Tony Schumacher has a lot on his mind nowadays.

After eight championships and 83 victories, Schumacher finds himself a lot more reflective these days and he isn’t afraid to share what he has learned with the world.

Take, for instance, the canopy debate. Introduced just a few years ago, many of the cars in the Top Fuel category have traded in open air driving for a safer, bullet-proof shell to help protect them during a run. So why haven’t all of the teams adapted with the new technology? Schumacher believes it is perception - and old habits.

Edelbrock has announced that its water pump consumer promotion is back this year. Participating consumers can receive a fender cover and rebate when they purchase a new Edelbrock water pump.

This year's "Get The Edelbrock Flow" promotion allows participating consumers to receive a free Edelbrock Racing Fender Cover and $25 rebate when they purchase any new Edelbrock water pump; whether it's sold individually or included with an Edelbrock crate engine. The promotion will start on July 1 and end on August 31, 2017. For complete, promotion details and to download a redemption form, visit the official Edelbrock promotions website at www.edelbrock.com/promo.

Only about 15 years separated Vic Edelbrock Jr. and Pat Musi. But from the first time Musi met Edelbrock in 2003, he referred to Musi as “kid.”

Forget the fact that Musi had already passed 50 and Edelbrock was in his mid-60s. Musi was always “kid” and, in Musi’s eyes, from that point forward Edelbrock was his big brother. Musi might not have realized it then, but perhaps it was Edelbrock’s way of knowing their friendship and business partnership was going to be special.

“He said, ‘Kid, just remember you’re on our team and we’re going to have a lot of fun,’ and we really did,” Musi said. “I think we had a really good, strong relationship. I don’t know if I would call him a second father, but I would call him a big brother. We just got really close as the years went on.”

Their relationship was about much more than business and it’s the friendship Musi will miss most. Edelbrock died June 7, at the age 80, leaving an indelible mark not only in the drag racing world, but also in the entire automotive and motorsports industry.

Like many of the drivers in the Pro Stock pits, Bo Butner is worried about the short fields and perceived lack of competitiveness in the class.

Despite a much more competitive season than the class endured a year ago, the reality is that the Pro Stock class just doesn’t have the competition - or competitors - that it has enjoyed in the past.

While rumors continue to circulate as to the future of the class, with whispered changes ranging from more car alterations to a reduction in the number of Pro Stock-contested races similar to the Pro Stock Motorcycle arrangement, one thing is certain, the future is uncertain.

The glory days of drag racing.

Often times, when someone talks about the glory days, they are talking about a time before corporate sponsorships and public relations teams ruled the day, a time when drivers could be drivers and if that meant a few choice words, or a punch or two following a disagreement out on the track, that is just how it went.

But those days are long gone. Today, drivers watch every word that comes out of their mouth and they practice, race after race, plugging every sponsor, every crew member, and make sure to congratulate every competitor without missing a beat.

And then there is Steve Torrence.

 A pair of world champions come together when 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a World Series champion Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field on July 5.
 
John Force Racing President Robert Hight, who won the 2009 Funny Car championship, will also be at the game and will sign autographs before with Force. Hight’s daughter, Autumn, will deliver the lineup card.

The Cubs ended the longest drought in American sports history by beating the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling Game 7 last November to win the World Series. That snapped a 108-year streak of frustration for the Cubs and their loyal fans, as Chicago last won a world championship in 1908.

Last year Leah Pritchett lost her dragster when her team owner retired. Through a relentless persistence to remain in the top 10 of points earners, she found a way to continue to compete and caught the eye of Papa John's.

"When I met Leah I admired her hard work and determination from the get go. She had some burn marks on her forearms from working on the clutch of her Top Fuel dragster," said Papa John, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Papa John's Pizza. "Back when I started making pizzas, I had oven burns on my arms all the time. We did what we had to do to get by because we were doing something we loved. Leah was devoted to pursuing her dream like I was."

Grudgingly but sensibly sitting out last year’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals following what doctors called a “minor” heart attack only made Top Fuel racer Steve Torrence more resolved to show everyone what they missed.

This time the feeling was simply heartening.

Jack Beckman sure does know how to make a race entertaining.

In the final round of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, in the lane that no one wanted, after a less than stellar weekend, Beckman matched up with Robert Hight in his third consecutive Funny Car final and won in dramatic fashion, crossing the finish line sideways and on fire following a spectacular explosion at Summit Motorsports Park.

Ron Capps’ 2016 Funny Car world championship season and hot start to the 2017 season has earned him a nomination for an ESPY award in the Best Driver category, it was announced this week. This is the first time he has been nominated for the prestigious honor in his 23-year NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series career.
 
Capps is nominated alongside Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, IndyCar driver Simon Pagenaud and NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. The ESPY Awards, for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, was created by ESPN in 1993. The nominees are selected for their performances over the past 12 months.