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NHRA Special Report: Gearing Up for U.S. Nationals

28 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Valvoline and Eagle One drivers discuss NHRA's biggest event of the year, the U.S. Nationals, Aug. 30-Sept. 4, at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Joe Amato (DynoMax/Valvoline/Keystone Automotive dragster, five-time NHRA Top Fuel champion, U.S. Nationals winner in 1987, 1988 and 1990): "The U.S. Nationals is what sparked Joe Amato to do what I do. When I was a kid, 14-15 years old, and saw Don Garlits win at Indy, I said, 'I want to do that someday.' I've been able to do that. Hopefully, we're not done."

Matt Hines (Eagle One Suzuki, three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, U.S. Nationals winner the last two years, currently second in points): "When you get to the summer races, you start thinking, 'OK, this bike has got to get together.' When you get to Brainerd (race before Indy), you just try to get the bike dialed in as close as possible. Actually, last year, we really didn't do that good at Brainerd. Basically, when I went to Indy last year, I sat in the motorhome and I just had to visualize myself winning the race. If I could do that, I knew all I had to do was find my way there."

Ron Krisher (Eagle One Pontiac Firebird, currently third in NHRA Pro Stock points with two wins): "The advantage to Indy is it's become a tradition. They have more cars entered and a good turnout, spectator-wise. There's prestige there, so if you only win one race, I'd say that's the one to win."

Text Provided By Michael Knight

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