Here's the first look at Sean Brady's new Dodge Avenger. The neat-looking Mopar was built by Jerry Bickel Race Cars and is destined for Top Sportsman competition.

CompetitionPlus.com has learned that NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Shawn Gann was involved in a serious motorcycle accident the night of Dec. 16 at his home in Stoneville, N.C.

According to a source who spoke to CompetitionPlus.com Thursday afternoon, Gann was testing a dirt bike he had fixed for a family friend when he crashed.

Gann is currently recovering from his injuries in the intensive care unit at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, N.C.

During Gann's NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle career, he won five national events and appeared in 14 final rounds. Gann, who became known for his colorful firesuits, last competed in 2017, appearing at two races. Gann's NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle career began in 1996.

Since 2015, Josh Hart has been competing with his own team in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks in NHRA’s Division 1 with plenty of success.

Now, Hart is ready to take the next step in his racing career as he plans on getting his Top Fuel license.

“I will get my Top Fuel license at the beginning part of this upcoming season, probably in late March,” Hart said. “We are in negotiations with two separate people right now just to see where we are going to land. We are not going to purchase a Top Fuel team at the moment. We are just licensing and then we will make our debut by renting a car.”

Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) has announced that longtime partner NAPA AUTO PARTS has extended their marketing relationship with the winningest organization in NHRA history through a multi-year agreement, beginning in 2019.
 
“We’ve enjoyed an 11-year partnership with NAPA and are thrilled to be able to announce that relationship will continue into 2019 and beyond,” said team owner Don Schumacher. “The longevity of our relationship speaks volumes, and we look forward to many more wins, championships and years representing NAPA.”

There's a new General headed to the Pro Modified ranks in anticipation of leading the troops in 2019. Pro Mod speed merchant Jose Gonzales took delivery of this new Jerry Bickel car headed now to Pro Line to finish the wiring before it hits the strip for February testing. 

Sonny Leonard has built tens of thousands of race engines and earned a comfortable living with his successful business. However, it's the one engine he did for free that's meant the most to him.

Leonard was a part of the Charity Engine Sweepstakes in conjunction with Sunnen and the Performance Racing Industry show which raffled off an engine with 100-percent of the proceeds going to the Victory Junction Camp, a camp built to benefit those children suffering from handicaps.

Nostalgia Funny Car racer John Hale has sold his One Bad Texan Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car operation to Midwest racer, Brandon Lewis. Last week the two loaded up the Funny Car to return to Oklahoma with its new owner. 

Hale said the transition was a smooth one. 

“I helped load the car up top in the trailer, and then we loaded up all the other stuff,” Hale said. “And I was okay. Then today on Facebook, I see my car in another shop with other people working on it. And that felt strange.”  

The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, home of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, has announced the Class of 2019 honorees to the Hall of Fame.  This select group includes a trio of top regional Top Fuel teams which contributed to the growth of the class in their time, a multi-talented racer/track operator/race team executive, and a manufacturer with a “must use” product which found a home in a variety of racing applications.  Additionally, the recipients of the Founder’s Award and the Patricia Garlits Memorial Award were named.

One of Del Worsham's passions lately has been in teaching aspiring drivers how to race nitro-burning vehicles.

During the Auto Club Finals, Worsham had two of his latest pupils behind the wheel, recently named Rookie of the Year driver Bill Litton racing Top Fuel, and Ray Martin driving the Worsham Family Funny Car.

"Both came through the school, licensed and qualified for the Finals, so it’s pretty exciting being able to do that," Worsham said. "Usually the week after Pomona we go to Bakersfield for multiple days and run drivers.