Pre-Race Report Event 18: NHRA U.S. Nationals Indianapolis Raceway Park Indianapolis, Ind.

Doug Kalitta Indy

Doug Kalitta Indy

Kalitta desires that first U.S. Nationals win

Indianapolis Highlights: Two finals (2008, 2004); Two no.1 qualifiers (2004, 2000)

Last Event Recap (NHRA Brainerd Nationals): Qualified 12th; First round loss (Lost to Mike Salinas in the first round)

2017 NHRA U.S. Nationals Recap: Qualified fifth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Richie Crampton in the first round, lost to Tony Schumacher in the quarterfinals)

Quotable: “I am ready for another shot at the U.S. Nationals. It is a great race with so many people in attendance. We would love nothing more than to put this Mac Tools ride in the winners circle.”

Career Stats: 475 starts; 647 round wins (ninth all-time); 44 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel); 94 finals; 49 no.1 qualifiers (tied 14th all-time)

2018 Season: One Win (Pomona-I); Four finals (Pomona I, Charlotte I, Richmond, Denver); 24 round wins; fifth in the standings

Noteworthy: Kalitta would hit 650 career round wins with a final round appearance

Richie crampton Indy.jpg

Crampton debuts new scheme and plans to score a Countdown berth

Indianapolis Highlights: One win (2014)

Last Event Recap (NHRA Brainerd Nationals): Qualified 11th; First round loss (Lost to Brittany Force in the first round)

2017 NHRA U.S. Nationals Recap: Qualified 12th, First round loss (Lost to Doug Kalitta in the first round)

Quotable: “I am excited to represent CRAFTSMAN this weekend at the U.S. Nationals and for the rest of the season. We have a tough task ahead of us, but we control our own destiny. If we win, we are in the Countdown and that is exactly what we plan on doing.”

Career Stats: 95 starts; 86 round wins; Eight wins; 10 finals; Five no.1 qualifiers

2018 Season: One win (Gainesville); 11 round wins; 11th in the standings

Shawn Langdon Indy.jpg

Langdon looks to clinch Countdown berth

Indianapolis Highlights: One win (2013); One No. 1 Qualifier (2012); Super Gas in 2010

Last Event Recap (NHRA Brainerd Nationals): Qualified sixth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Bob Tasca in the first round, lost to Jack Beckman in the quarterfinals)

2017 NHRA U.S. Nationals Recap: Qualified ninth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Brittany Force in the first round, lost to Kebin Kinsley in the quarterfinals)

Quotable: “We are very excited. Indianapolis is the biggest race and we have a lot on the line. We had a great test session last week. The car is running great and we really learned a lot of about our setup and advanced it. We feel really good going into Indianapolis about clinching our spot in the Countdown and winning the race.”

Career Stats: 222 starts; 259 round wins; 14 wins; 30 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 17 starts; 12 round wins)

2018 Season: 17 starts; 12 round wins; ninth in the standings

JR Todd Indy.jpg

Reigning U.S. Nationals champion Todd looks to go back-to-back

Indianapolis Highlights: One Win (2017 – Funny Car)

Last Event Recap (NHRA Brainerd Nationals): Qualified eighth; Semifinalist (Defeated Bob Bode in the first round and Robert Hight in the quarterfinals, lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in the semifinals)

2017 NHRA U.S. Nationals Recap: Qualified sixth; Race Winner (Defeated Brian Stewart in the first round, Cruz Pedregon in the quarterfinals, Tim Wilkerson in the semifinals and Ron Capps in the finals)

Quotable: “I am really excited with the way our DHL Toyota Camry performed last week in testing. That should give us good data heading into The Big Go where we are going to do our best to go out and repeat.”

Career Stats: 189 starts; 187 round wins; 13 wins; 23 finals; 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 41 starts; Four wins (2017: Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); Five finals (2017: Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); 38 round wins)

2018 Season: Two wins (Las Vegas-I, Houston); 20 round wins; sixth in the point standings 

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