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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

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Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Chase Van Sant's close scrape at the FallNationals

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 9: Eventual NHRA Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant's wide ride at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
20 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Chase Van Sant
2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year winner Chase Van Sant's ride to the prestigious title did not come easy as the first-year Pro Stock Motorcycle Pro injured his knee during qualifying at the Texas NHRA FallNationals and had to sit out the remainder of…
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Late-season surge leads Wyatt Wagner to first Super Stock championship

As MLB Hall of Famer Yogi Berra once famously noted, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over,” and for newly crowned NHRA Super Stock world champion Wyatt Wagner, it wasn’t over until the final race of the 2023 NHRA season at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
20 Dec 2023
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
2023 NHRA world champion
Wyatt Wagner
As MLB Hall of Famer Yogi Berra once famously noted, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over,” and for newly crowned NHRA Super Stock world champion Wyatt Wagner, it wasn’t over until the final race of the 2023 NHRA season at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip…
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Pioneering NHRA female Funny Car racer Paula Murphy, Miss STP dies

Paula Murphy, who played a pivotal role in drag racing's formative years as the first woman licensed to drive a Funny Car, passed away Dec. 21.
20 Dec 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Paula Murphy
Paula Murphy, who played a pivotal role in drag racing's formative years as the first woman licensed to drive a Funny Car, passed away Dec. 21. She was 95. In 1964, she got her first taste of drag racing when she was offered an Olds 442 by…
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2024 NHRA Rulebook now available

The 2024 NHRA Rulebook, which also now includes the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Rulebook, is now online and viewable by all who wish to compete in the NHRA arenas.
20 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Rulebook
The 2024 NHRA Rulebook, which also now includes the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Rulebook, is now online and viewable and downloadable by all who wish to compete in the NHRA arenas. The NHRA Rulebook is packed with all the…
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Host of new and returning drivers coming to highly anticipated 2024 season

The start of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series is more than two months away, but excitement is already brewing, in part thanks to several drivers set to make their 2024 debut, as well as a host of competitors returning to NHRA Drag Racing.
20 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Drivers
The start of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series is more than two months away, but excitement for the 55th NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway on March 7-10 is already brewing, in part thanks to several drivers set to make…
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426 Hemi. Three numbers and four letters that changed drag racing forever

Designed 60 years ago, the first 426 Hemi engines destined for the strip were cast on Dec. 20, 1963.
20 Dec 2023
David Kennedy
Feature
426 HEMI. Three numbers and four letters that changed drag racing forever
The 426 Hemi engine was born to drag race. It's a legacy that NHRA celebrates with every SS/AA 'Cuda, Dart, and nitro Hemi-powered pass down the dragstrip. In 1964, the engine was supposed to make its first debut in competition at the NHRA…
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Championship crew chief Alan Johnson, a wrap on 2023, and some final rumors!

On this final 2023 episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes talks to championship crew chief Alan Johnson and wraps up the 2023 season with some news and rumors.
20 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast
NHRA Insider
  On this final 2023 episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes talks to championship crew chief Alan Johnson, who worked with a talented team to achieve a Top Fuel world championship with the Kalitta team. He talks about the…
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Pro Stock Motorcycle title hopeful Angie Smith's top-end tumble in St. Louis

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 8: Angie Smith comes off of her Pro Stock Motorcycle in St. Louis.
19 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Angie Smith
During the second round of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying at the NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway, Angie Smith was separated from the bike after crossing the finish line before coming to a rest. In true gutsy fashion, she…
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A carefully executed plan helped produce Kyle Rizzoli’s first world championship

2023 Stock world champ Kyle Rizzoli knew ahead of the 2023 season that he was going to need a plan to find a balance between being present for his family and somehow still racing for trophies and championships.
19 Dec 2023
Kelly Wade
2023 NHRA world champion
Kyle Rizzoli
Kyle Rizzoli knew ahead of the 2023 season that he was going to need a plan. Wife Julia was pregnant with their first child, and with the due date landing mid-summer, Rizzoli had to find balance between being present for his family and somehow still…
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Frank Manzo accepts Mike Castellana's National Dragster All-Star Team Pro Mod Driver of the Year

2023 Pro Mod Champion Mike Castellana wasn't the event favorite coming into the Pro Mod series final in Las Vegas—but he was the choice of National Dragster readers for the 2023 National Dragster All-Star Team.
18 Dec 2023
David Kennedy
Feature
Frank Manzo accepts Mike Castellana's National Dragster All-Star Team Pro Mod Driver of the Year
Mike Castellana rallied after heavily damaging his AAP Camaro during a testing accident early in the season to clinch his first NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series world championship and was voted Pro Mod Driver of the Year by the fans. His crew chief,…
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Tickets on sale for Virginia Nationals, return to Virginia Motorsports Park

Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Virginia NHRA Nationals, which takes place June 21-23 at Virginia Motorsports Park and marks the NHRA’s return to the fan-favorite facility.  
18 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Virginia NHRA Nationals
Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Virginia NHRA Nationals, which takes place June 21-23 at Virginia Motorsports Park and marks the NHRA’s return to the fan-favorite facility.   The race will be the ninth of 21 races during the 2024 NHRA…
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Trevor Larson made up ground quickly to secure first Super Gas championship

Trevor Larson blasted onto the scene in a friend’s new Super Gas roadster in July and made quick and impressive progress to earn his first NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Super Gas world title. 
18 Dec 2023
Kelly Wade
2023 NHRA world champion
Trevor Larson
When farming has been part of your family’s livelihood for multiple generations but a passion for drag racing courses through your veins, a certain balance is generally necessary. For Super-class racer Trevor Larson, his success during the 2023…
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The blown tire that may have changed Doug Kalitta's championship course

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 7: Doug Kalitta's season-changing tire explosion in Reading.
18 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Doug Kalitta
When Doug Kalitta's Mac Tools Top Fueler blew a rear tire during qualifying at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, the opening event of the 2023 NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, it looked like another hard knock for a guy still trying to win…
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Kelly Clontz crashes Pro Stock Motorcycle at NHRA In-N-Out Burger Finals

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 6: Kelly Clontz's Pro Stock Motorcycle crash at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals.
17 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Kelly Clontz
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Matt Hagan takes a trip into the catch net at the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals

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 5: Eventual world champ Matt Hagan's trip into the safety net at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.
16 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Matt Hagan
Eventual Funny Car world champion and Tony Stewart Racing wheeled out a special Operation Healing Forces wrap for the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, but it lasted just one run as the parachutes failed to deploy at the end of his…
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Vince Musolino takes advantage of hot start to claim first Top Dragster title

Typically, Vince Musolino chooses to race close to his New York home and doesn’t race in many national events. That changed dramatically this year when he woke up at midseason and suddenly realized that he was a legit contender for the world title.
15 Dec 2023
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
2023 NHRA world champion
Vince Musolino
Vince Musolino’s drive to the 2023 Right Trailers Top Dragster world championship is a classic story of answering the call when opportunity knocked. Typically, Musolino chooses to race close to his New York home and doesn’t race in many national…
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Pro Mod driver Mason Wright goes for a wild, roof-sliding ride in Chicago

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 4: Mason Wright's wild ride during qualifying in Chicago.
15 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Mason Wright
Mason Wright’s Pro Mod crossed the centerline and made contact with the wall during the first round of qualifying in Pro Mod at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by Peak Performance at Route 66 Raceway. Wright exited…
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Justin Ashley: "The more you win, the more you want to win"

Justin Ashley developed a taste for winning early this season, and he became insatiable as the year progressed. With the car to beat, the winner of the regular season was in championship contention until the final race in an exemplary year.
15 Dec 2023
Kelly Wade
Feature
Justin Ashley
Justin Ashley developed a taste for winning early in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, and he became insatiable as the year progressed. With the car to beat, the winner of the regular season was in championship contention until…
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Holiday special: Get 20% off of tickets for select 2024 NHRA national events

Looking for that great holiday gift for friends and family? Through Dec. 24, you can get 20% off on race tickets for nine of the biggest events of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
15 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Holiday Special
Looking for that great holiday gift for friends and family? Through Dec. 24, you can get 20% off on race tickets for nine of the biggest events of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Buy now and get a huge discount on tickets…
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An ode to the front-engined Top Fueler, and to the family ties that bind us

The front-engined Top Fuel dragster is such an iconic piece of drag racing lore and still romanticized by those who drove them and continue to drive them, and a way to never forget our past.
15 Dec 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
An ode to the front-engined Top Fueler
The book landed on my desk with a giant thunk, the kind of thunk that nearly 700 pages of book makes. Racing Through Life, the Autobiography of Carl V. Olson. There, grinning at me from the cover, was a young but instantly…
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Doug Kalitta accepts NHRA National Dragster All-Star Team award—Pro Driver of the Year

"We are real proud of the effort that we were able to put together, and Chad [Head] was a big part of making it all happen."—Doug Kalitta on winning the NHRA National Dragster All-Star Team Pro Driver of the Year award
14 Dec 2023
David Kennedy
Feature
Doug Kalitta accepts NHRA National Dragster All-Star Team award—Pro Driver of the Year
Doug Kalitta, who emerged victorious in a winner-take-all final against Leah Pruett at In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals to end his 26-year championship quest in dramatic fashion, was named the NHRA National Dragster All-Star Team Pro…
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Top 5 moments of Gaige Herrera's 2023 championship-winning 2023 season

Gaige Herrera did it all in winning the 2023 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship. From a stunning win-loss score to national records and a Western Swing sweep, it was truly amazing. Here's a look back at the top five moments of his season.
14 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
2023 NHRA world champion
Gaige Herrera
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Mike Salinas' team making their lists, checking them twice in advance of 2024

After a season in which they challenged for the Top Fuel championship, Mike Salinas' Scrappers Racing team is hard at work going over data and preparing for the 2024 season, as crew chiefs Rob Flynn and Aaron Cave explain.
14 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Scrappers
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Pro Mod racer Paul Daigrepont collects both guardwalls at Bristol Dragway

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 3: Paul Daigrepont's encounter with both guardwalls at Bristol Dragway.
14 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
Paul Daigrepont
During the first round of eliminations of the NHRA New England Nationals at Bristol Dragway, Paul Daigrepont crossed the centerline and hit both guardwalls before coming to a rest. Daigrepont was alert, examined onsite by the NHRA medical team, and…
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Brandon Miller claims first championship in Right Trailers Top Sportsman class

Brandon Miller admits that he tried to make his dad cry in his championship speech. He may or may not have been successful at that, but it is reasonable to expect that a few tears may have been shed as he stood on stage after securing the 2023 Right Trailers Top Sportsman world title.  
14 Dec 2023
Kelly Wade
2023 NHRA world champion
Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller admits that he tried to make his dad cry in his championship speech. The Northeast Division standout may or may not have been successful at that, but it is reasonable to expect that a few tears may have been shed by Dave and Becki…
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Factory X presented by Holley class drew rave reviews in 2023 debut

Years from now, the 2023 season will be remembered as the year that Factory X presented by Holley went from concept to reality. 
13 Dec 2023
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
Factory X presented by Holley
Years from now, the 2023 season will be remembered as the year that Factory X presented by Holley went from concept to reality.  Designed to bridge the gap between Factory Stock Showdown and Pro Stock, Factory X features the popular…
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Funny Car’s Chris King solidifies 2024 plans with successful PRI Show

Funny Car team owner and driver Chris King made the most of his time at the 2023 PRI Show in Indianapolis renewing several sponsorships as well as landing new partnerships.
13 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Chris King
Funny Car team owner and driver Chris King made the most of his time at the 2023 PRI Show in Indianapolis renewing several sponsorships as well as landing new partnerships with Fire Department Coffee, NGK Spark Plugs, and Goodson Tools &…
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Time is running out for you to enter the NHRA Sweepstakes and win big prizes

Time is running out for fans to submit entries for the 2023 NHRA Sweepstakes, which ends this Friday, Dec. 15, at 11:59 p.m. ET. More than $22,000 worth of prize winnings are available to lucky NHRA fans. 
13 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Sweepstakes
Time is running out for fans to submit entries for the 2023 NHRA Sweepstakes, which ends this Friday, Dec. 15, at 11:59 p.m. ET. NHRA partners Camping World, K&N Performance, A-iPower, Summit Racing Equipment, and Goodyear Tire & Rubber…
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Top Alcohol Funny Car racer John Headley noses into Gainesville guardwall

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 2: John Headley's Top Alcohol Funny Car wreck at the NHRA Gatornationals.
13 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Twelve Days of Wrecks-mas
John Headley
Top Alcohol Funny Car racer John Headley won his opening-round race against Bob McCosh Jr., but things went wrong at the finish line when his car crossed the centerline and made contact with the retaining wall. Headley walked away from the incident…
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An NHRA PRI news avalanche and new Funny Car driver Buddy Hull

On this episode of the NHRA Insider, host Brian Lohnes takes you through the torrent of news that came from the 2023 PRI Show and is joined by a guy who helped to make some headlines in the form of Buddy Hull, who is moving into the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car for the 2024 season.
13 Dec 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast
NHRA Insider
  On this episode of the NHRA Insider host, Brian Lohnes takes you through the absolutely astonishing torrent of news that came from the 2023 PRI Show in Indianapolis and is later joined by a guy who helped to make some headlines in the…
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