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Archive – The BIG GO!

Pete Ward . July 05, 2026 . Drag Racer
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Indy Turns 61 and Shows no Signs of Aging

This year’s U.S. Nationals had it all— drama, intrigue, heartbreak—and, oh yes, heart-pounding, side-by-side, gloves-off racing. A Hollywood scriptwriter couldn’t have concocted a better tale.

Jack Beckman (near lane) continues to set a nitro F/C torrid pace: #1 qualifier and Traxxas Shootout winner. On Labor Day he dispatched Bob Bode, Ron Capps and Del Worsham. In the final, a battle of #1 and #2 qualifiers, Beckman left first against Robert Hight and held on for a holeshot win 4.058 to 4.045. This race was a replay of Sunday’s Traxxas T/F Nitro Shootout, where Beckman defeated Hight. Crew chief Jimmy Prock also swept Indy’s dual races with Gary Densham in 2004.
Erica Enders (near lane), Pro Stock’s reigning queen, relied upon quick reflexes to nab her first Indy Wally. She defeated V. Gaines, then hole-shotted Larry Morgan, Greg Anderson, and in the final, Elite teammate Drew Skillman (6.661 to 6.606).
Third time was a charm for P/S biker Jerry Savoie (near lane). He defeated Chaz Kennedy, Steve Johnson, Hector Arana Jr., and in the final #1 qualifier Chip Ellis red lit, giving Savoie his first U.S. Nats win after two RUs.
Joey Severance (near lane) stumbled during TAD qualifying, but come elims, he was on his game. He defeated Jared Dreher, Marty Thacker and Jeff Veale. In the final, Cameron Ferre blew the tires off, giving Severance his first Indy Wally.
Pro Mod featured the Big Go’s largest pro car count: 33 entrants battled for 16 available berths. Rick Snavely’s turbo Camaro (near lane) defeated Bill Glidden’s nitrous ’Stang in a nip ’n’ tuck battle, Steve Matusek fell next in another close encounter, he took out nitrous champ Ricky Smith next in yet another seesaw battle. In a repeat of his earlier races, Snavely trailed Mike Janis nearly half the race until his turbos kicked in, blasting by the supercharged opponent, for his first Wally.
Local Comp Elim hero Greg Kamplain (near lane) scored his second Indy win with the defeat of Craig Bourgeois.
TAFC champ Andy Bohl (near lane) scored his first U.S. Nats win by defeating Fred Tigges, Jay Payne, Tony Bogolo and Annie Whiteley in the finals.
Super Stock witnessed a David vs. Goliath final round confrontation. SS heavyweight Jimmy DeFrank with a trunk full of Wallys faced off against Jeff Roell (near lane) in his first ever final round appearance. Much to everyone’s surprise, Roell nailed the tree, snatching the Wally.
In the Stock Elim final, Tom Rambo was a bit tardy and Kyle Ratcliff (far lane) held to his number, taking his second national event win. We’re thinking this Indy win overshadows his first Wally.
The Traxxas T/F Nitro Shootout was won by Antron Brown (near lane) who defeated J. R. Todd, Richie Crampton and in the final, Doug Kalitta. FYI: “The Sarge” lost in the first round to Clay Millican. His Indy experience continued to suck on Monday as he once again lost in the first round.

 

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