Bridges Wins Goodguys Indy Hot Rod Nationals

O’Reilly Raceway Park, Clermont, IN - It happens almost every year, there is some kind of storm that hits Indy. The skies open up and dump mass amounts of water on the facility. But even with all rainy weather on Friday and Saturday Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing was able to complete the race and crown a champion.


Every drag racer wants to be able to say he or she won Indy. Now Randy Bridges can say he has tasted Top Fuel victory for the second time. The Top Fuel field was the biggest it has ever been, 12 cars attended to compete for the 8 car show. Californian Denver Schutz lead the pack with a 5.857 at 239 mph followed by Howard Haight in the New York based Nitrodiction dragster with a 6.02 @ 242 mph. These two were Co-Champions of the last years race, unfortunately in 2009 they were unable to complete the final due to weather.


Schutz had the quickest pass in eliminations as well with a 5.844 in round one against Odie Coker. Howard Haight laid down the only other 5 second run in the first round with a 5.966 to put Californian Brendan Murry on the trailer. Rick Rogers driving Fugowie ran a 6.082 at 241 mph to defeat Ernie McClain's 6.203 at 210 mph. Randy Bridges' 6.002 at 245 mph defeated "Diamond" Dave Miller, who was inserted when Troy Green was unable to return due to chassis damage from an earlier qualifying attempt.

In the semis Rick Rogers had to be shut off behind the burn out box, so his opponent Denver Schutz took the light and idled down the track. In the other semi final matchup Randy Bridges laid down a nice 5.923 at 244 mph against Howard Haight. The final would be a classic East vs West matchup. Californian Denver Schutz went in deep and left early running a 5.937 handing the victory to Bridges who ran a 6.03 at 226. This was Bridges 2nd Goodguys Top Fuel victory at Indianapolis. He won previously in 2003 against Roger Lechtenberg in the "Orange Crate".


On his win Bridges said, “Car owner Joe Hendricks is the one who makes this all happen. He pays the bills, tunes the motor, drives the truck – he does it all. This is his baby – I’m just lucky enough to drive it."


Next stop for AAFD is the 8th Annual National Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, KY on June 18-20th. Get up to the minute results from AAFD, follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/aafdtopfuel and check out our facebook page. www.facebook.com/aafdtopfuel



Top Fuel:

Winner: Randy Bridges, Virden, IL 6.036 @ 243.90

Runner Up: Denver Schutz, Fresno, CA 5.937 @ 226.09 (foul)

Top Fuel B:

Winner: Roger Lechtenberg, Cedar Falls, IA 6.581 @ 178.92

Runner Up: Jeff Miller, Garrettsville, OH 7.731 @ 160.75

Final Qualifying Order:


1. Denver Schutz - 5.85 @ 239 mph

2. Howard Haight - 6.02 @ 242 mph

3. Randy Bridges - 6.03 @ 242 mph

4. Rick Rogers - 6.06 @ 247 mph

5. Ernie McClain - 6.18 @ 220 mph

6. Troy Green - 6.19 @ 233 mph

7. Brendan Murry - 6.62 @ 186 mph

8. Odie Coker - 6.66 @ 203 mph


B-field

9. Dave Miller - 6.94 @ 213 mph

10. Roger Lechtenberg - 6.94 @ 139 mph

11. Jeff Miller - 7.40 @ 143 mph

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