Perhaps David Grubnic should play the lottery.

The ace crew chief, known for his uncanny ability to make nitro-fueled machines run deadly accurate, bracket-like numbers, left even his longtime friend and driver Clay Millican speechless with his performance on Friday.

Kalitta Motorsports is pleased to announce that CRAFTSMAN, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, will be the primary sponsor on Richie Crampton’s Top Fuel dragster starting at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and continuing through the balance of the season.

“I am very excited to represent an iconic brand like CRAFTSMAN as we finish out the NHRA season,” said Crampton. “The CRAFTSMAN identity is built on quality-made high-performance products and we look forward to bringing that same mentality to the race track delivering success to the CRAFTSMAN brand.”

The dominant campaign of Courtney Force continued Friday night in Sonoma, California as the current Funny Car points leader took the preliminary No. 1 qualifier at the 31st annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.

Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also preliminary No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 15th of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Australian drag racer Steve Easton heads to the Monster MOPAR Weekend at Summit Motorsports Park, part of the Rumble Wars Extreme 8 Series, looking to put on an entertaining show for the thousands of fans in attendance. During this weekend’s 6th annual running of the largest all MOPAR drag race in the world, Easton will be squaring off against a tough group of Pro Mod racers on Friday - Sunday.  
 
“Although I race a lot of different cars, Pro Mods are my favorite,” explained Easton. “The car doesn’t talk to you as much as a Funny Car and they aren’t as fast as a Funny Car but they are technically challenging to drive and a whole lot of fun at over 200 mph.”  

​Justin Ashley Racing has acquired a complete A/Fuel team from Nitro University’s Anthony Dicero Racing. The team, based in Pittsboro, Indiana, plans to compete at select events for the rest of the year in preparation for the 2019 season. 

As part of the acquisition, Anthony Dicero has joined the team as a consultant through at least June of 2019. Dicero will use his experience to help Ashley organize and run the team, which is  led by veteran Crew Chief, Lance Larsen. In addition to Dicero and Larsen, Tom Abbett and Mark Adkins, both former crew of Mike Ashley, will be joining the team. Krista Baldwin has been named Director of Social Media and Public Relations. She is expected to compete at least 5 events with the new team. 

Rottler Manufacturing will provide a striking new look for Matt Hartford Racing and his Total Seal Piston Rings / CIP1 Pro Stock Camaro during the CatSpot NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle, August 3-5, 2018.

Rottler is a name that is synonymous with leading edge machinery technology. Since 1923, engine builders and remanufacturers around the globe have relied on Rottler for their machinery needs. Thanks to unmatched dedication, diversity and innovative product development, Rottler’s advanced designs and equipment continue to meet the most demanding engineering needs for their customers.

It has been a crazy season for two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith.

Despite it all he has had success on the track. He arrived at the Mile-High Nationals in seventh place in the points on his Victory Magnum.

The highly anticipated 9th Annual Meltdown Drags Association began under circumstances no track owner, promoter and racer wants. Heavy rain was forecast throughout the weekend. And so it began that way on Thursday set-up day, when Byron Dragway was drenched with 2-1/2” of the wet stuff. 

Some would (and have) thrown in the towel before the event even starts. Not these guys. Byron Dragway staff worked day and night to dry the track. Meanwhile 375 entries from across North America rolled through the racer gate. 

With that true vintage drag racing was underway. Make no mistake. This is not “nostalgia” drag racing, where the latest go-fast hardware is tucked under “old” bodies. Adherence to authenticity is the name of the game here. That authenticity, the mind boggling variety of cars and the people behind them, is what makes the Meltdown Drags unique and special in the world of drag racing.

On July 8, it was announced that The U.S. Army has decided not to renew its sponsorship with Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) due to a reallocation of its marketing budget.

DSR is actively pursuing a strong brand to partner with the team and its roster of sponsors and personalities who have contributed to 325 NHRA national event titles and 16 championships. The U.S. Army has been a primary sponsor for Tony Schumacher’s dragster for nearly 20 years.