The pandemic which brought the world to its knees back in March has forced many people to approach everyday life differently. For seasoned Top Fuel veteran Cory McClenathan, who is racing the consecutive Indianapolis events, as a retirement redo, has already learned the Top Fuel world he left is not the same world he's enjoying.

McClenathan is in an adjustment period, learning the nuances of a canopy-equipped dragster, after decades of driving a conventionally configured unit.

What might be a bigger adjustment than driving a canopy car is learning how to pack a parachute in a pit space previously used as a hospitality area and shared with Tony Schumacher, who is also racing for the first time in a while. To the right and left of them are Antron Brown and Leah Pruett. 

Let the record reflect; Bo will know Pro Modified after next weekend's Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals.

Bo Butner, the versatile past NHRA Pro Stock champion, has raced several sportsman division successfully, will undertake the challenge of another professional division as he subs for Rickie Smith. Smith recently underwent back surgery.

Butner says filling in for a legend like Rickie Smith is a great opportunity.

In 2019 (and for the past several years), the winner of a Top Fuel or Funny Car race earned $50,000. Already that’s a losing proposition, considering the cost of sending a large crew on the road for hotel, airfare, rental cars, and meals – in addition to hauling the race cars down the road, fuel for the hauler and for the car, parts and equipment, and entry fees and insurance.

And the promise is $50,000 – if a racer has the car hold together for four straight runs with no opponent simply having a better car. That’s if track and weather conditions are favorable during the course of about six hours.

The runner-up has been pulling in $22,000. The payouts have awarded $18,000 to the semifinalists, $14,000 to second-place finishers, and $10,000 to first-round losers.

Billy Torrence’s even-keel personality never lets him get arrogant with an NHRA Top Fuel victory or upset about a loss, And he always describes himself as a member of the Capco Contractors Dragster team “by invitation only.”

After defeating points leader Doug Kalitta in the final round to win the E3 Spark Plugs Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceways at Indianapolis – and after eliminating his own son, reigning class champion Steve Torrence, in the semifinal – the elder Torrence continued to downplay his role on the team and in the sport.

Welcome back, NHRA!

After a nearly five-month gap between races, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returned in full force over the weekend with Matt Hagan leading the way with an exciting, car-banging victory to welcome the series back in style Sunday at the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway.

Sunday’s final in Pro Stock was one for the ages.

And it won’t be around in the sport for much longer.

First final round? Check.

First win? Check.

Point standings (top 10) following the Inaugural E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, the third of 18 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series -

The NHRA insisted on showing off its Mello Yello Drag Racing Series to live audiences if and when it relaunched.

That has delayed and canceled a full one-third of the 24-race season so far. But circumstances – with restrictions - allowed this first race back from a four-month layoff to admit fans.