The 16 winners of the two most recent JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals events held earlier this year in Belle Rose, La., and Fontana, Calif.,
are halfway home in their quest to capture the coveted JEGS Crown
trophy. The eight winners of the JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals at No
Problem Raceway Park and the eight champions who were crowned at the
JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana,
Calif., will now have an opportunity to capture one of the most unique
trophies in Motorsports when the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals takes
place at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 25-27.
 
The JEGS Crown is beautifully handcrafted trophy that was designed and
created by Dan Dreisbach, of Naked Sculpture (www.naked-sculpture.com).
The only way to earn the JEGS Crown is to win the same category at two
of the three JEGS Mail Order-backed SPORTSnationals events in the same
calendar year. The only driver to earn the elusive award is Mike
Ashley, who won back-to-back Pro Mod titles in 2005, the year the JEGS
Crown was created. The three JEGS SPORTSnationals races are designed as
a showcase for competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Longtime JEGS associate Keith Burton has been named Grand Marshal/Honorary Starter for the upcoming JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals at National Trail Raceway.

NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car ace Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., notched
another win this weekend at the Carolinas NHRA Nationals at zMax
Dragway in Concord, N.C.  Manzo was among the six sportsman category
racers to make it to the winner’s circle. He was joined by Top Alcohol
Dragster racer Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., who scored the 20th NHRA
national event win of his career.

Manzo knocked off former Jr. Drag Racing League competitor Mick Snyder,
Demotte, Ind., to earn his 85th national event win.  Manzo ran 5.541
seconds at 261.22 mph which was enough to cover Snyder’s 5.597-second,
255.29 mph effort.  Manzo has won seven national events this year as
well as five divisional races.

A
quick look at the IHRA record book will give you a clue as to why
racers and fans alike flock to Maryland International Raceway for the
annual President’s Cup Nationals. The combination of near sea-level
air, cool September temperatures and an outstanding racing surface just
about guarantee record-setting runs all weekend long.

Throw in three incredibly tight point races, a five-figure shootout and
the final chance for sportsman competitors to qualify for the new
Tournament of Champions and you have an event that could top the charts
as the Nitro Jam event of the year September 25-27 in Budds Creek, Md.

“All the ingredients are in place for a remarkable weekend of racing
and entertainment,” said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “This is the
final chance for all of our drivers to position themselves for a run at
the championship and you can be certain that it is going to be a
do-or-die affair.”

The IHRA announced the signing of Palm Beach International Raceway to its family of tracks on Monday.

The state-of-the-art, all-concrete drag strip located in West Palm
Beach, Fla. is the second major track signing in the past month after
Virginia Motorsports Park rejoined the International Hot Rod
Association two weeks ago.

Boasting one of the most beautiful backdrops and facilities in all of
racing, Palm Beach International Raceway will waste little time jumping
into the national event rotation as the facility will host the 2010
Nitro Jam season opener January 29-31.

“We are very excited to have IHRA on board. With our new track and the
quality of the people on both sides we are going to put on some great
events,” said Ron Dixon, President and COO of Palm Beach International
Raceway. “Mutually it is going to be beneficial for everyone involved.
We look forward to showcasing what we have to the world.”

Race fans now have the opportunity to reserve seats for 2010 events at zMAX Dragway.
The Bellagio of drag strips is offering both a season ticket plan and a
NHRA Combo package to fans who don't want to miss a second of fire-breathing, record-setting action at the world's only four-lane, all-concrete quarter-mile dragway.
   
The Season Ticket Plan includes passes to the following 2010 events at
zMAX Dragway, including both NHRA weekends, NMRA/NMCA Nationals, Super
Chevy Show and Goodguys Southeastern Nationals. The total retail price
for these events purchased separately would be $295, but fans can save
27 percent by purchasing a season ticket package with an interest-free
payment program and payments as low as $21.80 per month.

It is safe to say that 2009 has been a banner year for Pro Modified legend Ed Hoover and the Paul Trussell Motorsports team.

With four final rounds, two victories and an incredible 17-6 win-loss
record, you would think Hoover would be thrilled with the season he has
had so far.

But that just isn’t the case.

Despite a career year and numbers any driver would be thrilled to have,
the only number that stands out in Hoover’s mind this season is the
number two – as in second in the IHRA Pro Modified points chase.

Corpus Christi, Texas based C&J Energy Services is putting Bob
Vandergriff Jr. back in the driver’s seat of his Top Fuel Dragster for
the upcoming
NHRA Falls Nationals at Texas Motorplex.  Vandergriff, who raced at the
Southern Nationals in Atlanta earlier this season, spent his summer
being a team owner and letting Hot Rod Fuller handle the driving
duties.  C&J Energy Services works within the oil and gas industry
in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, and is expanding its operations to
Marshall, Texas not too far from the famed Texas Motorplex.  This race
provides a prime opportunity for C& J to entertain its key
customers in a high speed environment.

Vandergriff’s only driving appearance this year was a notable #6
qualifying effort, and quarter-final finish during the sixth race of
the NHRA season in Atlanta.  “When Hot Rod started driving for us
earlier this year I bought him his own car.   My dragster has been
untouched since we ran well at the Atlanta race, and our crew has been
working with some new technology, so we expect a great outing for the
employees and customers from C&J Energy Services” Vandergriff
said.  “The folks from C& J have been great to work with, and their
business is pretty amazing in the oil and gas industry.”

You would expect race car drivers to collect wins, but helmets?

Tony Schumacher is a helmet collector and so, it appears, is another
Tony. Tony Stewart. When Stewart visited the Army drag racing team at
the recent US Nationals, it wasn't just a quick in and out deal to fill
a sponsor obligation. Stewart came to learn, enjoy and to collect
another helmet.

As a fellow collector, Schumacher doesn't just give away helmets. He
trades for them. So it was, when Stewart departed Indy with the helmet
Schumacher wore while winning his record tieing 8th Top Fuel US
Nationals, Schumacher found himself in possession of the helmet Stewart
wore when he clinched his spot in NASCAR's Chase for the Championship.

Two years ago, Hector Arana was just another struggling Pro Stock Motorcycle rider working to find his first win.

This week, Arana is on a streak, capturing his second win in as many
races and the fifth of his career during the NHRA Carolinas Nationals. 

“I would like to make three in a row, now,” said Arana. “I want to stay
focused so that I can have a chance at the championship.”

Arana started the season first in the point standings, with a win in
the Gatornationals at Gainesville in March. Since then, Arana has now
clocked four wins, including the US Nationals and this week's NHRA
Carolinas Nationals.