Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date
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Kris Thorne's hopes for the Pro Mod championship got wrecked in Las Vegas
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 12: Pro Mod championship leader Kris Throrne stacks 'er up in Las Vegas.
The race for the 2023 FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports world championship took an unexpected turn — right into the guardwall — at the NHRA Nevada Nationals when points leader Kris Thorne crashed heavily in…
Mike Castellana overcomes early-season adversity to clinch Pro Mod title
A crash during an early-season test session turned a season that started with an optimistic semifinal finish in Gainesville suddenly seemed like a lost cause, but somehow, Mike Castellana and his crew dug deep and found a way to rally to win the championship.
On April 26, 2023, the thought of winning the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series championship was the furthest thing from Mike Castellana’s mind. On that date, Castellana crashed his Western Beef/AAP Camaro during a test session at Virginia…
Dale Creasy Jr., Dave Richards, and a Texas two-step they'd both like to forget
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 11: Dale Creasy Jr. and Dave Richards get tangled up at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
During the first round of qualifying of the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, Dale Creasy Jr.’s Funny Car crossed the centerline and made contact with Dave Richards’ vehicle, resulting in Richards hitting the wall. Both drivers exited…
Top 5 moments of Matt Hagan's championship-winning 2023 season
In 2023, Matt Hagan became just the fourth driver in NHRA history to win four Funny Car world championships. Here's a look back at five big moments from his title-winning season.
Twas the days before Christmas ...
Reimagining a Christmas staple, with a little help from the legends.
Note to my readers: I wrote the column below last week, before the passings earlier this week of Don Schumacher and Paula Murphy. Their losses to the sport and what they brought to the sport cannot be understated. I had the pleasure…
Bruno Massel Jr. makes history as first Comp driver to win four championships
NHRA has been crowning world champions in Comp eliminator since 1964, and of the 46 drivers whose names have been etched in the history books as class world champions, Bruno Massel Jr. now stands above the rest as the eliminator’s only four-time world champion.
NHRA has been crowning world champions in Competition eliminator since 1964, and of the 46 drivers whose names have been etched in the history books as class world champion, only nine have won it more than once, and one name – Bruno Massel Jr. – now…
Aaron Stanfield claims third Flexjet Factory Stock championship in four years
Aaron Stanfield has already won races in Top Dragster, Super Stock, and Pro Stock, but he does some of his best work in the Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class, where he’s now won three championships in the last four years.
If Aaron Stanfield isn’t the most versatile driver in all of NHRA racing, he’s got to be darned close to the top of anyone’s list. Just 28, the third-generation racer has already won races in Top Dragster, Super Stock, and Pro Stock, but he does…
NHRA community reacts to passing of Don Schumacher
The NHRA community shares its thoughts, remembrances, and tributes on the passing of drag racing icon Don Schumacher.
The NHRA community shares its thoughts, remembrances, and tributes on the passing of drag racing icon Don Schumacher.
NHRA President Glen Cromwell: “We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Don Schumacher, a truly…
Christine Foster went up, up, and away in Dallas body-tossing adventure
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 10: Christine Foster's body-tossing wheelstand at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
A reported broken wheelie bar led to this high-flying adventure for Top Alcohol Funny Car racer Christine Foster during the semifinals at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
Esteemed team owner, Indy Funny Car winner Don Schumacher passes away
NHRA team owner and Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher passed away Dec. 20. Schumacher, who was 79 at the time of his passing, leaves a lasting legacy on not only the NHRA community, where he etched his name as one of the sport’s most successful team owners and a champion for the advancement of safety innovation.
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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,…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…