Five memorable moments from the history of the NHRA Midwest Nationals
The drama is always there at the NHRA Midwest Nationals, from record-quick and fast runs to domination and wild on-track moments. Here's a look at five of the more memorable moments in the history of the event.
Bob Tasca III in thick of Funny Car title hunt heading to NHRA Midwest Nationals
Funny Car’s Bob Tasca III has made a strong impression over the first two races of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs and looks to close out the first half of the Countdown in style this weekend in St. Louis.
The opening stretch of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship features three straight weeks of racing, capped off by this weekend’s 12th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway.
It’s an intense span of races and can…
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals
Go behind the scenes with the winners of the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals as they celebrate their victories with their teams and one another and accept congratulations from their vanquished final-round foes.
Tasca team sits second in points, eyeing first place as Countdown intensity grows
With his victory at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, his third score of the season, Bob Tasca III jumped to second in Funny Car points. Crew chief Aaron Brooks talks about what it's taken to get this far and what they'll need in the future.
Steve Johnson reflects on his 35 years and nearly 500 races in Pro Stock Motorcycle
No rider has ridden in more NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle races than Steve Johnson, who has competed in 488 of the 500 events. The sometimes comical, always lyrical, mostly serious veteran talks about how the class has changed and evolved over the years.
There’s not a lot that’s the same in the 500 races that have passed since the Pro Stock Motorcycle became an NHRA championship class…
What went into Mike Salinas' 300-mph eighth-mile Top Fuel blast in Charlotte
At the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, Top Fuel’s Mike Salinas became the first driver to power a car to 300 mph at the eighth-mile, winning a $30,000 bounty from Phillips Connect. Crew chiefs Rob Flynn and Aaron Cave talk about what it took.
Weekend Rewind: 2023 Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals
The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, the second race of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, was a wild affair with upsets abounding yet some familiar names returning to the winner's circle.
Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta looks to stay red-hot this weekend in St. Louis
Before the NHRA Countdown to the Championship started, Doug Kalitta’s last Top Fuel victory came in 2020 at World Wide Technology Raceway, the site of this weekend’s NHRA Midwest Nationals. Since then, he has won a pair of playoff races as he competes for that elusive first world championship.
Before the NHRA Countdown to the Championship started, Doug Kalitta’s last Top Fuel victory came in 2020 at World Wide Technology Raceway, the site of this weekend’s 12th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals.
Since then, the fan-favorite driver…
Five things we learned at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals
The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, stop two of the 2023 Countdown to the Championship, further embued the reputation of zMAX Raceway as a place where cool things happen. Here's our five takeaways from this year's event.
The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, stop two of the 2023 Countdown to the Championship, further embued the reputation of zMAX Raceway as a place where cool things happen. Here's our five takeaways from this year's event.
DOUG KALITTA’S READING…
What, me worry? Herrera unfazed by fall from lead as hunted becomes hunter
After a dominating regular season in which he rode his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki to six wins in nine starts and gained a huge points lead, people wondered how Gaige Herrera would handle his first adversity. Very well, it turns out.
After a dominating regular season in which he rode his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki to six wins in nine starts, won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge championship, and gained a huge points lead, people wondered how Gaige Herrera…
Canopy or not, Doug Kalitta is open to anything in pursuit of first championship
After switching from a cockpit canopy car back to an open cockpit, Doug Kalitta broke the second-longest dry spell of his career, and the team is sticking with the same car. Coincidence or not, superstition or not, Kalitta's ready to roll in either configuration.
For the first 566 races of his NHRA career, Top Fuel veteran Doug Kalitta rode to 49 victories in an open-cockpit dragster before switching to a canopy-style configuration at the start of the 2023 season.
So, when Kalitta broke a 65-race winless…
Matt Smith looks for win at Pro Stock Motorcycle’s 500th race in Charlotte
Reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith wasn’t at the first race in the class, but the six-time champ will be at the 500th official race for the category, which takes place at this weekend’s Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith wasn’t at the first race in the class, but the six-time champ will be at the 500th official race for the category, which takes place at this weekend’s 15th annual Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals…
Five memorable moments from the history of the NHRA Carolina Nationals
With a prime spot in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals is always packed with excitement. Here's a look back at five memorable moments from the history of the event.
Funny Car points leader Robert Hight seeks a 2023 zMAX Dragway sweep
Robert Hight has already won once this year at one of his favorite tracks, zMAX Dragway, which hosts this weekend’s Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals. But a season sweep at "the Bellagio of dragstrips" would go a long way in the Funny Car standout trying to claim a fourth world championship.
Robert Hight has already won once this year at one of his favorite tracks, zMAX Dragway, which hosts this weekend’s 15th annual Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals. But a season sweep at "the Bellagio of dragstrips" would go a long way in the Funny Car…
Top Fuel great Tony Schumacher is after more big moves at zMAX Dragway
A regular season filled with struggles changed almost overnight for Tony Schumacher. The Top Fuel legend and eight-time world champ enjoyed a sizeable turnaround to open the Countdown to the Championship, advancing to the semifinals last weekend to kick off the playoffs.
A regular season filled with struggles changed almost overnight for Tony Schumacher. The Top Fuel legend and eight-time world champ enjoyed a sizeable turnaround to open the Countdown to the Championship, advancing to the semifinals last weekend to…
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the 2023 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
Go behind the scenes with the winners of the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals as they celebrate their victories with their teams and one another and accept congratulations from their vanquished final-round foes.
Weekend Rewind: 2023 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
The 2023 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals will long be remembered for a series of upsets as well as Doug Kalitta's 50th career win. Take a look back at all of the excitement of the event in our Weekend Rewind video.
Top Fuel veteran Doug Kalitta joins an exclusive club with his 50th career win
With his Top Fuel victory at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Doug Kalitta became just the 23rd driver in NHRA history to reach the 50-win milestone and just the 16th to do it in the NHRA Professional ranks. Here's a look at the list of NHRA winners with 50 or more victories.
With his Top Fuel victory at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Doug Kalitta became just the 23rd driver in NHRA history to reach the 50-win milestone and just the 16th to do it in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series…
Five things we learned at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
The first race of the 2023 NHRA Countdown to the Championship was one that left no stone unturned. Quick times! Big speed! Changing of the guard! Upsets! Rain! Yep, we had it all at Maple Grove Raceway's 38th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, but we've narrowed down five attention-worthy notes.
PATIENCE PAYS OFF
Doug Kalitta may be the most patient man in drag racing. His even temperament has been put to the test for nearly three years as he has worked and waited for win No. 50. His 49th came in St. Louis in October of 2020, and since…
Indy finalist Fernando Cuadra Jr. wards off a “hero to zero” situation
The first portion of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series was a wild one for second-generation Pro Stock racer Fernando Cuadra Jr., and it concluded with a final-round on the most prestigious stage. His start to the Countdown, though, brought an unexpected challenge.
The first portion of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series was a wild one for Fernando Cuadra Jr., a second-generation Pro Stock racer who competes alongside his father, Fernando Sr., and younger twin brothers Cristian and David in the class of…
Roller-coaster season leads to strong start to the Countdown to the Championship for J.R. Todd
It was quite a ride. That’s one way to look at J.R. Todd’s regular season, but regardless of the twists and turns in the road, the destination was spot on: Todd and his DHL GR Supra team will start the 2023 NHRA Playoffs as the No. 5 seed.
It was quite a ride. That’s one way to look at J.R. Todd’s regular season, but regardless of the twists and turns in the road, the destination was spot on: Todd and his DHL GR Supra team will start the 2023 NHRA Playoffs as the No. 5…
Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Gaige Herrera eager to make playoffs debut
A dominant and incredible regular season was one to remember for relative Pro Stock Motorcycle newcomer Gaige Herrera. Now, the second-year rider hopes to enjoy the same success in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, which opens at this weekend’s Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.
A dominant and incredible regular season was one to remember for relative Pro Stock Motorcycle newcomer Gaige Herrera. Now, the second-year rider hopes to enjoy the same success in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, which opens at this weekend’…
Five great drivers/crew chiefs who have experienced success at Maple Grove
It takes a special kind of person to be both a driver and a tuner. Here’s a look at five who have done both and experienced success at Maple Grove Raceway, site of this weekend's Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.
Funny Car points leader Ron Capps looks to start playoffs in style in Reading
Heading into the opening race of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, this weekend’s 38th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Funny Car standout Ron Capps knows the challenge that awaits.
Heading into the opening race of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, this weekend’s 38th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Funny Car standout Ron Capps knows the challenge that awaits.
The back-to-back world champ…
Antron Brown looks to keep rolling to open Countdown playoffs in Reading
Antron Brown won’t start the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship with the Top Fuel points lead, but nobody enters the playoffs — and this weekend’s opener, the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway — with more momentum than Brown.
Antron Brown won’t start the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship playoffs with the Top Fuel points lead. That honor goes to Justin Ashley on the strength of six wins and a series of spectacular performances during the…
What goes into the planning and running of The World’s Biggest Drag Race?
What goes into the running of the world’s biggest and richest drag race, the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals? What does it take to plan, organize, schedule, promote, and stage six days of thrilling action on the fabled course at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park?
What goes into the running of the world’s biggest and richest drag race, the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals? What does it take to plan, organize, schedule, promote, and stage six days of thrilling action on the fabled course at Lucas Oil…
Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Top Fuel team geared up and ready for Countdown
Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Top Fuel team enter the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship as the top seed. Crew chief Mike Green talks about their planning and preparation for the six-race playoffs.
Indy winners talk victory and preview Reading on two WFO Radio shows
All four NHRA Camping World Series winners from the 69th Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. National joined NHRA announcer Joe Castello for a deep dive into winning the Big Go! Check out the shows and get ready for the NHRA Countdown beginning at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove.
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals
Go behind the scenes with the winners of the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals as they celebrate their victories with their teams and one another and accept congratulations from their vanquished final-round foes.
Weekend Rewind: 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals
The 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals seemingly had it all, with huge wins, emotional moments, upsets, and tons of points drama as the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series regular season concluded at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.