Butterflies.

The racers in contention for the four NHRA pro crowns ought to have a massive dose of them as the 2019 campaign comes to a close this weekend in Pomona, Calif. None of the four divisions is as yet decided, which adds an extra level of excitement at the Fairplex speedway.

That said, disaster would have to strike Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) for them not to end the weekend atop their categories.

 
The Bahrain International Circuit, which currently boasts a vibrant drag racing community and numerous events, has extended their NHRA Worldwide Network agreement. 

NHRA Worldwide Network is designed to enable drag racing facilities around the world to conduct events under the NHRA banner. As part of the NHRA Worldwide Network, Bahrain International Circuit will be able to use the specially-designed “Worldwide Drag Racing” NHRA oval for broad promotional purposes and will be able to draw on NHRA’s decades of experience and history.

“We are excited to announce Bahrain International Circuit has extended their agreement with the NHRA,” said Josh Peterson, NHRA vice president racing administration. “Drag Racing is extremely popular in Bahrain and we are excited to continue working with the track to help grow their programs.”

Antron Brown has been busy exhibiting the fast nature of drag racing to mainstream America.

Brown is featured in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid TV “Fanatics” commercial that was filmed at Irwindale Dragstrip and has been airing in prime time during National Football League broadcasts. The ad represents a strategic initiative Toyota, designated as the Official Car of NHRA, has with NFL audiences.

Beware, Ken Quartuccio has a new machine. This newest version of the Serial Killer doorslammer line left the Jerry Bickel Race Cars Shop headed for ProLine, where it will be prepared to run both Radial vs. The World and PDRA Pro Boost competition.

John Hale is returning to the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, at least for one race.

Hale, a past Nostalgia Funny Car frontrunner, and driver for Jim Dunn Racing in the Big Show plans to race this weekend at the season-ending AAA NHRA Finals in Pomona, Ca. He will drive a Funny Car fielded by Worsham Racing.

Call it the Hot Potato Salad Syndrome.
 
It might be more dangerous to drag racers than any of them realize. And so far, no pharmaceutical company has marketed a pill for it.
 
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Steve Johnson diagnosed himself and since has started to overcome the harmful side effects.

Veteran’s Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, is a day when we honor those who have severed our country in military service. Veteran’s Day is different than Memorial Day, which salutes those who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending the freedoms which we enjoy today.

Throughout drag racing’s existence, many drag racers and members of our community have answered their country’s call.

We are honored to have one of those veterans on our staff.

Just like Bob Tasca’s information exchange with fighter-jet mechanics from Nellis Air Force Base this weekend, the fourth edition of the Mopar CAP “Assemble Your Future” initiative had Funny Car racer Matt Hagan energized.

Score it a rough “welcome back” for Jim Maroney, who rolled through the gates last week to debut his own team and his Morgan Lucas-built American Flowtech Dragster.

The 26-year veteran from Gilbert, Ariz., with a successful resume in the Western Fuel Altered series has raced most recently with Terry Haddock and Kim Davidson.