IDA ZETTERSTRÖM FITS IN EXACTLY
We’ve been hearing about reigning European FIA Top Fuel Champion Ida Zetterström for a minute, and this weekend she finally made her highly anticipated debut at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals, driving the JCM Racing VP Racing Fuels/Edelbrock/COMP Cams/Dodge Top Fuel dragster. Zetterström rolled up a car with an awesome red, white and blue theme as she actively competes to be named Rookie of the Year, and the experienced newcomer is already shaping up to be a top contender for the award. In the first elimination round, Steve Torrence’s bad luck – a 0.112-second reaction time – allowed Zetterström to take a holeshot win. The win was important because it came with a bye into the semifinals, and NHRA spectators had three opportunities to watch the Swedish-born racer and her new team settle in on Sunday. In the semifinals, Zetterström flashed the red light for the first time in her career, which began at age eight in a junior dragster. Although she was heartbroken and admittedly embarrassed, observers got a glimpse of Zetterström’s abilities behind the wheel and the future looks quite bright.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM TRUE
An early exit for multiple world champion Ron Capps didn’t mean his day was over. When his Toyota teammate JR Todd was in distress, Capps and his Napa team stepped in to help. An engine explosion had ruined one of Todd’s two DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car bodies in qualifying, and when a similar fate befell him on the second lap of his meeting with points leader Austin Prock, he found himself in quite the bind. In an intense battle marked by great rivalry, Prock worked diligently to recover from a shocking 0.116-second reaction time to Todd’s supernatural 0.015-second, but he failed. Todd left the winner’s ramp flashing as his engine gave out, and the explosive force caused the DHL body to crack. The force was so fierce that Todd wondered if the chassis had been damaged as well. However, when they returned to the pits, it turned out the chassis was fine – they just needed a new Supra body to make the semifinals. Although the bodies aren’t really interchangeable – the hardware is slightly different – Capps and his Napa team stepped in to help the “Yella Fellas” get it running. Del Worsham, Kalitta Motorsports and several other teams helped Todd make the tight turnaround to face reigning Funny Car champion Matt Hagan and his American Rebel-branded Dodge.
It was a sight to behold as Todd rolled into the water box in the Napa car, surrounded by a sea of crew members in yellow DHL shirts and the entire Napa team supporting him. Todd drove off first, but when he saw Hagan driving away from him, he wisely turned off the engine rather than risk another body being blown up.
It was a historic moment that highlighted the strong bond within the community, even as riders are all fighting for points and the countdown is imminent.
“Del said it best,” Capps said after the round. “We all went in there to brawl and he said, ‘This is like old school (stuff). This is so ‘Kenny Bernstein and the Blue Max holding it all together to get back up for the last round.'”
Perseverance will pay off
Since 2009, the Pro Stock season has featured a first-time winner in all but one season, and third-generation racer Mason McGaha had his eye on being that winner both this year and last. He has two final rounds on his scorecard but has yet to win. In Brainerd, it looked like he might actually do it when he delivered the Cinderella fairytale of the day. After struggling in qualifying and finally breaking into the field in the final session, the young McGaha entered Sunday with a fire inside him. He posted a .019-second reaction time alongside No. 1 qualifier Jerry Tucker in the heat, and that made all the difference. He passed him at the finish line for the smallest but most impactful holeshot win by .002 seconds. He showed off his starting skills again in round two as he posted a time of .028 and beat David Cuadra by .006 with another holeshot. For those who have been watching Pro Stock closely, the way he pedaled despite tire shake in the semi-finals should come as no surprise. The last few seasons have been rough for the Harlow Sammons Racing team and that has often led to McGaha being on track early in sessions. Those early runs on a green and untested track have given him the opportunity to learn how to handle challenging situations from the driver’s seat and that stood him in good stead here as he pedaled to beat Fernando Cuadra Jr. and secure a ticket to the finals. Ultimately, the Brainerd trophy went to KB Titan Racing’s Dallas Glenn – but McGaha showed once again that he has a steady hand that will likely get the job done.
IT’S REALLY A ZOO OUT THERE
When the Scag Racing team unveiled wild animal liveries on each of its race cars ahead of the Lucas Oil Nationals, it only confirmed the reputation of the famous Brainerd campground affectionately known as “The Zoo.” The wild experience at the zoo includes late-night fireworks and bonfires, a steady parade of unique vehicles designed specifically for the wild party, and a plethora of otherwise normal folks living their lives to the fullest. Race drivers, crew chiefs, crew members, team owners – they’re all out there among the racing fans, mingling and having a great time. It’s truly wild.
The Scag competitors’ paint schemes were a nod to their Scag Power Equipment products, with a wild animal highlight. Top Fuel winner Justin Ashley’s Toyota dragster turned the most heads as it completed four laps on Sunday, sporting a Cheetah II and Turf Tiger II design. Daniel Wilkerson and Dave Richards also wore animal graphics on their Nitro Funny Cars, as did Pro Stock’s Jeg Coughlin Jr. on his Chevrolet Camaro.
Although excesses are frowned upon here, the Brainerd Zoo is a must on the to-do list – and also a look at those wild plans. After Ashley’s win, he expressed hope that they would stay for at least one more race: Next up is the Toyota US Nationals!
VICTORY CHANGES EVERYTHING
Blake Alexander wasn’t worried about the points, he said. At least not until he scored the second Funny Car win of his career at the Brainerd race. Jim Head Racing’s Funny Car doesn’t typically compete in every race, and so on race day, Alexander was perfectly content with having a fast race car — he took the provisional pole on Friday — and being a threat to win. On Friday night, he explained that the team had started the year “learning how to perform well at the crucial moment before everyone else,” and while that attempt didn’t seem to work at first, they stuck with it. Now they’re finding consistency, and that’s a scary thing for the class this time of year.
After defeating Hagan in the final to secure the trophy – which had special meaning for Alexander as it took place in a venue that is something of a home for team owner Head – Alexander admitted that the song he had sung earlier in the weekend had changed a little.
“I don’t pay any attention to the points at all and didn’t know much about them until I came here this weekend. Now, of course, I’m very aware of it and happy to be in the thick of it.”
Nevertheless, Alexander’s mental attitude seems to be healthy and wise.
“I really believe that the less I think about everything, the more good things will happen to me as a driver,” he said.
