In the running for his first world-title, Sheikh Khalid Al Thani is ready for his shot at drag racing glory this week at the Qatar Race Club during the seventh and final round of the Arabian Drag Racing League. Al Thani, who has been in the midst of a season-long points battle with teammate Von Smith, goes into the final event of the season less than one round win out of the lead.

“Frank [Manzo, crew chief] and the Al-Anabi Racing team have been working hard to make sure we have the best car possible going into this most important final round,” said Al Thani, from his office in downtown Doha. “With drag racing, though, there are no guarantees. It’s going to come down to who makes the best decisions on race day and me doing my job as a driver.”

Long-time public relations and marketing specialist Gabrielle Stevenson, 35, was named Texas Motorplex General Manager today by owner Billy Meyer. Stevenson joins the Texas Motorplex after leaving her post at the United Way California Capital Region in Sacramento, California where she managed a broad range of marketing projects including donor relations, branding initiatives, marketing materials as well as Web site content. Stevenson has nearly 10 years of public relations experience working for both the Motorplex and the National Hot Rod Association sanctioning body.

“I am excited to bring someone with Gabrielle’s skill sets into the General Manager position. Her years of public relations and marketing experience will be a big asset for the Texas Motorplex in the North Texas region. She understands how critical public relations and marketing are to the growth of this facility and her positive, can-do attitude will make an immediate impact. We looked at a number of candidates and Gabrielle’s enthusiasm and ideas quickly moved her to the top of the list,” said Meyer.

It’s time to put or shut up in the ever escalating war of words between Drag Radial racers in North America.  This weekend, February 26 - 27, 2010, from South Georgia’s premier drag racing facility (SGMP) just outside Adel Georgia, ‘The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia’ $20,000 to win Mickey Thompson Drag Radial vs. The World will take place.

Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel) and Jack Beckman (Funny Car), NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event winners from Phoenix, will appear on "WFO Radio NHRA Tuesday with Joe Castello", live tonight at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).  To listen, go to http://www.wforadio.com
On Monday, McClenathan defeated Doug Kalitta to win the Arizona Nationals, his 32nd career Top Fuel victory.  With the win, McClenathan moved atop the Top Fuel standings holding a five point lead over Kalitta after two races.

How excited was “Fast” Jack Beckman after besting 14-time Funny Car champion John Force in the rain-delayed NHRA Arizona Nationals Funny Car final round?

He was so excited he could hardly stand still.

Paul Page, off to the side doing his stand-up introductions for ESPN, was interrupted more than once by the bouncing Beckman. Cory McClenathan just smiled, laughed and continued his post race interview after every Beckman intrusion.

The current NHRA’s testing policy, which limits teams to four test days during the season, was first enacted in 2008 to help alleviate a reported nitro shortage which threatened to shorten the season. The policy was continued in 2009 with a limited amount of tests allotted to each team with the intention of curtailing the rising cost of nitro racing.

However, three-quarters into the 2009 season, teams found loopholes in the policy they could exploit. The NHRA revised their policy for 2010, closing all the loopholes.

Caught in the midst of the new strict enforcement of the testing policy is the development of new drivers into the nitro ranks.

The NHRA issued the following statement on Monday regarding the death of a spectator during Sunday's Arizona Nationals.

With the last batch of Last Chance Lotto winners claiming their prizes late last week, the entire field for “Pinks All Out” at Maple Grove Raceway has been filled.
 
More than 500 drivers will be showing their stuff at The Grove May 14-15 when Rich Christensen and his gang tape their highly successful Speed TV show.

Following a first-year sell out of 100 factory-built program vehicles in 2009, Mopar announced its 2010 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak program.

For 2010, the non-street legal V-8 powered, rear-wheel drive Dodge Challenger is available with the 6.1 liter HEMI® that may be set up with a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

"We’re proud of our drag racing heritage at Mopar and we will continue to support our drag-race customers where they compete,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer - Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Dodge Challenger Drag Pak program was a success last year, and we’ll be carrying that momentum into our 2010 build.”

In the final results from Gainesville Raceway and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Michael Manners, Willis, Tex. and Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga. took home the wins in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car respectively.

Manners worked his way through the field and ran 5.275 seconds at 270.05 mph in his final round victory over Monroe Guest, who clocked in at 5.433 seconds, 269.51 mph.