Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Saturday photo gallery
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Minnesota race fans were abundant in the pits and along Nitro Alley during Saturday action of the 2012 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int’l Raceway. |
One of the major attractions of this event is the massive campground known as “the Zoo” and the many inhabitants who parade around in unique vehicles. |
Despite having a cylinder out for most of the run, Keith Murt ran a strong 3.88 in the first Saturday session to put the independent driver solidly in the Top Fuel field. |
Jeff Arend was one of many drivers to step up during a great third session of Funny Car qualifying. The DHL Toyota Camry blazed down the dragstrip in 4.08 seconds to move the Countdown hopeful up in the field. |
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(Above) After missing the Sonoma event, LE Tonglet returned to action with his Suzuki and qualified in the No. 6 spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle with a 6.948 best. Tonglet will race Matt Smith in round one.
(Right) With four qualifying runs between 6.909 and 6.930, Eddie Krawiec is both fast and consistent as he looks to maintain the perfect record for Harley-Davidson’s in Pro Stock Motorcycle this season.
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Hector Arana Jr., who reached his first career final at last year’s Brainerd event, is poised for another strong run; he has his Lucas Oil Buell in the No. 3 Pro Stock Motorcycle spot with a 6.894. Arana will race Mike Berry in round one.
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Fresh off his appearance at the Bonneville Salt Flats, where he joined the prestigious 200-mph club, Jason Line drove his Summit Camaro to a 6.590 best. He will face teammate Ronnie Humphrey in round one of Pro Stock. |
Vincent Nobile’s Mountain View Tires team made an engine swap midway through Saturday’s qualifying rounds and will start eliminations from the No. 4 spot in Pro Stock. Nobile will face Larry Morgan in round one. |
For the first time in six races, Allen Johnson is not the Pro Stock low qualifier, but after a strong 6.588 in the final qualifying session, the current points leader is primed to have a long outing on race day with his Mopar Dodge. |
Among the many fans checking out the action in Brainerd were former NHL player Bret Hedican and his wife, Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. |
Brandon Bernstein was just .001-second from the quickest run of the final Top Fuel qualifying session with a strong 3.83 that kept him in the top half of the field. |
By qualifying in Top Fuel with his earlier 3.81, Doug Kalitta clinched a spot in the Countdown to the Championship. Kalitta’s dragster has the “Big K” design for the last time before he begins his multiyear deal with Mac Tools. |
Tony Pedregon qualified No. 14 with a 4.13 in his special-edition Charter Communications Toyota Funny Car. |
The action was delayed by rain with four pairs of Funny Cars left in the final qualifying session. |
The final eight pairs of Funny Car were run after a one-hour, 45-minute weather delay, and they didn't disappoint in cooler conditions. Jack Beckman (pictured) ran a career-best 4.01 to overtake Tim Wilkerson for the top spot, his second in the last four races. |