The 2018 Gulf Western Oil Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway, Queensland, over June 7-10 has confirmed its status as the biggest event on the Oz drag calendar with a massive entry list of 495 spread across 19 categories.

The 51st edition of the largest drag meeting outside North America also incorporates the final round of the 400 Thunder Series with Top Fuel, Pro Slammer, Pro Stock and Pro Alcohol titles on the line.

For the first time this season the Pro series will run the traditional format where the top eight qualifiers advance to race day that features 100 points to the winner, 80 for runner-up, 60 to  semi-finalists and quarter-finalist’s earning 40. Top speed and low ET are worth 5 points.

For the fourth time in the last five years the PDRA Series traveled to Martin, Michigan and its fabled U.S. 131 Motorsports Park for the PDRA Summer Drags.

Chamber of commerce weather and full fields in all eliminators (except for Pro Extreme) made for an exciting and enjoyable event.

In Pro Nitrous Jason Harris won for the first time in a long-time. In the final round he defeated Maryland’s Jim Halsey with a substantial hole-shot, 3.724-seconds to 3.674-seconds.

The list of tracks Robert Hight has won at during his illustrious drag racing career is a long one. He has won at Indy. He has won at Pomona. He has checked off Vegas, Denver and Gainesville to name a few more.

But Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, a track he holds fond memories of, is one that had eluded him.

In 1998, the Route 66 Raceway drag racing stadium opened outside of Chicago and one of the Top Fuel competitors was competing in his first NHRA major event.

Clay Millican’s debut was inauspicious for doing what he calls a “reverse burnout” that resulted for smoking the tires from stomping on the loud pedal when he headed back to the starting line after his accepted burnout.

Finally.

After more than four full seasons and 95 races run since his last win, Jeg Coughlin returned to the NHRA winner’s circle in a win over Greg Anderson, hoisting his first Wally since Englishtown in June of 2014 Sunday at the 21st annual JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago.

With only two days to go before the big night, the “2018 CMT Music Awards” announced today the list of presenters featuring everyone from music industry icons to sports legends and Hollywood stars. The A-list roster includes Backstreet Boys, Bobby Bones, Chrissy Metz (“This Is Us”), Cody Alan (Radio and TV Personality), Courtney Force  (NHRA  racing), Garrett Hedlund (“Mosaic”), Hoda Kotb (“NBC’s TODAY”), Joel McHale (“The Joel McHale Show”), Johnny Knoxville (“Action Point”), Kaitlin Doubleday (“Nashville”), Katie Cook(TV personality), Lauren Alaina, Leon Bridges, Lennon Stella (“Nashville”), Lindsey Vonn (US Ski Team), Luke Combs, Maisy Stella (“Nashville”), P.K. Subban (Nashville Predators), RaeLynn and Rascal Flatts. The “2018 CMT Music Awards” will premiere LIVE from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 6th at 8:00 pm ET/ PT.
 
“I am so excited and honored to be a presenter at the CMT Music Awards this year,” said Courtney Force, driver of the Advance Auto Parts Camaro Funny Car. “As a country music lover, I am thrilled to be representing NHRA and am humbled to be in a room full of so many talented artists and performers.”

Matt Smith was eager for the 2018 NHRA Pro Stock season to open in April at Gainesville, Florida.

He was set for the 15-race season and to start riding for a new team and sponsor.

Clay Millican raced to his second straight victory of the season with a win on Sunday at the 21st annual JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.
 
Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners in their respective categories at the ninth of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Sunday's final results from the 21st annual JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway. The race is the ninth of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series: