Hand Joins Five Second Club, Advances to Final with McBride

At the Man Cup/NHDRO Pingel Thunder Nationals from Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 16-18, Top Fuel veteran Chris Hand realized a life-long dream by becoming the eighth member of the exclusive MTC Five Second Club.

In final qualifying, Hand recorded a 5.89 at 230 mph to take the No. 1 qualifying position, ahead of his rival Larry “Spiderman” McBride’s 5.97 at 221 mph. The run makes Hand the fifth quickest dragbike racer in the world.

“I’m really happy for Chris,” McBride said.  “It’s great for him and it’s great for our sport.”

In opening eliminations, with challenging atmospheric conditions and a 113-degree track temperature, Hand defeated No. 4 qualifier Sam Wills with a 6.17 to Wills’ 6.92.

McBride secured an opening-round victory, and lane choice in the final, with a 6.12 to No. 3 qualifier Dave Vantine’s 6.20.

“It was a close one,” McBride said.  “Dave has come a long way in a short period of time.  I’m proud of him.”

McBride isn’t taking Hand lightly in the final.

“It could take a low-5.80 to win this race, maybe even a 5.70,” McBride said. “We are going to tune her up and throw everything we got at it.”

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McBride thanked his primary sponsors;  Pingel Enterprise, Trim-Tex Drywall Products, Drag Specialties-Parts Unlimited, Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation and Final Swipe Merchant Services.  

McBride thanked associate sponsors; K&N Air Filters, Web-Cam, Vance & Hines Motorsports, PR Factory Store, Ferrea Valves, Kibblewhite, Precision Machine, World Wide Bearings, Vanson Leathers, Belt Drives Ltd, Simpson Race Products, Nitrous Express, APE, EK Chain, Arias Pistons, MSD, Protect ALL,  Cometic Gaskets, B&J Transmission, Carolina Cycle, L.A. Sleeve, PJ1, Mickey Thompson Tires, Valco, Goodridge, Carlisle Belts and Gates Belts.