Here's a sneak of the new Pro Modified entry forthcoming out of the Jerry Bickel hot rod shop for Josh Deeds and Rodger Holder.

Jim Hughes of Tucson Dragway along with Dan Drake of Arizona No Prep have stepped up to sponsor the $5000 dollar pay out that the eight cars selected by Shannon Morgan (owner of the Redemption Series No Prep) to compete in the Redemption Exhibition experience at the AAA Texas Fall Nationals October 13, 2017. 

A day after it became apparent the 2017 NHRA Heritage Series Funny Car championship was his, Ryan Hodgson was officially able to raise his champagne glass in a toast.

Hodgson clinched the 2017 title when Jason Rupert failed to qualify at the California Hot Rod Association, essentially eliminating the only challenger to his point lead. 

The chance to officially be recognized is something Hodgson sees as a long time coming. 

Sonoma Raceway will open its 50 Acres campground to evacuees seeking temporary refuge from the Northern California fires.
 
The raceway, which is equipped to handle up to 2,000 campers during its major event weekends, will open its largest campground to evacuees in RVs beginning this afternoon. The 50 Acres campground is located directly across from the raceway on Highway 121 and has not been affected by the fires.

Sonny Leonard is used to making a big impact.

However, recently the veteran engine builder, who builds powerplants in excess of 1,000 cubic inches, stepped out of his field of expertise for another. This field reeks of compost, manure and provides a mosquito bite here and there.

Looking for innovative and greater ways to support their sportsman racers, the PDRA introduced a new program for MagnaFuel Top Sportsman this year. It featured the chance for up to 48 cars to qualify. The top 16 qualifiers automatically entered their own class, Elite 16, while the bottom qualifiers formed a separate 32 or 48 car field, based on the number of total cars entered.

The PDRA is now proud to announce the same program will be in place for Lucas Oil Top Dragster in 2018.

Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Patron Tequila Funny Car, will retire from NHRA competition at the end of the 2017 season. 

The decision was not an easy one for the admitted adrenaline connoisseur.

“It’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, and I will miss everyone so much. My reasoning behind this decision is simple, it’s time for me to switch my focus towards my family,” said DeJoria, driver of the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry.  

The North Bay fires have wreaked havoc in Northern California, but as of 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time, Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway had escaped structural damage.

“All of us at Sonoma Raceway extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those who have been touched by the devastating North Bay fires,” said Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway President and General Manager in a press release. “Our facilities team and a number of local fire companies have been battling grassland fires on Cougar Mountain and elsewhere around our property, and at this point it does not appear any of the raceway’s structures or other facilities are at immediate risk.  We appreciate all of the good wishes that have flooded in from friends around the state and country.”

They roll to the starting line with seemingly as many people standing behind the car as is in the packed grandstands. On one side of the track, a stock looking Fox-bodied Mustang with a supercharged engine standing tall out of the hood, and it's staging alongside a sleek Pro Modified style Camaro with a turbocharged engine. 

The light flashes green, and they go every which way but straight and on their 10.5-inch radial tires, and might either wheelstand so high all four tires leave the racing surface, or they graze the wall without cracking the throttle.

 It's the rough and tumble world of Radial Vs. The World, the top of the food chain for Drag Radial drag racing. 

It’s simply Duck’s Race down in Valdosta. 

Long, the popular Drag Radial event promoter from Crystal Springs, Fla., has made his events the drag radial version of Woodstock. 

The key word in this proclamation is races, the plural of race. 

Long has two distinct races, Lights Out each February and No Mercy in October.