While NHRA has remained mum on the subject of the Factory Experimental format becoming the next incarnation of its Pro Stock division, some of the drivers in the Camping World Drag Racing Series are starting to throw their hat in the ring. The word has made its way to us that Rodger Brogdon, who recently announced his intention to run all NHRA Pro Stock events in 2022, has already put in his Factory X order for a new COPO Camaro with Jerry Haas. 

Word has it that longtime tuner Tommy DeLago is headed back to nitro racing in 2022. The former crew chief for Matt Hagan and later with Kalitta Motorsports is reportedly headed to Dustin Davis Motorsports to serve as assistant crew chief to Mike Green. Nothing official has been released but we have heard from multiple sources close to the situation that it's a done deal. 

UPDATED 12-2-21 - According to multiple sources, the bid to purchase New England Dragway has failed. We are told the board voted against a bid to purchase the property for a significant amount of money thus keeping the property as an operating drag strip. 

The word floating around the pits is that veteran journeyman Aaron Brooks will be tuning this weekend on the Doug Kalitta-driven MAC Tools Top Fuel dragster at the NHRA Midwest Nationals outside of St. Louis, Mo. He will likely replace Rob Flynn. There's not likely going to be an official statement as many teams prefer not to announce crew chief replacements in mid-season. We'll see if the gossip making its rounds plays out on Friday. 

Could another prominent NASCAR team owner be on the verge of throwing his hat in the ring with drag racing team ownership? That's the banter making its rounds at zMax Dragway during the Carolina Nationals. If this indeed plays out, a technical space race could be in full swing amongst the Pro Stock fraternity. 

The word floating around the pits in Indianapolis is the NHRA Mopar Dodge program will have a NASCAR connection in 2022. Could the branding be on a satellite team? There's nothing official but the rumor seems to be getting steam with each passing event. 

After years of not having big-dollar shootouts for the fuel classes, word has it the NHRA will soon reveal shootouts for the Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions. From what we hear, an eight-car, race-within-a-race Top Fuel show will be unveiled at the 2022 NHRA Gatornationals. Funny Car fans rejoice because we hear a race-within-a-race will return to the NHRA U.S. Nationals in 2022, along with Monday eliminations. Not bad for a sport some say is "circling the drain."