This hasn’t been the season Kyle Koretsky was hoping for in 2023,

Koretsky, after fourth and fifth-place finishes in the points in 2021 and 2022, arrived in Indy ninth in the points standings with one runner-up and one semifinal finish. His semi-final run at the NHRA U.S. Nationals allowed him to climb into eighth as the regular season concluded. 

For decades, U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, located outside of Grand Rapids, MI, has delivered drag racing excitement. And over the weekend, it continued the trend with the latest Midwest Drag Racing Series event. 

Race officials confirmed over 10,000 race fans witnessed Keith Haney (Pro Modified), Tony Sandman  (Pro Mod Slammers), and Phil Esz (Funny Car) topped the headlining divisions. 

Haney’s reeled off a 3.690-second elapsed time to beat a red-lighting Ed Thornton. His victory not only secured his place in the winner’s circle but also allowed him to regain the lead in the Stroud Safety Pro Mod class.

Siblings Matt Harris and Christine Harris-Samuel have been experiencing quite a season in the exceptionally competitive Competition Eliminator category. Matt just picked up his second division win this year at the final NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 5 event of the season, contested last weekend in Earlville, Iowa. The brother/sister duo each picked up wins earlier this season at the Divison 5 doubleheader at Bandimere Speedway in Denver over Father’s Day weekend, which is fitting because it’s their father who tunes their race cars, and it was their father who inspired them to get involved in drag racing in the first place.

“None of this would be happening if it wasn’t for our dad,” said Christine. “All three of my wins have been over Father’s Day weekend at Bandimere, and it’s been so special to get to give back to him for all he’s done for us.”

Some Pro Stock fans long for the way Pro Stock was 20 years ago. Matt Hartford isn't one of them. 

Sure, 48 entries were vying for 16 spots for race day in a field separated by .055 from pole position to bump. But Hartford, who won the NHRA U.S. Nationals over the Labor Day weekend, believes the Pro Stock of today is more refined, accessible, and competitive than ever. 

In those so-called glory days of factory hot rod racing, the divide between the haves and have-nots was very defined.

Are you looking to solidify your role in the drag racing industry?

CompetitionPlus Inc. is looking to hire the right person to handle its advertising and sponsorship sales. Additionally, this person will oversee the management of Competitionplus.com's Classified Advertising partner QuarterClassifieds.com commercial accounts as well as sponsorships for the Competition Eliminator Bonus Fund.

When you’re a hired driver, it’s essential to stay focused on the task at hand and not let minor bumps in the road divert your attention elsewhere. 

For instance, when you are making a run and a competitor comes into your lane and crashes your brand-new car, you stay focused. It’s just a bump in the road.

Or, when you are working your way to the final round of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, and a brake pressure sensor breaks, sending your car off the racing surface at the end of the track and leaving uncertainty as to whether you will have to go to a back-up car, it’s no cause for concern. It’s merely a bump in the road. 

Every year, NHRA classes add new drivers, and the Pro classes are no exception.
 
In 2024,a new face in the Pro Stock category will be Sienna Wildgust. 

Passion. It’s all about how you display it.

And for Funny Car racer Blake Alexander, it was on full display at the NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. Moments after scoring an exhilarating and hard-fought win, he put it on full display without a corporate correctness care in the world. 

Then, the television crew shoved a microphone in his face.  

Drag racing is alive and well, and there’s no finer example than the recently completed Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The television coverage of the event drew an impressive viewership of nearly 2.1 million for its original airing on Fox. This marked the largest audience for this event on the Fox networks since 2017, highlighting the monumental nature of the occasion.

Viewership remained strong throughout the NHRA broadcasts on Fox, with Sunday’s airing of the Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout and Monday’s eliminations.