Some combinations are an institution in drag racing. For instance, we could always automatically assume that Bill Jenkins was a Chevrolet man, and the talented “Dyno Don” Nicholson was pretty much a Ford man at heart, and we always picture Ronnie Sox in a Mopar. In the same vein, we could always associate Bob Glidden with a Ford-powered entry. Sure there were the flirtations with a Chevrolet in 1976 at Indy and the record-setting season of 1979 in a Mopar, but for the most part, the cagey veteran from Whiteland, Ind., was always a dyed-in-the-wool Blue Oval man.

However, a little over two decades ago, unbeknownst to many Pro Stock aficionados, the Hoosier legend nearly ended up in an Oldsmobile as part of a revered Hurst/Olds project. Just what changed his path at the last minute? That answer may never fully be revealed on the record, but the word on the streets is that the folks at Ford objected, and at contract time, they flexed their muscles by strongly suggesting that those pursuing their star driver “cease and desist.”

Taking a ride in the time machine back to the storied season of 1982, the Pro Stock division was in a transitional stage. Gone was the pounds-per-cubic inch formula that had enabled Glidden to dominate so ruthlessly with his Fairmont-bodied machines. In was now a standard 500-inch ceiling, and the trend was to go for smaller compact vehicles such as the Ford EXP, which Glidden debuted. It’s no secret that that year was one of those in which Glidden would just as soon forget. It wasn’t that Glidden was unhappy with Ford; he just didn’t have a good year.

Chris Winter is one of the new owners of Maple Grove Raceway. Winter is joined in the ownership group with Joe Casella and Jordan Levitt. The Mohnton, Pennsylvania facility is just under contract. The deal is not complete yet.

“The purchase has not gone through yet,” Winter said. “That’s where the mistake is. It’s just under contract. We still have to get through title and due diligence, which is why we didn’t want it to get out yet. Yes, the other pieces, the restaurant, the liquor licenses, the acreage is correct. When the deal goes through, which we’re hoping for late spring, early summer, we’re going to plan expansion. There will be a facility for go-kart racing, road racing, an off-road park, drifting – there will be other motorsports, but drag racing will be our primary focus.”

When the track when up for sale last June for $8 million, the concern with so many fans in the Northeast that it would be sold to developers. Their fear was that the facility would be turned into houses.

Holley will expand its popular training courses, enabling consumers the ability to learn carburetors from one of the most trusted names in performance. For more than 115 years, Holley has been producing quality fuel system components, and this course provides the opportunity to learn in a hands-on classroom environment in Bowling Green, KY.

The readers of CompetitionPlus.com have selected their drivers of the decade in the NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

A major milestone calls for a major celebration, which is why Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman wanted something big to help celebrate the 50th year of Pro Stock.
 
A $50,000 payout and a major spotlight definitely does it.
 
Both will happen at the inaugural Drag Illustrated World Doorslammer Nationals presented by Elite Motorsports, which takes place March 6-8 at Orlando Speed World Dragway. The event will put the spotlight squarely on the stars of Pro Stock and Pro Mod, offering up $50,000 to the winners in each class at the must-see event.

In the last two years, Ryan Oehler has made impressive progress in NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks.

Oehler competed in a full season in 2018, finishing 13th in the points standings. He followed that up with an eighth-place finish in 2019, highlighted by a semifinal performance in Charlotte, N.C., in the spring. Oehler will pilot an S&S-powered Buell motorcycle with an EBR body in 2020.

“I want to be a championship contender (in 2020),” Oehler said. “I learned a ton in 2019. For me, the first few years, the bike did a lot of the riding, and I was just a passenger. Now, I’m riding the bike, and it is the passenger. Finishing in the top five (in 2020) would be epic.”

With big money on the line, Pro Stock and Pro Mod will grab the spotlight and take their place as the marquee attractions for the inaugural Drag Illustrated World Doorslammer Nationals presented by Elite Motorsports, which is set to take place March 6-8 at Orlando Speed World Dragway.
 
The first-time event will hand out $50,000 to the winners in both Pro Stock and Pro Mod, and a bevy of stars are expected in both NHRA classes. With the race taking place a week before the NHRA Gatornationals, the Drag Illustrated World Doorslammer Nationals presented by Elite Motorsports gives the star competitors in Pro Stock and Pro Mod a chance to start their season off right with the potential for career-best performances and a shot at a huge payday – plus a massive spotlight on two premier doorslammer classes.

NHRA racer Dom Lagana will return to Australia to drive for Rapisarda Autosport International at the Santo’s Summer Thunder meeting at Sydney Dragway, January 17-18.

Lagana will be part of a four-car RAI squad that will include fellow American Ashley Sanford and local stars Wayne Newby and Damien Harris.

Maple Grove Raceway appears to be on the verge of new ownership, potentially meaning a long future for racing at one of the East Coast’s premier dragstrips.

The Reading (Pa.) Eagle reported that the track’s potential buyers, Motorsports Developers of King of Prussia, met with local political leadership and the public of Brecknock Township on Monday night. While the purchase price has not been announced, the track went on the market in 2019 with an $8 million pricetag.

To say Stevie "Fast" Jackson is outspoken is like saying rain falls from the sky.

In this video episode of his popular series, Jackson offers his opinions on the NHRA taking over the Pro Modified division, the newest safety rules implemented and the new schedule which takes the doorslammers all over the country.