Well, that was unexpected.

Steve Johnson, who is certainly no stranger to success in the NHRA with a long and storied career in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks, pulled a bit of a stunner on Saturday when he unseated the most consistent rider on the property with the quickest pass of his entire career aboard his Slick 50 Suzuki.

With the possibility of precipitation Sunday’s eliminations at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, and in an effort to complete the full event as scheduled, speedway officials and the NHRA have moved on-track activity up one hour.

To Jack Beckman, there is nothing that compares to earning a trophy.

You can keep all of the hats. You can - for the most part - throw out the points. Heck even a national record or two doesn’t quite get Beckman’s blood pumping.

Steve Torrence knows his way around zMAX Dragway.

Torrence, who has won four of the last five races at the track located just outside of Charlotte, N.C. and three straight, was once again the class of the Top Fuel field as he raced to the provisional top spot Friday at the 12th annual NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals.

During the second round of qualifying at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals in Concord, NC, Pro Stock driver Alan Prusiensky’s 2018 Dodge Dart crossed the center line narrowly missing Chris McGaha before making contact with the retaining wall.

Steve Torrence remembers vividly the day his father Billy taught him how to drive a race car. Likewise, Billy remembers the day his kid taught him how to drive one too. 

It’s an interesting dynamic, but the father and son Top Fuel team are considered one of the more potent one-two punches in the fast-paced world of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing. 

Jack Beckman wowed the crowd during NHRA Prime Time qualifying on Friday, powering his way to the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car during the 12th annual NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the third of six races in the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

John Montecalvo and a lot of other Mountain Motor Pro Stock drivers are going to have a dream come true in 2020.

That’s because NHRA announced Thursday that the class -- long a fan favorite with other sanctioning bodies -- will be part of six national events next year. That’s an increase of two over 2019, and it includes dates in parts of the country that have rarely, if ever, seen this version of Pro Stock.