Sackman, Harris lead sportsman champions at the Big Go

Zach Sackman earned his third U.S. Nationals title while Brian Harris scored his first career national event victory to headline the sportsman winners at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.

BROWNSBURG, IN – Winning anywhere on the NHRA tour is special, but winning Indy is different.

The Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals brought the best sportsman racers in the country to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for six days of racing, where nine Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champions ultimately added their names to the prestigious list of U.S. Nationals winners.

For some, the Big Go delivered another milestone in an already successful career. For others, it provided the stage for a first career national event victory.

Zach Sackman and Brian Harris headlined the sportsman winners at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, each delivering when it mattered most on drag racing’s biggest stage.

Sackman earned his third U.S. Nationals title in Right Trailers Top Dragster, defeating Thomas Bayer in the final round. In Super Comp, Harris broke through for his first career NHRA national event victory in his first final-round appearance, and in his hometown at that.

Joining them in the winner’s circle was Don Thomas (Comp), Pete D’Agnolo (SS), Hunter Pierdolla (STK), Rob Kropfeld (SG), and Brandon Baxter (TS).

Read the race recap below to learn more about the winners!

Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals

Competition Eliminator

Don Thomas won his 3rd NHRA National event Wally after defeating Jeff Taylor in the final round. Taylor had problems at the hit and came to a stop, giving Thomas the easy ride to the winner’s circle. He was .105 on the tree and ran a 6.950 at 163 mph on his 7.36 index.

Doug Engels was the semi-finalist.

Super Stock

Pete D’Agnolo defeated Michael Reynolds in the final round to pick up his seventh NHRA National event Wally. Reynolds turned it -.007 up front to hand the win over to D’Agnolo, who was .041 and ran a 9.603 at 122 mph on his 9.59 dial-in.

Semi-finalists were Brian Martel and Hayden Trumble.

Stock Eliminator

Hunter Pierdolla took home his first NHRA National event Wally after defeating Ray Thurston in the final round. Pierdolla had the starting line advantage, .009 to .030, and turned it into a win-light running a 10.259 at 122 mph on his 10.30 dial-in.

Brad Plourd and Brina Splingaire were the semi-finalists.

Super Comp

Brian Harris picked up his first NHRA National event Wally after defeating Kevin Thorp in the final round. Just a coin flip apart on the tree, .014 to .016, Harris ran an 8.906 at 169 mph on the 8.90 index to head to the winner’s circle. Thorp broke out by .017 thou.

Colby Fuller and Nick Smith were the semi-finalists.

Super Gas

Rob Kropfeld visited the winners circle after defeating Jordan Pratt in the final round, picking up his fourth NHRA National event Wally! Pratt had the starting line advantage, .007 to .046, but Kropfeld broke out by less to grab the trophy. He went a 9.865 at 167 mph on the 9.90 index, while Pratt went .003 quicker.

Nathan Vrooman and Charlie Stewart were the semi-finalists.

Top Dragster

Zach Sackman defeated Thomas Bayer in the final round to take home his fourth NHRA National event Wally, his third at the U.S. Nationals. Sackman was .013 total to lock out Bayer, who was .034 at the hit. Sackman was .003 and ran a 6.200 at 224 mph.

Prescott Dean and Al Peavler were the semi-finalists.

Top Sportsman

Brandon Baxter defeated Doug Gbur in the final round to take home his first NHRA National event Wally. Gbur had engine troubles and had to pull over, giving the easy win to Baxter. He was .025 on the tree and coasted to a 6.698 at 179 mph.

Bryan Richardson and David Scutt were the semi-finalists.

An avid racer herself, Megan Strassweg, 28, sees her two worlds collide with DragChamp – journalism and drag racing. Megan resides in Evansville, IN, and she pilots a 2015 American Dragster in the NHRA North Central Division 3 Super Comp series, along with some local bracket racing on the side. Her passion for racing began early, having grown up at the racetrack, and she remains committed to the sport.

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com