Drivers
- Series: Top Fuel
- Car: Miller Lite/Chevrolet Top Fuel Dragster
- Crew Chief: Don Bender
- Birth Date: October 23, 1966
- Home Town: Indianapolis, Indiana
Fast Facts:
- Career Wins: 38
- Career Final Rounds: 70
- Career-Best Elapsed Time: 4.481 seconds
- Career-Best Speed: 332.75 mph
The two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion (2002-03) returned to the top-five of the points standings in 2005 with his second career second-place finish (in addition to 2001) after ending the 2004 season in sixth place. Since winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1995, the 39-year-old Indianapolis resident has earned seven top-five finishes and has placed in the top 10 of the points standings for 11 straight years.
CAREER
- Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion (2002-03)
- Finished in the top-five of the NHRA Top Fuel standings seven times (1995-96, 2000-03, 2005) and in the top 10 of the points standings 11 times.
- Has finished in second place in the point standings three times (1999-2000, 2004).
- First job in drag racing was working on a Top Fuel team owned by Larry Minor with Gary Beck as driver. Began working for current team owner Don Prudhomme in 1988 as a crew member. Selected to drive the Snake's Top Fuel dragster upon the retirement of Don Prudhomme in 1994.
- Named 1995 NHRA Rookie of the Year and captured first professional win at only his second race (Phoenix). Won four events and finished third in the points standings.
- Qualified for all 19 events in 1996.
- Became first driver to run quicker than 4.5 seconds at Houston 1 (4.486 seconds).
- Won six races in nine final-round appearances in 2001; Won the U.S. nationals for the second time, won the $100,000 Budweiser Shootout and finished second in the points standings.
TRACK STATS
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2005 Season
- Captured three victories and advanced to seven final rounds en route to a second-place finish in the points standings.
- Earned No. 1 qualifying honors at three events (Columbus, Englishtown, Seattle)
- Won at Englishtown, on Father's Day for the fifth consecutive year (Englishtown in 2004 and Columbus 2001-2003)
- Posted 11th consecutive POWERade top-10 points finish.
