by Bobby Bennett Sun, 2022-01-09 12:10
As T.J. Zizzo figured, if someone has to win, "it might as well be me."
Zizzo, the popular Rust-o-Leum Top Fuel dragster driver, ran roughshod over the Top Fuel field in the 2020 - 2021 Virtual Hot Rod Association field last season, much like Krista Baldwin has done this season. When Baldwin was upset in the first round of the McLeod VRHRA Summernationals, the defending champion pounced on the opportunity by beating Doug Kalitta in an overtime race.
Zizzo scored one more vote in a back-and-forth contest with the Mac Tools-sponsored Kalitta during the four-minute overtime period when both drivers could earn votes.
by Bobby Bennett; Photos by Ian Tocher, Marvin Smith Sat, 2022-01-08 17:01
Tim Slavens, a small-tire drag racer with an impeccable passion for drag racing, passed away after a bout 
with COVID-19. He was 52.
Slavens, of Marshfield, Missouri, drove Matt and Anita Zimmerman’s 1969 Camaro, an all-steel-bodied 1969 Camaro, and one of the last holdouts in a Radial vs. the World rapidly evolving into Pro Modified-style chassis.
Two of Slaven’s grandest accomplishments outside of winning back-to-back 10.5 championships locally, scored a Pro 275 victory at the Sweet 16 3.0 event and in 2019, briefly held the world’s quickest Radial vs. The World elapsed time opposite of his Pro Modified-style race car counterparts.
by John DiBartolomeo Sat, 2022-01-08 07:47
As a seasoned veteran of the sport, Jim Greenheck grew up in a different era.
“The first time I ever went down a drag strip was in 1969,” says Greenheck. “I had been hooked on road racing but that form was beginning to fall apart at the time and drag racing was what was affordable to me. I was a big Can-Am fan and that sort of devoured itself. Drag racing was just something I could get into. I didn’t have the money or resources to do much of anything else, so it’s where I began.”
With no real “car-type” experience in his background, Greenheck began working in the family’s manufacturing business which has given him knowledge that has helped him today as the founder of CTech Manufacturing, a builder of various cabinetry for all types of industries.
by Bobby Bennett Fri, 2022-01-07 21:01
As Antron Brown sees it, anything worth having will be tough. He's hasn't officially hit the track as the owner/driver for Antron Brown Motorsports, and already Brown has found the experience to be tough sledding.
It's no big deal to the two-time NHRA champion; Brown came prepared for the challenge.
The last couple of seasons has been a trial run for Brown, who had the luxury of operating under the Don Schumacher Racing umbrella. Now he's holding his own.
by Tracy Renck Fri, 2022-01-07 16:48
The 11th annual Spartanburg Dragway Reunion (Spartanburg, SC) will take place on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the Beacon Drive-in.
As many as 300 former drag racing, track officials, and race fans will assemble at the iconic restaurant to celebrate the dragstrip, which played host weekly to many drag racing legends and future champions.
The track, which closed in 1983, set the foundation for Spartanburg County to establish its place in drag racing history as one of the more successful counties for drag racing success.
by Bobby Bennett Jr. Tue, 2022-01-04 22:45
Sometimes the most valuable life lessons are taught in the humblest of settings. In the summer of 1971, a pair of young men, one several years old than the other, began working at a wheel & tire store in Houston, Texas. One was the son of the business owner, and the other was a teenager looking to earn some extra money.
Little did the two know this pairing would lead to a friendship that is still in place more than five decades later. The two became championship-winning tuners with a combined winning percentage which accounts for national event victories in 12-percent of all the NHRA national events contested.
Tue, 2022-01-04 14:00
Fire up your computers, call your friends. It's time for the third season of the Virtual Reality Hot Rod Association; the race series created out of a pandemic.
So, how does this work?
Each event features the top 20 finishers, plus a champion provisional if necessary, of the previous season in a ballot where your votes determine qualifying and race results, and inevitably series championships. Since we are fantasy drag races, we can stage the events at any facility we choose, regardless of whether the track exists or not.
by Tracy Renck Tue, 2022-01-04 13:50
After three years away from drag racing, world championship crew chief Tommy DeLago is back in the NHRA mix.
It was announced Jan. 4, DeLago is joining Davis Motorsports/Justin Ashley Racing and work with fellow world championship crew chief Mike Green.
“I feel that is a privilege to have someone open their doors to me and give me an opportunity to get back into something I spent over half my life doing,” DeLago told CompetitionPlus.com. “I feel blessed that I have this opportunity.”
by Bobby Bennett Mon, 2022-01-03 20:42
NHRA plans to bolster their Pro Modified car counts in 2022 by adjusting their rules package, making participation more inclusive.
Maintaining parity in a two power adder class was once considered a daunting task for Pro Modified rule-makers.
When the 21st season of NHRA Pro Modified kicks off at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla, it will do so with six power adder variations. The newest addition will be a variation to the current roots supercharged combination.
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