LIVONIA, Mich. - Susan Roush-McClenaghan, the daughter of Jack Roush
and part of the ROUSH® Performance Drag Racing Team, has been oh-so
close to winning that first race several times; in just three years of
competitive drag racing she has been runner up on five different
occasions.
Now, moving over to the NMCA Drag Racing Series for an event to keep
her skills sharp, she was able to capture that first trophy on Sunday,
September 21 with a final round win over Jamie Rickman in the Open Comp
class. The event was part of the 7th Annual NMCA Muscle Car Nationals
held at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga.
“The final round was very tough because I had to face off against
Jamie who is one of the toughest guys in the NMCA series,” she said.
“But it wasn’t as spooky as my semi-final. I was in the right
lane and we followed the bracket cars but they only run to the 1/8-mile
marker and then back off. That really changed the characteristic of the
racetrack at the halfway mark and it got really slick. My car got a
little loose and all I remember was thinking ‘keep it straight. Keep
it straight.’ I decided to pick the left lane for the final because I
had run there in the other rounds and it seemed a little better suited
for my car. “
Although Roush-McCleneghan said it was very exciting to finally get
that first win, she was very quick to offer praise to those who have
helped her along the way.
“It was so cool to get the win, but I really couldn’t be here
without the help of so many people. I’ve been very fortunate to have
so many people willing to give a hand and share their experience. I
doubt that I would be as competitive as I have been in this short amount
of time without everyone’s help.”
Unfortunately, the other ROUSH Drag Racing Team members competing this
weekend didn’t share the same success. Dale McClenaghan lost a second
round match in the Open Comp class in his 1962 Ford Falcon, as did
teammate Donnie Bowles behind the wheel of a 2005 ROUSH Stage 3™
Mustang. In an unfortunate first round pairing, Bowles eliminated his
father Don Bowles from the competition.
The cars carry sponsorship from ROUSH Performance, Valvoline and Mickey
Thompson Tires. The next event on the NMRA schedule will take place
October 2-5 at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky which is
the season-finale for the series.
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