Thirty years later, Jim Epler’s drive to 300 remains among Heartland’s highlights
Thirty years ago at Heartland Motorsports Park, Jim Epler became the first Funny Car driver to exceed 300 mph. Epler, now the Executive Vice-President of Phillips Connect, looks back on his historic achievement.
Like so many others in the industry, Jim Epler will mourn the loss of another racing venue this week when Heartland Motorsports Park plays host to professional drag racing for the last time with the 33rd renewal of the Menard’s NHRA Nationals…
Antron Brown looks to replicate last year's success at Heartland Motorsports Park
A year ago — and in his first season as a team owner — Heartland Motorsports Park was the place for a major moment for Top Fuel star Antron Brown. The three-time world champion hopes to continue that success at this year's event.
A year ago — and in his first season as a team owner — Heartland Motorsports Park was the place for a major moment for Top Fuel star Antron Brown. The three-time world champion won his first race as a team owner, setting the stage for Brown’s big…
Joe Maynard, Tony Schumacher reflect on the year past and the season ahead
On the one-year anniversary of the forming of JCM Racing, team patriarch Joe Maynard and his primary driver, eight-time NHRA Top Fuel world champ Tony Schumacher, discuss the past year and what lies ahead for all three of the Maynard-affiliated teams.
A year ago, Joe and Cathi Maynard fulfilled a long dream of becoming NHRA team owners by assuming control of the team of eight-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher, going from sponsoring partner of the then Don Schumacher-led team to…
Western Swing Pro Stock Motorcycle recap: Sweeps and swoons on two wheels
It’s Gaige Herrera’s world, and we’re all just living in it. The Pro Stock Motorcycle sophomore became the ninth racer to sweep the Western Swing, the first to do it on two wheels, and dominated action. Here's a look at how the top riders fared. Final in a three-part series.
The three-race Western Swing is the gateway to the home stretch of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series regular season that sets the contenders for the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs and a pivotal time for teams trying to…
Western Swing Funny Car recap: Hits, misses, and movement in the middle
With a full-house win/runner-up/semifinal trio of finishes, J.R. Todd was the Funny Car star of the Western Swing, even if he did not gain a massive position improvement. Here's a look at how the top Funny Car players fared. Second in a multi-part series.
The three-race Western Swing is the gateway to the home stretch of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series regular season that sets the contenders for the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs and a pivotal time for teams trying to…
Back-to-back wins extend historic streak for Justin Lamb on Western Swing
Five-time Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champion Justin Lamb won in Seattle and Sonoma to claim the trophy on back-to-back weekends, lengthening a streak that has seen at least one national event win in each season since 2012.
Few racers in NHRA competition have been able to string together win after win, year after year, but for five-time Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champion Justin Lamb, it's a streak he's been able to keep alive for 12 years running. Lamb swept in…
Western Swing Top Fuel recap: Who gained ground and who lost traction
With eight round-wins — including a victory in Seattle and semifinal finishes in Denver and Sonoma — Steve Torrence led the way in Top Fuel over the three-race Western Swing and cut strongly into Justin Ashley’s points lead. Here's a look at how the top players fared. First in a multi-part series.
The three-race Western Swing is the gateway to the home stretch of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series regular season that sets the contenders for the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs and a pivotal time for teams trying to…
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals
Go behind the scenes with the winners of the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals as they celebrate their victories with their teams and one another and accept congratulations from their vanquished final-round foes.
Weekend Rewind: Relive the highlights of the 2023 Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals
The Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals was the third and final event in the historic NHRA Western Swing and provided thrills and upsets for the eager fans at Sonoma Raceway. Enjoy this video recap of the weekend.
Spirited rivalries aside, Alex Laughlin would prefer to let his performance do the talking
Alex Laughlin’s feud with J.R. Todd has been the talk of the drag racing world the last two weeks, but what Laughlin really wants is more on-track success.
When he feels as though he’s been disrespected, Alex Laughlin isn’t afraid to return fire, which helps explain his ongoing rivalry with Kalitta Motorsports driver J.R. Todd. The battle between the two drivers has been chronicled extensively on both…
Familiar setting has Funny Car champ Ron Capps thinking big in Sonoma
With this weekend’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway closing out the famed three-race Western Swing for the first time since 2009, back-to-back Funny Car world champion Ron Capps is ready to put on a show at a track he has always considered special.
With this weekend’s 35th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway closing out the famed three-race Western Swing for the first time since 2009, back-to-back Funny Car world champion Ron Capps is ready to put on a show at a track he has…
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence looks to finish Western Swing with win
Back in the points lead and with a win under his belt heading into this weekend’s 35th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, Top Fuel standout Steve Torrence is in an ideal situation.
Back in the points lead and with a win under his belt heading into this weekend’s 35th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, Top Fuel standout Steve Torrence is in an ideal situation.
He had put together a consistent season up…
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals
Go behind the scenes with the winners of the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals as they celebrate their victories with their teams and one another and accept congratulations from their vanquished final-round foes.
Weekend Rewind: 2023 Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals
The 2023 Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals was packed with wild moments and quite a few upsets. Relive the second race of the Western Swing in our Weekend Rewind video recap.
Five things we learned at the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals
The Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals, the middle leg of the three-race NHRA Western Swing, went into the record book, adding another chapter to the Pacific Raceways’ storied history. Here’s our five big takeaways from the event.
The Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals, the middle leg of the three-race NHRA Western Swing, went into the record book, adding another chapter to the Pacific Raceways’ storied history. Here’s our five big takeaways from the event.
IT’S NOT…
Smith prepping for Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout in midst of busy stretch
Racing on the full Western Swing for the first time, busy is the key word for Pro Stock Motorcycle, and that definitely includes Angie Smith.
Racing on the full Western Swing for the first time, busy is the key word for Pro Stock Motorcycle, and that definitely includes Angie Smith.
After advancing to the final round in Denver, Smith and the rest of the class appeared at Pacific…
Milestone 50th career win could be just around the corner for Doug Kalitta
Top Fuel veteran Doug Kalitta is hoping to finally reach his milestone 50th career win at this year’s Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals and comes into the race hot off of a runner-up last weekend in Denver.
Like fellow NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series racer Eddie Krawiec, Doug Kalitta is hoping to finally reach his milestone…
'The Surfer,' Jeff Diehl, is back and looking to make big waves in Seattle
Funny Car fan-favorite Jeff “the Surfer” Diehl will be back to riding the big waves of Funny Car competition at the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals, his first outing since the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in April, where he reached the semifinals, and he's got a new look and new hopes.
Funny Car fan-favorite Jeff “the Surfer” Diehl will be back to riding the big waves of Funny Car competition at the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals, his first outing since the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in April, where he reached the semifinals…
J.R. Todd looks to finish job at Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals
After getting through an unfortunate rough stretch earlier this season, things have swiftly turned around for Funny Car standout J.R. Todd and he brings plenty of much-needed momentum into this weekend’s Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.
After getting through an unfortunate rough stretch earlier this season, things have swiftly turned around for Funny Car standout J.R. Todd. The former world champion has three semifinal appearances in the past four races, bringing plenty of much-…
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the 2023 NHRA Mile-High Nationals
Go behind the scenes with the winners of the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals as they celebrate their victories with their teams and one another and accept congratulations from their vanquished final-round foes.
With busy weekend ahead, Brittany Force eyes first Northwest Nationals win
Track records continue to fall this year for NHRA Top Fuel star Brittany Force, but the defending Top Fuel world champion is still after her first victory of the 2023 campaign, and this weekend’s busy Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals would be an ideal time to get it.
Track records continue to fall this year for NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series star Brittany Force. But the defending Top Fuel world champion is still after her first victory of the 2023 campaign, and this weekend’s 34th annual Flav-R-Pac NHRA…
Weekend Rewind: 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals
The 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals may have been the final NHRA national event at Bandimere Speedway, but it went out with a bang with record-breaking action, upsets, and high drama.
Attention in the Pits: Go inside the first compressed-air Top Sportsman car
Mark Griffin debuted the first bottled-air Top Sportsman car at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals. In this segment of NHRA’s popular “Attention in the Pits” series, NHRA’s Joe Castello and Griffin walk you through how it all works.
Five things we learned at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals
It was all one would expect and more, and we're already missing Thunder Mountain. After 65 years in the business, Bandimere Speedway experienced a send-off we won't ever forget. Here are five things we learned at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals.
It was a bittersweet weekend on Thunder Mountain as the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals were contested for what is expected to be the final time at Bandimere Speedway. It was also a joyous celebration of 65 years with the devoted…
Bandimere Speedway is the keeper of memories for Pro Stock's Chris and Lester McGaha
In 65 years of hosting drag racing, Bandimere Speedway has become home for many. For eight-time Pro Stock winner Chris McGaha, the historic facility is where it all began.
In 65 years of hosting drag racing, Bandimere Speedway has become home for many. Of course, racers who live in the area revere the facility and host of 43 NHRA national events. For Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors who race in Division 5, the…
Denver native Deric Kramer seeking first Pro Stock win at Bandimere Speedway
Some of Deric Kramer’s first memories as a child are from Bandimere Speedway and the Pro Stock standout and Denver-area native has enjoyed countless enjoyable moments over the years at his home track. He’ll get a chance to make one more on Thunder Mountain at this weekend’s 43rd annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals.
Some of Deric Kramer’s first memories as a child are from Bandimere Speedway and the Pro Stock standout and Denver-area native has enjoyed countless enjoyable moments over the years at his home track.
He’ll get a chance to make one more on…
Funny Car points leader Matt Hagan after another win in Denver
The journey wasn’t always easy for Matt Hagan at Bandimere Speedway, but the three-time Funny Car world champion broke through for his long-awaited first win at the legendary facility in 2021 and is looking for another title this year.
The journey wasn’t always easy for Matt Hagan at Bandimere Speedway, but the three-time Funny Car world champion broke through for his long-awaited first win at the legendary facility in 2021.
It was a memorable moment for Hagan, and he’s looking…
Western Swing provides a welcome motorcycle road trip for Salinas family
While NHRA teams are focused on one of the most grueling stretches of races of their season, the Western Swing, through Colorado, Washington, and California, it offers a unique opportunity for the Salinas family to take to the open road together on their motorcycles.
While NHRA teams are focused on one of the most grueling stretches of races of their season, the Western Swing, teams leave their race shops – most of which are in the Midwest – and head west for Colorado, Washington, and California over a three-…
Top Fuel's Antron Brown is looking for another Western Swing sweep in 2023
Antron Brown, the last driver to sweep all three races of the Western Swing when he accomplished the feat in 2009, is geared up and ready to do it again entering this weekend's Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals.
Five Memorable Moments from the history of the Mile-High Nationals
Bandimere Speedway has played host to the NHRA Mile-High Nationals since 1979, and the thin altitude has been thick with excitement ever since. Here's a look back at five memorable moments from the history of the event.
