Dealing with pressure is nothing new for Top Fuel point leader Steve Torrence. After all, regarding a world championship, Torrence has been there and done that. He even has the t-shirt to prove it.

Torrence, who won the 2005 Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster championship, says this season's run for a Top Fuel title is eerily reminiscent of that memorable season.

"You don’t think about anything other than just winning the race and winning rounds," Torrence explained. "The rest of that crap’s going to take care of itself. I reflect back on that actually quite a bit myself, just to make sure that I don’t get distracted from what we’re trying to do here, and we’re just trying to win rounds."

Just in time for this weekend’s PDRA World Finals at Virginia Motorsports Park (VMP), PDRA co-owners, Tommy and Judy Franklin, are excited to announce the purchase of the central-Virginia facility, currently sanctioned by NHRA.

As longtime racers, the Franklins upped their investment when they co-founded the PDRA in early 2014. Over the last three and a half years, the Virginia natives have continually shown their commitment to eighth-mile drag racing as well as the entire sport in a variety of ways. Their purchase of VMP allows them to further support the racing community in Virginia, the PDRA and beyond.

He barely fixes one issue before another pops up. Little does he know four others also urgently need to speak to him.

Welcome to the world of Steve Gibbs, who retired as NHRA's Competition Director in 1998, only to accept a role as the original Director of the NHRA Museum, and later became the point man in the NHRA Heritage Series. He unexpected retired again in March, stepping away from his association with the NHRA in March.

One might think Gibbs, who is pushing 80 years old, is ready to throw his feet back and relax.

The Professional Drag Racers confirmed the Outlaw 632 category will be a part of the PDRA program again in 2018, with a fresh name, Pro 632. East Side Auto Transport will retain title rights of the category, which will be run at five of the eight races on the 2018 tour.

The class, which originated in Florida, has enjoyed a strong following by both racers and fans during its time with the PDRA. Named for the max cubic inch size allowed, East Side Auto Transport PDRA Pro 632 provides a more cost effective option while still allowing racers to tour and compete for a championship in a national series.

"The PDRA has my full support for next year," said Ken Quartuccio, owner of East Side Auto Transport and Pro 632 competitor. "I'm glad to be back. Having Outlaw 632 as part of the PDRA program has worked out well, and we're excited to see it continue in 2018 as Pro 632."

               
Seven rookie drivers representing the four NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series categories, Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, were announced today by officials from NHRA and Automobile Club of Southern California as the eligible candidates for the 2017 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award.
               
The award, which recognizes the top rookie competitor in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and offers a $20,000 prize and traditional trophy to the winner, will be presented during NHRA’s annual championship awards ceremony on Monday, Nov. 13 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, Calif. The nation’s leading auto racing journalists will select the winner through a voting system based on the following criteria: number of events competed in, performance on and off the racetrack, participation in NHRA promotions and relationships with fans, sponsors and media.

The NHRA California Hot Rod Rod Reunion returns to Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Ca., this weekend with a show race officials hope will present the best-ever experience for race fans of the nostalgia persuasion.

The CHRR has returned to its 2015 format, with improvements intended to rekindle those moments which made the event a must-attend affair.

One of the key areas focused on for this year's event, according to Executive Director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum Larry Fisher, was the Cacklefest.

Keith Haney doesn't hesitate when it comes to professing his love for Pro Modified racing.

The veteran doorslammer racer who has raced Pro Nitrous, Pro Modified and even bolted slicks on a Pro Modified-style car and drag raced with 10.5-inch drag radials. He's a successful automobile dealership owner as well as a drag strip co-owner.

Such a breakneck schedule, coupled with the rigors of successful businesses would be enough to wear down the most seasoned road warrior.

One thing can be said for Haney is if he's anything, he's resourceful.

Kenneth Phillips emerged as the big winner at the recently completed Southeast Gassers Association [SGA] race in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Phillips stopped second-generation drag racing Donovan Stott in the A/Gas final round.

Ryan Martin has a new Pro Boost entry, which just rolled out of the Jerry Bickel Race Cars factory. We are tolkd the car will have ProLine power under the hood and will debut at this weekend's PDRA Finals outside of Richmond, Va.