How Funny Car veteran owner-driver Gary Densham ended up in Gainesville, Fla., this weekend is a bit of a mystery – at least to him.

His wife, Joanne, understands it. So do his army of fans and the racers who have lined up against him since he broke onto the NHRA scene in 1971. The same goes for the selection panel for the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, which named Densham to its 2018 class.

Competition Plus has learned Del Worsham will run a second nitro Funny Car at the Gatornationals this weekend.

Cory Lee will be the driver of Worsham’s second Funny Car. The last time drove Worsham’s second Funny Car was at the St. Louis NHRA national event last fall. He made two qualifying attempts.

When Dave Richards prepares to compete at the upcoming Gatornationals Feb. 16-18 in Gainesville, Fla., he will do so in a nitro Funny Car that will be a blast from the past.

Richards, who drives the Funny Car owned by his older brother, Paul Richards, will be campaigning a Funny Car that will don a paint scheme that’s a tribute to their father, Gary Richards.

A year ago, Pro Stock driver Tanner Gray made a sudden impact in the NHRA.

The rookie won five races and finished fourth in the points standings.

Melanie Salemi understands the enormity of racing on the big stage of the NHRA Pro Modified Series.  

Last season, Salemi was given a chance to race at the NHRA Midwest Nationals outside of St. Louis and made the most of the opportunity to compete before a crowd she could hear above the thunder of her supercharged, alcohol-burning engine. 

The experience was one she'll always remember, but not the defining one of her career. For Salemi, she loves all of drag racing and refuses to get caught up in the moment.

Preparation continues at Virginia Motorsports Park in advance of the NHRA's return to the Richmond, Va., area  for the NHRA Virginia Nationals, June 8-10.

The ageless champion has rolled into easier title defenses.

John Force, drag racing's most prolific drag racer, enters this weekend on the heels of consecutive race weekends where he's blown his Funny Car body to smithereens and visited the hospital as many times. 

“I am ready to get back to the race track," Force said. "We have had some struggles at the first two races but we are figuring it out. My team has been going over my PEAK Chevrolet Funny Car and we’ll be ready. The good news is Robert stayed and tested after the last race and Courtney won in Phoenix. 

Tim Mcamis was the original Pro Modified champion back in 1990 and has watched the form of racing he helped to pioneer go through many phases, but the latest inspired him to create a video. 

An outspoken critic regarding issues related to the class, McAmis has had rants about everything from Chinese product knockoffs to drivers in over their heads, but one released in November 2017 has some laughing at the parody, and others shaking their heads in disgust because as they see it, "McAmis is spot on."

McAmis believes the NHRA Pro Modified provides the truest example of what the class has become with the latest rule allowing lock-up converters on nitrous cars. 

John Gaydosh Jr.’s plans were set.

The veteran NHRA Pro Stock driver who competes on a limited budget with his own team, was going to make his 2018 NHRA debut at the Gatornationals March 16-18 in Gainesville, Fla.

Californian speedster Ashley Sanford will be reunited with Rapisarda Autosport International team mates Damien Harris and Wayne Newby at the Santo’s Super Thunder meeting at Willowbank Raceway on March 30.

Sanford who occupies fourth spot in the 2017-18 400 Thunder championship, will be making her fourth appearance down-under this season with RAI.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to Australia to race for Santo and the Rapisarda family,” said Sanford. “It is a real honour and privilege and I can’t wait to be reunited with my ‘Aussie’ family - Santo, Santino, Santo Junior and Gianna. The Santo’s Super Thunder meet is a major event on the Australian Drag calendar. My best result this season was runner-up at Willowbank in January and I’m keen to go one better and score my first Christmas tree for the team.”