Good Vibrations will have their "compound" set-up at the California Hot Rod Reunion, October 18 - 21. Please call or email them if you are planning on attending and would prefer them to bring your parts to the track. Their display can be found on the manufacturer's mid-way adjacent to the Nitro Pits. 

Tanner Gray’s departure from drag racing strikes a blow for an exciting, ultra-competitive class that has been struggling for relevance through rules changes and manufacturer indifference (except for Chevrolet). But he’s not the only one leaving after this year.

Drew Skillman, whose team is affiliated with Gray Motorsports, told Competition Plus Friday that he, too, will not return to the class after these final four races.

“I’m not running Pro Stock next year,” Skillman said. “I’m going to go back to sportsman racing” and “focus a little more on business.” Skillman’s family operates several Indianapolis-area auto dealerships.

Skillman said he will race in the Stock and Super Stock classes in 2019.

Leah Pritchett clinched the 2018 NHRA Factory Stock Showdown championship in her Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals near Dallas, racing to her third consecutive win of the season and earning her first championship in her first full year in the class.

The NHRA Factory Stock Showdown title is the third for Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver Pritchett, who also captured 2000-2001 Jr. Dragster Division 7 championships and the 2010 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Championship in the Nostalgia Funny Car class.

Some thought Robert Hight might not even compete at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals near Dallas this weekend because of the fiery crash that sent Hight to the hospital after his final-round win in St. Louis Sept. 23.

Hight underwent surgery Sept. 26 for a left clavicle open reduction and internal fixation. He was cleared to compete in all racing activities effective Oct. 4.

No one has defeated Steve Torrence yet in this year’s Countdown to the Championship.

And Torrence won’t let off the gas until he claims that Top Fuel crown.

Defeating boss Jerry Savoie in the final round Sunday at the NHRA AAA Texas FallNationals near Dallas wasn’t any big issue for Nitro Fish Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle racer L.E. Tonglet.

The White Alligator Racing team had won this third of six Countdown to the Championship races.

Tanner Gray’s farewell tour is turning out to be a memorable one.

Gray, who confirmed this weekend he is going to leave NHRA Pro Stock to focus on stock car racing in 2019 with the DGR-Crosley team owned by Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series veteran David Gilliland and Crosley Radio CEO Bo LeMastus.

Ron Capps almost saw his Funny Car season flash before his eyes – from the oddest angle, as he lay on the ground at Maple Grove Raceway, near Reading, Pa., about three weeks ago.

It turns out he has a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He’s wearing a knee brace as he drives the Don Schumacher Racing-owned NAPA Dodge Charger  this weekend at the Texas Motorplex and will begin physical therapy near the close of the season. His injury will not require surgery, he said. The incident occurred at the top end of the racetrack, as an opponents’ team member accidentally struck him with a tow vehicle.

“It was the semis after we lost to JR [Todd] in Maple Grove. He and I were shaking hands after the run. They beat us, and all of a sudden I was on the ground,” Capps said. “At the time I didn’t realize it. Their tow vehicle . . . and nobody’s at fault. The kid driving their tow vehicle felt terrible, of course. I thought when it hit me, because they hit me pretty hard and it hit me right at my left knee on the outside. Still had my helmet and stuff on. so that was good, because I went to the ground. I thought it was broken for sure. Anyway, so Maple Grove down there, it’s only two roads in the grass, and of course, it had been raining, so when tow vehicles have to pull out, it was difficult to get around. And on top of that, everybody’s rushing teams from NHRA. Everybody’s just in a hurry. It was nobody’s fault.

Pro Stock points leader Tanner Gray was a bit reluctant to discuss what Autoweek had no problem telling readers in a Sept. 24 online news article: that he will leave the NHRA after this season and move to stock-car racing.

Gray confirmed Friday before qualifying for the AAA Texas Nationals at the Texas Motorplex that he will join the DGR-Crosley team that Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series veteran David Gilliland and Crosley Radio CEO Bo LeMastus own.

“I’ve already said all I need to say,” he prefaced his remarks. But he opened up and said he’s “nervous . . . excited . . . I don’t know . . . It’s bittersweet. I’m going to miss this, but I’m looking forward to it.”