Doug Foley Ready to Chase Round Wins at Prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals
As a lifelong drag racer, Doug Foley understands the prestige and legacy of the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Celebrating its 70th running this weekend, the U.S. Nationals is the race that tops many racers’ must-win list. Foley is most assuredly one of those drivers chasing a career-defining win at Indy, but he realizes a strong qualifying effort and the ability to string together round wins on race day must come first.
“The U.S. Nationals has so much history that it’s sometimes just overwhelming,” said Foley, who first raced at Indy in Super Comp at the 40th annual U.S. Nationals in 1994, making it down to eight cars on Monday. “It’s the most prestigious race. I think it’s a little more difficult on some of the teams that don’t get as many runs because you’ve really gotta bring your A-game. It’s nothing but the best. The top cars are going to be there competing at their best. You really have to have your stuff together to put four in a row together on Monday.”
Foley hasn’t been on track since the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, in late June. The Foley Lewis Racing team worked over the summer months to replenish parts and equipment while also reviewing data and considering tune-up changes. Mid-pack qualifying efforts and quick passes on race day at the Bristol and Norwalk races have Foley confident in his Alloy Employer Services team’s chances at the biggest race of the year.
“I think we’re getting to a point where a lot of people are starting to realize that even though we don’t run all the time, we are a capable car and that they can’t necessarily take us lightly,” said Foley, who first entered Top Fuel at Indy in 2006. “After first round, when the weather starts to normalize and the track heats up, I do believe almost any team out there has a shot at winning it. It’s just a matter of going back-to-back. I don’t see any flaws with my team or our preparations that would make me feel like we could not go out there and win four in a row on race day. It’s nothing more than an opportunity on Monday morning. You’re one of 16 cars and you hope to be the last one standing.”
Foley’s primary sponsors at the U.S. Nationals will be Alloy Employer Services and United Garage Door Company. The two Ohio-based companies will be joined by partners like Authority Garage Supply Inc., CHI Overhead Doors, Liftmaster, DDP Roofing, Red Line Oil, MR Drywall Service LLC, PROTECS, The BAMR Company, and Sander Engineering.
“This race marks one year with Alloy Employer Services,” Foley said. “JR Pine and the Alloy group made the jump into NHRA Top Fuel racing with us at Indy last year, and the partnership has continued to grow since then. We’ve also welcomed new partners like Joe Clark and his team at United Garage Door Company. We’re always working hard during the week to help our partners connect with new customers, then we have a lot of fun together when they come out to the races to entertain customers and cheer on the team.”
Top Fuel qualifying sessions at the 70th NHRA U.S. Nationals are set for 8 p.m. on Friday, 1 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 1:45 and 4:35 p.m. on Sunday. Eliminations will kick off Monday at 10 a.m.
This story was originally published on August 30, 2024.
The post Doug Foley Ready to Chase Round Wins at Prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
