(Photo Courtesy NHRA)
By Logan Morris
Race day at the 70th Annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals is the Drag Racing Super Bowl. ¨The Big Go¨ is where careers are defined and legacies are cemented.
Clay Millican took home the coveted Wally in Top Fuel after defeating Steve Torrance. He ran a 3.792 ET at 327 MPH. The win undoubtedly is the biggest of Millican’s career, who took Rick Ware to the winner's circle. The win was made extra special because car owner Rick Ware was in attendance, and I had the chance to ask Millican just what it meant to have him there.
“It was cool to call him last year and say we won but it's nothing like him being there. You know there's no replacement for that. I mean Rick bought into NHRA drag racing mainly because as a kid he wanted to be a Top Fuel driver.”
(Photo Courtesy NHRA)
In Funny Car, Austin Prock defeated Ron Capps to claim his first U.S. Nationals Wally. The win denied Ron Capps his third straight trip to the winner's circle. For Prock, the win was made just a little sweeter by beating the Don Prudhomme tribute Funny Car. The scheme was a tribute to the same livery that defeated Prock’s grandfather in 1973. I had the chance to ask Prock if that crossed his mind in the lead-up to the final run of the day.
“No. Not that. I mean, there were all kinds of things crossing my mind, but I couldn't tell you a single one of them. I was in another world rolling up to that. I was kind of glad for that little break because when we rolled up there the first time, when we're supposed to run at four, I didn't really feel all that good, and I finally got in, I think it was because I was just so exhausted and that break gave me about 25 minutes to go sit up in the lounge, in the AC and finally cool off.“
(Photo Courtesy NHRA)
In Pro Stock, Aaron Stanfield won his first U.S. Nationals Wally defeating Jeg Couglin Jr. Earlier in the day, he also won a Wally in Factory X. I asked Aaron if the pressure got to him at all.
“I've built Sportsman engines and Factory stock and Factory X. There's definitely a lot of pressure. Then, my plates full. Yes, I think, as I do it more, I get a little more used to handling it. I think we did a really good job of not just me, but I don't think everyone understands just how much it takes to be able to run two cars at the top level and I've got some incredible people that are behind me and on both sides.”
(Photo Courtesy NHRA)
Finally, in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera defeated Angie Smith with a run of 6.763 ET at 198.70 MPH. For Herrera, the win solidifies his absolute dominance of Pro Stock Motorcycle. I had the chance to ask him what his remaining goals are.
“I still want to race pros and more. It has been my dream since I've been a little kid, you know, it's just one of those things I've never seen possible. So I don't plan on stopping racing it. It's just, you know, so much has been accomplished in a short time. It's hard to say setting goals, right? I would say my biggest goal now is just to make sure Matt [Smith] doesn't surpass Andrew [Hines] in World Championships, but other than that, I love riding motorcycles and I ain't gonna stop.”
(Photo Courtesy NHRA)
The NHRA returns to action September 12-15th in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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