Indy 2026

[J. S.]

- one of rob wedland's utube videos mentioned they were not properly staffed to run two cars at indy. it showed. even borrowed a guy.

I think this is a real problem. Not enough experienced guys to staff a team that just wants to run a few races. With more full-time teams, this isn't necessarily a problem because then the crew guys have a full-time job with those teams.

I think a guy like Zizzo does well because he plans ahead of time to just run a few races so all his part-time guys can put in for time off (from their regular jobs) ahead of time to work those races for Zizzo. Too bad he lost with a strong run in R1.

It's the semi-last minute one-off deals that are real hard to staff.

 

[J. S.]

- IMO there was nothing memorable about this 75th anniversary us nationals.

Unfortunately, I agree with this. Too many aborted runs in the fuel classes during Eliminations, even with much better conditions on Monday. And no record runs, etc. Oh well, at least all the classes - particularly the Sportsman classes - seemed to have very good participation.

 

[mick]

Unfortunately, I agree with this. Too many aborted runs in the fuel classes during Eliminations, even with much better conditions on Monday. And no record runs, etc. Oh well, at least all the classes - particularly the Sportsman classes - seemed to have very good participation.

for many sportsman racers, especially the class racers, indy is still what indy once was for all the classes. everyone shows up
to run their best, and for the class racers, a class trophy from indy is still the gold standard (well, diamond this year), especially
comp, SS, STK, SG, and SC who qualify huge fields. it was cool seeing the huge comp field turn out for a shot at the 75th trophy.

 

[GumbyWVU]

Unfortunately, I agree with this. Too many aborted runs in the fuel classes during Eliminations, even with much better conditions on Monday. And no record runs, etc. Oh well, at least all the classes - particularly the Sportsman classes - seemed to have very good participation.Aag

for many sportsman racers, especially the class racers, indy is still what indy once was for all the classes. everyone shows up
to run their best, and for the class racers, a class trophy from indy is still the gold standard (well, diamond this year), especially
comp, SS, STK, SG, and SC who qualify huge fields. it was cool seeing the huge comp field turn out for a shot at the 75th trophy.

Agree with both, was there yesterday and the atmosphere didn't seem any different than any other year we've attended. Sure seemed to be a lot of people who were leaving prior to the final rounds, and during those two clean-ups during the sportsman's finals. Was also surprised when, walking through the pits after the 2nd round of the pros (after PSM), how many teams had left or were almost done packing up. I guess after the long week they just wanted to split.

 

[twostep]

I dont think they know how,pretty bad,cars are the stars of the show,not the blabbers

Agreed. But since the interviews monopolized the TV coverage much more so than normal believe Fox chose to take that route to honor, if you will, some of the pioneers of drag racing. I didn't see Shirley's interview (no big loss) and I missed Garlits' comments about women and FEDs. Sounds like he and Muldowney still aren't exactly buddies and pals. LOL

 

[T.Smith]

Agree with both, was there yesterday and the atmosphere didn't seem any different than any other year we've attended. Sure seemed to be a lot of people who were leaving prior to the final rounds, and during those two clean-ups during the sportsman's finals. Was also surprised when, walking through the pits after the 2nd round of the pros (after PSM), how many teams had left or were almost done packing up. I guess after the long week they just wanted to split.

That's not usual unless some teams are testing the next day. Otherwise, the weekend is done and yes, everyone wants to head home. Most have to work the next day, including the teams.

 

[T.Smith]

I think this is a real problem. Not enough experienced guys to staff a team that just wants to run a few races. With more full-time teams, this isn't necessarily a problem because then the crew guys have a full-time job with those teams.

I think a guy like Zizzo does well because he plans ahead of time to just run a few races so all his part-time guys can put in for time off (from their regular jobs) ahead of time to work those races for Zizzo. Too bad he lost with a strong run in R1.

It's the semi-last minute one-off deals that are real hard to staff.

Staffing is difficult for all of the teams. 20 races is a lot of races and with each fascist of the car being so specialized, staffing can be difficult.

We have a mixture of personnel. Some are race shop guys, others are fly in guys. Even at just 2 races this year for us, it's still a significant commitment.

 

[Billy]

speaking of the coverage, there's an old saying you should never work with children and animals. Well maybe you should add the Elderly to that list. Granted they are legends and its nice to here from them now and again, but an extended stint behind the mike is not ideal because they no longer possess a filter, as far as what they say or think. They had Shirley in the booth awhile ago and if i recall there was an some uncomfortable moments and when they recently had Garlits in the booth on the streaming broadcast, i had to turn the sound down as i snickered and cringed, as he was describing why women never or shouldn't drive front engine dragsters

Can't blame age on Shirley saying something "controversial." She's ALWAYS been that way, reason why I'm such a HUGE fan! She's like Madonna - she don't back down!
"I'm sure they want to see me lose." -Columbus, 1982
"Because I'm good at it" - when asked why she was returning after her accident.

Drag Racing Story of the Day - Shirley Muldowney: Diva of Drag Racing

A new drag racing story every day!

www.draglist.com

 

[Mike]

for many sportsman racers, especially the class racers, indy is still what indy once was for all the classes. everyone shows up
to run their best, and for the class racers, a class trophy from indy is still the gold standard (well, diamond this year), especially
comp, SS, STK, SG, and SC who qualify huge fields. it was cool seeing the huge comp field turn out for a shot at the 75th trophy.

The sportsman exception is the top alcohol classes, in terms of participation. Here's hoping next year we can get maybe 20 TAFC and 22-26 TAD, along with temps at least 10 degrees cooler for the 2 Friday sessions.

 

[Frank]

If you didn't see Tony Wilson in Pro Mod, do yourself a favor and pull up NHRA TV/You Tube and watch him. The Q4 session on Sunday, 10H:51M mark of the NHRA.tv broadcast, and then the 3H:24M mark of the Monday broadcast (Round 1). Way cool!

(Also, right before Tony Wilson in round 1, Alex Laughlin with maybe the driving job of the weekend to get his car to the finish line under power, albeit in a losing effort. That run could have ended up real bad.)

 

[Rasn1320]

Any1 catch poor aj getting bumped down from the mosh pit lol

 

[James]

Any1 catch poor aj getting bumped down from the mosh pit lol

He hopped up very quickly with a look to kill for a second lol

 

[twostep]

Can't blame age on Shirley saying something "controversial." She's ALWAYS been that way, reason why I'm such a HUGE fan! She's like Madonna - she don't back down!
"I'm sure they want to see me lose." -Columbus, 1982
"Because I'm good at it" - when asked why she was returning after her accident.

Drag Racing Story of the Day - Shirley Muldowney: Diva of Drag Racing

A new drag racing story every day!

www.draglist.com

Nothing controversial about those two comments. Some wanted to see her lose 44 years ago and yeah, she was good at it.

The controversial talk came later. I have respect for what she did and who she was as she made her way to the top in drag racing. Nothing more.

 

[Steve Wayne]

If you didn't see Tony Wilson in Pro Mod, do yourself a favor and pull up NHRA TV/You Tube and watch him. The Q4 session on Sunday, 10H:51M mark of the NHRA.tv broadcast, and then the 3H:24M mark of the Monday broadcast (Round 1). Way cool!

(Also, right before Tony Wilson in round 1, Alex Laughlin with maybe the driving job of the weekend to get his car to the finish line under power, albeit in a losing effort. That run could have ended up real bad.)

Yeah that was a pretty awesome wheel stand to carry it that far. I imagine had he not lifted when he did that car probably wouldn’t have been in one piece. Any crosswind past the bleachers would’ve probably turned it into a kite.

 

[Billy]

Nothing controversial about those two comments. Some wanted to see her lose 44 years ago and yeah, she was good at it.

The controversial talk came later. I have respect for what she did and who she was as she made her way to the top in drag racing. Nothing more.

If you watch Decade of Thrills 2 with the Coverage of the 1982 Springnationals when she was racing Lucille Lee in the final, and everyone in the pits is helping out Lucille - there's more to that quote, that's just the part I like. Steve Evan's comment after "and she took down EVERY. LAST. NAME." was chef's kiss!

FOUND IT ON YOUTUBE! 22:38 is her interview but the segment on the entire race starts a little earlier documenting the engine shenanigans the Lee team was doing with Jeb Allen, who she reams in this interview as well.

 

[mick]

wonder if nhra assisted any 'legends' with travel cost? they were all former nitro racers. didn't see or hear from WJ?
also include linda vaughn in this group.

 

[sammi]

The one lane race track is a bummer at a place like St. Louis or Seattle, but at Indy....really?

 

[twostep]

If you watch Decade of Thrills 2 with the Coverage of the 1982 Springnationals when she was racing Lucille Lee in the final, and everyone in the pits is helping out Lucille - there's more to that quote, that's just the part I like. Steve Evan's comment after "and she took down EVERY. LAST. NAME." was chef's kiss!

FOUND IT ON YOUTUBE! 22:38 is her interview but the segment on the entire race starts a little earlier documenting the engine shenanigans the Lee team was doing with Jeb Allen, who she reams in this interview as well.

Muldowney was at the top of her game in 1982, no doubt. Shirley just needs to stop continually trying to prove herself - something she already put to rest over 40 years ago. For HER own good; it's really no one else's concern.

 

[z28]

wonder if nhra assisted any 'legends' with travel cost? they were all former nitro racers. didn't see or hear from WJ?
also include linda vaughn in this group.

would have been nice to see WJ. Maybe he is scheduled for a later race

 

[mick]

looking at a few pics of ida's TF'r from indy. the right side is a black BANDEROS against a light background.
the left side is a white BANDEROS against a black background. the GLOBAL SKU logos are also white on one side and black on other,
plus left side has VP FUEL logo and right side has O'REILLY decal. i liked the livery when i first saw it, only now noticing subtle differences
from side to side. very creative.