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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

Follow our coverage through our newly designed news and videos sections. Don't forget to follow our social media posts.

Analysis: Where 2023’s title contenders can improve in 2024. Part 2: Funny Car

Last year's championship fight in Funny Car came down to the last day of the season, and for much of the year, it was a wide-ranging war with a number of medal-winning performances before Matt Hagan stood tall. What can his challengers do better this season? Let's find out.
04 Jan 2024
Brian Lohnes, NHRA on FOX announcer
Feature
Funny Car
Previously, we took a look at the final standings of the Top Fuel category in 2023 and how the cars that finished second through…
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Five memorable moments from the amazing racing career of Don Schumacher

Don Schumacher, one of the most storied car owners in nHRA history, passed away Dec. 20. In this video, we look back at five memorable moments from his driving and team ownership years.
04 Jan 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Don Schumacher
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Analysis: Where 2023’s title contenders can improve in 2024. Part 1: Top Fuel

Doug Kalitta was the 2023 NHRA Top Fuel champ, so he’s the nitro-powered rabbit everyone else is chasing, but let’s take a look at those who finished behind him and see what they need to do in 2024 to steal his crown. 
03 Jan 2024
Brian Lohnes, NHRA on FOX announcer
Feature
Top Fuel
The 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series promises to be an incredible follow-up on the 2023 campaign. The moves, plot twists, new teams, and energy around the entire sport is very, very high. All that is great, but once we get past the…
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2024 Is On: The Insiders talk ownership news, passing of legends and more

On this first 2024 episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon to talk about the news of the last couple of weeks, the passing of legends like Don Schumacher and Roland Leong, the wild news about JCM Racing, the new Scag factory drag racing team, and a whole lot more. 
02 Jan 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast
Insider podcast
  On this first 2024 episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon to talk about the news of the last couple of weeks, the passing of legends like Don Schumacher and Roland Leong, the wild news about…
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Happy New Year from the NHRA

As we all put behind us a very successful 2023, the staff of the NHRA wishes a Happy New Year to its members, fans, racers, sponsors, member track operators, and everyone else who helps make the world of NHRA Drag Racing a wondrous place.
01 Jan 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Happy New Year
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Best of Behind the Scenes 2023

All season, the NHRA social media team has gone behind the scenes during the top-end victory celebrations to bring you unfettered moments of joy and celebration of the winners and their interactions with those they defeated. here's a compilation of the best of those moments.
31 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Best of Behind the Scenes 2023
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Scag Power Equipment forms NHRA Factory Team

Scag Power Equipment has announced an increased presence in NHRA Drag Racing through the formation of a new multi-car factory team to make a greater impact beyond that of its previous sponsorship role within the NHRA.
30 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Scag Power Equipment f
Scag Power Equipment has announced an increased presence in NHRA Drag Racing through the formation of a new multi-car factory team to make a greater impact beyond that of its previous sponsorship role within the NHRA. Scag Racing will make its…
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In Memoriam

29 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
In Memoriam
Recent passings of notable figures from within the NHRA world. The NHRA extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of those we have lost. Notices of passing can be sent to nhra@nhra.com.…
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Legendary NHRA car owner Roland Leong, "the Hawaiian," passes away

Legendary NHRA team owner Roland Leong, known far and wide for a string of beautiful Top Fuel and Funny Cars emblazoned with the name The Hawaiian in tribute to his birthplace, passed away Dec. 29.
29 Dec 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Roland Leong, third from left, first came to NHRA prominence as the car owner when Danny Ongais won Top Gas at the 1964 Winternationals in Leong's dragster 14
Legendary NHRA team owner Roland Leong, known far and wide for a string of beautiful Top Fuel and Funny Cars emblazoned with the name The Hawaiian in tribute to his birthplace, passed away Dec. 29. He was 79. Leong was a successful gas dragster…
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Doug Kalitta overcame a career of trials and tribulations before his first title

A look back at the career of Doug Kalitta, and the long road that he traveled to his first NHRA Top Fuel world championship.
29 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Doug Kalitta
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JCM Racing Returns to its roots with organizational restructure

Eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher and FIA European champion Ida Zetterström will represent JCM Racing in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series in 2024
28 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Tony Schumacher
The Maynard family’s JCM Racing team will have a new but familiar look when the organization hits the track in 2024 for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. JCM Racing will operate as a two-car Top Fuel team with eight-time world champ…
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The wildest rides of 2023

A lot went right for a lot of teams in the 2023 season, but there were also times when things went terribly wrong, as the collection of crashes, blowups, fires, and other misadventures can attest.
28 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Wild Rides
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Top 5 Shockers of 2023

From drivers who were expected to win and didn't to those who weren't expected but did and a few stops in between, here's a look at five shocking moments from the 2023 NHRA season.
27 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Top 5 Lists
Top 5 Shockers of 2023
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Matt Hagan's crew is already hard at work preparing for title defense in 2024

Dickie Venables and the Dodge Direct Connection team that powered Matt Hagan to his fourth NHRA Funny Car world championship are already eyeing a repeat. Venables recaps their 2023 title and talks about plans for next season.
27 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Matt Hagan's crew
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Of onboard computers, engine sizes, clutch heat, and 'dead-heading'

At every NHRA national event, NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart offers fans the chance to send him an email with technical questions about the race cars, the tracks, and the procedures. As part of a semi-regular feature, we’ll share those questions and answers on NHRA.com.
26 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Ask Alan
Ask Alan
At every NHRA national event, NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart offers fans the chance to send him an email with technical questions about the race cars, the tracks, and the procedures. As part of a semi-regular feature, we’ll share those questions and…
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Top 5 moments of Erica Enders' championship-winning 2023 season

Erica Enders clinched her sixth NHRA Pro Stock world championship in 2023 on the backbone of strong performances. Here's a look back at five defining moments from her championship-winning campaign.
26 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Erica Enders
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the NHRA staff

The staff of the NHRA wishes a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to the fans, sponsors, race teams, racetracks, and other supporters of the NHRA.
25 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Merry Christmas
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Twas the Night Before Christmas, and all through the pits ...

Enjoy an NHRA-themed retelling of the classic Twas the Night Before Christmas ....
24 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Twas the Night Before Christmas,
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Dreams become reality as Julie Nataas claims first TAD world championship

Talented 26-year-old phenom Julie Nataas blazed a trail to her first world championship in Top Alcohol Dragster on the strength of national and regional wins in her Oslo Tapet & Gulvelegg-backed dragster. 
24 Dec 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
2023 NHRA world champion
Julie Nataas
Julie Nataas has always had some big shoes to fill and some big dreams to fulfill. Her father, Thomas, followed his own father, Albin, into the drag racing world and became a two-time FIA European Top Fuel champion. She started early in Jr.…
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Doug Gordon retires from driving after third TAFC championship in four years

Not many athletes get to end their careers at the top of their game, winning a championship before removing their gear for the last time, and it routinely doesn’t happen in drag racing. Then there’s Doug Gordon. 
23 Dec 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
2023 NHRA world champion
Doug Gordon
Not many athletes get to end their careers at the top of their game, winning a championship before removing their gear for the last time, and it routinely doesn’t happen in drag racing, where more than one driver has kept the belts buckled long…
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Kris Thorne's hopes for the Pro Mod championship got wrecked in Las Vegas

The 2023 NHRA season was a wild one in many ways, including several spectacular on-track incidents. Here’s a look back at 12 of the biggies. Day 12: Pro Mod championship leader Kris Throrne stacks 'er up in Las Vegas.
23 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Kris Thorne
The race for the 2023 FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports world championship took an unexpected turn — right into the guardwall — at the NHRA Nevada Nationals when points leader Kris Thorne crashed heavily in…
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Mike Castellana overcomes early-season adversity to clinch Pro Mod title

A crash during an early-season test session turned a season that started with an optimistic semifinal finish in Gainesville suddenly seemed like a lost cause, but somehow, Mike Castellana and his crew dug deep and found a way to rally to win the championship. 
23 Dec 2023
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
2023 NHRA world champion
Mike Castellana
On April 26, 2023, the thought of winning the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series championship was the furthest thing from Mike Castellana’s mind. On that date, Castellana crashed his Western Beef/AAP Camaro during a test session at Virginia…
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Dale Creasy Jr., Dave Richards, and a Texas two-step they'd both like to forget

The 2023 NHRA season was a wild one in many ways, including several spectacular on-track incidents. Here’s a look back at 12 of the biggies. Day 11: Dale Creasy Jr. and Dave Richards get tangled up at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
22 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Dale Creasy Jr., Dave Richards
During the first round of qualifying of the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, Dale Creasy Jr.’s Funny Car crossed the centerline and made contact with Dave Richards’ vehicle, resulting in Richards hitting the wall. Both drivers exited…
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Top 5 moments of Matt Hagan's championship-winning 2023 season

In 2023, Matt Hagan became just the fourth driver in NHRA history to win four Funny Car world championships. Here's a look back at five big moments from his title-winning season.
22 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
2023 NHRA world champion
Matt Hagan
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Twas the days before Christmas ...

Reimagining a Christmas staple, with a little help from the legends.
22 Dec 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
Mxas
Note to my readers: I wrote the column below last week, before the passings earlier this week of Don Schumacher and Paula Murphy. Their losses to the sport and what they brought to the sport cannot be understated. I had the pleasure…
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Bruno Massel Jr. makes history as first Comp driver to win four championships

NHRA has been crowning world champions in Comp eliminator since 1964, and of the 46 drivers whose names have been etched in the history books as class world champions, Bruno Massel Jr. now stands above the rest as the eliminator’s only four-time world champion. 
22 Dec 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
2023 NHRA world champion
Bruno Massel Jr.
NHRA has been crowning world champions in Competition eliminator since 1964, and of the 46 drivers whose names have been etched in the history books as class world champion, only nine have won it more than once, and one name – Bruno Massel Jr. – now…
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Aaron Stanfield claims third Flexjet Factory Stock championship in four years

Aaron Stanfield has already won races in Top Dragster, Super Stock, and Pro Stock, but he does some of his best work in the Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class, where he’s now won three championships in the last four years.  
21 Dec 2023
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
2023 NHRA world champion
Aaron Stanfield
If Aaron Stanfield isn’t the most versatile driver in all of NHRA racing, he’s got to be darned close to the top of anyone’s list. Just 28, the third-generation racer has already won races in Top Dragster, Super Stock, and Pro Stock, but he does…
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NHRA community reacts to passing of Don Schumacher

The NHRA community shares its thoughts, remembrances, and tributes on the passing of drag racing icon Don Schumacher.
21 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Don Schumacher
The NHRA community shares its thoughts, remembrances, and tributes on the passing of drag racing icon Don Schumacher. NHRA President Glen Cromwell: “We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Don Schumacher, a truly…
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Christine Foster went up, up, and away in Dallas body-tossing adventure

The 2023 NHRA season was a wild one in many ways, including several spectacular on-track incidents. Here’s a look back at 12 of the biggies. Day 10: Christine Foster's body-tossing wheelstand at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
21 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Christine Foster
A reported broken wheelie bar led to this high-flying adventure for Top Alcohol Funny Car racer Christine Foster during the semifinals at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
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Esteemed team owner, Indy Funny Car winner Don Schumacher passes away

NHRA team owner and Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher passed away Dec. 20. Schumacher, who was 79 at the time of his passing, leaves a lasting legacy on not only the NHRA community, where he etched his name as one of the sport’s most successful team owners and a champion for the advancement of safety innovation.
21 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Don Schumacher began his drag racing career in his Stardust line of Dodges 29
NHRA team owner and Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher passed away Dec. 20. Schumacher had spent the past several months privately battling lung cancer before succumbing to illness-related complications. Schumacher, who was 79 at the…
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