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 INDIANAPOLIS,
IN (August 27-September 7) -- It took nearly two weeks to complete,
but the 49th annual NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals were completed over
the weekend with the Hoosier brand dominating the seven sportsman
classes contested. After rain forced the postponement of the event
from the previous weekend, Hoosier-shod drivers were ready winning
three of the four finals in which they were present. The three wins by
Team-Hoosier were more sportsman wins than any other tire brand in the
U.S. Nationals--considered the Super Bowl of drag racing. Drivers
making it to their respective class final rounds were; Shelly Howard
(Top Alcohol Dragster), Jeff Craig and Marc White (Top Alcohol Funny
Car), Steve Cohen (photo-Super Comp), and David Tatum, III (Super
Gas).
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Shelly Howard, in the Howard Racing blown alcohol dragster, settled
for runner-up honors in the T/A Dragster class after posting a speed
of 257.68 mph in the final round match-up.
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
In T/A Funny Car, a Hoosier-shod winner was a sure thing as both
finalist were members of Team-Hoosier. Jeff Craig in the Lane
Automotive R/T met Marc White in the Bar's Leaks Firebird. This one
was over early after White left too soon red lighting and handing the
win to Craig. It was Craig's first National event win ever. Craig had
a .325 RT coupled with a 5.738 ET with a speed of 250.97 mph in the
final. Congratulations to both Jeff and Marc for representing
Team-Hoosier in the T/A Funny Car final.
SUPER COMP
In Super Comp, Steve Cohen was looking for revenge in the U.S.
Nationals finals after having made it to the final round last year and
settling for runner-up honors. Cohen, a past World Champion, wouldn't
let this opportunity slip away. With a near perfect light (.003 RT)
Cohen took the early lead, a lead he never relinquished winning by
.0061 seconds over his opponent. It was Cohen's first-ever U.S.
Nationals win. There were 138 cars battling it out in the Super Comp
class, with 89 of them using the Hoosier brand.
SUPER GAS
David Tatum, III carried the Hoosier banner into the Super Gas
finals where 137 cars had battled it out until just two cars remained.
Of the 137 competitors, 81 of them raced on USA-made Hoosier tires.
Tatum took the win with a .007 RT and a 9.917 ET (.017) for the win.
Tatum has been using Hoosier drag tires longer than anyone else having
selected Hoosier as his tire of choice back in late 1989. David also
received plenty of help from his Valvoline teammate Sherman Adcock who
also got down to five cars.
Hoosier Drag Racing Product Manager Faron Lubbers, who
was on hand to witness the Tatum win, had this to say about it,
"The entire Hoosier organization is extremely proud of David and
his loyalty to our company over the years. All of us at Hoosier congratulate
him on his big win."
The NHRA POWERade Series will be back in action this
weekend (September 11-14) for the 19th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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