Hoosier Tire

Hoosier Racing Tire

TEAM-HOOSIER HAS BEST U.S. NATIONALS EVER
POWERING NINE NHRA DRIVERS INTO FINALS

9-05-2002

Frank Manzo lines up in Indy. INDIANAPOLIS, IN (August 28-Sept. 2) -- For six full days, over 1,000 of the world's best drag racers waged war in the NHRA's highest paying and most prestigious event of the season at Indianapolis Raceway Park--the U.S. Nationals. Since 1961, racers have been competing at the famous drag strip. This year's event was the most successful U.S. Nationals in the history of Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. thanks to the efforts of hundreds of racers. A total of nine Hoosier-shod drivers made it to their class finals in the eight classes in which Hoosier competes--more than any other competing tire manufacturer. Troy Critchley made it to the final round in Pro Mod, while John Haley did the same in Top Alcohol Dragster. In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Frank Manzo looked to capture yet another national event win. Jerry Arnold carried the Hoosier banner into the final round in Comp Eliminator. In Stock, Rusty hall and Jim Roberts went head-to-head in an "all-Hoosier final, while Steve Cohen vied for a "Wally" in Super Comp using Hoosier tires. And in Super Gas, Thomas Stalba, Jr. and Greg Kamplain met in yet another Hoosier vs. Hoosier final.

PRO MOD

Troy Critchley took home runner-up honors in Pro Mod after red lighting in his PMS Excavation '53 blown Chevy Corvette. Critchley's speed was 223.95 mph in the final contest.

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER

John Haley in a blown alcohol dragster captured the win in T/A Dragster in a final that was referred to as "the biggest come-from nowhere win since 1988" by NHRA. Haley's ET was 5.474 seconds with a speed of 257.78 mph in his victorious 1/4-mile run. Haley used a pair of Hoosier's 34.5/17.0-16 C4000 drag tires specifically designed for the high speed dragsters. This race could have been better had Haley's opponent opted to stay on the Hoosier brand in his final race rather than switch off the winning brand moments before the final round clash. Haley is in just his first season of racing in the NHRA Series and goes home with the series' biggest prize.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR

After going undefeated in Division 1 competition, Frank Manzo set his sights on his 50th national event win ironically on his 50th birthday. Frank must have gotten his wish because the birthday boy posted a .467 RT to his opponents sluggish .530 RT. Manzo then added to his winning margin by virtue of a 5.736 ET to his adversary's 5.752 ET. Manzo's speed in the final was a blistering 253.56 mph. A jubilant Manzo praised his Hoosiers after his winning run in front of a national television audience. The win was Manzo' third consecutive U.S. Nationals victory in a row--all on Hoosier tires. Manzo used a pair of 34.5/17.0-16 C2000 drag tires designed for use on Funny Cars.

COMP ELIMINATOR

Jerry Arnold was the runner-up in Comp Eliminator after his opponent posted a perfect .500 light. Arnold had already lost .08 CIC going into the Comp final. Arnold was using a tire Hoosier is developing for use in Comp Eliminator classes called a 33.0/12.0-15. The work is paying off as Hoosier was in their third national event final of the year.

STOCK

In one of two Hoosier vs. Hoosier finals at this year's U.S. Nationals, Rusty Hall met Jim Roberts in the Stock final. Hall received tuning and dialing help from his brother Steven throughout the event. And the tutelage paid off with a win by virtue of a red light by Roberts in the final pairing. Hoosier Drag Racing Product Manager Faron Lubbers commented, "It was awesome to see two brothers who are obviously so close enjoy the winner's circle like those two did at the biggest drag race in the world." Lubbers added, "Rusty was hooking up every round while using a pair of experimental lightweight 30.0/9.0-15R radial tires. Based on what I witnessed, the tires will be a big hit in the future." Lubbers conveyed "Rusty said the new tires picked up ET and were deadly consistent." The win was Hall's first-ever in the U.S. Nationals and second national event win overall.

SUPER COMP

Steve Cohen using a pair of Hoosier 33.5/17.0-16 C06 drag tires settled for runner-up honors in Super Comp after breaking out in the final by two thousandth's of a second.

SUPER GAS

In the second "All-Hoosier" finals, Thomas Stalba, Jr. met Greg Kamplain in the Super Gas final. This one was a good one. With both drivers posting identical lightning fast RT's of .422 seconds the two left the line in unison. When both drivers posted sub 9.90 times, the question was who was the lesser offender. That was Stalba with a 9.896 ET (-.004) to Kamplain's 9.876 ET (-.024) to capture his second national event win and first U.S. National win. Stalba also took over the national points lead with the victory as well. Hoosier's Faron Lubber's commented about Stalba's accomplishment, "I had a feeling Tommy was going to be there in the end. He kept his car consistently around the 9.90 index and was tuned in on the tree as well."

Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. wishes to congratulate and thank all the competitors who trusted the Hoosier brand during the 48th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, especially the nine drivers carrying the Hoosier banner into their respective class finals.

The next stop on the NHRA schedule is September 12-15, at Reading, PA for the 18th annual NHRA Keystone Nationals.

Hoosier Racing Tire

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