Back-to-back Competition Eliminator championships in 2003-04, as well as 16 national event wins, naturally generated a certain level of respect for Dean Carter in NHRA. Those accolades look great on paper, but the respect meter pegs when you see Carter on the dragstrip nestled into the cockpit of the front-engine Nostalgia Dragster he runs in Comp.

The Glendale, Ariz., drag racer knows no other way. His father, Ray, was deeply involved in drag racing throughout his youth. 

"I got drug to racetrack after racetrack, but it was fun," said Carter, whose own driving career was launched at the age of 16 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, then known as Firebird International Raceway. 

For some drag racers, the offseason is a time to expand their skills and presence in the sport.

That’s exactly what is happening this week at renowned Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School in Gainesville, Fla.

Classes began Dec. 27 and conclude Dec. 30, and a star-studded class of racers are attending.

The sign in the corner of Joe Napoleon’s shop describes his approach to everything, life or his TurnKey Industries trailer business.

“Innovate or evaporate,” Napoleon confirmed. 

The bold saying has been the mantra of the man who came from the humblest of beginnings and earned his way into one of the most talented high-end trailer manufacturers. Some might consider him a Picasso of trailers. 

It is said time flies by when you are having fun, and for Camrie Caruso, the 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year, understands there’s credence to the saying. 

“It was crazy, like two different seasons,” Caruso said of her debut in Pomona in February and the season-finale in November. “The Winternationals was just a blur, and then at the end of the season at the Auto Club Finals, I couldn’t believe the season was over. I was way more comfortable at the last race of the season.”

Caruso was presented the Rookie of the Year accolade on Saturday, following a season where she outperformed the other rookie contenders with a final round appearance and a No. 1 qualifier. Both milestones came at the final national event at Houston Raceway Park, where she raced the five-time champion, Erica Enders.

Justin Lamb has of those resumes. 

It comes with the territory when you are a five-time NHRA champion with 59 national and divisional event victories. 

How could one possibly fret about anything?

When opportunity knocked, Chase Van Sant couldn’t believe what was behind the door.

Van Sant was offered the opportunity to ride a Suzuki for Jerry Savoie’s White Alligator Racing world championship Pro Stock Motorcycle team.

The whirlwind event became official earlier this month and Van Sant, 25, is still trying to digest everything. 

A little over a decade ago, CompetitionPlus.com had an audio channel that featured some of drag racing's personalities. Veteran drag racing announcer Joe Castello did the interviews for CompetitionPlusAudio, and just days after Jerry Eckman, a racer who had been suspended and fined over a pit area safety issue was reinstated by NHRA, took time to share his story.

Eman's story is one of redemption following a dark time in his life. He doesn't make excuses and has always owned up to his actions and transgressions. This interview is pure gold and comes just days after his passing.

Jerry Eckman loved drag racing right up to the moment he took his last breath on Christmas Eve, 2022. 

Eckman, 80, passed away following a brave battle with Alzheimer’s Disease with his wife Marcia at his side while the song House of the Rising Sun by the Animals played. 

“Drag racing was everything to Jerry,” Marcia said. “That’s all he ever talked about.”

Even after Alzheimer’s began affecting Eckman’s daily life, Marcia said he drew enjoyment from a video made by his stepson David of his old racing clips from Diamond P videos.