When you enter final eliminations as the No. 15 qualifier, your chances of ending up in the winner's circle are slim at best. Those who know Lyle Barnett understand he's always been a master of winning against slim chances. 

It was seven years ago that the popular Pro Modified racer was severely burned during a qualifying run behind the wheel of a Radial vs. The World car at the Duck X Productions No Mercy event in Valdosta, Ga. The odds were against him, and he persevered in a painful show of determination. 

Monday, with many predicting a runner-up, the positive-minded Barnett scored the improbable victory over point-leader Kris Thorne, who red-lighted. 

Doug Engels always knew how prestigious and lucrative the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals could be. Monday afternoon, as he beat Frankie Aragona Jr. in the final round of Competition Eliminator, he learned another valuable lesson.

Engels, who lives in Watertown, South Dakota, and races NHRA's Division 5, learned how much NHRA D4 racer Rodger Brogdon loves Competition Eliminator. Instead of pocketing just $5000 and contingencies for the monumental win, thanks to Rodger Brogdon and the Rooftec Comp Eliminator Bonus Fund, he can write $15,000 in the ledger. 

Sports figures often exclaim after a significant victory that they’re going to celebrate by going to Disneyland. Antron Brown is heading in the opposite direction after claiming his fourth Indianapolis victory Mondayu at the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals.

Brown will be heading to the nation’s capital to represent SEMA and PRI in testifying before a U.S. Senate committee Sept. 7 in support of the so-called RPM Act, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act.

The bill is intended to pre-empt an Environmental Protection Agency draft ruling from 2015 that would make converting production vehicles into dedicated race cars. The EPA’s contention is that modifying street cars into race cars would make them non-compliant with federal emission standards.

 
Bill Mullins mixed it up on the dragstrip in the NHRA’s glorious 1980s with such Top Fuel legends as Joe Amato, Gary Beck, Don Garlits, Darrell Gwynn, Connie Kalitta, Dick La Haie, and Gary Ormsby.

And his exploits aren’t forgotten. Top Fuel newcomer Will Smith, who debuted in the class this past weekend at the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, has made sure of that.

“Bill Mullins was a great friend of mine, was someone I always [regarded] a hero. I was very fortunate to meet him and become best of friends with him. He's helped me in a lot of ways. This weekend, I actually debuted with the number 200 on my car, and I chose that number in honor of Bill Mullins. So trying to keep that in the state of Alabama,” Smith, a University of Alabama graduate and resident of Northport, near Tuscaloosa, said. “We have a great friendship, and it's quite the honor to have that 200 on the side of the car, because that was a great guy that represented Alabama very well.”

On Sept. 5, the National Hot Rod Association – as part of its announcement of its 2023 Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule – said that Virginia Motorsports Park would not be hosting a national event next season.

VMP had the following to say in response to its omission on the schedule:

“Virginia Motorsports Park wants to say Thank You to the racers and teams who attended our three national events since 2018 and showcased their numerous talents to the amazing fans who were in attendance or watched from around the world,” Virginia Motorsports Park said in a press release on Sept. 6. “To the fans, we welcome you to any and all of our other events on the calendar this season as we build our exciting and fun 2023 schedule.”

The opening round of the 2022-23 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel championship at Alice Springs Inland Raceway was canceled after two rounds of racing on safety grounds by race officials, who deemed the track too cold for racing.

According to officials, Top Fuel is not able to race when the track temperature dips below 60 F. When the meeting was canceled, the temperature was 62F and dropping.

Antron Brown, though fresh from his drought-ending Top Fuel victory at Topeka, said as the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals approached, said, “We have some things to show and prove.” 

He showed Monday that he and his Matco Tools / Toyota Dragster team are peaking at prime time after he has “put all the pieces in place.” And he proved that he can outmuscle Top Fuel’s “best at their best.”   

Relief. Joy. Satisfaction. Fulfillment. Success.

It is hard to pick just one word to describe the overwhelming flood of emotions that washed over 28-year veteran racer Ron Capps on Monday after a near-perfect performance at the 2022 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Reigning NHRA world champion Pro Stock Motorcycle pilot Matt Smith made the bold decision to switch from his Buell to a Suzuki in the offseason.

However, when his Suzuki wasn’t running like Smith would like he has not been afraid to switch back to his trusty Buell.