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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.

What is the Chevy DRCE Pro Stock engine?

Chevrolet’s top-secret Pro Stock race engine has been shrouded in mystery for decades. It’s known as the Drag Race Competition Engine (DRCE), and its architecture has been massaged into a nearly 10,000-rpm, fuel-injected, 500-cid race mill that actually began life with the Oldsmobile brand.
31 Jul 2020
David Kennedy
Racing Technology
DRCE 3 Engine
The Drag Race Competition Engine (DRCE) is a series of purpose-built drag racing cylinder heads and engine block castings that are based on the big-block Chevy, but originally branded as an Oldsmobile. There are four generations of DRCE aluminum…
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Cory Mac is back (again) to run a third Indianapolis race in DSR Top Fueler

Two-time U.S. Nationals Top Fuel champion Cory McClenathan will get another shot at some Indy glory when he returns to the cockpit of a Don Schumacher Racing-operated dragster for a third straight outing at the upcoming Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil, Aug. 7-8.
31 Jul 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Cory McClenathan
Two-time U.S. Nationals Top Fuel champion Cory McClenathan will get another shot at some Indy glory when he returns to the cockpit of a Don Schumacher Racing-operated dragster for a third straight outing at the upcoming Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals…
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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.
31 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Leah Pruett
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John Force Racing issues statement

Sixteen-time NHRA Funny Car champ John Force has announced that his John Force Racing team will remain parked for the 2020 season in order to come back at championship caliber in 2021.  
31 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
JFR
After four months of postponement and ever-changing scenarios, NHRA went forward with a revised Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule that restarted with two-consecutive races at the storied Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in Indiana. Sixteen-…
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Remembering Zim

Legendary NHRA Division 5 Director Darrell Zimmerman plied his trade in the Rocky Mountain region for more than 30 years. A successful racer, 'Zim' joined the NHRA team in the late 1950s and carved a legendary career and made legions of friends throughout the sport.
31 Jul 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
Darrell Zimmerman
  NHRA founder Wally Parks deservedly gets a lot of credit for organizing the sport of hot rodding in general and drag racing in specific, he was always the first one to tell you he certainly didn’t do it by himself. And because much of…
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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.
30 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Alan Prusiensky
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NHRA Expertise: Funny Car vs. Top Fuel front tires

30 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
NHRA Expertise: Funny Car vs. Top Fuel front tires
Per the 2020 NHRA Rulebook Funny Car Tires: Vehicle must be equipped with all four tires bearing the same tire…
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Iconic original NHRA Division Director Darrell Zimmerman passes away at age 86

Darrell Zimmerman, one of NHRA’s original division directors handpicked by NHRA founder Wally Parks in 1959 to oversee NHRA’s West Central Division comprising the nation’s vast Midwest breadbasket states, died July 29, just two days shy of his 87th birthday.
29 Jul 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Darrell Zimmerman
Darrell Zimmerman, one of NHRA’s original division directors handpicked by NHRA founder Wally Parks in 1959 to oversee NHRA’s West Central Division comprising the nation’s vast Midwest breadbasket states, died July 29, just two days shy of his 87th…
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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.
29 Jul 2020
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
clontz
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;…
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Antron Brown and paralympic sprinter Jarryd Wallace, on the speed within them

"It tells the true makeup of an elite champion athlete, [when] through all odds, you never stopped."—Antron Brown, on Jarryd Wallace
29 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Antron Brown
To get a better understanding of Anton Brown, the man in the Global Electronic Technology, Matco Tools, Top Fuel Toyota we spent some time with him over the winter. We were there when Brown met up with a very interesting man,…
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Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals postponed until Fall due to county restrictions

The Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties at Heartland Motorsports Park, scheduled for Aug. 21-23 in Topeka, Kan., has been postponed until the fall with an exact date to be determined, for pandemic-related reasons. 
29 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Topeka
NHRA has announced that the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties at Heartland Motorsports Park, scheduled for Aug. 21-23 in Topeka, Kan., has been postponed until the fall with an exact date to be determined, for pandemic-related…
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NHRA Insider podcast: Lohnes, Oehler, and McKenna recap NHRA's return to racing

First-time Pro Stock Motorcycle winner Ryan Oehler and National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna joined Brian Lohnes for a wide-ranging episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast covering the first two events of NHRA's Return to racing in Indy.
28 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast
Insider
First-time Pro Stock Motorcycle winner Ryan Oehler and National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna joined Brian Lohnes for a wide-ranging episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. Oehler talked about the self-made program that he and his dad have…
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The Sports Report: James Kunkel’s dynamic (and unconventional) double

James Kunkel won 15-straight rounds of eliminations in Super Comp to sweep last weekend’s Division 5 Lucas Oil Series double-header in Topeka. And, he did it in a slow door car.
28 Jul 2020
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
kunkel
Door cars don’t win Super Comp races. Slow cars don’t win Super Comp races. No one wins back-to-back Super Comp races. These are all things you may have heard but shouldn’t believe especially after James Kunkel’s performance last week in Topeka…
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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.
28 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Shop Talk
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.…
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The re-education of Shawn Langdon: From Top Fuel to Funny Car and back

28 Jul 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Shawn Langdon
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…
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Crew Chief Aaron Brooks prepares for Justin Ashley's first Top Fuel final

Rookie Top Fuel driver Justin Ashley will have to wait a few weeks to see if he can win the Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals and crew chief Aaron Brooks is doing everything he can to make it happen.
28 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
brooks
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Clutch Assistant Johnna Dunn compares the intensity of hospitals and Funny Car pits

The 2020 Dodge Charger Funny Car of Jim Dunn Racing was adorned with a face mask at the Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals to honor first responders. The car held special meaning for the team as Johnna Dunn works in a hospital studying nursing.
28 Jul 2020
David Kennedy
News
Johnna Dunn
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Mickey Thompson Tires Top Fuel Harleys added to Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals

The Mickey Thompson Tires Top Fuel Harley Series has been added to the competition roster for the upcoming Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil, Aug. 6-9 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. 
27 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Top Fuel Harley
The Mickey Thompson Tires Top Fuel Harley Series has been added to the competition roster for the upcoming Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil, Aug. 6-9 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.  The event will be the fourth of the…
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Fund That Flip enters NHRA as primary sponsor of Michalek Brothers Racing

Michalek Brothers Racing has added a new primary partnership to its A/Fuel Dragster team in Fund That Flip, a leader in providing short-term loans to experienced real estate investors.
27 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Michalek
Michalek Brothers Racing has added a new primary partnership to its A/Fuel Dragster team in Fund That Flip, a leader in providing short-term loans to experienced real estate investors. Coming off a career-best run at the team’s most recent outing…
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Upcoming Indy race will set the field for Mickey Thompson Pro Bike Battle

The upcoming Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals will be the final event for riders to earn points towards the Mickey Thompson Tires Pro Bike Battle, which will be held during the Denso NHRA U.S. Nationals. Currently, four riders have clinched spots in the exclusive eight-bike field.
27 Jul 2020
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
Battle
Call it the battle before the Battle as Pro Stock Motorcycle riders jockey to secure their final qualifying positions for the upcoming Mickey Thompson Tires Pro Bike Battle. The long-running race-within-a-race for Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors…
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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.
26 Jul 2020
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
Koretsky
  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…
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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.
24 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Justin Ashley
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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.
24 Jul 2020
David Kennedy
Feature
Bob Tasca III vs. COVID-19
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…
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NHRA Expertise: Inside Top Fuel beadlock wheels

A close-up look at the fastest wheels in all of racing
24 Jul 2020
David Kennedy
Racing Technology
NHRA Top Fuel Weld Beadlock Delta-1 TF Wheel
Brutality. It’s the only treatment components in a nitro-powered Top Fuel dragster or Funny Car experience. With tuners now extracting more than 11,000 hp from their 500-cid supercharged engines, every part beneath the decals on the valve covers is…
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Division 1 Lucas Oil Series event to precede New England SPORTSnationals

NHRA officials have announced that a Division 1 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event has been added to the JEGs SPORTSnationals event at contested at New England Dragway. 
24 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Sportsnationals
NHRA officials have announced that a Division 1 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event has been added to the JEGs SPORTSnationals event at contested at New England Dragway.  The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event will be contested on Aug. 21-20…
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The history of the Summernationals

When NHRA staged the Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals last weekend in Indy, it resurrected one of the most storied event names in NHRA history. Here's a look back at the 50-year history of the NHRA Summernationals name.
24 Jul 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
Summernationals
Two events into NHRA’s monumental Return To Racing during the COVID-19 pandemic, a rebirth that continued with last weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Summerationals in Indy, I’m reminded of the longstanding Summernationals-related pun that was already…
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Engels, Jenkins, Kunkel all score twice at Division 5 Topeka doubleheader event

Doug Engels in Comp, Justin Jenkins in Super Stock, and James Kunkel in Super Comp each scored a pair of wins as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series West Central Division was in action with a doubleheader at Heartland Motorsports Park
23 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Topeka
The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, West Central Division event at Heartland Park Topeka: TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.356, 268.97  def.…
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The Sports Report: Anthony Bertozzi makes history at JEGS SPORTSnationals in Columbus

Coming off a near-sweep of the JEGS Speedweek doubleheader in Columbus, Anthony Bertozzi is well on his way to a second NHRA world championship. Oh, and he also won a million dollars this month (sort of).
23 Jul 2020
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
bertozzi
If not for a slight lapse in his final round battle against reigning Top Dragster world champ Danny Nelson during last weekend’s Division 3 Lucas Oil Series event at National Trail Raceway, Anthony Bertozzi might well have engineered a clean sweep…
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New NHRA National Dragster issue salutes NHRA's Return to Racing in Indy

The latest issue of NHRA National Dragster magazine, available now online for free and also in the mail to NHRA members around the world, salutes NHRA's Return to Racing with an issue themed around the recent E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals,
23 Jul 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
ND cover
Read the free issue now!…
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Atco, Numidia Division 1 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events canceled

Division 1 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events scheduled for Atco Dragway (July 31-August 2) and Numidia Dragway (August 7-8) have been cancelled for pandemic-related reasons.
23 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Division 1
Division 1 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events scheduled for Atco Dragway (July 31-August 2) and Numidia Dragway (August 7-8) have been cancelled for pandemic-related reasons. Division 1 competitors will now instead run a double header at…
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