Kids these days…

They don’t work hard. They are entitled. They don’t know anything.

But is it true? It all depends on who you ask.

With every generation there exists a lack of understanding, a void of compassion on either side of the generational divide. “It’s not how it used to be,” you will often hear. “Ah, the good old days.”

But some want to bridge that gap, bringing likeminded individuals from across the aisle together all in the name of their mutual passion. In this case, the sport of drag racing.

Kids these days…

They don’t work hard. They are entitled. They don’t know anything.

But is it true? It all depends on who you ask.

With every generation there exists a lack of understanding, a void of compassion on either side of the generational divide. “It’s not how it used to be,” you will often hear. “Ah, the good old days.”

But some want to bridge that gap, bringing likeminded individuals from across the aisle together all in the name of their mutual passion. In this case, the sport of drag racing.

The NHRA offseason is in full swing.

Veteran Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Matt Smith is quite busy trying to formulate his plans for the 2018 NHRA season.

Jerry Bickel has cranked out another beautiful hot rod of the black and white persuasion. Check out Brian Shrader's new C-7 Corvette, destined for PDRA Pro Nitrous. These photos were captured just moments before the beast was loaded into the hauler and headed to crew chief Robert Hayes' shop where it will prep for a new  Billy Albert powerplant.

Competitionplus.com owner and publisher Bobby Bennett had an idea back in 2013 for an online video series looking at the legends of the NHRA Drag Racing Series. From the outset Legends: The Series told the behind-the-scenes stories of drag racing's storied subjects who often reveal untold stories in these interviews.

The pilot episode featured 16-time Funny Car champion John Force talking about his early days chasing sponsors as an upstart Funny Car driver, the episode, Chasing Uncorporate America, was viewed almost 50,000 times. The inaugural season featured eleven episodes and highlighted a diverse group that included Bill Doner, Graham Light and Steve Reyes to name a few.

Another staple of NHRA Pro Stock fell by the wayside today, as the sanctioning body announced late Monday afternoon it was abandoning its original rule of engine manufacturer matching the body style. Starting in 2018, Pro Stock racers will be allowed to run any currently approved engine combination in any currently approved body, regardless of the manufacturer

“The NHRA Technical Department worked very closely with the Pro Stock teams and the vehicle manufacturers in finalizing this rule change,” said NHRA Vice President-Technical Operations Glen Gray. “The cooperation from all of those involved in the process was very encouraging and we look forward to the 2018 Pro Stock season.”

The NHRA revealed their decision in a letter to Pro Stock teams, with the anticipation the move should provide fans with a wider variety of entries in the class, including more Dodge Darts and Ford Mustangs. Since 2013, NHRA's Pro Stock title has been won by Chevrolet Camaros. 

In an expansion of a Next Generation initiative that, over the last 14 years, has developed some of the top driving and mechanical talent in the sport, John Force Racing has announced 26-year-old Sara Slaughter, most recently Media Relations Manager for the NHRA, as its new Public Relations Director.

“Our team has worked with Sara over the last two seasons and John and I were very impressed with her work ethic and her relationship with the media,” said JFR President Robert Hight, the reigning NHRA Funny Car Champion.

Jake Schmidtlein, General Manager for Heartland Park Topeka, announced today at the facility that the company will officially be changing its name to “Heartland Motorsports Park” effective immediately. As part of the rebranding, the organization has also unveiled a new logo and redesign of its website.

Schmidtlein explained that the new name would reflect the evolving focus and standards of the company, adding, “As we continue to grow and improve Heartland Motorsports Park we want our name and logo to emphasize our position as one of the premier motorsports facilities in the United States.”

Attendees at the 30th Anniversary Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show will discover the latest in machining and trailer offerings as more than 100 manufacturers showcase and demonstrate their newest equipment in the Machinery Row and Trailer Exhibit areas. Taking place December 7-9, 2017, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, the industry’s premier motorsports trade show features everything race professionals need to succeed and compete.
 
Machinery Row features aisles filled with the latest shop machining equipment, cutters and abrasives, and fabricating equipment from leading manufacturers. Attendees will see firsthand how they can enhance their cutting, honing, surfacing, fabricating, and welding efforts through live demonstrations on actual race parts, and will be able to meet with vendors, ask questions, and share information. It’s a must-see for any professional race team, race engine builder, or race fabricator planning on making a machinery purchase or wishing to keep up with the latest machining trends.

The chance to try something new has always caught Mick Snyder’s attention. For 2018, that means driving a new car. Snyder, who has been a champion in Alcohol Funny Car, Pro Extreme and Top Sportsman, will debut a Powersource Transportation ‘68 Camaro for the upcoming Top Sportsman season. After excelling in the orange ’63 Corvette still owned by Jason Scruggs for the past eight years, Snyder is now eager for the challenge in a new car.

“It’s kind of cool having something new,” Snyder said. “I’m always excited about new stuff.”