VIRGINIA, Minn. (AP) — Nearly 13 months ago, Virginia's Gus Phillipich underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery in a nine-hour procedure.

His health was, of course, the main concern, but longtime drag racer Phillipich's thoughts quickly turned to returning to the race track.

He was released from the hospital five days later and his doctor said he could go to the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway a few days later and "spectate."

Phillipich was definitely thinking about it because he didn't want to miss the event for the first time in 37 years.

"It's hard enough to get out of...