Second-year Funny Car racer Eric Medlen drove John Force's Castrol Syntec Mustang to a wire-to-wire win at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. Medlen qualified No. 1 with a track record 4.735 and beat teammate and points leader Robert Hight in the final for the second victory of his young career. (Richard Wong photo)
TOP FUEL by John Jodauga
"We needed this one very badly. Coming off of what happened last week, we were at the bottom of the pits after suffering such a worst-case-scenario loss." Budweiser team owner Kenny Bernstein (page 12)
FUNNY CAR by Bruce Dillashaw
"Man, if Robert had beaten me, he'd be 20 points closer to winning the championship. I almost feel bad for beating him." Eric Medlen following his final-round defeat of John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight (page 14)
Competition: Sportsman coverage from Denver, Chicago, Montgomery In the thick of the racing season, the ND staff brings you sportsman racing news and analysis from all directions, national and divisional. (page 39)
Close-up: Marshall Topping After his first chance of racing on tour ended with a near-fatal crash in 1997, Marshall Topping has unfinished business in Top Fuel. By Brad Littlefield. (page 28)
Racing Technology with Evan J. Smith: Simple Performance Tricks The mechanical challenge and fun of driving a fast car really is the essence of drag racing. But for some racers, unlocking all of the potential may be difficult. Smith shows you how to get point A to point B in the most efficient fashion. (page 70)