NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

 

 

 

 

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.

Jordan Vandergriff doesn’t want to waste his opportunity

The Top Fuel rookie knows he has a rare chance and he doesn’t plan on spoiling it.
02 Feb 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Jordan Vandergriff
“Did you see that run,” asked Jordan Vandergriff, pointing at a timeslip that read 3.738 seconds at 325.14 mph. Career best?   “Oh yeah, by a ton,” he replied, in a tone suggesting the excitement that probably should come from someone just…
View More

NHRA preseason testing Friday recap: Mike Salinas, Robert Hight dominate in perfect conditions

Mike Salinas shows he’s a force to be reckoned with while Robert Hight continues great test
01 Feb 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Mike Salinas
Mike Salinas led Top Fuel with a 3.747 at 296.24, further proving the strength of the Scrappers Racing team entering the 2019 season. Coming off the back of a 3.747 on Thursday, Salinas picked up nearly .05 second Friday to solidify his…
View More

NHRA preseason testing Friday gallery: Angelle Sampey dons Harley-Davidson leathers and more

Angelle Sampey in blingy Harley-Davidson leathers? You got it. David Grubnic and his new driver sharing a moment? Find it here. Just want some cool photos? Why haven't you opened our Friday gallery yet?
01 Feb 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Richie Crampton
The second day of testing offered plenty of solid runs, one of which came from 2017 Funny Car world champion Robert Hight. He's not featured here, but his teammate and fellow 2017 champion Brittany Force is. Another thing these photos have in common…
View More

Dave Connolly joins KB Racing Pro Stock team

A year after winning the NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock title with Tanner Gray, Dave Connolly will now turn wrenches for the KB Racing Pro Stock team.
01 Feb 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
connolly
Dave Connolly, one of the most sought-after free agents in the crew member market, has landed a new home with Ken Black Racing. The multi-talented driver and tuner, who most recently guided Tanner Gray to the 2018 Mello Yello Pro Stock championship…
View More

There will be no excuses for Mike Salinas in 2019

With Alan Johnson’s full support, Mike Salinas knows this is his time to shine
01 Feb 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Mike Salinas
Coming up with titles remains incredibly difficult … unless you’re part of a race team. Those people can’t help but name everything, including seasons. This is the season of no excuses for Mike Salinas, who returns for his second full-time…
View More

Arby’s named title sponsor for NHRA Southern Nationals; tickets on sale now

Arby’s will be the title sponsor of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series race at Atlanta Dragway. The 39th annual Arby’s NHRA Southern Nationals takes place May 3-5 at the track just outside of Atlanta. Tickets for the tradition rich event are on sale now.
01 Feb 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Atlanta
Arby’s will be the title sponsor of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series race at Atlanta Dragway. The 39th annual Arby’s NHRA Southern Nationals takes place May 3-5 at the track just outside of Atlanta. Tickets for the tradition rich event are on…
View More

New cars highlight NHRA preseason testing in Phoenix

Bob Tasca III showed off his brand-new Ford Mustang and Cruz Pedregon will debut his Dodge Charger//SRT Hellcat at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park
01 Feb 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Bob Tasca III had no complaints about his Ford Mustang Funny Car, as to be expected from a man as synonymous with Ford as you will find in NHRA Drag Racing. He made two passes in his new car on Thursday, the best of which came out at 4.011. The…
View More

Dodge//SRT, Mopar add NHRA national event title sponsorships at Houston and Las Vegas races

Dodge//SRT and Mopar, in partnership with Pennzoil, will pump up their participation in the NHRA, doubling their number of event title sponsorships for the 2019 season.  Mopar will claim headline sponsor duties at the NHRA tour stop in Houston, and Dodge//SRT will take title rights for the fall NHRA Las Vegas race.
01 Feb 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Mopar
Dodge//SRT and Mopar, in partnership with Pennzoil, will pump up their participation in the NHRA, doubling their number of event title sponsorships for the 2019 season.  Mopar will claim headline sponsor duties at the NHRA tour stop in Houston…
View More

The road to Pomona

The 2019 season kicks off next Friday in Pomona, launching the NHRA season as it has every year since 1961. But how did NHRA end up planting its flag in this suburban wonderland? 
01 Feb 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
Pomona
The 2019 season kicks off next Friday in Pomona, launching the NHRA season as it has every year since 1961. The Los Angeles County fairgrounds, known today as Fairplex, has become hallowed ground for NHRA race fans over the long and cherished…
View More

NHRA preseason testing Thursday recap: Defending champs go low, Robert Hight makes strong pass

Steve Torrence and J.R. Todd made the best runs in Top Fuel and Funny Car, while 2017 Funny Car champ Robert Hight shot to No. 2 in his category.
31 Jan 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Robert Hight
The first pass of the day ended as the quickest. Steve Torrence ran a 3.689 to start Thursday at NHRA preseason testing and that stood as the quickest in Top Fuel. The 2018 Top Fuel champion concluded his testing with a series of quick runs,…
View More

Phoenix preseason test Thursday gallery: Defending champs go quick, teams shake off the rust

Steve Torrence unleashed one heck of a run to open the day, and things didn't slow down much from there as J.R. Todd also impressed in his DHL Toyota Camry.
31 Jan 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
J.R. Todd
Did you think the Capco Contractors team led by driver Steve Torrence would slow down in 2019? Neither did the rest of us. If you're more of the Funny Car persuasion, don't worry, the Yella Fellas and driver J.R. Todd held their own just fine during…
View More

Winning is all the motivation Steve Torrence needs

Defending champ Steve Torrence shows up to testing knowing he has every opportunity to repeat in 2019
31 Jan 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Steve Torrence
Steve Torrence didn’t think about racing much during the offseason. He worked too hard. The business boom at Capco Contractors is the dictionary definition of a good problem to have. Even at preseason testing, Torrence’s iPhone goes off like a…
View More

How to follow 2019 NHRA preseason testing as cars hit the track

The 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is nearly upon us. Cars are burning nitro at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix -- here's how you can stay up to date.
31 Jan 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Steve Torrence
Welcome back. Want to stay in the groove while drivers and crew chiefs get back in the swing of things? You've come to the right place. We'll be covering preseason testing from Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix on NHRA.com and on a variety…
View More

Worsham sets new Qatar speed record in Funny Car exhibition

Former NHRA Funny Car champ Del Worsham made the first 300-mph pass in Qatar on a exhibition run there, reaching 305 mph in his Toyota Camry. NHRA's Alan Reinhart was there and talked to Worsham about his trip overseas.
31 Jan 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Del Worsham
View More

Who's at NHRA preseason testing (and who isn't)?

We call roll at preseason testing at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park just outside of Phoenix ahead of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals.
31 Jan 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Tim Wilkerson
The biggest preseason test of the year is underway, but there are some big names noticeably absent: And most of them hail from Don Schumacher Racing. Leah Pritchett, Tony Schumacher, Jack Beckman, Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson Jr. will make their…
View More

Prudhomme completes legendary lineup for “Unfinished Business” competition

Funny Car icon Don "the Snake" Prudhomme has been announced as the final NHRA legend who will compete in NHRA’s “Unfinished Business” event during the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
31 Jan 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Unfinished Business
Funny Car icon Don "the Snake" Prudhomme completes the legendary lineup of heroes who will compete in NHRA’s “Unfinished Business” event during the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Prudhomme joins NHRA nitro heroes "Big…
View More

New faces in new places will make 2019 an interesting year

There will be some new faces, like Jordan Vandergriff, on the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series as well as some familiar faces in new places, like Shawn Reed, as the season rolls along. Here's a quick look at what's in store.
30 Jan 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Jordan Vandergriff
There will be some new faces on the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour as well as some familiar faces in new places as the season rolls along. The Top Fuel class will benefit from the graduation of a number of drivers from the Top Alcohol…
View More

2019 Funny Car Preview: The road to the title has different routes

A crowded Funny Car category offers plenty of contenders for the 2019 world championship -- and a variety of ways to take the crown.
30 Jan 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
J.R. Todd
Eight drivers collected national event wins in Funny Car in 2018, and it took a late-season surge in the Countdown to the Championship to allow J.R. Todd, competing in just his second season in the class, to take home the championship with the DHL…
View More

Chris Smith makes bid for 2019 Top Fuel Harley title

2018 AMRA Top Fuel Harley champion Chris Smith has committed to full-time NHRA competition in the Mickey Thompson Tires Top Fuel Harley class in 2019.
29 Jan 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Chris Smith
Chris Smith will make his first full-time bid for the 2019 Mickey Thompson Tires Top Fuel Harley championship. The 2018 AMRA Top Fuel Harley winner, competing with PTS Racing, made his NHRA debut in 2017 and will continue to compete with team owner…
View More

2019 Top Fuel Preview: Steve Torrence chases more history and second title

The entire Top Fuel field will try to chase down Steve Torrence and the Capco Contractors team as the 2018 champ attempts to make even more history following a historic run to his first title.
29 Jan 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Steve Torrence
Steve Torrence enters the 2019 season on a 24-round winning streak. The Capco Contractors team could easily be called The Untouchables because of what the group did during the Countdown to the Championship. I don’t buy that winning a second…
View More

Ford Performance unveils new Mustang Funny Car body

Bob Tasca III and Tim Wilkerson will both utilize the 2019 Ford Mustang Funny Car body while chasing championships in the ultra-competitive Nitro category.
29 Jan 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
News
Mustang
Ford Performance unveiled the brand new Ford Mustang Funny Car body both Bob Tasca III and Tim Wilkerson will campaign in 2019. This is the first full update to the Mustang Funny Car body in 10 years and marks a reaffirmed commitment by the brand to…
View More

Worsham returns to Kalitta Motorsports; Global extends team partnership

Kalitta Motorsports has announced the addition of Del Worsham as a co-crew chief and the return of partner Global Electronic Technology for 2019 season.
29 Jan 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
worsham
Kalitta Motorsports has announced the return of two-time NHRA Mello Yello champion Del Worsham as a co-crew chief of the Global Electronic Technology Funny Car driven by Shawn Langdon. Worsham previously served as crew chief with Kalitta Motorsports…
View More

John Force Racing announces driver and crew chief lineup for 2019

John Force Racing has officially announced its 2019 driver and crew lineups, with Funny Cars driven by John Force and Robert Hight and the Top Fuel dragster of Brittany Force, and a fourth team car, driven by Austin Prock, in contingency.
29 Jan 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
John Force Racing
John Force Racing has officially announced its 2019 driver and crew lineups, with Funny Cars driven by John Force and Robert Hight and the Top Fuel dragster of Brittany Force, and a fourth team car, driven by Austin Prock, in contingency for the…
View More

2019 Pro Stock Preview: Crowded, and competitive, field will battle for title

There will be just 12 races to qualify for the Countdown to the Championship in 2019, and another six for the playoffs, meaning there are no mulligans for racers in Pro Stock.
28 Jan 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
The NHRA Pro Stock class, where races are routinely decided by thousandths of a second, has always afforded a near-zero margin for error. That basic tenant figures to be even more accurate in 2019, when the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series…
View More

After tough 2018, three-time Top Fuel champ Brown motivated for 2019 opener

The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season was not one Antron Brown has been accustomed to during his standout career, and the Top Fuel driver has made all the necessary steps to ensure the 2019 season is decidedly different.
28 Jan 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Antron Brown
The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season was not one Antron Brown has been accustomed to during his standout career, and the Top Fuel driver has made all the necessary steps to ensure the 2019 season is decidedly different. The three-time…
View More

How carbon fiber helps make NHRA Drag Racing the fastest sport on Earth

In the quest to be the quickest on Earth, man and machine share a common building block: carbon fiber.
27 Jan 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Carbon Fiber
Stronger, lighter, faster: Those are the principles of speed. Whether you start with 11 or 11,000 horsepower, removing mass makes fast objects accelerate faster. Though the fundamentals of lightweights are simple, how engineers create lightness may…
View More

Alcohol Dragster racer Lee Callaway moving up to Top Fuel in 2019

After 22 years of racing Top Alcohol, former NHRA Division 4 Top Alcohol Dragster Champion Lee Callaway will be making the jump to Top Fuel in 2019.
25 Jan 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Lee Callaway
After 22 years of racing Top Alcohol, former NHRA Division 4 Top Alcohol Dragster Champion Lee Callaway will be making the jump to Top Fuel in 2019. Callaway has purchased a complete running car from Scott Palmer Racing and will be competing at five…
View More

NHRA National Dragster kicks off 60th year: First 2019 issue now online

NHRA National Dragster magazine begins its 60th year of publication with a huge Season Preview issue that is online now for NHRA members, and it’s in the mail to homes and shops around the world.
25 Jan 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
ND cover
NHRA National Dragster magazine begins its 60th year of publication with a huge Season Preview issue that is online now for NHRA members, and it’s in the mail to homes and shops around the world. The season preview package includes in-depth…
View More

Finnegan and Chase prepare for epic “Kall Out Kings” battle in Pomona

The stakes will be high when Roadkill’s Mike Finnegan takes on Hoonigan's Jon Chase in a best-of-three throwback classic gasser match race between their '55 Chevys in Pomona.
25 Jan 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
Kall Out Kings
For nearly a year, Mike Finnegan and Jon Chase have had a difference of opinion and it won’t be settled until they meet mano-a-mano as part of the Kall Out Kings match race held during the upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by Protect…
View More

Brittany Force to drive Advance Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster

John Force Racing has announced that Brittany Force, the 2017 Top Fuel World Champion, will be in the driver’s seat of the Advance Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster for the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
25 Jan 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Brittany Force
John Force Racing has announced that Brittany Force, the 2017 Top Fuel World Champion, will be in the driver’s seat of the Advance Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster for the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, which kicks off with the Lucas…
View More