After time to reflect, Ryan Oehler on his first NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle win
At the 2020 Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals at Indianapolis, Ryan Oehler scored his first Mello Yello Drag Racing Series win, one that was 30 years in the making
Ryan Oehler: Oh, it feels good. I've been hungry for a win. I haven't had a win and, uh, you know, professional drag racing in category since 2016. So that was coming up from the…
Gremlins, breakage made for a crazy raceday for Tommy Johnson Jr. and crew
From an engine that wouldn't fire in the pits before eliminations to a broken main stud after round one, it was a wild day for Tommy Johnson Jr. and the MD Anderson Cancer Center Funny Car team at the Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil.
Best of NHRA in-car footage 2020
Witness the best of in-car camera footage from the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Ride along with Jack Beckman on the nose of his Funny Car, get a wing’s-eye-view of Leah Pruett’s Top Fuel dragster, and shift gears with Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr in their Pro Stock cars.
From No. 1 qualifier to Top Fuel runner-up: Follow Terry McMillen's Indy raceday
After collecting his first career No. 1 qualifying position, Terry McMillen almost made it a clean sweep of the Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals, finishing as runner-up in Top Fuel. NHRA's John Kernan was shadowing McMillen and crew chief Rob Wendland all day.
NHRA’s new two-round qualifying format has made life interesting for Ron Capps
NHRA new two-run qualifying format has added an interesting dynamic to pro racing in 2020, and the recent adventures of Ron Capps and the NAPA Dodge Funny Car team are exhibit A.
With a very respectable 3.987, Ron Capps is qualified third for today’s final eliminations at the Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil and that’s just fine with him. Capps generally isn’t one to fret over his qualifying results but if…
Hector Arana Sr. takes a break from Pro Stock Motorcycle, but no, he’s not retired
This season, for the first time since 1989, Hector Arana Sr. isn’t likely to make a pass on a Pro Stock Motorcycle, but don’t dare ask him if he’s retired. He is not.
This season, for the first time since 1989, Hector Arana Sr. isn’t likely to make a pass on a Pro Stock Motorcycle, but don’t dare ask him if he’s retired. He is not.
“No. I’m definitely not retired,” he notes with authority. “I’m just taking a…
Pro Mod still on Alex Laughlin’s radar, but for now he’s all-in on Pro Stock
For a brief time, Alex Laughlin considered pulling double duty at this weekend’s Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals, but he ultimately decided to leave his Pro Mod car home in Texas in order to devote all his attention to Pro Stock.
For a brief time, Alex Laughlin considered pulling double duty at this weekend’s Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals, but he ultimately decided to leave his Pro Mod car home in Texas in order to devote all his attention to Pro Stock. Laughlin, the defending U…
Tough opening day in Indy for Alcohol Funny Car champ Jonnie Lindberg
Two-time NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world champion Jonnie Lindberg made his 2020 class debut Friday at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, but the veteran racer had a tough outing on his first qualifying pass.
With 600 cars in 19 classes, Lucas Oil Raceway has geared up for this weekend
The Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis will be the largest assemblage of race cars since the pandemic pause, and the track's Kasey Coler discussed the enhanced COVID-19 protocols in place for the weekend.
Matt Hartford offers his take on tuning Pro Stock engines and the third Indy race
In a recent Skype interview with NHRA's Brian Lohnes, Matt Hartford had a chance to sound off on a variety of topics related to Pro Stock racing including warm-weather tuning, two-run qualifying, and the influx of new talent in the class.
Jonnie Lindberg's birthday gift to Richie Crampton: Drive my car at the U.S. Nationals
Two-time Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Jonnie Lindberg is giving fellow driver Richie Crampton the best birthday gift ever: the chance to drive his car at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals.
What “In the zone” really looks like! In-car footage of Jack Beckman and Antron Brown
Spend a minute with Antron Brown or Jack Beckman and you’ll enjoy them for the people they are, and the passion they have for drag racing. But if you could go inside the car with them, you would see their personality shift—and witness how their passion and enthusiasm turns into a laser focus when they are in “their zone.”
Terry McMillen's Amalie team sees potential of new chassis design
A new in-house chassis program has helped make Terry McMillen and his Amalie Motor Oil team a strong contender during NHRA's restart events in Indianapolis.
Does Bo Butner know Pro Mod racing? Well, sort of
Bo Butner, the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock champion, recently got a chance to jump into a five-second Pro Mod car and he liked it so much he’s coming back for more.
Bo Butner still abides by his long-held belief that driving a Pro Stock car is the most difficult thing he’s ever tackled in racing, but after his Pro Mod debut at the Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals, he’s willing to add an asterisk to that statement…
Sportsman star Anthony Bertozzi talks about recent hot streak of victories
NHRA Sportsman superstar Anthony Bertozzi, who captured a record fifth JEGS SPORTSnationals title and also won a big-dollar bracket race, visited via Skype with NHRA’s Brian Lohnes to talk about his recent hot streak.
Second place is OK for now, but Leah Pruett has her eyes set on the No. 1 spot
Top Fuel racer Leah Pruett came out of the pandemic-caused racing hiatus swinging for the fences with some great driving and has moved into second place in points. She spoke with NHRA’s Brian Lohnes via Skype to talk about the two Indy events and the season ahead.
Dodge Pro Stock hero Alan Prusiensky talks about building Hemis and horsepower
NHRA Pro Stock racer Alan Prusiensky joined NHRA's Brian Lohnes via Skype to talk about his Dodge-powered Pro Stocker and the challenges of racing a hemi in a Chevy world, and how his engine-building business helps his Pro Stock racing and vice versa.
The next first-time Pro Stock Motorcycle winner? Kelly Clontz sure likes the sound of that
With the help of a few friends, Kelly Clontz is making steady progress in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. Now she’s ready to take the next step towards her first victory.
When Kelly Clontz sees Jianna Salinas and Ryan Oehler become first-time winners in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class, it brings a smile to her face simply because it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see herself in that position.
“That joy;…
NHRA Shop Talk: Lohnes and Reinhart preview the Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals
Brian Lohnes and Alan Reinhart are back again with a LIVE episode of NHRA Shop Talk, fielding your questions and telling you what you need to know, look out for, and watch at the upcoming Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil.
Brian Lohnes and Alan Reinhart were back again with a LIVE episode of NHRA Shop Talk, fielding your questions and telling you what you need to know, look out for, and watch at the upcoming Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil.…
The re-education of Shawn Langdon: From Top Fuel to Funny Car and back
After a successful Jr. Drag Racing and Sportsman career, Shawn Langdon spent eight years learning how to drive a Top Fuel dragster, becoming not just an event-winning fuel dragster pilot but a championship-winning one.
In…
Pro Stock racing in 2020 and beyond; The kids are alright
An influx of talented newcomers has helped breathe new life into the Pro Stock class. Here's a look at six second (and-third) generation racers who are already making an impact.
NHRA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Pro Stock class in 2020, and this season includes memorable tributes to the pioneers who helped create the foundation for the factory hot rod class. Built by Ronnie Sox and Bill Jenkins and…
Justin Ashley looks back on great Summernationals outing, first final-round berth
Justin Ashley reached his first career Top Fuel final at the recent Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals, a final round last was rain-delayed and will complete at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals. Ashley spoke via Skype with NHRA's Brian Lohnes about his great weekend.
Bob Tasca III vs. COVID-19
Bob Tasca III is on a mission to win a championship and help us all avoid the disease that caused him to miss the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals.
Bob Tasca III is known for his tenacious energy, his passion for drag racing, and his inseparability from the Ford Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang Funny Car that bears his family’s name. When the 44-year-old announced that he’d been diagnosed with…
Shop Talk: Lohnes and Reinhart play Wednesday Afternoon Quarterback
Brian Lohnes and Alan Reinhart reviewed some of the most interesting runs of the 2020 Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals, taking you inside the tech that makes the cars run and reviewing the difference between winning and losing in NHRA drag racing.
Brian Lohnes and Alan Reinhart reviewed some of the most interesting runs of the 2020 Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals, taking you inside the tech that makes the cars run and reviewing the difference between winning and losing in NHRA drag racing…
Todd Paton relives past Indy glory with second-career Top Fuel round win
Todd Paton won his first NHRA national event at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis when he defeated an all-star line-up of Top Alcohol Funny Cars. A quarter-century later, he's still turning on win lights.
In 1996, Todd Paton won his first NHRA national event title and it was a big one. Paton, then an up-and-coming Top Alcohol Funny Car racer, won the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. He jokes that he “backed into” the win, but the…
Embarrassed but not discouraged, Jeffrey Barker continues moving forward in Pro Mod class
Jeffrey Barker endured one of life’s most embarrassing moments when his Pro Mod Camaro spun out on the burnout during yesterday’s test session at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, but the former Top Sportsman champion is determined to move forward.
This won’t come as breaking news to anyone who follows NHRA drag racing, but Pro Mod cars are not easy to drive. Equal parts powerful and unpredictable, the 250-mph machines that make up the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod series can…
T.J. Zizzo; a part time racer who is fueled by a full-time mentality
No one in Top Fuel takes T.J. Zizzo and his Rust-Oleum Top Fuel team lightly, and there is a good resason for that; they come to win every week.
During last weekend’s E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, T.J. Zizzo found himself in an uncomfortable position during the opening round of Top Fuel eliminations. When opponent Cory McClenathan ran into a mechanical issue that prevented him from staging…
Defending champ Stevie 'Fast' Jackson ready for 2020 Pro Mod's debut Indy
Stevie "Fast" Jackson, the reigning world champ in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by J&A Service, previewed his fleet of cars with NHRA's Brian Lohnes in advance of this weekend's season opener for the class at the Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals.
Bob Tasca III "back home" behind the wheel of his Funny Car after COVID-19 recovery
After missing last weekend's season restart while recovering from COVID-19, Bob Tasca III will be back behind the wheel of his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang Funny Car at this weekend's Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals in Indianapolis.
Antron Brown looking forward to sharing the track with his kids at this week's Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals
Three-time NHRA Top Fuel champ chatted via Skype with NHRA's Brian Lohnes about last week's E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals and the upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals, where he will compete alongside his Jr. Dragster-racing kids for the first time.
