From what we hear from reliable sources, the NHRA's schedule will take on a new look in 2023, at least from the start. We are told NHRA will begin the season at Gainesville in March before heading to the west coast for Phoenix, Pomona, and Vegas. With rising fuel costs, the game plan allows the teams to test on the east coast before the season-opener and then head west. 

The absence of Route 66 Raceway from the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series creates a big void in the Chicago market. We are told the NHRA's Div. 3 sportsman event scheduled on the weekend of August 5 - 7, 2022, is a test run for possibly returning the stadium-style facility to the big show. Unfortunately, this return is not likely to happen before 2024, but things can change quickly. 

Word has it that Funny Car racer Paul Lee will return to competition this weekend at the NHRA Springnationals in Houston with not only newly appointed crew chief Dustin Heim, but now will be assisted by up-and-coming nitro tuner Jason Bunker, most recently with Tony Jurado and Justin Ashley Racing. The team will also be racing at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, NC.

From what we hear, one of the top ten Top Fuel teams will be in Vegas with a new crew chief who recently parted ways with a Funny Car team. Still a lot of moving pieces in this one, which is why we are not naming names with this posting. 

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Either Hell has frozen over, or popular Mountain Motor Pro Stock driver John Montecalvo has hit his head. The rumblings floating around suggest the drag racer from Center Moriches, NY., who was to our knowledge the only large displacement Pro Stock driver getting factory support from GM while racing IHRA in the early 2000s, is going to be in a Ford Mustang this season. As if that might not be enough, what if he ends up in a 500-inch car as well? 

They are not speaking about it publicly and that's fine, we will do it for them. As for the NHRA Winternationals, we are told the mandates including limited attendance per government agencies has been lifted for the Fairplex. 

If it looks like the professional racers have a bit of pep in their step during this weekend's season-opener, apparently the points fund has gotten a 15% raise. In addition, the race purses have reportedly gotten a bump too.

There's a good rumor floating around which suggests a former NHRA award-winning driver and championship-winning crew chief could be headed back to the show for 2022. It's all a big rumor now but we have our fingers crossed. 

The rumor mill has been churning and we hope it spits out a couple of facts in the end. CompetitionPlus.com has learned two drivers, who were out of the game in 2021, one a Top Fuel driver and the other a former Pro Stock series champion are leaning heavily towards returning to the tour in 2022 - at least on a part-time basis. 

From what we hear, the news on at least one should hit the market in the next month or so.