With the brand-new Wally Parks tower shining as a beautiful backdrop, the 71st Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals went off at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. Over 750 racers from across the globe competed in sportsman and professional categories with the champions being crowned on Labor Day.
“The Big Go” as it’s called is the crown jewel of the NHRA season-long tour. For drag racers, winning here is akin to winning NASCAR’s Daytona 500 or the Indy 500.
In addition to all the standard classes, Indy offers Stock and Super Stock heads-up Class eliminations, the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge, it was the last event for the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, along with final eliminations in the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout. Drivers have been earning points during qualifying for the last year to set the eight contestants for the $120,000 bonus event.
Summit Racing Equipment’s Greg Anderson was the top qualifier in Pro Stock, and U.S. Nationals fans were treated to a Saturday showdown when Pro Stock rivals Greg Anderson and Erica Enders faced off in the Mission Challenge final. They have raced each other 12 times in national event finals, with Erica winning seven times.
Adding to the drama was the potential for a triple tie for the Mission Challenge championship between Greg Anderson, Dallas Glenn, and Matt Hartford. If Erica was to win, Dallas Glenn would take the title, so it was all or nothing for Anderson. Anderson went in first, while Enders paused and then staged. On green, it was the HenderickCars.com Camaro that moved first, with Anderson cutting a 0.020 light (Enders was 0.074). He then rowed his machine to a 6.523 to outrun Enders’ 6.531 pass.
“Those points are going to be crucial,” said Anderson of the points earned after winning the Mission Challenge.
“But the good news for me is that I came here with a plan. It’s tough week [with the passing of Ken Black], I came here to honor the Black family, Judy and Ken Black, and so far, I’m right on schedule. I qualified number one so far, won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. Hopefully I can keep functioning [like that] and make it all the way on Monday. I love you, Judy. Thank you.”
Along with the exciting pro action was endless wheels-up action in the sportsman ranks, so enjoy our gallery of racing from the 71st NHRA U.S. Nationals.
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