Former Pro Nitrous driver Johnny Camp earned his first-ever Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) low qualifier award Friday night when he topped the Penske/PRS Pro Boost presented by WS Construction field at the PDRA Summer Shootout presented by Callies Performance. He recorded a 3.675-second pass at 201.40 mph at the Virginia Motorsports Park event. 

Top Fuel rookie Justin Ashley wouldn't say he was skeptical as much as intrigued by the notion.

The two-sport high school star who went on to play college football was intrigued when told a mouthpiece, a device created to protect his teeth, could lead to improved athletic performance.

"I was definitely intrigued to hear about the science behind it, to know how it would actually have an influence on my reaction times and how I drive," said Ashley, who is a leading candidate for the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year award. "And then once I heard the science behind it, I realized that this is something that can be really effective and it can be used as another method that can help me behind the wheel. And for me, I'll take every advantage that I can get, whether it's microscopic and small or whether I feel like it's a large advantage, and this is something that I feel really plays into my favor, not only from a standpoint of it being comfortable but from a standpoint of it being effective and helping to increase my production."

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, announced that it is offering an online marketplace to allow manufacturers and resellers in the specialty automotive segment to connect and conduct business. Taking place Nov. 2-6, SEMA360 was created after industry members expressed a need for a viable marketplace solution in the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show.

“Creating a platform where the industry can gather and discover new products and trends has always been a SEMA priority,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA360 is the ideal solution to bring the industry together, at a time when we’ve all been kept apart. The platform allows qualified buyers to interact with manufacturers, see innovative new products, check out top SEMA Show builds, and take in industry-leading educational offerings."

Show organizers gathered input from industry members who registered concerns with typical “virtual trade show” solutions. The result is SEMA360, a simplified platform where SEMA will help manufacturers create a straightforward brand presence that will reach quality domestic and international buyers. With a focus on helping the industry grow their businesses, participating resellers will have access to product offerings and demonstrations, and manufacturer personnel.

Apparently, past Pro Stock champion Bo Butner is not flattered by the notion of a rule named after him. As he sees it, it is what it is.

What it is - is a memo distributed to NHRA professional drag racers limiting their ability to use their cars as a political billboard whether compensated for or donated.

The controversy began two weekends ago when Butner, while behind the wheel of Rickie Smith’s nitrous-injected Pro Modified Camaro, unveiled a scheme touting the Trump/Pence ticket for the 2020 Presidential election.

“Well, first things first. I support what I support,” Butner said. “I support the good Lord above us. I support my family, my business, my fiancee, and I definitely support NHRA racing. I also support our president. Even if the presidents in the past, number one, that I didn’t really care for, you still support your president. That’s just positive, making good things happen.”

The NHRA has cracked down on political advertising when it comes to its competitors. 

Josh Peterson, NHRA's Vice President, Racing Administration, issued a memo to race teams reminding them of Section 11:1 of the NHRA Rulebook. As NHRA sees it, by way of their statement, advertising a political candidate on a race car doesn't make the sport inclusive and welcoming. 

"Given this and NHRA's nonprofit status, the NHRA logo or name may not be used in conjunction with any election-related messaging, including a candidate's name or image or any other indication of support for or opposition to a political candidate.

Family-owned and operated Sports Memorabilia Breaker and Retailer Rippin Gypsy will be joining Cruz Pedregon Racing as an associate sponsor starting at the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend.

“I am beyond excited to be able to partner Ripping Gypsy with Cruz Pedregon Racing,” said Mindy Colton, owner of Rippin Gypsy. “The opportunity of being able to bring two of my favorite things in the world, my life-long love of cars and our veteran and family-owned business together is a thought that I'm still trying to fully wrap my head around. I cannot wait to see our logo riding along with Cruz down the track at Indianapolis.”

As the 2nd half of the SFG Promotions season races into action with the JEGS Labor Day Bracket Bash September 4-6, SFG is announcing changes to its management team. The realignment will allow SFG to continue to grow and be better prepared to reach long term objectives. The biggest organizational shift comes at the Race Director position. As noted in an earlier press release, AJ Ashe chose to leave the SFG team earlier this month to spend more time competing on the big money bracket racing circuit. Effective today, SFG Promotions is announcing that Brad Miles, long-time team member, will assume the Race Director role. The Race Director has responsibility over everything happening on-track at an SFG event.
 
Miles, previously in the Race Operations Manager role, has ample experience working with the Race Director to ensure the well run and fair events that our customers depend on. Since joining the SFG team in 2018, Miles has been instrumental in rolling out new technology and operational procedures focused on creating a fair race environment. As SFG continues to deploy more technology at events, racers were already spending time reviewing runs in the tower with Brad. “The choice to move Brad into the Race Director role was an easy one. Brad is one of the most knowledgeable team members we have when it comes to how we run a race and positioning him in this new role will give our racers continued confidence in our events,” said Kyle Riley - CEO of SFG.

Celebrating its 35th year of showcasing the fastest sport in the world, Texas Motorplex is moving forward with the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series in October. The NHRA AAA Texas FallNationals will be contested October 14-18 at the world-class facility south of Dallas. Tickets for all sections are on sale and will be sold to 50% capacity. Each ticket order will receive a special commemorative 35th-anniversary coin while supplies last.  As one of the last races of the season title hopes are on the line and fans will be thrilled with exciting racing action.
 
“We are making plans for a great event that is safe and exciting for all our fans and racers. This will be one of the biggest NHRA events of the season when you consider the number of days and classes contested. We are especially excited to produce ‘Friday Night Live’ with all sorts of ground pounding fast race cars you wouldn’t normally see at an NHRA national event,” said Andy Carter Texas Motorplex General Manager. “You will not get a better playoff atmosphere than the AAA Texas Fall Nationals in October. All the professional class championships will be on the line and when you consider we are one of the last four races, you will be able to cut the championship tension with a knife.”

Richie Stevens Jr. will be competing in NHRA’s Mello Yello Series Pro Stock class at the U.S. Nationals Sept. 4-6 in Indianapolis.

Stevens confirmed to CompetitionPlus.com he will be driving the 2017 Camaro for Beaver Motorsports, owned by Mark Beaver. John Gaydosh Jr. drove the Beaver Motorsports Camaro at the Indy 1 race 11-12 and failed to qualify.

“Mark asked if I would be available to drive and I told I have a lot going on, but I told him to give me a heads up so I could be available,” Stevens said. “He called me (Aug. 17) and asked me if I could drive (at the U.S. Nationals) and I said, sure. He said he was looking to make a change and asked if I would come drive the car.