Brittany Force was no slouch in Saturday's final Nitro Spring Training testing at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park testing.. After registering consistent low-3.7-second elapsed times Friday and capping her day with a 3.704, she roared back Saturday morning in the Monster Energy Dragster with a 3.695-second E.T., 319.22 mph. She ran a 3.708, 324.90 later in the afternoon.

“I know as a driver there are certain areas that I want to work on, focus on more. Same as last year, same as the year before,” she said.

“The nice thing going into this next year is, you know usually with each new season, we throw a whole lot of change into the mix, whether it’s a completely new car, new team, or a new crew chief, and that gets a little chaotic in itself. And finding a new routine and adjusting to it, figuring it out, it takes a few races to get in that groove. So it’s nice that our team’ has pretty much stayed the same since last year,” Force said. “We’re kind of picking up where we left off going right into next season, which I think will help us out.”

Rookie Pro Stock driver Tanner Gray doesn't even need to leave his pit to find three proven winners ready to dispense years of drag racing knowledge, a comforting fact for the 17-year-old as he preps for this weekend's season-opening 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals.
 
"I've got grandpa (Johnny Gray), Dad (Shane Gray) and Dave (Connolly) right here and they've all been a huge help since we started this deal," Tanner said. "There probably isn't anything that could happen to me out there they haven't experienced at one point or another. I know I can ask them anything and they'll be there for me.

Don't forget, An opportunity to meet JFR drivers this week. The first: Mark Christopher Chevrolet at 2131 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764 on Tuesday from 6 to p.m. #NHRA #Winternats

For so long, John Meden was an indispensable part of the brain trust at John Force Racing. But he left to join Don Schumacher Racing – three times, including twice this past offseason (one stint for just a few days).

It looked at first like a mass exodus as Jimmy Prock and the entire crew went down Northfield Road at Brownsburg, Ind., from Don Schumacher Racing to JFR. That prompted Jack Beckman, the driver of the exiting team, to wisecrack, “I guess I’m not as likeable as I thought I was.” But then Medlen returned to DSR – along with Dean “Guido” Antonelli, the JFR general manager. At one point, the scoreboard looked like a football coach’s Xs and Os and lines arcing everywhere.

But Medlen is settled back in and Antonelli is comfortable in his new situation. Together they are crew chiefs for Beckman, along with Neal Strausbaugh, you was assistant crew chief to Mike Green for the U.S. Army Dragster for the past few years.

The first nitro test session of the year is complete, and Tim Wilkerson and his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang are tuned up and ready to head to California for the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 9-12.
 
Nitro Spring Training brought many of the top NHRA teams to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix to shake out the cobwebs and get back into the routine before launching into the 24-race 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Team LRS was eager to roll out their hot rod and see how the brand-new paint scheme looked on the racetrack. Levi, Ray & Shoup launched a new logo recently to bring all of their brands under one umbrella, and Wilkerson's Shelby Mustang Funny Car now reflects the fresh, vivid colors of the integrated design.

The World Series of Drag Racing is returning to Cordova International Raceway in Cordova, Ill., after a one-year stay in Memphis, Tenn., IRG Sports + Entertainment announced today.  The 2017 World Series of Drag Racing is set for Aug. 25-27, 2017; ticket information will be available in March. 
 
The World Series of Drag Racing has a storied history with its inaugural event taking place in Lawrenceville, Ill., in 1953 and later transitioning to IRGSE-owned Cordova International Raceway.  Since its inception, the event has featured many of the world's best drag racers in a family-friendly environment.  The event comprises activities for the whole family including the kids zone, an array of food options, driver meet-and-greets with autograph sessions and fireworks shows.  

Nitro Spring Training came to an end Saturday at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz. where NHRA Funny Car and Top Fuel teams put all their off-season hard work to the test one week before the start of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Leah Pritchett had the unofficial quickest run in NHRA history in her Papa John’s Pizza Top Fuel dragster Saturday morning. Pritchett and her crew put down a 3.654-second pass at 331.85 mph during their first try of the day after they ran the two quickest passes Friday with a 3.677 and a 3.685.

Larry Morgan understands the importance of destiny.

Next month at the NHRA Gatornationals, the 62-year old Morgan, who has 19 wins in 45 finals while racing Pro Stock, makes his Pro Modified driving debut.

Who said a seasoned veteran can't learn a new trick?