Shawn Gann, who rode his Pro Stock Motorcycle to five NHRA national events wins from 2000 to 2017, died May 16. He was 42.

Gann’s first victory aboard the family-operated Gann Speed entry that he ran with father Blake came at 2001 fall Las Vegas event and added victories in 2003 in Englishtown and in 2004 in Chicago and Denver. His most recent victory came in Denver in 2013. Gann also had nine career runner-ups, including four straight near misses at the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals 2001-2004. Gann also clocked seven NHRA Top 10 finishes in the standings, including a career-best third in 2003.

Although the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has caused the NHRA to revise and adjust its 2020 Mello Yello Series schedule, Top Fuel driver Greg Carillo is still on target to make his season debut as planned at the Mile-High Nationals in Morrison, Colo.

In an unofficial revision of the NHRA Mello Yello Series national event schedule – the Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway near Denver, are second in line after Seattle – with Aug. 8-9 dates.

To rank the Top 10 Australian racers of all time is an exercise fraught with danger and also runs the risk of incurring the wrath of drag racing keyboard warriors who are currently in hibernation due to COVID-19.
 
The main issue is not the actual composition of the Top 10. Each driver on the list has earned his or her place as one of Australian drag racing greats. What will generate debate and controversy are the rankings within the ten.

 For a sport where statistics are gospel, the easiest path would be to punch the names of the drivers and their achievements into a computer, let the algorithms take over and spit out the rankings. 

Due to the COVID-19 crisis and based on the Illinois regional plan, it is unlikely the Chicago-area will reopen for a spectator event in a reasonable amount of time. The Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing Presented by HPJ Performance has been moved to World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis (Madison, IL) the weekend of July 30 - August 2, 2020.
 
“We’re very comfortable scheduling an event in the southern part of Illinois for the end of July based on the Illinois Motorsport Coalition reopening proposal that was presented to the state this week,” said Rollie Miller, General Manager and National Event Director at ProMedia Events and Publishing, the parent company of the Holley NMRA Ford Nationals and NMCA Muscle Car Nationals. “Chris Blair and World Wide Technology Raceway are ready to help us pull-off this unique event as both the NMRA and NMCA are getting back to the business of drag racing.”

Harry Hruska of Precision Distributors is no stranger to helping racers, tracks, and sanctioning bodies. Since his founding of Precision Distributors back in 1987 then rebranding the name to Precision Turbo & Engine in early 1993, Harry has focused on the needs of the racing community.  In a current project with Precision Distributors his objective is to help track operators be ready for racers and fans to re-open with needed supplies such as face masks and hand sanitizer.  

It's an exhibition, but at this point in the unconventional 2020 season, Quain Stott will take what he can get.

Stott, the outspoken and detail-minded driving force behind the Southeast Gassers Association, gets his first chance starting on May 15, to bring his high-entertainment show to drag racing starved race fans.

The Southeast Gassers will participate in Union (SC) Dragway's Steel in Motion event; a popular nostalgia and rat rod event held annually.

The Weney family announced devoted husband, father of four children, accomplished businessman and drag racer, Walter Weney Jr., passed away peacefully on May 15th , 2020.
 
Walt was born in Pennsylvania, during the 1930’s and from an early age he was determined to make his mark on the world. Weney was 22 years old when he teamed up with friend and racing partner, Jim Amole, to launch S&W Speed Shop, in 1959. They quickly became recognized for producing state-of-the-art drag racing chassis and components. The sport continued to grow and so did S&W, by 1964 they were able to move their speed shop out of Walt Sr.’s 15 ft. x 20 ft. basement garage, into the first of three stand alone S&W Race Cars & Components manufacturing facilities. In addition to building his company, Walt won many races, championships and set drag racing records from the 1950’s until the early 1980’s. He was also the recipient of numerous racing industry achievement awards. In 1994, Weney expanded S&W to its current 27,000 sq.ft. size and continued to add new equipment and technologies, until his retirement in 2005. Even though he ‘handed the keys’ to the next generation, Walt continued to lend support from behind the scenes and attended the drag races whenever he could. He credited much of his success to his wife of 66 years, Vonda, their children, talented employees, business partners and loyal customers.

Stevie "Fast" Jackson, the reigning NHRA Pro Modified champion, proved that when it comes to Radial vs. The World competition, at least at Wooostock 2020, he didn't need to practice to be perfect.

Jackson drove his way to the provisional No. 1 qualifying position at the first major Drag Radial event since the pandemic halted live events.

Jackson stopped the timers at Darlington Dragway in 3.568 seconds at 212.87 miles per hour. Keven Rivenbark slid into the second spot with a 3.590, 205.67.

In an unofficial revision of the NHRA Mello Yello Series national event schedule – the Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo., near Denver, are second in line after Seattle – with Aug. 8-9 dates.

The Bandimere family executive team, which runs the speedway, is ready to make the most of its event, which changed dates because NHRA races were put on hold or canceled due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

“Here’s what happening because they are trying to cram a lot into a short period of time, NHRA is trying to make it as easy for teams as they possibly can,” said John “Sporty” Bandimere III. “They are trying to reduce their number of runs, trying to help them financially as well at that kind of stuff. Our event will still be a three-day event, we will still have racing going on Friday (Aug. 7), Saturday and Sunday. Your Saturday and Sunday are not going to look or feel any different than any national event you have attended here at (Bandimere). Qualifying, eliminations, those two days will look pretty normal.”

The Texas Motorplex will be one of the first sporting venues in the state to host events following Governor Abbott’s new directives on public gatherings and sporting events. The Keurig Dr Pepper Lone Star Nationals presented by Driven Automotive Protection, a primarily participant only event, will be held May 21-23. The event will be an opportunity for race teams to test as well as race for one of the largest cash purses ever offered to Alcohol Funny Cars and Dragsters. The Mid-West Pro Mods will also be competing showing off their 200 mph door-slammer speed.