Reichert scores second win in three starts in Indy

Former five-time NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion Bill Reichert took another step to regaining his crown with a win during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series North Central Region opener at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind. The win was his second in three starts in his Rislone Engine Treatment backed injected-nitro dragster.

Reichert, from Owosso, Mich., qualified No. 1 with a 5.301 second elapsed time at 264.65 mph that would stand as low e.t. of the event. After qualifying was complete, rains moved into the Indianapolis area and forced the event to be pushed back a week. More rain was in store as the racers returned, leading to eliminations on Monday.

In round one, Reichert took out the nitro burner of Dave Hirata with a 5.417 at 261.78 mph, and then defeated Jared Dreher with a 5.431 at 258.62 mph in the semifinals. The final would be a battle of former US Nationals winners as Reichert squared off with Marty Thacker's blown alcohol entry. Thacker, known for his quick reaction times got a small starting line advantage, but that was quickly negated as Reichert stayed consistent with a 5.426 at 252.90 to Thacker's 5.469 at 260.61.

"After all these years, I've figured out how to let my experience work for me instead of against me on the tree," said Reichert. "All you have to do is hit the gas when the yellow light comes on, right? Why does that have to be so difficult? Trying to force yourself to have a good reaction time just doesn't work. You have to trust yourself and let it happen."

The Rislone team will head back to North Central Region action for the Mickey Mart Rewards Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, May 17 to 19.