Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Sports
Reichert makes history at MAC Tools Nationals
By The Argus-Press
CLERMONT, Ind. - Owosso's Bill Reichert surged into first place in the national standings for NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster in the NHRA's Sportsman subdivision.
Reichert also became only the second Top Alcohol Dragster driver to ever win the MAC Tools U.S. Nationals twice. The other driver to do it was Rick Santos.
Reichert, running in his Rislone machine, beat Duane Shields in Monday's finals of the 54th annual event with a pass of 5.581 seconds at 257 mph.
He took over first place in the national standings with 654 points. Jim Whiteley is second at 647 and Marty Thacker third with 636.
Shields, who lost traction at the beginning of the run, had an elapsed time of 6.09 seconds at 231.4 mph.
“It feels good,” said Reichert. “We're in first place, but not by much. It's going to go right down to the wire between three drivers.”
Reichert and Whiteley both have raced 13 times this season while Thacker has posted 11 races.
Reichert, who counts 10 of the 13 races, has five victories on the year with two coming at national events. Whiteley and Thacker both also have five victories among their 10 points races.
Reichert also placed first the previous week at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. He defeated Marty Thacker in the finals with his best effort of the weekend, running 263.15 mph with an elapsed time of 5.28 seconds.
Reichert is a two-time defending national champion in Top Alcohol Dragster. Reichert trails Thacker in his home division 404-330. Both have raced six times in Division 3. Thacker, of Illinois, has posted four of his five wins in divisional competition. Reichert has three victories that count in the division standings.
Reichert also became only the second Top Alcohol Dragster driver to ever win the MAC Tools U.S. Nationals twice. The other driver to do it was Rick Santos.
Reichert, running in his Rislone machine, beat Duane Shields in Monday's finals of the 54th annual event with a pass of 5.581 seconds at 257 mph.
He took over first place in the national standings with 654 points. Jim Whiteley is second at 647 and Marty Thacker third with 636.
Shields, who lost traction at the beginning of the run, had an elapsed time of 6.09 seconds at 231.4 mph.
“It feels good,” said Reichert. “We're in first place, but not by much. It's going to go right down to the wire between three drivers.”
Reichert and Whiteley both have raced 13 times this season while Thacker has posted 11 races.
Reichert, who counts 10 of the 13 races, has five victories on the year with two coming at national events. Whiteley and Thacker both also have five victories among their 10 points races.
Reichert also placed first the previous week at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. He defeated Marty Thacker in the finals with his best effort of the weekend, running 263.15 mph with an elapsed time of 5.28 seconds.
Reichert is a two-time defending national champion in Top Alcohol Dragster. Reichert trails Thacker in his home division 404-330. Both have raced six times in Division 3. Thacker, of Illinois, has posted four of his five wins in divisional competition. Reichert has three victories that count in the division standings.