NHRA drivers prepare for U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis

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National Hot Rod Assn. top fuel driver Larry Dixon has two straight finals appearances and won the Maple Grove Raceway event two weeks ago. The Van Nuys High graduate has five wins and is second in the top fuel standings as the NHRA heads to the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis this weekend.

Ashley Force Hood said the NHRA funny car championship is up for grabs. She is third in the funny car standings and one of three drivers to lead the funny car standings at least once this season.

Jack Beckmnan, an NHRA funny car driver from North Hills, was the runner-up at the U.S. Nationals last year. He lost in the finals to Robert Hight, one of Force Hood’s teammates at John Force Racing. Beckman is in fifth place in the funny car standings and has won twice this year.

Karen Stoffer is clinging to the last Countdown to One playoff spot in the NHRA pro stock motorcycle division. She has a two-point lead over Steve Johnson, the 11th-place driver in the standings. The top 10 drivers and riders will qualify for the Countdown to One playoffs, which begin on Sept. 17 in North Carolina.

Go to Haddock in the Paddock for comments from the drivers and previews of the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.