Champion drag racer Jay Payne returns to the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil intent on defending the Top Alcohol Funny Car title he earned one year ago in his FireIce Ford Mustang. And while he's in town, the 40-year, straight-line veteran wouldn't mind doubling-up with a second win in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, which runs concurrently with the U.S. Nationals.
"Winning this race a year ago was a big highlight of the season, and of my career, quite frankly," Payne said. "I mean, it's Indy. It's the biggest and baddest race of the year. All the hitters come to this race and when you win it you know you've accomplished something special.
"It would be a real thrill to double up. I actually won the Pro Mod class here in 2005 so we know the route to the Winner's Circle. Pro Mod's only gotten tougher since then but the harder it is the more satisfying it is to win."
Payne has had a relatively light summertime schedule but when he has run his Top Alcohol Funny Car it's been a contender.
"We'll stay aggressive with it," Payne said. "You have to be, especially at Indy. It wouldn't hurt to get a little luck here or there either. Sometimes you need that one lucky break to punch it through."
Pro Mod hasn't run since late June, which actually worked out well for Payne as it allowed co-team owner and engine builder Brad Anderson some extra time to fine tune their engines.
"We felt a little behind the turbo cars earlier this year but the extra time we've had this summer has allowed us to make a lot of pulls on the dyno and the guys feel like they've found some horsepower with this blown car," Payne said. "Actually, it's a pretty good amount of horsepower.
"That's very encouraging but I'm old school, I know you don't win races on the dyno. I like to see an E.T. slip and the first one we're gonna see is Friday afternoon in Indy. I'll save my excitement for then."
Although his main focus will be on racing, Payne also will be thinking of the first responders helping out the millions of citizens on the east coast that were affected by Hurricane Irene . FireIce, the title sponsor of Payne's racing operation, routinely salutes the courage and dedication of the nations 1.1 million firefighters.
To remind fans of the sacrifice firefighters make every day, Payne also will banner the Leary Firefighters Foundation (www.learyfirefighters.org), Angel Faces (www.angelfacesretreat.org) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (www.firehero.org) logos on his supercharged FireIce Mustang and FireIce Camaro.
