KENT, Wash. – In the process of trying to grab his first career NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series victory, Scott Palmer is learning what it takes to put together a win.
That means an aggressive mindset, consistency in a multitude of conditions and combining it all when it counts. Thanks to a recent surge and shift in approach, the Top Fuel veteran may be closer than ever.
He advanced to his second career final round earlier this month, has moved back into the top 10 in a loaded class and appears to be making considerable strides at the right time.
Heading into his sponsor’s race, the 32nd annual Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Northwest Nationals, Aug. 2-4 at Pacific Raceways, Palmer is eager to grab a victory, and having it come to close out the famed NHRA Western Swing would qualify as perfect timing.
“We’ve been working towards running harder on race day and our whole mindset is we’re trying to win a race,” Palmer said. “To win a race, you have to win some rounds, so that thinking is only going to help you. Our goals are different this year and we’re trying to get more aggressive in the summertime conditions. We plan on taking that shot to win. It’s trying to be more aggressive in the heat. It took a while, but we had to stick with it.
“We want to win a race, not be conservative.”
Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Tanner Gray (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the Seattle event, which marks the 16th of 24 races on the NHRA slate.
Palmer can sense the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship around the corner, but his chief concern is a victory, not the points standings. If his team puts together a run like they did in Epping, where he only lost to the red-hot points leader Steve Torrence in the final round, the points will take care of themselves.
A third straight playoff appearance is up for grabs, but Palmer, who has gone from 12th to ninth in the past two races, believes his team is plenty capable of winning a race.
“We’re going to this race with that same mentality, and that’s to try to win the race,” Palmer said. “We’re ready to go. Everything in our trailer has been checked and all you can ask for is an opportunity to win a race. I feel like we have a car that can do that, and that’s pretty impressive.
“Even if you come close, you’re going to win rounds and that’s going to put you in the Countdown.”
A victory in Seattle would be meaningful for Palmer, who campaigns the 11,000-horsepower Magic Dry Organic Absorbent dragster. Palmer continues to be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to race full-time with Tommy Thompson, and it is races like the one in Seattle that bring it to light even more.
He’ll compete against the likes of Brown, who has three straight wins at the facility; Brittany Force, Doug Kalitta and Clay Millican at Pacific Raceways, but Palmer treasures these moments.
“It’s still cool every time we go to a race like this,” Palmer said. “Tommy and myself are friends, and it’s only been three years since he started helping us. You go back four years ago and there was not even a slim chance we were going to win many rounds, let alone a race. Now we’re representing a title sponsor at a race.
“I never in my life thought this would happen and I want to make the best of it. It’s been a perfect fit and I want to be in that final in Seattle.”