Friday News & Notes from the NHRA Carolina Nationals
News, notes, quotes, and photos from the first day of Pro qualifying at the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. (Updated throughout the day)
UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Pro Stock Motorcycle Q1
Matt Smith dominated the opening session of Pro Stock Motorcycle, gapping the field by seven-hundredths with his Denso Buell. Smith’s 6.803 pass alongside points leader…
Randy Meyer Racing adds INA Towing Network for 2025
NHRA world champion team owner Randy Meyer has announced the addition of a multi-faceted marketing partnership with the INA Towing Network highlighted by a “Slow Down Move Over” national awareness campaign and a branded dragster at the 2025 NHRA Gatornationals.
NHRA world champion team owner Randy Meyer has announced the addition of a multi-faceted marketing partnership with the INA Towing Network, the nation’s leading provider of emergency roadside services for truck fleets and the transportation fleet…
Josh Hart to promote Technet, Brakes For Breasts at Carolina Nationals
For the fourth consecutive season NHRA Top Fuel championship contender Josh Hart will be racing pink in support of the Brakes for Breasts charity campaign aligned with his primary sponsor TechNet Professional. During the NHRA Carolina Nationals.
For the fourth consecutive season NHRA Top Fuel championship contender Josh Hart will be racing pink in support of the Brakes for Breasts charity campaign aligned with his primary sponsor TechNet Professional. During the NHRA Carolina Nationals this…
Sill, Innes, Hastings, Drnach, and Sheppeard win Division 3 E.T. crowns
Scott Sill, Andrew Innes, Nick Hastings, Jason Drnach, and Scott Sheppeard earned berths in the National Championship event with their victories at the Division 3 Summit Series Finals.
The following are Wednesday's final results from the 2024 NHRA Summit Racing Series North Central Division Finals:
SUPER PRO
Scott Sill, Montville, Ohio, '07 Diamond, 4.818, 140.24 def. Adam Cline, Franklin, Ky., '78…
Vaughn, Milton, Quinn, Fangmeyer, and Larson win Division 5 E.T. titles
Tyler Vaughn, Jean Milton, Andrew Quinn, Gordon Fangmeyer, and Todd Larson scored wins at the Division 5 Summit Series Finals to earn their spots in the National Championship in October in Las Vegas.
The following are Wednesday's final results from the 2024 NHRA Summit Racing Series West Central Division Finals:
SUPER PRO
Tyler Vaughn, Minden, Neb., '10 Dragster, 7.610, 177.30 def. Zach Halverson, Earlville, Iowa, '…
Matt Hagan knows more Charlotte success bodes well for title chances
Reigning Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan enjoyed a memorable weekend at zMAX Dragway earlier this year, picking up his 50th career Funny Car victory during the four-wide race in April, and knows he'll need more of the same in pursuit of a fifth world championship.
Reigning Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan enjoyed a memorable weekend at zMAX Dragway earlier this year, picking up his 50th career Funny Car victory during the four-wide race in April.
Heading back to Charlotte for this weekend’s 16th…
NHRA Carolina Nationals Friday preview
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship continues at this weekend’s 16th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway for the second event of the six-race NHRA playoffs.
As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship playoffs continue, drivers and teams will be laser-focused on an NHRA world championship at this weekend’s 16th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals, which takes place on Sept. 20-…
Pro Stock standout Aaron Stanfield looks to continue Countdown momentum
Following the first race of the 2024 NHRA Countdown to the Championship, Pro Stock has a new points leader in Aaron Stanfield, who will look to increase his lead in Charlotte as he continues to enjoy a career-best season.
Following the first race of the 2024 NHRA Countdown to the Championship, the Pro Stock division has a new points leader in Aaron Stanfield. As teams head south to zMAX Dragway for this weekend’s 16th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals, Stanfield will…
Congruity Pro Mod Series features huge field in Charlotte as title race heats up
The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ “Road to the Championship” continues this weekend as part of the NHRA Carolina Nationals, and with 27 cars slated to participate, the event will undoubtedly mark one of the toughest races of the season.
The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ “Road to the Championship” continues this weekend as part of the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, and with 27 cars slated to participate, the event will undoubtedly mark one…
Tricky Tipster, NHRA Carolina Nationals
The experts at Alt Sports Data have set the opening lines for this week’s event at zaMax Dragway, and they have chosen Doug Kalitta, Austin Prock, Erica Enders, and Gaige Herrera as the pre-race favorites.
The Countdown to the Championship playoffs kicked off last week in Reading, where Antron Brown, Austin Prock, Aaron Stanfield, and Hector Arana Jr. scored wins in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, respectively.
There is no…
Watch the Division 4 Lucas Oil Series event from Tulsa free on NHRA.tv
NHRA fans can watch the Division 4 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series doubleheader event from Tulsa Raceway Park for free starting Thursday on NHRA.tv.
NHRA fans can watch the Division 4 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series doubleheader event from Tulsa Raceway Park for free starting Thursday on NHRA.tv.
Presenting sponsors of NHRA.tv Sportsman coverage from Tulsa, Okla., are Moser, Comp…
Mitch Brown fighting for Top Fuel Motorcycle championship at season finale
In the comic books, Spiderman’s nemeses include Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus, but for Larry “Spiderman” McBride, it’s Mitch Brown who has his attention as the inaugural four-race Pingel NHRA Top Fuel Motorcycle Series rides to its conclusion this weekend at the NHRA Carolina Nationals.
In the comic books, Spiderman’s nemeses include Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus, but for Larry “Spiderman” McBride, the face of the Top Fuel Motorcycle class for four decades, it’s Mitch Brown who has his attention as the inaugural four-race Pingel…
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the 2024 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
Go behind the scenes with the winners of the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals as they celebrate with their teams and accept congratulations from their defeated final-round opponents.
Johnny Pluchino wins Mountain Motor Pro Stock at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
Johnny Pluchino will take the points lead into the final event of the season in the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock class following his narrow 6.325 to 6.236 win against John Montecalvo in the final round.
NHRA vs. the World! The unmatched thrill of acceleration in drag racing
Force = mass x acceleration: The science of acceleration drives the heart-pounding thrills of NHRA Drag Racing — see just how much more intense this sport is — even compared to a rocket launch!
Acceleration is the heartbeat of NHRA Drag Racing – it's what forms the emotional bond between the race and its fans. The raw power that pins you to your seat, the earth-shaking launch off the starting line, and the adrenaline that…
Top Fuel points leader Justin Ashley looks for first NHRA Carolina Nationals win
Justin Ashley is the Top Fuel points leader heading into this weekend’s NHRA Carolina Nationals, but it’s hardly a huge advantage, as Ashley leads by just a single point over Reading winner Antron Brown and has never won this event.
This season marks the fourth year in the Countdown to the Championship for 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year Justin Ashley and the third time he’s led at some point during the playoffs in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
He’s the…
Weekend Rewind: 2024 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals kicked off the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Countdown to the Championship at Maple Grove Raceway with a wild weekend of racing. Enjoy this video look back at the event.
What happens 60 seconds before the fastest motorsport on Earth fires off!
Not a rocket launch, not the Times Square ball drop, not even the start of a Taylor Swift concert — nothing compares to the kickoff of an NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event.
All the energy, all the preparation, and all the commitment lead to one breathtaking moment – NHRA Drag Racing. This is the grandest spectacle in motorsports, where every fraction of a second counts. The NHRA was born to host this jaw-dropping…
Smax Smith’s spectacular engine explosion secured race-day spot
A thrilling qualifying run secured Smith's spot despite a fiery setback at the 2024 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
NHRA Top Fuel racer Smax Smith experienced a dramatic engine explosion during qualifying at the 2024 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading. The run was nothing short of spectacular, as the dragster exploded gloriously, sending…
Pruett: New policy should have 'a positive impact on women in motorsports as a whole'
NHRA Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett, who with husband Tony Stewart is expecting their first child in November, played a pivotal role in pushing for an amendment to the NHRA’s Driver Replacement Policy. This new policy addresses the challenges…
NHRA unveils new driver replacement policy amendment for female racers
For more than seven decades, the NHRA has been at the forefront of championing women in motorsports, and that mission continues with the introduction of a groundbreaking policy — the first of its kind in motor racing — designed to support female racers who are starting a family.
For more than seven decades, the NHRA has been at the forefront of championing women in motorsports, and that mission continues with the introduction of a groundbreaking policy — the first of its kind in motor racing — designed to support female…
How Jack Beckman advanced to round 2 with a stroke of John Force luck!
A centerline infraction by Joe Morrison helped Beckman move forward to the Funny Car final against teammate Austin Prock
Jack Beckman found himself with a bit of racing luck at the 2024 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Dragstrip. In round 1, his opponent, Joe Morrison, committed a centerline infraction, handing Beckman the win despite his own struggles on the…
5 Things We Learned in Reading
The first race of the Countdown featured everything one would hope for: an indisputably intense energy, points shakeups, stoked rivalries, and a bright glimmer of the future. Here are five takeaways from the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.
The first race of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship featured everything one would hope for: an indisputably intense energy, points shakeups, stoked rivalries, and a bright glimmer of the future. Here are…
Three mind-blowing things that happen in under 4 seconds to a Top Fuel dragster
From leaping off the track to knocking moisture out of the air, Top Fuel dragsters push the limits of physics. See how in this NHRA On FOX slow-motion
Top Fuel dragsters are engineering marvels, creating countless astonishing physical events in mere seconds. One of the most mind-blowing is Steve Torrence’s dragster literally jumping on and off the track, perfectly synced with his throttle foot,…
Clay Millican on stealing the show in first-round thriller at Pep Boys Nationals
Clay Millican capitalized on Josh Hart's red-light, delivering a near-full pass and gathering crucial data for the Countdown to the Championship.
Fan-favorite Clay Millican kicked off an exciting start to the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, running in the first pair of eliminations alongside Josh Hart. Following the playing of the national anthem, Hart red-lit at the starting line, giving Millican a…
Nine Lucas Oil Series racers collect victories at Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
In addition to the exciting Mission Foods Drag Racing Series action at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, nine champions were also crowned in Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series action at Maple Grove Raceway, including Al Kenny, the winner in Right Trailers Top Dragster.
In addition to the exciting Mission Foods Drag Racing Series action at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, nine champions were also crowned in Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series action at Maple Grove Raceway,
After 46 wins in a dazzling Pro Stock…
Top Alcohol star Julie Nataas to make Top Fuel debut with Scrappers Racing
Julie Nataas, the current NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster world champion, will make her Top Fuel debut as part of the Scrappers Racing team at the upcoming NHRA Midwest Nationals.
The Scrappers Racing team will bring out a second Top Fuel car and driver at the upcoming NHRA Midwest Nationals. Julie Nataas, the current NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster world champion, will make her Top Fuel debut as part…
Relive all the action from the 2024 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals!
You have plenty of chances to catch all the high-speed action again as NHRA on FOX re-airs the first race of the Countdown to the Championship!
Did you miss the thrilling moments of the 2024 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals from Reading, PA? Don’t worry! You have plenty of chances to catch all the high-speed action again as NHRA on FOX re-airs the Finals, giving fans the opportunity to relive every…
Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Sunday gallery
Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway was an extraordinary first step into the Countdown to the Championship, and our NHRA National Dragster photographers captured all of the moments.
Scott Libersher captures Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown win in Reading
The next to last Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown national event was filled with drama and incredible racing performances. For the second time in three races Scott Libersher raced to the winner’s circle, winning the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals today at…