W.J., McCulloch will settle Unfinished Business competition in tense final
Six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Warren Johnson will take on five-time U.S. Nationals champ Ed “the Ace” McCulloch in tonight's final round of the legend-on-legend Unfinished Business competition at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
Six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Warren Johnson will take on five-time U.S. Nationals champ Ed “the Ace” McCulloch in the final round of the legend-on-legend Unfinished Business competition at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.…
Gainesville Pro Stock Saturday results: Q3
Rodger Brogdon and Greg Anderson lead the way in quick Q3 session with 6.4-second runs.
Since the introduction of electronic fuel injection three years ago, 6.4-second runs have become something of a rarity in Pro Stock but the prime weather conditions on Saturday in Gainesville allowed Rodger Brogdon and Greg Anderson to take the top…
Gainesville Pro Stock Motorcycle Saturday results: Q3
Revenge of the Harleys; Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines reclaimed the top spots in Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying.
As expected, there were dramatic improvements across the board during Saturday’s third round of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying and after yielding the top spot on Friday to reigning world champ Matt Smith, Harley-Davidson riders Eddie Krawiec and…
Castellana involved in Pro Mod qualifying crash at Amalie NHRA Gatornationals
Mike Castellana, the incoming national record holder in Pro Mod, crashed his supercharged AAP Camaro during Saturday qualifying at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. He was not injured.
Bill Skillman leads record all-seven-second Factory Stock field
Bill Skillman’s record 7.744 leads the way in first seven-second SAM Tech.edu Factory Stock field. Plus a look at how the class compares to Pro Stock in 1982.
Less than six months ago, Mark Pawuk set the elapsed time record at 7.927 in the SAM Tech.edu Factory Stock Showdown. Today, that run is not quick enough to qualify for the record field at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.…
No new car blues for Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Following an impressive Phoenix victory, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and the Elite team have no reservations about bringing a new car to Gainesville.
Parking a perfectly good race car immediately following a national event victory might seem like a risky strategy but it hasn't fazed Jeg Coughlin Jr., who did just that when he parked his Jerry Haas-built Camaro following the Phoenix race and has…
How T.J. Zizzo ended up No. 1 in Top Fuel; it was all about 'weight' and see
He has a 20-year-old chassis and an all-volunteer crew. He’s run just four races over the past two seasons. How the heck did T.J. Zizzo end up in the No. 1 qualifying spot at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Friday?
He has a 20-year-old chassis and an all-volunteer crew. He’s run just four races over the past two seasons. How the heck did T.J. Zizzo end up in the No. 1 qualifying spot at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Friday?
He’s never been a low…
Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Saturday preview: Fast times ahead
Welcome to Day 3 of the 50th annual Amalie motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and the final day of qualifying in the Mello Yello classes. Two sessions are scheduled today, at noon and 3:30 p.m.
Welcome to Day 3 of the 50th annual Amalie motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and the final day of qualifying in the Mello Yello classes. Two sessions are scheduled today, at noon and 3:30 p.m.
With a 10-plus-degree drop in temperature over yesterday…
Three generations of Smiths team up to compete in Funny Car
Paul Smith, who competed in Funny Car at the Gatornationals in 1973 and was the championship runner-up in 1974, is still burning nitro at Gainesville Raceway, tuning Gary Richards’ Funny Car as well as the Smith family flopper, which is driven by son John and wrenched on by his grandkids.
Paul Smith, who competed in Funny Car at the Gatornationals in 1973 and was the championship runner-up in 1974, is still burning nitro at Gainesville Raceway, tuning Gary Richards’ Funny Car as well as the Smith family flopper, which is driven…
Gainesville Top Fuel Friday results: Q2
T.J. Zizzo stunned everyone by powering his Rust-Oleum dragster to the No. 1 qualifying spot in Top Fuel with a sizzling pass of 3.762.
T.J. Zizzo stunned everyone by powering his Rust-Oleum dragster to the No. 1 qualifying spot in Top Fuel with a sizzling pass of 3.762.
Zizzo, a part-time campaigner in the Mello Yello Series, followed his strong 3.872 opening pass Friday with a…
Gainesville Funny Car Friday results: Q2
Six Funny Cars ripped their way into the three-second zone during the late-afternoon session led by Robert Hight, who clocked a 3.928 in the Auto Club Camaro.
Six Funny Cars ripped their way into the three-second zone during the late-afternoon session led by Robert Hight, who clocked a 3.928 in the Auto Club Camaro. Bob Tasca III (3.953), Ron Capps (3.965), Shawn Langdon (3.979), Tommy Johnson Jr. (3.985…
Gainesville Pro Stock Friday results: Q2
Consistent Bo Butner maintains hold on top spot in Pro Stock; banks three more qualifying bonus points
The qualifying bonus points continue to add up for 2017 world champ Bo Butner, who banked three more “little points” after his 6.555 in Friday’s second session held up as the quickest pass of the round. Butner aced his KB Racing teammate, Greg…
Gainesville Pro Stock Motorcycle Friday results: Q2
The first side-by-side 200-mph runs highlight a quick second session of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying in Gainesville.
Matt Smith reaffirmed his hold on the top spot in Friday’s Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying with a 6.785 elapsed time during the afternoon session, but the real news came from the speed clocks, which registered a record-setting 201.76 mph top-end…
Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Friday photo gallery
There is a lot happening at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on and off the track; here are some of the highlights from Friday.
There is a lot happening at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and here are some of the highlights from Friday.
Most racers, including past Super Gas world champ John Labbous Jr., will go to great lengths to win…
Zizzo surprises with Top Fuel pole; Hight, Butner, Smith also lead Gainesville fields
After the first two rounds of pro qualifying at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, T.J. Zizzo, Robert Hight, Bo Butner, and Matt Smith, hold the top spots.
After the first two rounds of professional qualifying at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, T.J. Zizzo is the surprise low qualifier in Top Fuel. Zizzo is joined at the top of the standings by Robert Hight, Bo Butner, and Matt…
Gainesville Top Fuel Friday results: Q1
World champ Steve Torrence showed the Top Fuel field the way home in the opening qualifying session with a 3.800 on the new and still a little green all-concrete track that will only get better through the weekend.
World champ Steve Torrence showed the Top Fuel field the way home in the opening qualifying session with a 3.800 on the new and still a little green all-concrete track that will only get better through the weekend.
Leah Pritchett was not far…
Variety is the spice of life for Alex Laughlin
Alex Laughlin is up to drive just about anything and he's pulling double-duty this weekend in Pro Stock and the E3 Pro Mod series.
Alex Laughlin lives his life by a simple code; if it has wheels, he will drive it. The 2019 season is barely three months old and Laughlin has already raced, and won, with a shifter cart on the high banks of Daytona Int’l Speedway. He also won $50,…
Gainesville Funny Car Friday results: Q1
Three-time Gatornationals Funny Car winner Ron Capps grabbed the early qualifying lead with his NAPA Auto Parts Charger SRT Hellcat with a 4.017 in the opening session.
Three-time Gatornationals Funny Car winner Ron Capps grabbed the early qualifying lead with his NAPA Auto Parts Charger SRT Hellcat with a 4.017.
Behind Capps is another multi-time Gainesville champ, eight-time winner John Force, who clocked a 4.…
Shirley takes down Garlits to highlight round one of Unfinished Business race
Shirley Muldowney defeated “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in the opening round of the Unfinished Business competition at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which pitted eight legends in identical Toyotas in head-to-head competition. Joe Amato, Warren Johnson, and Ed McCulloch also advanced into Saturday’s second round.
Shirley Muldowney defeated “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in the opening round of the Unfinished Business competition at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which pitted eight legends in identical Toyotas in head-to-head competition.…
Gainesville Pro Stock Motorcycle Friday results: Q1
The first Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying session of the new year didn't look much different from the final session of 2018.
Reigning NHRA Mello Yello champion Matt Smith maintained the torrid pace he set at the end of last season and claimed the early lead in Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying.
Smith rode his bright red Denso EBR to a 6.753 to lead a strong field of 23…
Dutchman's Lex Joon's Top Fuel 'American Dream' revs up again at Gatornationals
It’s a long trip from the Netherlands to the United States, but it’s symbolic of the trek that Top Fuel racer Lex Joon and wife Gerda have traveled to participate on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour and the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
It’s a long trip from the Netherlands to the United States, but it’s symbolic of the trek that Top Fuel racer Lex Joon and wife Gerda have traveled to participate on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour and the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA…
Angelle Sampey and the Vance & Hines team: the not-so-odd couple
Once bitter, rivals, Angelle Sampey and the Vance & Hines have found common ground in the battle for Pro Stock Motorcycle superiority.
When it comes to unlikely pairings Angelle Sampey and the Vance & Hines team go about as well as orange juice and toothpaste. At least at first glance. Then again, it’s worth noting that Don Garlits once raced as a teammate to Shirley Muldowney…
Friday Preview: Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Welcome to the long awaited 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, the third race of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Two sessions of qualifying in all four Professional categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle) are scheduled today, beginning at 1:15 p.m. local time.
You can stay up to date by keeping it on NHRA.com all day for round-by-round recaps, features on your favorite drivers, and more. That’s not the only way you can stay in touch with NHRA during the event. If you’re coming out to Gainesville today,…
50 Memorable Moments in Gatornationals history
The Gatornationals, the third oldest event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, has a deep and rich heritage that ensures its place in the history books and in the hearts and minds of racers and fans alike. Here's a look back at 50 Memorable Moments from the event’s colorful history.
The Gatornationals, the third oldest event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, has a deep and rich heritage that ensures its place in the history books and in the hearts and minds of racers and fans alike. Added to the national…
Defending champion Matt Smith chasing down first Gatornationals win
Matt Smith enters Gainesville as the defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champ, but he's still looking for his first Gatornationals title.
Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith has never won at Gainesville Raceway in his standout career. But after a thrilling finish to his 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season ended with his third world title, the veteran…
Mike Janis trying to build on 2018 Pro Mod title
Mike Janis’ incredible 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season ended with a dream result: his first NHRA Pro Mod world championship.
Mike Janis’ incredible 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season ended with a dream result: his first NHRA Pro Mod world championship.
As satisfying as that was, Janis insists he is nowhere near…
Jeg Coughlin to debut new car, throwback paint scheme at Gatornationals
A brand new car and a special throwback scheme will make an already special weekend even more memorable for Jeg Coughlin Jr.
A brand new car and a special throwback scheme already will make this weekend a special one for Jeg Coughlin Jr. Add in a victory at the massive 50th annual AMALIE Motor…
Tricky Tipster: Gauging greatness at the Golden Gators
Tricky Tipster’s picks to click at the historic 50th anniversary Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals include Steve Torrence, Robert Hight, Bo Butner, Matt Smith, and Rick Hord.
With all five classes in action for the historic 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, it’s time for Tricky Tipster, NHRA’s resident odds-maker, to get serious about picking favorites. Those who figure to have the best shot at hoisting…
Terry McMillen chasing first Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals win
Top Fuel standout is trying to earn a special Wally to his trophy case at his sponsor’s race, this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
Terry McMillen put together a memorable weekend to win a historic race a year ago at Indy, and the Top Fuel standout is now trying to add another one at the 50th anniversary of his sponsor’s race, this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals…
Don Garlits: Destiny, history, and victory at the Gatornationals
Drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits shared his thoughts about his homestate race, the Gatornationals, and his long history, successes, and frustrations at one of NHRA's most storied events.
In 1956, I wrote a letter to Hot Rod magazine complaining that they weren’t giving racing in Florida the kind of coverage I thought we deserved.
I understood that drag racing had originated on the West Coast, where the aircraft…