by Bobby Bennett; Photo by Roger Richards Sat, 2023-09-23 09:52
A back-up car has never looked so appealing.
At least, that is how Doug Kalitta could see it. After crashing his primary dragster at last weekend's Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, when a slick inexplicably exploded, taking the Mac Tools dragster out of competition, Kalitta returned to his backup dragster and went on to win the first round of the Countdown.
Last weekend, he won career race No. 50. Friday at the Betway NHRA Nationals hosted by zMAX Dragway, he scored the No. 1 qualifying spot, at least provisionally, with a standout performance of 3.665 at 331.61 miles per hour.
by Bobby Bennett Jr., Photos by Roger Richards Fri, 2023-09-22 22:16
The first day of the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals was a record-setting affair as Matt Hagan laid down a new zMAX Dragway track elapsed time record. The event marks the 17th race on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and the second race in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Also claiming top spots were Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Erica Enders (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
Fri, 2023-09-22 20:25
Point standings (top 10) following the 15th annual betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, the 17th of 21 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series -
Fri, 2023-09-22 20:24
Final round-by-round results from the 15th annual betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, the 17th of 21 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series:
by Bobby Bennett Jr. Fri, 2023-09-22 18:38
That’s gonna leave a mark. And for Tony Stewart Racing, they hope to keep making a positive mark for the Tennessee-based Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage (JHG) as they have announced an extended partnership with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. In a multi-year agreement, JHG will serve as the primary sponsor for a minimum of six events on the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car driven by three-time champion Matt Hagan.
by Bobby Bennett Jr. Fri, 2023-09-22 18:33
It’s been almost 47 years since large displacement Pro Stock legends Harold Denton and Roy Hill rolled to starting for the first-ever sanctioned Mountain Motor Pro Stock final round during the IHRA Winternationals in Darlington, SC. The two raced for a first-place prize of $5,000.
Never in their wildest dreams would they have imagined their unique style of factory hot rod racing would one day compete for a top prize of $25,000. But that’s what will happen March 1-3, 2024, during the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Modified at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
“Pro Mod and Mountain Motor Pro Stock just go together,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder and WSOPM promoter. “It’s hard not to be a fan of this class with its massive, naturally aspirated engines, hood scoops, and clutches. Plus, the people involved with Mountain Motor Pro Stock are truly special, and the class just continues to grow. The second annual Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational will be the perfect complement to the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod.”
by Tracy Renck Fri, 2023-09-22 13:21
The 2023 NHRA season has been a case in adversity for eight-time Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher.
However, Schumacher, who pilots the Maynard family/Scag Power Equipment dragster never lost faith in his team.
Schumacher’s patience and never-give-up attitude was rewarded last weekend at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa.
by Bobby Bennett Jr. Thu, 2023-09-21 18:42
Mike Bucher proudly displays his faith and has pointed out that it guides him in decision-making regularly. But this time, it was a struggle.
On the one hand, he wanted to drive the Leverich Family Top Fuel dragster during the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals. On the other, Wednesday marked the first anniversary of daughter Abigail passing away following a battle with Leukemia.
The second-generation drag racer's passion kept pushing him to travel to Concord, NC, while his heart inspired him to stay home close to family.
by Bobby Bennett Jr. Thu, 2023-09-21 16:13
By nature, third-generation Top Fuel drag racer Krista Baldwin is as giddy as any nitro pilot has ever been. But, these days, she's got a little extra giddy-up.
Baldwin has been named Scott Palmer's substitute driver for the upcoming NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex in October. The appointment couldn't come at a better time for Baldwin, who has been burning the midnight oil in search of a new chassis for her Top Fuel operation.
Baldwin will drive Palmer's Professional Bull Riders-sponsored entry.
by Bobby Bennett Jr. Thu, 2023-09-21 15:59
It’s been 20 days since Don Thomas pocketed the most significant single payday of his drag racing career, and he cannot push it to the back of his mind. It tends to have that effect when one wins $30,000, combined with another $17,500 for a Calcutta-style auction and a custom-made trophy from Cold Hard Art. The NHRA U.S. Nationals is in the rearview mirror as Thomas rolled into Tulsa Raceway Park for the final two events in the Rooftec D4 Competition Eliminator Bonus fund.
Just mention Indianapolis to Thomas, and he's all too willing to speak of the most monumental day in his racing career.
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