NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Veteran crew member, fabricator, and industry business owner Jake Sanders is scheduled to make his NHRA Top Fuel debut in Indy the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Sanders will be driving his own entry, named The Menace. The car was previously the Nitro Ninja entry of Dom and Bobby Lagana. Sanders acquired the operation during negotiations to buy a trailer for his front engine Nostalgia dragster. Sanders previously worked as a crew member with the Lagana brothers, and now it's his turn to drive.

After two years of success in the Nitro Chaos series with his outlaw front engine dragster including two wins at the Texas Motorplex, Sanders is looking to run over 300-mph.

"It's a little wild. I got this car back from front-half and 26 days later was hitting the gas for the first time in Columbus. I always figured I'd get here but had no idea it would be right now,” said Sanders “The goal is to go to Indy and make all five qualifying runs and just go up and down the racetrack. If I rip off a couple of 3.90's at 300 mph it will be a win for me. I'd love to qualify and be a menace to the full timers.

“You only get to do your first race once. What's cooler than being able to say you did it at the US Nationals?"

With help from Apple Girl Art, 142 Speed Shop, and Spell Paving, Sanders is poised to make a solid effort at the U.S. Nationals. The success of his business, Snake Enterprises, has made this venture possible. The CNC machine shop runs full bore all day and Top Fuel operations begin after 5p.m.

Sanders’depth of tuner and crew experience has helped him to be adequately prepared to run and operate a big show nitro car.

"It takes a lot of inventory to do it right. We're a small team. My wife, Katie, and I do all the prep and service work,” Sanders said. “It was important to me to be able to have the depth and quality of parts to come run, and be a respectful opponent to the big teams at the biggest race of the year. I'd love to run a few more this year but will need to find a little help to keep the dream alive. The goal was Indy; we'll see what happens after that."