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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

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All the world was a colorful Circus when Bob Gerdes painted race cars

When it came to painting race cars, Bob Gerdes was the East Coast's Rembrandt, especially in the 1970s heyday of Funny Car. We lost Gerdes Jan. 2, but offer a fond look back at his history and the magic captured at his shop, Circus Custom Paints.
13 Jan 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
Bob Gerdes
Although today's performances and packed fields might make an argument otherwise, for many (including most readers of this column, I’d surmise), the glory days of the Funny Car class were the early- to mid-1970s. It wasn't just the sheer number of…
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John Force's Wildest Rides

The legendary career of 16-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force has literally been forged in fire. Here's a look back at seven of his wildest fires, crashes, and blowups over his Hall of Fame career.
12 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
John Force
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NHRA Insider podcast: Koretsky and Millican talk stability for 2023

Kyle Koretsky and Clay Millican join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Both had wild positive upheaval in their 2022 campaigns that they both discuss.
12 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast
Insider podcast
  Kyle Koretsky and Clay Millican join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Both of these racers had wild positive upheaval in their 2022 campaigns, with the Koretsky family buying Maple Grove Raceway and…
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Hector Arana Jr. plans to remain a threat in Pro Stock Motorcycle after powerful finish

Not long ago, Hector Arana Jr. was a championship contender in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks, and after winning two events during last year's abbreviated season, it is apparent that the second-generation rider has not lost his edge.
12 Jan 2023
Kelly Wade
Feature
Hector Arana Jr.
Not long ago, Hector Arana Jr. was a championship contender in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks, and after winning two events during last year's abbreviated season, it is apparent that the second-generation rider has not lost his edge. Running less…
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On Carroll Shelby's 100th birthday we recognize his connection to the NHRA

What you may not know is Shelby was also an NHRA Board member and a dear friend of Wally Parks. 
11 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
On Carroll Shelby's 100th birthday we recognize his connection to the NHRA
Happy 100th birthday Carroll Shelby. He was a legend in sports car racing, intrinsically tied to the Ford performance brand, a contributor to V-10 Dodge Viper, and the man whose name hot rodders are compelled to use as a prefix anytime we say the…
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Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout will highlight Gainesville season opener

With excitement already brewing surrounding the start of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, eight Top Fuel stars are already planning for a memorable weekend at historic Gainesville Raceway.
11 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Top Fuel Callout
With excitement already brewing surrounding the start of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series at the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, eight Top Fuel stars are already planning for a memorable weekend at historic…
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Back in (yellow and) black, Troy Coughlin Jr. wants the big trophy in 2023

Last year, Troy Coughlin Jr. got his first – and second – taste of victory in the Pro Stock class, and as the 2023 season inches closer, the third-generation drag racer has a pencil poised to record a few more W's in the scorebook.
11 Jan 2023
Kelly Wade
Feature
Troy Coughlin Jr.
Last year, Troy Coughlin Jr. got his first — and second — taste of victory in the intensely competitive Pro Stock class, and as the 2023 season of NHRA's Camping World Drag Racing Series inches closer, the third-generation drag racer has a pencil…
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Trick-Tools will sponsor rookie Chase Van Sant on White Alligator Racing bike

Iowa-based metal fabrication tool specialists Trick-Tools will sponsor Jerry Savoie’s White Alligator Racing team and rookie rider Chase Van Sant to help spread the word about their business.
10 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
WAR Racing
Iowa-based metal fabrication tool specialists Trick-Tools will sponsor Jerry Savoie’s White Alligator Racing team and rookie rider Chase Van Sant to help spread the word about their business. "We are super excited to race the 2023 season with…
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NHRA Factory X presented by Holley to debut with two exhibition races, six points events

NHRA Factory X presented by Holley, an exciting new category reserved for 2019 and newer manufactured automobiles is set to debut during the 2023 season, and competitors will also be racing for an NHRA championship.
10 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Geoff Turk
NHRA Factory X presented by Holley, an exciting new category reserved for 2019 and newer manufactured automobiles, including the Chevrolet COPO Camaro, Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, and Ford Mustang Cobra Jet (other manufacturers are welcome to submit…
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Flawless: The Eight Most Impressive Victories of 2022 (Part 3, Funny Car)

In this third editions of a four-part series, NHRA's Brian Lohnes takes a look at the most impressive Funny Car wins of 2022. It was hard to nail down just two, so he opted to go with three standout performances.
10 Jan 2023
Brian Lohnes, NHRA on FOX announcer
Feature
Robert Hight
It seems counter to accepted logic that the nitro Funny Car category would be the one class which had three wins that were so good, so well executed, and so thunderous that it forced us to break our “two per class rule” for this series. After all,…
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Trevor Larkin will return to saddle of Lawrence A/Fueler in 2023

Second-generation dragster pilot Trevor Larkin will return to the cockpit of Gregg Lawrence's A/Fuel Dragster in 2023.
09 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Trevor Larkin
Second-generation dragster pilot Trevor Larkin will return to the cockpit of Gregg Lawrence's A/Fuel Dragster in 2023. The team, which competed at six events last year, will have a predominantly West Coast schedule and a new look bannering…
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After first full season, Josh Hart prepares for 2023 Top Fuel campaign with new car

Top Fuel racer Josh Hart and crew chief Ron Douglas have big plans for the 2023 season, and they begin with a new chassis for the R+L Carriers team.
09 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Josh Hart
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Dan Mercier and Rob Wendland join for 2023 Top Fuel effort

Canadian Top Fuel racer Dan Mercier has announced a full-time partnership with renowned crew chief Rob Wendland for the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
09 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Dan Mercier
Canadian Top Fuel racer Dan Mercier has announced a full-time partnership with renowned crew chief Rob Wendland for the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. The relationship between Wendland and Mercier Racing began in 2017 when…
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Scott Palmer is ready to get back to the business of being Scott Palmer in 2023

After two seasons with Alex Laughlin in his dragster and Laughlin accepting a full-time ride in Funny Car for 2023, Scott Palmer can get back to the business of being Scott Palmer, which means driving Top Fuel and nitro-fueled Pro Mods.
06 Jan 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Scott Palmer
  Scott Palmer never planned to be the guy who rents his Top Fuel dragster out for someone else to drive. The Midwest fan favorite has too many other fun irons in the fire — including his popular Top Fuel-engined Studebaker or Corvette…
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NHRA releases 2023 schedule for nine-race Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series

NHRA announced today the nine-race schedule for the 2023 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, which will feature a pair of Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Hot Rod Reunions.
06 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series
NHRA announced today the nine-race schedule for the 2023 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, which will feature a pair of Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Hot Rod Reunions.   The series will again feature exciting racing action from the…
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Flawless: The eight most impressive victories of 2022 (Part 2, Pro Stock)

In part two of our look back the the best final-round performances of 2022, NHRA's Brian Lohnes takes a look at the Pro Stock class and two dynamic performances that helped define the season.
06 Jan 2023
Brian Lohnes, NHRA on FOX announcer
Feature
Greg Anderson
In part one of this series, we took a look at the two most flawless Pro Stock Motorcycle victories of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Naturally, we now turn our attention to Pro Stock and look at the two wins which best represented…
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Morrison teams with Herzhauser for switch from Top Fuel to Funny Car in 2023

Joe Morrison, who gained a loyal following over his first three seasons in Top Fuel, will switch to the nitro Funny Car class in 2023, driving for East Coast-based owner Mark Herzhauser.
05 Jan 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Joe Morrison
Joe Morrison, who gained a loyal following over his first three seasons in Top Fuel, will switch to the nitro Funny Car class in 2023, driving for East Coast-based owner Mark Herzhauser. “I'm grateful for three seasons with the Leverich Top Fuel…
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Sophomore Farley becomes team owner for limited Top Fuel campaign in 2023 season

2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year finalist Scott Farley will return to the Top Fuel wars in 2023 as a team owner and will compete in a handful of NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series events.
05 Jan 2023
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Scott Farley
2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year finalist Scott Farley will return to the Top Fuel wars in 2023 as a team owner and will compete in a handful of NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series events. After launching his career at the NHRA Winternationals in…
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Flawless: The eight most impressive victories of 2022 (Part 1, Pro Stock Motorcycle)

For a final look back at the 2022 season, NHRA's Brian Lohnes takes a look at the eight most impressive victories of the season, beginning with the Pro Stock Motorcycle class.
04 Jan 2023
Brian Lohnes, NHRA on FOX announcer
Feature
Karen Stoffer
Any drag racer worth their salt will often tell you that there’s no such thing as a perfect run and there’s no such thing as a bad victory. While both of those statements are absolutely true outside of the number of points accrued for doing the job…
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The Things We Need To See In 2023

For this first episode of 2023, NHRA Insider host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna to talk about the things all three of them need to see in 2023. 
04 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast
Insider
  For this first episode of 2023, NHRA Insider host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna to talk about the things all three of them need to see in 2023.  This is a wide-ranging discussion about which drivers…
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The wildest rides of 2022

From wheelstands to blower explosions, fires, and wrecks, take a look back at some of the wildest moments of the 2022 NHRA season.
01 Jan 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
wild rides
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NHRA enjoyed excitement and fanfare in wildly successful 2022 season

With heavy anticipation and excitement, along with a bevy of new and returning faces and sponsors, the 2022 season in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series had big expectations.
31 Dec 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Year in Review
With heavy anticipation and excitement, along with a bevy of new and returning faces and sponsors, the 2022 season in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series had big expectations. In almost every way possible, the year lived up to its billing,…
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The Year in Photos

The award-winning National Dragster photographers compiled this collection of exciting and emotional moments from the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season.
31 Dec 2022
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
The 2022 season ended with a bang for 16-time world champ John Force when he blew the body off of his Peak Camaro Funny Car at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. (Bob Johnson photo) 30
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Steve Jackson partners with Sindei Frigo’s Artivinco Racing for 2023 and beyond

Two-time NHRA Pro Modified champion Stevie “Fast” Jackson isn’t even out of the cast he’s been wearing since undergoing neck surgery on December 19, 2022. Yet, he’s already running wide open into 2023.
30 Dec 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Sidnei Frigo
Two-time NHRA Pro Modified champion Stevie “Fast” Jackson isn’t even out of the cast he’s been wearing since undergoing neck surgery on December 19, 2022. Yet, he’s already running wide open into 2023.   Jackson has confirmed that he has…
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Dazzling performances, career-best season earn Force second Top Fuel crown

30 Dec 2022
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
2022 NHRA world champion
Brittany Force
No one at John Force Racing ever envisioned it as a five-year plan for Brittany Force to win a second NHRA Top Fuel world championship, but that’s what it ultimately took for someone to finally unseat Steve Torrence after a four-year reign atop the…
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New team ownership, Indy win highlight Capps’ third championship title season

Ron Capps never led the points until when it mattered the most, on the last day of the season, but he nonetheless enjoyed a thrilling and highlight-filled season in his first year as a Funny Car team owner. 
29 Dec 2022
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
2022 NHRA world champion
Ron Capps
Ron Capps had been to the NHRA U.S. Nationals dozens of times, seeking the most prestigious victory in the sport, but had always walked away empty-handed no matter how he tried to approach the event. This year, in his 27th attempt, he finally…
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Cool facts and curious figures from Matt Smith’s sixth championship

Two bikes, or not two bikes. That is the question and Matt Smith had an answer as he took a unique approach to the Pro Stock Motorcycle class to win his sixth Camping World NHRA championship.
27 Dec 2022
Brian Lohnes, NHRA on FOX announcer
Feature
Matt Smith
As we continue to traipse into the ever more frigid depths of the off-season it’s high time that we look behind the curtain in retrospect at the season of Matt Smith, who won his sixth Pro Stock Motorcycle title. This time Smith straddled two…
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With sixth Pro Stock Motorcycle title, Smith ties the greatest of all time

With a sixth Pro Stock Motorcycle championship, Matt Smith tied the late Dave Schultz and Andrew Hines as the only riders to have ever won as many titles. 
27 Dec 2022
Kelly Wade
2022 NHRA world champion
Matt Smith
Matt Smith had some major goals for the 2022 season of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. To begin with, he and wife Angie started the season targeting a No. 1 and No. 2 finish in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points, and they nearly pulled it…
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Most dominant season of Enders' career leads to fifth Pro Stock championship

The list of drivers who have won five or more NHRA Pro Stock championships is short, but it includes some of the best racers the sport has ever produced, including Bob Glidden, Warren Johnson, Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and now Erica Enders. 
26 Dec 2022
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
2022 NHRA world champion
Erica Enders
The list of drivers who have won five or more NHRA Pro Stock championships is short, but it includes some of the best racers the sport has ever produced, including Bob Glidden, Warren Johnson, Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and now Erica Enders.…
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At 18, Dylan Winefsky is taking a nostalgic approach to racing

25 Dec 2022
Kelly Wade
Feature
Dylan Winefsky
Nostalgia drag racing is an experience like none other. Attending an NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series event at Firebird Raceway in Boise or meandering through orange groves to suddenly stumble upon Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., is like jumping…
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