NHRA Quotes from Sonoma
Compiled by Ian Tocher
Photos by James Drew
8/2/06
The three-race, so-called “Western Swing” concluded for the NHRA pros July 21-23, with the running of the 19th annual FRAM Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway, near Sonoma, CA. Rookie J.R. Todd again stunned defending class champ Tony Schumacher in the Top Fuel final to earn bookend wins in the swing, while Eric Medlen won his first Funny Car title this year, Jason Line extended his Pro Stock points lead with the event win, and Chip Ellis won his second Pro Stock Bike race in 2006. And as usual, the racers tell the whole story in quotes taken from NHRA and team press releases.
"Beating Tony (Schumacher) and that team once for your first trophy ever is like a dream. To do it twice in three races is unreal. I can't even believe this is happening. You work so hard just to get to this level and you don't even think what it will be like to actually win."— J.R. Todd referring back to his career-first event win over Schumacher two weeks earlier in Denver
"It's always good any time you can start in the top half of the field.”— Todd on his 6th-place starting position
"It would be great to get a first-round win, and get that off our back.”— Melanie Troxel after qualifying 10th, referring to her early exits at the previous two events
"It's not going to be easy racing the hottest driver on tour in the first round but the way I look at it you have to beat them all if you want to win so bring him on.”— David Baca after qualifying 12th and having to face points leader Doug Kalitta in the opening round on raceday
"We're in the show and everyone knows that anything can happen on raceday.”— Larry Dixon on starting from the 15th position
“They smoked the tires too, but it was further down track and they were able to hang on.”— Troxel after a loss of traction at half-track cost her the first round against Hillary Will
"I don't have too many races left to beat the Bud car in Miller colors. So, anytime we can score one for Milwaukee, it feels nice."— Dixon after taking out Brandon Bernstein in round one, referring to losing Miller as his primary sponsor after this season