Top Fuel rookie J.R. Todd:
"It's hard to say, I was really excited when I got my (Top Fuel) license,
but going to the final round at Michigan against Paul (Romine) was probably
my biggest thrill. I had got my very first round win earlier that day
and then to go to the final was awesome. I was just so pumped up and
ready to kick some butt. I probably got two feet off the line when I
smoked the tires, but the guys told me that might happen."
IHRA Vice President of Marketing Aaron Polburn:
"Yesterday (at the season-ending race at Rockingham, NC), watching the
Top Fuel guys do what they do in front of that huge crowd and the crowd
going crazy. I just stood there and thought about how far we've come.
There's been a lot of moments, but that was the payoff."
Canadian Pro Outlaw driver Jeff Chatterson:
"I think it has to be Stanton, Michigan. We had problems with the motorhome
on the way and when we finally got there, they were already running
the second round of qualifying. We had just one chance and we put it
into the middle of the field. That was really satisfying." Note: Chatterson
ran the only Ford-powered car in the class.
Top Fuel driver Clay Millican:
"Without a doubt, it was the Canada race-semi-final round against Paul
Romine. That run against him was the first one where I felt like I really
helped. It was carrying the front end pretty high and I had to drive
the car. I helped the guys out that time. Usually I just sit in the
car and go for the ride, but that time I got to help and that felt really
good."
2000 Pro Outlaw Champion Laurie Cannister:
"I'll never forget the feeling I had when I smoked the tires here (during
the first round at Rockingham against Mike Decker). I kept waiting for
Mike to come around me and when he didn't and we won, I knew then that
we'd also won the championship. My heart skipped a few beats there."
Top Fuel driver Jim Head:
"I learned there is life after NHRA. I had a preconceived notion that
I couldn't be satisfied running IHRA, and I've been trying not to say
this, but there's nothing that would get me to go back to that other
thing. So it's not really an event or moment that I'll remember, but
it's a revelation."
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