NHRA: Bradshaw Looking For His First Win Of The Season
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May 04, 2008
NHRA
ST. LOUIS, Mo.-- The dirt track racing that Top Fuel driver Alan Bradshaw did this past Thursday at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. came in handy during qualifying for this weekend’s O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals held just outside of St. Louis, Mo.
After Friday’s average qualifying sessions, Bradshaw was looking for a strong performance out of his Vis Viva “Living Force” Energy Top Fuel
dragster during the final two sessions on Saturday. Bradshaw’s performance would improve with a best of a 4.550 at 318.24 mph but with it came a touch
of drama.
“During today’s first session something on the track cut the tire down,” Bradshaw said. “The car got very loose and unstable as the tire deflated, but I still managed to get it to the finish line under power.
“Then in our last session we burned a piston going down the track and the increased pressure in the oil pan caused oil to get under my tires and got the car very loose. I’m just glad I got to drive the ‘dirt cars’ last Thursday because today felt a lot like driving a dirt car at 300 mph.”
Bradshaw found himself no. 10 at the end of qualifying, and will face no. 7 J.R. Todd (4.537 at 318.39 mph) in tomorrow’s opening elimination round. Bradshaw is still looking for his first win of the season and hopes his special edition Darrell Russell Tribute car will accomplish just that.
“This weekend has been pretty special already with the Russell family here,” Bradshaw said. “But taking Darrell’s image with us on a winning lap would be
even more special. We also have both my firesuit, and helmet on eBay right now to bid on. Going some rounds on Sunday may even help us raise a little
more money.
“I also would like to thank Ryan Seger, and Nick Lyons for letting me drive their dirt cars this past Thursday. It was pretty generous to be handed a $20,000 car to go play in. I even lead the race for a few laps and ended up fourth at the end of the race, so I hope I represented the NHRA well.”
