INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- The 51st running of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals took place over the extended Labor Day weekend at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Clermont, Ind.
Greg Anderson took his third straight U.S. Nationals championship in Pro Stock over sentimental favorite Richie Stevens Jr.
Stevens, a native of New Orleans, was a victim of Hurricane Katrina and its wrath. Stevens and a group of his friends evacuated New Orleans before the hurricane took its toll on the city and made the long trek to Indianapolis via car for the race.
Stevens didn’t give up easily to Anderson and gave him a run for his money, but didn’t have enough as Anderson took the victory 6.718/205.26 mph to Stevens’ 6.779/203.98 mph.
Top Fuel saw Larry Dixon dethrone the current POWERade Champion and reigning U.S. Nationals champion Tony Schumacher.
Shoe smoked the tires early on the quarter-mile and gave Larry Dixon a 4.521/326.71 mph win over him.
What Matt Smith thought was his first Pro Stock Motorcycle victory was soon reversed on Tuesday after further investigation on the ESPN2 footage that showed Steve Johnson crossing the line first.
The timing sensor that NHRA uses at all events scored Smith crossing the line first over his opponent Johnson. When the footage was later reviewed, it showed Johnson a wheel ahead of Smith.
Johnson’s runs and times were reviewed and NHRA reversed their decision and appointed Steve Johnson the Pro Stock Motorcycle winner of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
NHRA has one week off before getting back to action at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pa., September 15-18.
Only one race remains in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series until the Chase for the Championship begins.
Penske Racing South driver Ryan Newman sits one point out of the top 10 after the Sony HD 500 at California Speedway on Sunday.
It the late laps of the race, it looked as Newman was going to be safe in the top 10 heading into Richmond, but he fell back in the field, posting an 18th place finish and putting him just one point out.
His teammate Rusty Wallace only had to take the green flag to be locked in the championship chase. Wallace finished took the checkered with a 15th place finish.
The third Penske Racing South driver, Travis Kvapil, was eliminated from the Chase earlier in the season. He finished 33rd in California.
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Keep up with your favorite Ringers racers in ‘05 by logging onto www.ringersgloves.com for photos and highlights!
