In addition to the prize money for winning the first Pro Mod exhibition event during 1989 in Atco, NJ, Bill Kuhlmann was rewarded the No. 1 designation for 1990. He later had to change the number to 1000 after the sanctioning body folded under pressure from critics protesting the decision.

There isn’t a mention in the IHRA’s media guide. And in the leading drag racing publications, there were only small blurbs in the news sections.

However, to the most diehard of drag racing fans, October 28 and 29, 1989, represents more than just another IHRA World Championship Series points event in Atco, NJ. This event represented an introduction to Pro Modified with a 16-car exhibition event. There were no points at stake, just the honor of earning the No. 1 designation on the winner’s car for the inaugural season and the $4,000 winner’s purse.

Just days earlier, the IHRA had officially announced the name of the class in an issue of Drag Review as well as the rules for the class and was en route to the printer when the race was being conducted.

It's race day at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ. Qualifying is complete, now it's time to begin the process of eliminating down for a winner of the second annual VRHRA McLeod Summernationals, Race 5 of 9 in the Virtual Reality Hot Rod Association. 

It's all fun in fantasy land to get away from the troubles of what is happening in the real world. 

For those new to this fantasy world, this is how it works. The race with the most votes advances to the next round. We had two days of voting to seed the eight-car fields. 

First-round ends tonight at 6 PM EST. 

The United States Motorsports Association has been named the Official Motorsports Advocacy Group of Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

Formed in 2015, the United States Motorsports Association represents the racing industry in local, state and federal matters, and creates connections between members of the racing industry and government officials.

As part of the plans to celebrate this significant milestone, beginning in March, the IHRA will introduce an inductee to the inaugural to the IHRA Hall of Fame each month. Five legendary professional drivers (Pro Class), five Sportsman drivers and two legends that have greatly contributed to the sanctioning body will be inducted virtually into the newly formed IHRA Hall of Fame housed at IHRA.com.  

Alan Bradshaw has driven countless types of cars in his drag racing career.

In 2021, he will check piloting a Funny Car off his bucket list.

Bradshaw is set to debut the “Black Attack” Funny Car. Based in Odessa, Texas, Bradshaw, and his new team are planning on competing in the Funny Car Chaos Series.

“I have driven everything from bracket dragsters to Top Fuel dragsters and I have always wanted to drive a Funny Car or Fuel Altered,” Bradshaw said. “I wanted to check it off the bucket list. At some point in time, you make things like that a priority. I want to race, and I think this will be a fun thing to do. It’s at a level of competition that’s pretty solid, but at the same time you’re not competing against the big budget teams.

In the roller-coaster, uncertain 2020 NHRA season, veteran nitro Funny Car driver/owner Bob Tasca III has a solid campaign, finishing fifth in the points standings.

“We have my whole team coming back,” Tasca said. “I have kept everyone together, which obviously in these times is not easy. I have great sponsors and great support from Ford and all my key sponsors are returning for (2021). I’m very blessed and our whole team is blessed to have the funding that we have.” 

However, the fifth-place finish didn’t leave Tasca III satisfied – at all.

Justin Ashley Racing is taking advantage of new category opportunities through a marketing partnership with New York City-based RISE Brewing Co, the creators and distributors of RISE Nitro Cold Brew Coffee. Justin Ashley, the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year, will display RISE on his Strutmasters.com/Auto Shocker Top Fuel dragster during the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, as well as on uniforms, the team’s race trailer and pit area signage.
 
“Adding RISE to our group of marketing partners is impactful on and off the racetrack,” said Justin Ashley, winner of the 2020 Summernationals. “They brew their coffee with nitrogen and we run on nitromethane so our Nitros might be different but our goals are the same when it comes to providing the best for our customers and fans. I am looking forward to continuing our discussions regarding the inclusion of marketing initiatives involving the NHRA community.”

When Larry Dixon Jr. was once asked if he'd be interested in being featured on CompetitionPlusTV's Legends: The Series, he scoffed at the idea of being considered a drag racing legend. Apparently, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America shared the same opinion as those who wanted to feature him in a documentary..

This time, Dixon, the three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion who owns 62 national event victories, didn't respond the same way. The letter, which arrived in Dixon's mailbox on Dec. 21, left him speechless.

"Very humbling, and I'm very flattered," Dixon admitted.

Does the induction officially confirm he's a legend?

For the third-straight season, Summit Racing Equipment returns in 2021 as title rights holder to the Summit Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service (MWDRS).

Veteran nitro Funny Car owner/driver Bob Bode confirmed to CompetitionPlus.com he plans to have his son, Bobby, 18, compete in a 10-race schedule in 2021 in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series.

“The last couple of months we’ve been putting parts together, short blocks and heads,” Bob said. “We’re planning to start the season in Gainesville (Fla.).”

The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville March 12-14 is the season-opening national event.

Bobby Bode, driving his father’s Funny Car he bought from Tim Wilkerson, completed his license in St. Louis Oct. 5.