There's a saying which suggests, "All good things must come to an end."

And since 1988, Houston Raceway Park, located in Baytown, Tex., has been a good thing for NHRA drag racers and its fans. 

On April 24, 2022, the last NHRA national event will play out before a packed house.

At the conclusion of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 4 points meet in Nobile, Okla., Competition Eliminator driver Jeff Taylor admired his yellow 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt as it sat in the winner’s circle. He turned to his engine builder David Nickens and said, “You know that thing looks a whole lot better parked there in front of that sign than it did parked under those tires on Thursday.” 

To say that it was an eventful week for Taylor would be an understatement of epic proportions. In Competition Eliminator, it seems there’s a story of struggle behind every success, and Taylor’s most recent win is no exception. 

When the seasoned Sportsman competitor traveled to Oklahoma from his home in Sellersburg, Ind., he had yet to see, much less sit in, the car he would be driving. Nickens was bringing it from his shop in Texas with his brother, Robert, and nephew, Buddy. 

Thanks to his family’s unwavering support, accomplished Jr. Dragster driver Jonathan McClain took the next step towards accelerating his future when he completed the NHRA/IHRA Super Comp competition licensing program at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School.

The young racer was gifted his 2002 Spitzer Junior when he was just seven years old. Although he didn’t make his first run until he turned nine, Jonathan showed tremendous natural talent as a driver and went on to earn some serious accolades.

Veteran Pro Stock and Comp racer Aaron Strong confirmed to Competition Plus he will be competing in both classes on a limited basis in 2022.

“I'm not sure what races yet,” Strong said about his Pro Stock slate in the upcoming season. “We've been talking to them (Elite Motorsports) over the winter. And we're also building a Comp car.”

Strong is excited about getting behind the wheel of his Comp car.

The chase for 2022 Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) world championships begins this weekend at the East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech, April 7-9 at GALOT Motorsports Park. With a promising weather forecast and a huge field of racers expected to roll through the gates, it’s going to be a PDRA season opener to remember. 
 
“Racers, teams, and our own PDRA team have been working hard throughout the offseason to prepare for this weekend,” said Tyler Crossnoe, race director, PDRA. “The East Coast Nationals is always a big race for us, and this year’s edition is shaping up to be an exciting weekend. We’re going to see some new faces in multiple classes, plus the usual fan favorites. GALOT Motorsports Park is one of the nicest eighth-mile tracks in the country, so we’re all looking forward to starting the season there.”

Three-time champion Phil Read will be looking to reboot his 2022 campaign when the series travels across the country for round three of the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship at the Perth Motorplex, April 8-9.

Read, chasing his first title since 2008 scored a decisive win over reigning champion Peter Xiberras in the season opener at Sydney Dragway.

That form continued at the eighth-mile meeting at Sunset Strip, Mildura, where he overshadowed his rivals and set a new Australian record of 3.19/247 mph in qualifying.  

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is more than home for Las Vegas native Justin Lamb. It's been a proving ground for his capabilities as a racecar driver in multiple categories, and this weekend at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Lamb hoisted his ninth Las Vegas national event trophy and the 29th of his career as he raced to victory in Super Stock behind the wheel of his trusty Chevy Cobalt.
 
With the win, five-time Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champion Lamb is tied for second in having the most national event wins at LVMS between both Pro and Sportsman racers. The only driver with more Las Vegas national event trophies is Dan Fletcher, who has 11.

A victory over Steve Torrence has been a tremendous and rare feat in the NHRA Top Fuel class for the past five years. 

It isn’t impossible, as Brittany Force proved Sunday afternoon in the final round of the Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

It was a weekend Ron Capps will never forget.

The reigning NHRA nitro Funny Car world champion made the transition from driver to team owner/driver for Ron Capps Motorsports in the offseason.
Then, in only his fourth race in his new role, Capps was in the winner’s circle at the Four Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday.