Reichert takes points lead with second Indy win
Two-time defending NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Champion Bill Reichert and his Rislone Engine Treatment-backed team took a big step towards winning a third championship by winning at the U.S. Nationals. The win was Reichert’s second at the event, making him only the second driver in the history of the class to collect two U.S. Nationals wins.
Reichert, from Owosso, Mich., had his son Andy in attendance, who normally assists his father over the phone, to help tune his A/Fuel Dragster the No. 2 spot in the field with a 5.287 second elapsed time at 273.29 mph. In round one, he stayed in the .20’s with a 5.248 at 272.94 mph to defeat Robin Samsel, and then took out rookie driver Kimmelyn Buff-Pesz in round two with a 5.228 at 276.24, which would stand as low e.t. and top speed of the event.
Reichert’s next two rounds would have huge implications towards this year’s national championship. In the semifinals, Reichert squared off with last year’s Indy winner, Marty Thacker, who entered the event second in points. Reichert stayed consistent and advanced to the final round with a 5.266 at 273.33 mph.
Reichert then took on Duane Shields’ potent A/Fuel Dragster in the final, who is ranked fourth in national standings. The final would be all Reichert, as he took the starting line advantage and never looked back. Both drivers fell off their earlier 5.20 pace, but it was Reichert who prevailed with a 5.581 at 257.04 mph to Shields’ troubled 6.091 at 231.48 mph.
“I’m very proud of this accomplishment,” said Reichert. “Only Rick Santos and I have won this race twice. Ever since we won this race two years ago, it has been a goal of mine to win it more than once. We were trying to become the first to win it back to back last year, but I hit the kill switch backing up, which ended that. This year we came with the determination to win it back. (Ron Lewis photo)
Engel remains hospitalized
Pro Mod racer Steve Engel remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after suffering a high-speed accident Saturday evening (Aug. 30) at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
Engel's Corvette went out of control near the top end of the quarter-mile and impacted the retaining wall so severely that all racing action was halted for the evening as safety crews worked to repair the damage. Engel, meanwhile, was airlifted to Methodist Hospital by medical helicopter.
According to his wife, Tonya, Engel suffered damage to six vertebrae in his spine. As a precaution and to keep him from moving and further complicating his injuries, he's been medically sedated since doctors first examined him.
An initial surgery was preformed to repair two of the vertebrae. As doctors waited for swelling in the area to subside, Engel developed fluid in one of his lungs, which has delayed further repairs.
Erroneous reports of Engel being completely paralyzed are unfounded, according to Tonya. It is simply far too early in the process to make such determinations. His team of doctors remain hopeful that once all the repairs are made he'll be able to make large strides towards a full recovery. The best news is that Engel's spinal canal was not compromised.
Our wishes for a complete recovery go out to Steve and his family. (photo courtesy JEGSProModChalleng.com)
Bill Wendt sets midget record at Bonneville
Former Texas Funny Car driver Bill Wendt, who competed often on the AHRA circuit and had the first race car the Agent can remember that was painted like a police car -- complete with flashing lights -- has been driving midget race cars on oval tracks. Wendt, who recently turned 69, set ant lost the record in one day at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the vintage midget category. After Wendt set the record driving the Kurtis Kraft midget car, owner Ray LeClaire reset the record at 134.8.