NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

IDA ZETTERSTRÖM FITS RIGHT IN

We've been hearing about reigning European FIA Top Fuel champion Ida Zetterström for a minute now, and she finally made her highly anticipated debut this weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals driving the JCM Racing VP Racing Fuels/Edelbrock/COMP Cams/Dodge Top Fuel dragster. Zetterström rolled out a car with a fantastic red, white, and blue theme as she is actively campaigning to be elected as NHRA Rookie of the Year, and the seasoned newcomer is already emerging as a top contender for the award. In the first round of eliminations, Steve Torrence's misfortune – a .112-second reaction time – allowed Zetterström a holeshot win. The victory was important as it came with a bye run to the semifinals, and NHRA viewers had three opportunities on Sunday to see the Swedish-born racer and her new team get comfortable. In the semi's, Zetterström illuminated the red-light for the first time in a career that started when she was 8 years old in a jr. dragster. Although she was heartbroken and admittedly embarrassed, observers got a glimpse of Zetterström's abilities behind the wheel, and the future looks quite bright.

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

An early exit for multitime world champ Ron Capps didn't equate to his day being done. When Toyota teammate J.R. Todd was in need, Capps and his Napa team stepped up to help out. An engine explosion had ruined one of Todd's two DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car bodies in qualifying, and when he suffered a similar fate in his second-round meeting with points leader Austin Prock, he found himself in quite a pickle. In an intense battle weighted by great rivalry, Prock worked diligently to recover from a shocking .116-second reaction time to Todd's psychic .015, but he came up short. Todd set the win light flashing just as his engine gave way, and the explosive force caused the DHL body to crack. The force was so fierce that Todd questioned whether or not the chassis had been damaged as well. When they got back to the pits, though, it was determined that the chassis was alright – they just needed a new Supra body in order to make the semifinals. Although the bodies aren't exactly interchangeable – the fittings are a bit different – Capps and his Napa team jumped in to help the "Yella Fellas" make it work. Del Worsham, Kalitta Motorsports, and several other teams pitched in to help Todd make the tight turnaround in order to go to battle against reigning Funny Car champion Matt Hagan and his American Rebel-branded Dodge.

It was a sight to behold when Todd rolled into the waterbox in the Napa car with a sea of yellow DHL-shirted crewmembers and the entire Napa team up there supporting him. Todd left first, but when he saw Hagan driving away from him, he sagely shut it off rather than risk blowing up another body.

It was a moment reminiscent of history, and one that showed the powerful bond within the community, even as these drivers are all battling for points with the Countdown right around the corner.

"Del said it best," said Capps after the round. "We all went in to thrash, and he said, 'This is like old school [stuff]. This is 'Kenny Bernstein and the Blue Max, taping it all together to get back up for the final round' type of stuff."

PERSISTENCE IS GOING TO PAY OFF

There has been a first-time winner in Pro Stock in all but one season since 2009, and third-gen racer Mason McGaha has had his eye on being the one both this year and last. He has two final rounds on his scorecard, but he hasn't yet been able to close the deal. In Brainerd, he looked as though he might actually get it done as he laid out a Cinderella story of the day. After struggling in qualifying and finally breaking into the field on the last session, young McGaha came into Sunday with a fire burning beneath him. In the opening act, he threw down a .019-second reaction time next to No. 1 qualifier Jerry Tucker, and it made all the difference. At the finish-line stripe, he nipped him with the smallest but most impactful .002-second holeshot win. In round two, his starting-line skills were again on display as he clocked a .028 and raced down to beat David Cuadra by .006 on another holeshot. For those who have had a keen eye on Pro Stock, the way he pedaled through tire shake in the semifinals would come as no surprise. The last couple of seasons have been tough for the Harlow Sammons Racing team, and that's brought about a lot of occasions in which McGaha has been on the track early in the sessions. Those early runs on a green and untested track has allowed him the opportunity to learn how to manage challenging situations from the driver's seat, and that came into play here as he pedaled through to win over Fernando Cuadra Jr. and grab a ticket to the final. Ultimately, the Brainerd trophy went home with KB Titan Racing's Dallas Glenn – but McGaha showed once again that he's got a steady hand that is likely to get it done.

IT REALLY IS A ZOO OUT THERE

When the Scag Racing team unveiled wild animal liveries on each of their race cars ahead of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, it only validated the reputation of the famed Brainerd campground known affectionately as "the Zoo." The wild experience of the Zoo includes fireworks and bonfires late into the night, a steady parade of unique vehicles designed specifically to cruise the raucous party, and a plethora of otherwise normal folk living their best life. Racers, crew chiefs, crewmembers, team owners – they're all there amongst the race fans, mixing and mingling and having a grand time. It truly is wild.

The paint schemes on the Scag entries gave a nod to their Scag Power Equipment products with a highlight of wild animals. Top Fuel winner Justin Ashley's Toyota dragster gave the fans the most views as he made four laps on Sunday showing off a Cheetah II and Turf Tiger II scheme, and Daniel Wilkerson and Dave Richards also sported animal themes on their nitro Funny Cars, as did Pro Stock's Jeg Coughlin Jr. on his Chevrolet Camaro.

Although debauchery isn't encouraged here, the Brainerd Zoo is a must-do, bucket-list item – and so is getting a glimpse of those wild schemes. After Ashley's win, he indicated he hoped they would remain for at least one more race: the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals are up next!

VICTORY CHANGES EVERYTHING

Blake Alexander wasn't worried about the points, he said. Well, that is, he wasn't until he scooped up the second Funny Car win of his career at the Brainerd race. Jim Head Racing's Funny Car doesn't typically run all of the events, and so entering race day, Alexander was perfectly content just knowing he had a fast race car – he claimed the provisional pole on Friday – and being a threat to win. On Friday night, he explained that the team started the year just wanting to "learn how to put a good run out there in front of everyone when it mattered," and although initially that attempt didn't seem to be working, they kept at it. Now, they're finding consistency, and that's a scary thing for the class at this time of year.

After defeating Hagan in the final to score the trophy, which was particularly meaningful for Alexander as it came at a place that is a lot like home for team owner Head, Alexander admitted that the song he was singing earlier in the weekend had changed a bit.

"I don't pay attention to the points at all, and I really didn't know much about them until I got here this weekend. Obviously, I'm very well aware of it now and happy to be in the thick of it."

That being said, Alexander's mental approach seems healthy and wise.

"I really believe that the less I think about everything, the more good things will happen for me as a driver," he said.