free in general admission and pit areas each day.

RESERVED (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $45; Junior (6-12 years), $20; Child (5 years and under), $10. Saturday: Adult, $54-$58; Junior (6-12 years), $18-$22; Child (5 years and under), $8-$12. Sunday: Adult, $57-$61; Junior (6-12 years), $20-$24; Child (5 years and under), $10-$14. Monday: Adult, $57-$61; Junior (6-12 years), $20-$24; Child (5 years and under), $10-$14.

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CONTACT: NHRA Communications Department, (626) 914-4761. Scott Smith, 317-281-5049; Anthony Vestal, 626-695-6649.

For the latest news releases, photos, logos, statistics and event information, please visithttp://media.nhra.com


* * *

NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES POINT STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif -- Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the 17th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL
1.  Antron Brown, 1,435**; 2.  Larry Dixon, 1,248*; 3.  Tony Schumacher, 1,194*; 4.  Cory McClenathan, 1,040*; 5.  Brandon Bernstein, 1,029*; 6.  Morgan Lucas, 981*; 7.  Spencer Massey, 980*; 8.  Shawn Langdon, 932; 9.  Doug Kalitta, 765; 10.  Clay Millican, 682.

FUNNY CAR
1.  Tony Pedregon, 1,292*; 2.  Ron Capps, 1,219*; 3.  Ashley Force Hood, 1,128*; 4.  Bob Tasca III, 1,008*; 5.  Jack Beckman, 996*; 6.  Tim Wilkerson, 982*; 7.  Del Worsham, 929*; 8.  John Force, 919*; 9.  Mike Neff, 872; 10.  Cruz Pedregon, 801.

PRO STOCK
1.  Jeg Coughlin, 1,438*; 2.  Jason Line, 1,373*; 3.  Mike Edwards, 1,349*; 4.  Greg Anderson, 1,222*; 5.  Allen Johnson, 1,076*; 6.  Greg Stanfield, 862*; 7.  Ron Krisher, 847*; 8.  Kurt Johnson, 824; 9.  Rickie Jones, 742; 10.  Warren Johnson, 715.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
1.  Eddie Krawiec, 1,026**; 2.  Andrew Hines, 837*; 3.  Hector Arana, 722*; 4.  Matt Smith, 720*; 5.  Douglas Horne, 685*; 6.  Craig Treble, 673*; 7.  Matt Guidera, 583*; 8.  Michael Phillips, 500; 9.  Shawn Gann, 475; 10.  Karen Stoffer, 459.

* - Clinched berth in the NHRA Playoffs, the Countdown to 1; ** - clinched No. 1 seed in the Countdown to 1.

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