Elite group in the running for JEGS Crown trophy

An
elite field of 15 highly skilled sportsman drag racers are in the
running for the coveted JEGS Crown trophy, a special award which could
be bestowed upon one or more of them at the upcoming JEGS NHRA Northern
SPORTSnationals, Sept. 25-27. The JEGS Crown is a specially designed
trophy that was painstakingly handcrafted by Dan Dreisbach, of Naked
Sculpture (www.naked-sculpture.com). It is considered by many to be
drag racing equivalent to an Olympic Gold Medal simply because it is so
difficult to obtain. The only way to win the JEGS Crown is to win an
eliminator title at two of the three JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals events
held each year; the JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals in Belle Rose, La.,
the JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals in Fontana, Calif., and the JEGS
NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals in Columbus, Ohio. Since it’s creation in
2005, the JEGS Crown has been claimed just once, by former Pro Mod
racer and current Top Fuel team owner Mike Ashley.

Mayse Motorsports Looks to Build on Strong Start to 2009 Season

The
father & son team of Robbie and Rustin Mayse has enjoyed a
successful, albeit frustrating start to the 2009 NHRA campaign. While
the duo, which boasts numerous NHRA and big dollar bracket victories
and championships in recent years, has enjoyed repeated success in NHRA
competition this season, they have yet to hoist the coveted NHRA Wally
in 2009.

“It’s hard to say we’re not off to a good start,” said defending NHRA
Division 4 Super Gas champion Rustin Mayse. “Dad and I have both had
some success. We’re driving well, our cars are great, and we’re going
rounds. We just haven’t finished the job and put one in the winners
circle yet.”

Legendary Pro Mod racer Charles Carpenter has made a huge impression on
the Pro Street community by tuning Palm Desert, Ca.-based Randy Walker
to consecutive wins and the points lead in PSCA's top class, Hughes
Performance Pro Street class.
 
Walker's 1974 El Camino used the last qualifying session on Saturday of
the Probe Industries California Nationals to leap past Clint Hairston
and Tim Henry with an impressive 6.376, 219.72 blast down the very hot
Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, Ca., to take the pole going into Sunday's
eliminations.

Calgary, Alberta's Rick Distefano raced his 1953 Corvette to the winner's circle at the 2009 Spokane County Raceway season opener. Distefano bested Missoula, Montana's Vern Mills and his '55 Belair. Distefano's 6.165 elapsed time at 228.81 MPH was more than enough to top Mills' 6.337, 221.71.

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The National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) is pleased to
announce the promotion of William “Quick” Vandiver to director of race
operations. In his new role, Vandiver will work closely with Executive
Vice President of Competition Bert Corzine to ensure National Guard
ADRL events continue to operate in the safe and efficient but
fun manner that competitors have come to expect.

Vandiver will serve as the primary liason between Corzine and all
National Guard ADRL competitors and will be involved in all aspects of
the events, including at times assuming the responsibility of making
the “tough calls.” He will assume his new duties May 22-23, during the
National Guard ADRL Quarter-Max Memphis Drags II at Memphis Motorsports
Park in Millington, Tennessee.

Antron Brown, a two-time Top Fuel winner this season, will serve as the
grand marshal for the 64th annual TourHendricksCounty.com Night
Before the 500 presented by Comfort Suties of Brownsburg USAC Midget
race on May 23 at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Brown will be
honored before the start of the feature race and sign autographs and
meet with race fans.

The month of May tradition has featured winners such as Ryan Newman, J.
J. Yeley, Kevin Swindell and last year's winner Bobby East. Gates at
O'Reilly Raceway Park open at 3 p.m. on May 23. Tickets are on sale for
$25 for reserved seats and $20 for general admission seats. Children 12
and under are free with a paying adult.

Sometimes when a wild horse throws you the best medicine is to saddle up and give it another try.

Two weeks after crashing Raymond Commisso’s Pro Modified, Troxel was behind the wheel again and making more test runs.

The nitro racer turned Pro Modified test pilot made four runs on the
Monday following the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and while she didn’t
drive the car under power to the finish line, she’s been busy becoming
acclimated with the nuances of fast doorslammer racing.

Troxel has run just past the 330 foot mark and each time lifted.

Bristol Dragway officials inducted one of the more colorful nitro Funny Car drivers into their most revered circle of recognition.

Dale Pulde, whose exploits behind the wheel of the legendary War Eagle Funny Car made him a legend, was recognized as the newest inductee into the Legends of Thunder Valley.

He was the only inductee in 2009.

“I was thrilled,” Pulde said. “This has been one of my favorite tracks since I was a kid. When you’re honored with something like this, it’s like the icing on the cake.”

Pulde joins an illustrious group of members including Bruton Smith, Wally Parks, Larry Carrier, Rickie Smith, Sox & Martin and Don Garlits.

The Brownsburg Motorsport Network will host the third annual Brownsburg
Motorsports Open House Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Numerous NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing teams will take part in the
event and offer fans a behind-the-scenes view of the race shops, the
chance to interact with team members, and more.