BROWNSBURG, Ind. (August 27, 2018) — The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is a special race for a number of reasons. It is the oldest, most prestigious and richest NHRA national event on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Two-time and reigning Funny Car champion Robert Hight has always loved racing in Indy but for the three-time U.S. Nationals winner this year might mean a little more.
“We’ve won Indy before, three times, but it’s been a while since the last one in 2013, so I think we’re due,” said Hight during the teams pre-race test session last week. “It’s pretty exciting this time of year when you have your act together and you’re making good runs. You know from here forward it really means something as you go into the biggest race of the year, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. We have some momentum from Brainerd with the No. 1 qualifier and being quickest three of the four qualifying sessions. We want to come out of Indy with a win as we go into the Countdown. This Indy race is very, very crucial and it looks like we’re peaking at the right time.”
Hight and his Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro have two wins this season in five final round appearances. His most recent win at Sonoma Raceway moved him into almost a tie with Ron Capps for the No. 2 point position heading into the Countdown. With one race left in the regular season and 30 points per round, Hight could easily move around Capps. If he was able to pull off this feat he would enter the play-offs just 30 points out of first place behind teammate and points leader Courtney Force once the Mello Yello points are reset for the championship run.
The 10,000 horsepower Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro Hight has been campaigning all season has recently become one of the most feared Funny Cars on tour. In Brainerd, Hight raced to the No. 1 qualifier position, his second of the season, and also picked up more than a handful of qualifying bonus points. This season Hight has been at the top of bonus point earners during qualifying and has converted those points into confidence for his team.
“(Crew chief) Jimmy Prock, he tries to get every ounce of ET he can get every time we go up there,” said Hight. “When you’re on your game like he is right now, it’s awesome and gives the whole team a lot of confidence. We tested a couple days and we were second quickest with our 3.89, just behind Courtney, which is how we’re hoping we go into the Countdown, one and two in the points. That would be pretty stout.”
Throughout his driving career Hight has had success at the U.S. Nationals that very few Funny Car competitors can claim. His first four races at the U.S. Nationals resulted in four final rounds with his first win coming in 2006. It was quickly followed by another title in 2008 and his third title was claimed in 2013. In 2015, he lost a close race to Jack Beckman and the former trap shooter has a bulls-eye on win No. 4 in 2018.
“This race feels special the minute you walk through the gates,” summarized Hight. “You see iconic drivers like Garlits and Prudhomme just walking through the staging lanes or pits. There are so many fans and the race is on FOX so you know millions of people will be watching on TV. Every driver dreams of winning Indy and winning a Mello Yello championship. I have been fortunate enough to do both those things multiple times. You can never get enough winning at Indy and our goal this weekend will be to qualify quick and get that fourth Indy Wally.”
Qualifying at the 64th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals will take place over three days beginning with one session on Friday at 8 p.m. and continue with two sessions Saturday at 2 and 5 p.m. and Sunday at 12:45 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations are slated for Monday at 11 a.m. FOX Sports 2 (FS2) will air Saturday Nitro Live at 4:30 p.m. ET and FS1 will host live coverage Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. Catch all of Monday’s eliminations action on FS1 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET and FOX Broadcasting Network from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. ET.