With a challenging 2020 in the rearview mirror,  one could only hope with 2021 opened with more promise. Unfortunately, Mother Nature wasn’t feeling so positive, forcing the Big Dog Series promoters to postpone their season opener by two weeks. 

This deviation from the plan did little to deter the efforts of defending Big Dog Series champion Jason Harris, as he opened the new season with a victory and did so in impressive fashion by winning from the No. 1 seed. 
Harris was followed in the qualifying order by Chris Rini (3.900), Brian Shrader (3.931), Cam Clark (3.946), Robbie Keziah (3.962), Mike Graham (3.970), Matt Giangrande (4.134) and Bubba Turner (4.316).

When good things like Atlanta Dragway hosting an NHRA national event come to an end, other great things begin as is the case with Wisconsin-grown potatoes going into retailer Menards to support the NHRA Pro Mod class.  The NHRA E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series presented by J&A Service will be Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes during the final Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals at the track in Commerce, Georgia, April 30-May 2.

When engine innovator Sonny Leonard died on Jan. 10, his customers -- many of whom were also close friends -- were at a loss.

“I don’t know what they’re going to do without him, really,” said one long-time client of the scores of competitors in drag racing, pulling and boat racing who depended on Sonny’s World Class Racing.

“I don’t even want to think about it,” said another.

Concerns about Sonny’s future as a top-tier source of extreme horsepower have proved unfounded. The business was closed for just one day: Jan. 14, the day of Leonard’s funeral in Lynchburg, Va. The only thing that has slowed operations are factors that are out of the company’s control.

The NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor presented by Peterson Chevrolet achieves a new milestone in 2021 as Firebird’s longest running event celebrates its 50th year. Set for Saturday and Sunday, May 1-2, the traditional northwest season opener will jumpstart the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Funny Car Series.

Nitro Funny Cars are set to test Fri., April 30th, from noon till 6 pm. Saturday will showcase three qualifying heats at noon, 3 pm and 6 pm. Final eliminations in the Stinker Stores Nitro Knockout kick off at high noon on Sunday.

​Leah Pruett’s Top Fuel dragster will feature a brand-new look this weekend at Atlanta Dragway. Whisps Cheese Crisps, the snack company that’s on a mission to bring premium, quality cheese to consumers nationwide, will adorn Pruett’s 11,000-horsepower machine as its primary sponsor at the NHRA Southern Nationals outside of Atlanta.
 
Pruett, an eight-time Top Fuel winner, is no stranger to success at Atlanta Dragway. In 2018, she claimed the Southern Nationals Wally trophy, and in 2015, it was where she recorded her career-first runner-up finish. At this weekend’s race, which is slated to be the NHRA’s final event at the Commerce, Ga. facility, Pruett aims to close out the series’ last outing at Atlanta Dragway by driving her Whisps Cheese Crisps Top Fuel dragster to the winner’s circle.
 
“Being able to represent one of my favorite snacks on the track is awesome,” remarked the health-conscious Pruett. “The light, crunchy Whisps Cheese Crisps were already a part of my go-to snack selection since they’re deliciously low carb, high protein, and gluten-free. They always beat even my cheesiest cravings.

For the first time in its seven-year history, the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) will bring its brand of eighth-mile drag racing to Kentucky’s historic Beech Bend Raceway Park this weekend. The Stroud Safety Doorslammer Derby presented by Classic Graphix, April 29-May 1, is the second race on the eight-race PDRA tour and the first major event of the season for the Bowling Green facility. 
 
“We’ve been looking forward to coming to Bowling Green since the schedule was announced last fall,” says Tyler Crossnoe, race director, PDRA. “Beech Bend is a unique facility and it has such a rich history. We couldn’t be more excited about making our own mark on the Beech Bend history books this weekend.”

The Daily Race Schedule for the 2021 Good Vibrations March Meet, presented by Lucas Oil, was recently released and Nitro Fans are going to be pleased. For the first time in the event’s history, Nighttime Nitro Sessions are scheduled for both Friday and Saturday night.

“We are making the most of a difficult situation,” said Blake Bowser, Vice President of Famoso Dragstrip. “Not having the March Meet in March was frustrating, but we are going to make up for it in May with a massive drag race May 26-30.”

Oftentimes when a person establishes a new company, they use their own name; Harry’s Auto Parts; or the name of the place it’s located; Spring Haven Auto Parts; or some bination of the both; Harry’s Spring Haven Auto Parts. Not so for Red Roberts.

After service to his country in the Army, Roberts went to work with Bill Hays and his successful Hays Clutches company. After the purchase of Hays Clutches by new owners and the elimination of Roberts’ position in 1968, Roberts continued his rise within the industry as the sales manager for Weber Speed Equipment, then owned by Harry Weber.

With his knowledge of clutches, Roberts branched out on his own, starting the clutch company that has become synonymous within the industry, McLeod Clutches. Where though did the name McLeod come from? 

It doesn't hurt to play both sides of the fence. Or in this case, Pro Modified standout Khalid alBalooshi will have both a centrifugal and roots-style supercharged entry in 2021. Here's his latest hot rod, a conventional supercharged entry, built by the fine folks at Jerry Bickel Race Cars.