NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Troy Coughlin Jr. wants to return to Top Fuel—sooner, rather than later

Troy Coughlin Jr. has already done a lot of winning and he isn't done yet.
23 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Troy Coughlin Jr.
Troy Coughlin Jr. won his first national event three months after his 19th birthday. He lifted his second Wally at the world’s biggest drag race: the U.S. Nationals. His father, uncle, and grandfather long ago achieved legend status, and the JEGS…
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The story behind Robert Hight and that monster burnout at the NHRA Finals

Robert Hight surprised everyone -- including his crew chief Jimmy Prock and team owner John Force -- with a half-track smoky burnout in the Funny Car final at the Auto Club NHRA Finals but he had some clear goals with the unprecedented-in-recent-times tire smoker.
21 Nov 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
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Robert Hight
Robert Hight wanted to give the fans a little something extra at the Auto Club NHRA Finals to celebrate his impending coronation as Funny Car champion. The title was one informality away: a clean pass down the track in the final round against Jack…
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What, me worry? Steve Torrence 'relaxed,' ready heading into Championship Sunday

Steve Torrence's nerves have been tempered by the championship fires the last two seasons, and the defending Top Fuel champ and current points leader says he relaxed and ready to do battle Sunday in a four-way title fight.
17 Nov 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Top Fuel
Steve Torrence has been on both sides of Championship Sunday. In 2017, he came in with the points lead and lost it to Brittany Force. Last year he had it wrapped up before the event even began as part of an unprecedented sweep of all six Countdown…
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Matt Hagan controls his own destiny in dream playoff run

A postseason of surprises can conclude with a title at Auto Club Raceway for Matt Hagan and the Mopar team.
17 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Matt Hagan
Matt Hagan came out of nowhere because we (or I, because it's unfair to lump everyone else into this) stopped paying attention. The Mopar Express Lane team has been better than everyone else during the NHRA Countdown to the Championship by a wide…
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Racing Top Fuel at his hometown event a dream come true for Jordan Vandergiff

You hear it all the time – “It gives me goosebumps just thinking about” – but when Top Fuel rookie sensation Jordan Vandergriff talks about running at the Auto Club Finals, he pulls up his shirt sleeves to show that's not just some cliché to him.
17 Nov 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Jordan Vandergriff
You hear it all the time – “It gives me goosebumps just thinking about” – but when Top Fuel rookie sensation Jordan Vandergriff talks about running at the Auto Club Finals, he pulls up his shirt sleeves to show a reporter the gooseflesh that shows…
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Watch Ryan Oehler break in his Pro Stock Motorcycle tires with a Camaro

The Pro Stock Motorcycle rider gets his tires ready for competition in an unconventional way.
16 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Ryan Oehler
Pro Stock Motorcycles gain traction using one ginormous Mickey Thompson tire. The tire you see on Ryan Oehler's Pro Stock Motorcycle this weekend at the Auto Club NHRA Finals did not go directly from Mickey Thompson Tires to the back of his EBR.…
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Matt Hagan: "You have to focus on what you can control" in Funny Car title battle

Riding a two-race win streak and after having the only Funny Car to make it down Auto Club Raceway at Pomona on both qualifying passes Friday, Matt Hagan is feeling pretty good -– and relaxed -- about his bid for a third Funny Car championship.
16 Nov 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Matt Hagan
Riding a two-race win streak and after having the only Funny Car to make it down Auto Club Raceway at Pomona on both qualifying passes Friday, Matt Hagan is feeling pretty good -– and relaxed -- about his bid for a third Funny Car championship.…
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It's the last ride for Cory MClenathan, and he's hoping that better times are ahead

Twenty-eight years of Top Fuel competition will come to an end this weekend for Cory McClenathan, who earlier this year announced that the final three events of the 2019 season would be his last. The first two have been rough, and he'd like a storybook finish at his home track in Pomona.
15 Nov 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Cory McClenathan
Twenty-eight years of Top Fuel competition will come to an end this weekend for Cory McClenathan, who earlier this year announced that the final three events of the 2019 season would be his last. McClenathan, who made his Top Fuel debut at Auto…
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Jimmy Prock: 'I have all the faith in the world in my driver and crew'

Robert Hight and the Auto Club team are gunning for a third Mello Yello Funny Car world championship this weekend at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. NHRA’s John Kernan caught up with crew chief Jimmy Prock to talk about the important weekend ahead.
14 Nov 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
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Robert Hight
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Steve Torrence and Brittany Force locked in duel for 2019 Top Fuel title

Steve Torrence can win his second-straight Top Fuel title at the Auto Club NHRA Finals if he holds off Brittany Force and a handful of competitors on Sunday.
13 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Steve Torrence and Brittany Force
Steve Torrence can win his second-straight Top Fuel title at the Auto Club NHRA Finals if he holds off Brittany Force and a handful of competitors on Sunday. He leads Force by 16 points and can extend his lead to 39 points (a full round) if the…
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How Robert Hight can fight off seven contenders for Funny Car title

13 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Robert Hight
Robert Hight heads to his home track, Auto Club Raceway, with more round wins than any other Funny Car driver and an opportunity to win his third title. He leads Jack Beckman by 46 points and will automatically clinch a title by going the same…
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Erica Enders must hold off Jeg Coughlin Jr. to win third title

Erica Enders is on the verge of her third title, but Jeg Coughlin Jr. will have something to say about it.
12 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Erica Enders
SECOND IN A SERIES Erica Enders begins the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona with a great opportunity to win her third Pro Stock world championship and first since 2015. She holds a 92-point lead over Elite Motorsports teammate Jeg…
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How to stop Andrew Hines from winning his sixth title at the Auto Club NHRA Finals

The Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider enters Pomona with a big lead, but he can be stopped.
12 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Andrew Hines
FIRST IN A SERIES Andrew Hines opened the 2019 season with a victory at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, ending a year-long stretch of leaving drag strips emptyhanded. He dropped from first place only once: the second…
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Robert Hight embracing pressure to perform at home track with world title

With a possible third world title in reach, Funny Car's Robert Hight hopes to again come through in the clutch at his home track at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Nov. 14-17.
09 Nov 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Robert Hight
Robert Hight has been in this situation before and it’s one that never gets old. The Funny Car standout is competing at his home track, at his sponsor’s race with the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world title on the line, and it’s a moment…
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Pre-race interviews: Jack Beckman, Brittany Force, Matt Hartford, and Karen Stoffer

Mello Yello championship contenders Jack Beckman, Brittany Force, Matt Hartford, and Karen Stoffer chatted with NHRA's Alan Reinhart prior to the start of eliminations at the Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil.
03 Nov 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
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Jack Beckman
Jack Beckman //hide image on specific article jQuery(document).ready(function ($) { }); Brittany Force Matt Hartford Karen Stoffer
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Ryan Oehler rebounding quickly from qualifying run into gravel

Ryan Oehler has his EBR ready to ride for the first round after a long run on Saturday night.
03 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Ryan Oehler
Ryan Oehler road his EBR well beyond the quarter-mile finish line during the final qualifying session at the Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil. That was not the plan for the second-year Pro Stock Motorcycle rider, who ended up in the gravel…
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Top Fuel rookie Austin Prock still has some boxes to check before season ends

Austin Prock may be the odds-on favorite to win the Auto Club Road to the Future award as the season’s top first-year driver in the Mello Yello classes, but the Top Fuel rookie isn’t preparing that speech just yet. He has bigger goals still on tap.
03 Nov 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Austin Prock
Austin Prock may be the odds-on favorite to win the Auto Club Road to the Future award as the season’s top first-year driver in the Mello Yello classes, but the Top Fuel rookie isn’t preparing that speech just yet. He has bigger goals still on tap…
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A quick Friday signals a turnaround for Tommy Johnson Jr. and Make-A-Wish crew

Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish crew know its too little too late in their bid for the Funny Car championship, but after making their two best runs of the season Friday -– 3.879 and 3.858 –- it at least will make the final two events more enjoyable and set the table for 2020.
02 Nov 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Tommy Johnson Jr.
Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish crew know its too little too late in their bid for the Funny Car championship, but after making their two best runs of the season Friday -– 3.879 and 3.858 –- it at least will make the final two events more…
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Greg Anderson driving a great car -- now he's got to put it to good use

Greg Anderson earned his third win of the season at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, punching his way back into the Pro Stock world championship hunt. He will need a similar performance at the Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil to remain competitive as he chases his first title since 2010. 
02 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Greg Anderson
Greg Anderson earned his third win of the season at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, punching his way back into the Pro Stock world championship hunt. He will need a similar performance at the Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil to remain…
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David Grubnic dominates the speed sheet in Top Fuel

Australian tuner David Grubnic's name doesn't appear in the NHRA record book -- but his handiwork is all over it.
02 Nov 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Brittany Force
Brittany Force ran a blistering speed of 338.17-mph to reset the national speed record on Friday night by nearly a full 2-mph. The previous speed record (336.57) was run by Tony Schumacher, tuned by Mike Neff, and set in the cool, crisp air of…
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Steven Densham ready to follow in his father's footsteps in 'big show' debut

When the dad finally hands the keys to the family car to the kid, it’s a rite of passage for most teenagers. For Steven Densham, there’s a lot more at stake this weekend than maybe putting a dent in a bumper.
01 Nov 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Steven Densham
When the dad finally hands the keys to the family car to the kid, it’s a rite of passage for most teenagers. For Steven Densham, there’s a lot more at stake than maybe putting a dent in a bumper. After decades of waiting and apprenticing in…
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Matt Hagan chasing second-straight victory as Funny Car title race heats up

The way Matt Hagan figures it, if he’s fortunate enough to end his 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with a few wins, he’ll head into the offseason with plenty of good feelings at the very least. If three straight victories leads to a third title, that’s just the icing on the cake.
30 Oct 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Feature
Matt Hagan
The way Matt Hagan figures it, if he’s fortunate enough to end his 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with a few wins, he’ll head into the offseason with plenty of good feelings at the very least. If three straight victories in the…
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How to become a 17-time Funny Car world champion in three easy steps

John Force can win his 17th championship at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona. You don't want to miss it. 
30 Oct 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
John Force
John Force, he of 16 Funny Car world championships, driver of the PEAK Coolant Chevy Camaro Funny Car, and wearer of 25-year-old leather jackets bearing his name, is knee-deep in a title race. Don't let him tell you otherwise: That's his favorite…
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On a rare off weekend, KB racing’s Dave Connolly returns to his first love, sportsman racing

Dave Connolly, a key member of the Summit Racing braintrust, returned to the driver's seat this weekned for the Mickey Thompson Million Dollar Drag Race.
27 Oct 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
connolly
In his role as a valued crew member and part of the KB Racing Pro Stock team, Dave Connolly is currently battling for the NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock championship with Summit-backed drivers Jason Line, Greg Anderson, and their KB stablemate, Bo…
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Jack Beckman focused on strong finish heading to Las Vegas event

If Jack Beckman is to have a chance to race for an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship, the former Funny Car world champ knows he must perform at the penultimate race of the 2019 season, the Dodge NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil.
24 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Jack Beckman
The plan for Jack Beckman is to have a chance to race for an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship at the final race of the season. But for that to happen, the former Funny Car world champion knows he must perform at the penultimate…
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Dissecting Steve Torrence's first-round loss in Dallas: What went wrong

Mello Yello Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence suffered a stunning first-round loss at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. NHRA Indy bureau chief John Kernan spoke with crew chief Bobby Lagana Jr. to find out what went wrong.
23 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Steve Torrence
//hide image on specific article jQuery(document).ready(function ($) { }); MEANWHILE: Billy Torrence grabs second Top…
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Talking nitro with Heritage Series Nostalgia Top Fuel champion Mendy Fry

Two-time NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Nostalgia Top Fuel champion Mendy Fry joined Lewis Bloom in the Wally Parks NHRA Studio to talk about her career and 2019 season and this weekend's California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California.
22 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
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Mendy Fry
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Stars (Re)Born: Erica Enders and Karen Stoffer back in championship form

Erica Enders and Karen Stoffer survived down periods and are right in the thick of championship battles.
17 Oct 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Karen Stoffer and Erica Enders
The image spoke for itself. Erica Enders and Karen Stoffer stood arm in arm in the winner’s circle at World Wide Technology Raceway, replicating an iconic drag racing moment. Stoffer and Enders combined for the 148th and 149th wins for women in the…
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Cory McClenathan talks about retirement 'tour,' reflects on successful career

Cory McClenathan, one of the top 10 winners in NHRA Top Fuel history, announced recently that he will retire after the final three events of the 2019 season. He joined NHRA's Lewis Bloom in the Wally Parks NHRA Studio to talk about his decision and his long and decorated racing career.
16 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Cory McClenathan
Cory McClenathan, one of the top 10 winners in NHRA Top Fuel history, announced recently that he will retire after the final three events of the 2019 season. He joined NHRA's Lewis Bloom in the Wally Parks NHRA Studio to talk about his decision and…
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Kalitta teammates J.R. Todd and Shawn Langdon trade whacks on and off the track

A week after Kalitta Racing teammates J.R. Todd and Shawn Langdon squared off in the final round at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, the duo lined up against one another in a throttle-whacking competition for employees of sponsor Wix Filters.
11 Oct 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
J.R. Todd
A week after Kalitta Racing teammates J.R. Todd and Shawn Langdon squared off in the final round at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, the duo lined up against one another in their Funny Cars in a parking lot in Gastonia, N.C., that went…
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