NHRA Quotes and Photos from Gainesville

Compiled by Ian Tocher
Photos by Bret Kepner and Steve Gruenwald
3/23/05

Gainesville Raceway hosted one of the crown jewels in NHRA’s race schedule Mar. 18-20, with Doug Kalitta, Whit Bazemore, Jason Line, Steve Johnson, and Jay Payne taking home the hardware for winning at the 36th annual Mac Tools Gatornationals. Here, in their own words, are the stories of the racers as told in team and NHRA press releases.

TOP FUEL

"It was real cold today and we were running behind schedule all day, so it just got colder and colder as the day progressed." -- Doug Herbert on the lower-than-expected temperatures during Fridays qualifying sessions

"If we don't go to the top on Saturday, it's no big deal." -- Tony Schumacher expressing his view of qualifying after making two early shut-off passes on Friday

"It's hard to believe that was the first time anyone has gone over 330 [mph] here. That was easy. I thought I was in the .60s [4.60 seconds] but I'll take the low 50s.” -- Cory McClenathan after going 4.506 seconds at 331.00 mph in the opening round of qualifying to wind up third for raceday

"It's always a thrill to qualify number one.” -- David Grubnic after going 4.481 seconds at 331.85 mph and setting a new track E.T. record during qualifying

"I have to tell you that I was extremely nervous not being in the field going into that last session." -- Schumacher after making three aborted qualifying passes before going 4.520 at a track record 333.95 mph in his fourth attempt to secure the fourth spot for raceday

“Well, I guess all the sleep we lost last night paid off. We’re solidly in the field and we’re going to get a chance to play Sunday.” -- Scott Weis after securing the 10th starting position

"My goal entering a race is to always qualify in the top five. Today, we were the second quickest of the first session and the third quickest of the last session, and we'll face conditions very similar to that tomorrow. I like everything about how Saturday went."
-- Larry Dixon after placing 5th on the qualifying list