TAN U.S. Nationals Review

The most winning Top Alcohol drivers at Indy reigned supreme once again this year, with Bill Reichert and Frank Manzo earning their third and tenth titles, respectively. Both drivers made history with their wins. Reichert is the only TAD driver to win Indy three times. Manzo became the winningest driver of any class at the U.S. Nationals, a feat that was truly under-appreciated by the announcers and the media.

5-time national champion Bill Reichert started off Top Alcohol Dragster eliminations in the #2 qualifying spot, stopping 2011 IHRA Pro Fuel champion Mike Manners, Brazilian Sidnei Frigo, and Chris Demke on his way to the finals. There, he would face Duane Shields, his opponent in the 2008 final round as well. Shields defeated Columbus divisional winner Brian Mans, Richard Bourke, and narrowly beat Brandon Booher before facing Reichert in the finals. Bill Reichert denied Shields his first Indy win, leaving the starting line first and never looking back, 5.32 to Duane's losing 5.36.

It was a real David vs. Goliath match-up in the Top Alcohol Funny Car final round, pairing Division 1 racers Fred Tigges and Frank Manzo. Manzo met up with Brent Henry, Cassie Simonton, and John Lombardo Jr. before running Fred in the final round. Underdog Tigges reached the finals after taking down Steve Gasparrelli, Fred Hagen, and Brainerd winner Kris Hool in earlier eliminations. In the end, Frank Manzo got his 10th U.S. Nationals title, 5.49 to Tigges' 5.59.

Manzo also claimed the #1 qualifying spot (5.55), the top speed of the event (265.22) and the low E.T. of the event (5.46) in TAFC. In TAD, Chase Copeland earned the #1 spot (5.28) and top speed (279.90), while Bill Reichert ran the low E.T. of the race (5.27).

First-time Indy qualifier Brandon Booher also made history during the NHRA's most prestigious race. Booher is one of a few alcohol dragsters that utilizes a convertor instead of a clutch to put the 3,000 horsepower to the wheels. When he defeated defending event champion Marty Thacker in the finals, he became the first convertor-equipped TAD to win a round at the U.S. Nationals. His 5.42 pass in the semi-finals was also the quickest pass by a convertor car in history. According to Brandon, the car would've ran 5.37 had it made a full, clean run. A very impressive accomplishment for the driver who is in only his second full year in the Top Alcohol Dragster class.