 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
CLERMONT, Ind. -- That the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is the center-piece of the NHRA schedule ramps up the excitement of the event that much more. It holds so much history, from its early days in the 1950s and 60s, to today's version, the 55th annual trek to the NHRA showcase event. With all the spotlights on the tour stop at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Mike Edwards knows this is truly the event you want to shine. "So much emphasis has always been put on this one race," he said. "When I was lucky enough to win the event in 1998 (see below for a flashback to that victory), it brought so much to my team that it is hard to describe. To the world of drag racing, the U.S. Nationals is like the Super Bowl, or in other forms of racing the Daytona 500 or Indy 500, it just has a little bit more meaning than the other 23 races." To try and capitalize on the importance, Edwards and the Young Life/A.R.T. Pontiac team have been going non-stop since they lost early in Reading. "We came back to the shop, kind of took an inventory of where we were at and what we needed to accomplish and went to work, making sure everything was fresh and we had no issues," he added. "Then we have spent quite a few days at the local track in Tulsa making laps trying to find that extra little advantage that might get us into the winner's circle come Monday." As much of the focus in on the biggest prize in drag racing, Edwards continues to look at the bigger picture, the NHRA championship. With a spot already secure in the NHRA playoff, Edwards can focus on one thing at the U.S. Nationals, and that is winning. "That we are in the playoffs that start at the next race in Charlotte, we don't have that added pressure of trying to make that field. We can swing for the fences at Indy and go for broke, because we know come the next race, the field will be leveled and then the pressure will truly begin to mount as we try and win a championship. "It would sure be nice heading into the playoffs with the Indy trophy sitting nicely on my mantel at home."
Flashback: 1998 U.S. Nationals Pro Stock victory Just more than eight months after the death of team owner John Kight, Mike Edwards fulfilled a goal of the pair when he drove the JK Racing Pontiac to the 1998 U.S. Nationals Pro Stock crown, ending a six-year reign of the Johnson family. Edwards said about the victory at that time, "It's unfortunate that John, who meant the world to me, as much as my father, is not here to enjoy this feeling. This is the one race when we put this deal together, we wanted to win. I wouldn't have been surprised if a big rainbow broke out over the grandstands from him smiling over us reaching our goal. All I can say is this win is for my personal hero, John Kight." When Kight died in January 1998, Edwards thought that the dream of standing in the winner's circle in front of Parks Tower would never come to fruition. But Kight's wife, Mary Lou, didn't allow that to end because she knew it was something here husband wanted desperately. By keeping the team together, the pinnacle in drag racing was reached when he beat the likes of Jim Yates and Kurt Johnson before besting Warren Johnson in the final. Now more than a decade past that emotional time, Edwards still calls the event the highlight of his career. "I don't believe there will ever be a time I'm happier and more grateful for anything. That truly was a crowning moment in not only my racing career, but in my growth as a human being."
Quick Notes In 2009, has captured nine No. 1 Qualifier awards, the most in Pro Stock. Captured three wins thus far in 2009 in Atlanta, Bristol and the latest in Seattle. Has qualified in the top five positions in all 17 NHRA events in 2009, with four times earning the No. 2 spot, and three times in the No. 4 position to go with his nine poles and a single No. 5 qualifying effort. Recorded his 18th career victory in Seattle. Currently third in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock point standings, only trailing points leader Jeg Coughlin and Jason Line, with Indianapolis the final event to earn points toward the NHRA playoffs. Mike Edwards has grabbed either low e.t. or top speed at 14 of the 17 events in 2009. He scored both the low e.t. and top speed of the event at seven races (Gainesville, Bristol, Topeka, Chicago, Englishtown, Denver, Seattle, and Brainerd), and has left with low e.t. two other events (Phoenix and Las Vegas), while garnering top speed at four others (Houston, Atlanta, Norwalk, and Reading).
Television Schedule Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Sunday, September 6
Sunday, September 6
Monday, September 7
Monday, September 7
Friday, September 11
|
|
Ready to take your order at 1-800-230-3030 | Customer Service 1-800-517-1035