09/07/2026
Bartone Bros. Racing Wins The Big Go at Indy
Seventh Win of 2026
CLERMONT, Ind. (Sept. 7, 2026) – Bartone Bros. Racing won the Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) class at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on today.
Tony Bartone's team captured victory at drag racing's most prestigious event, The Big Go at Indy. Driver Sean Bellemeur was on his game all weekend, piloting the "Pirate Ship" to the team's seventh win of the 2026 season.
The Indy victory adds to Diamond Wallys earned earlier this year at the Gatornationals, Baby Gators (regional), zMAX Dragway 4-Wide, Route 66, Maryland International Raceway, and Summit Motorsports Park (regional).
In the TAFC final, Bellemeur faced fellow Californian Shane Westerfield. Bellemeur had a .041 reaction time to Westerfield's .021, but the Steve Boggs-tuned machine made up the difference on the big end with a 5.48-second pass at 266 mph to secure the team's seventh victory of the season. For Bellemeur, it marked his fifth NHRA U.S. Nationals win as a driver and his 53rd national event trophy overall.
"It's Indy, baby," Bellemeur said. "That is the whole thing about the U.S. Nationals and The Big Go. It brings the best out of everyone. This is as much of a team win as I have been involved in. Dealing with the weather and the elements—Friday's heat about made everyone angry. We work together and play together; we even went swimming together. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team."
Bellemeur acknowledged the pressure of the final round.
"I was afraid I was going to let them down in the final," he said. "Shane left on me. That Steve Boggs horsepower made up the difference. When I am down, they pick me up, and the other way around. I won the semifinal on a holeshot. We got the points, and now it is time to wrap up this championship."
Bellemeur credited the team's sponsors for their support.
"A perfect team victory for our sponsors Red Line Synthetic Oil, Roger Dean Chevrolet, Talon Air, LLC, NGK Spark Plugs, McLeod Racing and Taylor Motorsports Products."
Reflecting on his fifth Big Go victory, Bellemeur expressed gratitude for the journey.
"I never thought I would step foot on this property," he continued. "I remember as a kid watching it on TV. To look down this racetrack and compete—that is a dream come true. These milestones that we achieved as a team still amaze me. It does not surprise me with the team that Tony Bartone has put together. Steve Boggs, all of the guys and girls really make this thing go. The weak link is probably me; I try to deliver every time out. Shoutout to the crew—Steve Boggs, Nick Stoms, Justin Taylor, Garrett Bateman, Brian Gawlik, Lauren McMaster and Matt Krebs. They put in the work that gets Tony Bartone's hot rod win lights."
The team's next outing is scheduled for the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR at US 131 Motorsports Park, Sept. 18-20.
