Bill Kleinspehn Drag Racing Action Online

Images NHRA and Phil Hutchison

It’s time again to hear from Maple Grove Dragway’s favorite son, Billy Kleinspehn to make his out on the limb (!) picks for the upcoming US Nationals which this year is going by the name NHRA Cromwell Tools US Nationals. There will be a felling of melancholy during this year’s event as Forrest Lucas, namesake of the Lucas Oil Raceway that bears his name, passed away at the age of 83 on August 23. Known as the founder of Lucas Oil, Forrest was a major sponsor of the NHRA Sportsman racers that continue to use his name for the series.

But let’s get to Billy’s prognostications and please no gambling on his picks. Strictly for entertainment purposes.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s Labor Day Weekend and for some it means back to school and the start of Football Season and the unofficial end of summer. 

But if you’re a racing fan it means one thing a big racing weekend with the famed Southern 500 in Darlington and the famed NHRA Cromwell Tools US Nationals. 

It’s seems like yesterday we were just celebrating the big racing weekend on Memorial Day weekend and here we are Labor Day weekend and here are my Tips for this year’s edition of the famed Big Go

 

Number 5 The Return of The Sarge

 


After being sidelined for the entire season the winningest Top Fuel driver in US Nationals History returns to the seat this weekend and is definitely one of the favorites heading into this weekend. Can he pick up number 11? 

Number 4 Sox and Martin Hemi Challenge 

The annual Big Go not only is the spot where legends are made the event has a rich history in holding special races within a race with the one being the famed Sox and Martin Hemi Challenge NHRA longest continuous specialty race putting the nation’s best AA/SH cars in a heads up first to the finish line race that brings the crowd to it feet. 

Number 3 Sunday at Indy

Since 1982 the eight best Funny Car drivers have met on Sunday at Indy for the famed Play NHRA All Star Funny Car Callout. The event which has a rich history of spectacular moments from double up wins shootout and Mondays final eliminations to upset winners this year’s event one you don’t wanna miss! 

Number 2 The Comp Clash

After a successful debut at last year’s event The Comp Clash sponsored by Deecell Power Systems will mark the third specialty race at this year’s event putting the nation’s best comp racers to see who’s the best and with the largest payout of the season and bragging rights on comps biggest stage.


Honorable Mention Class Racing is Back


While all eyes will be on Monday’s final eliminations and the specialty races throughout the weekend Stock and Super Stock racers will have the opportunity to etch their names in US Nationals history with Class Eliminations taking place. The famed Heads Up first to the finish line eliminations held at Indy has been a popular feature of the famed event for decades and to some means more to win class at Indy then to pick up the Wally on Monday. 

Number 1 We Are The Champions


As we head into the final race of the regular season before we start the countdown in a few weeks at Maple Grove all eyes will be one who picks up the Mission Foods 2 Fast 2 Tasty Challenge Titles for this season and for the first time