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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

Follow our coverage through our newly designed news and videos sections. Don't forget to follow our social media posts.

NHRA Insider podcast: The Iron Men

Steve Johnson and Edmond Richardson join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast.
16 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast
NHRA Insider Podcast
  Steve Johnson and Edmond Richardson join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Johnson after a stunning triumph at the Countdown to the Championship-opening event at Maple Grove Raceway, and Richardson after a…
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Aaron Brooks named new tuner for Doug Foley, Foley Lewis Racing Top Fuel entry

Veteran nitro crew chief Aaron Brooks has been hired as the new crew chief for Doug Foley’s Foley Lewis Racing Top Fuel dragster. Brooks will lead the team at their final race of the season, the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway this weekend.
15 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Doug Foley
Veteran nitro crew chief Aaron Brooks has been hired as the new crew chief for Doug Foley’s Foley Lewis Racing Top Fuel dragster. Brooks will lead the team at their final race of the season, the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway this…
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How Danny Hood crew chiefs for the most successful drag racer to ever live—John Force

Working with a drag racing legend comes with perks and perils. John Force Racing's Danny Hood explained to NHRA's Joe Castello how he balances the two as the crew chief of Force's Funny Car.
15 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
John Force 2021 NHRA Funny Car Camaro
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Why NHRA drag racing is unlike any other sport on earth

Erica Enders, Angelle Sampey, and Brittany Force [all women] qualified in the top spot of their classes at the 2021 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil. That’s a shocking accomplishment, but these three have all done it together—twice— at the 2019 and 2021 races in Reading.
15 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
At the 2021 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil, Erica Enders, Angelle Sampey, and Brittany Force [all women] qualified in the top spot of their classes
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Kalitta Motorsports and Autodesk continue technology collaboration in Charlotte

Autodesk will be the primary sponsor of Shawn Langdon’s Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster during the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway. 
15 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Autodesk
Autodesk will be the primary sponsor of Shawn Langdon’s Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster during the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway.  Since 2015, the team has worked with Autodesk, a global leader in 3D design,…
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Cruz Pedregon's and J.R. Todd’s competitive spirits were on full display at Reading

With the start of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship comes fiercer competition amongst rivals. Pedregon and Todd got into some heated words at the top end of the track at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil.
15 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Cruz Pedregon's and J.R. Todd’s competitive spirits were on full display at Reading
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Justin Ashley not letting the pressure of first Countdown appearance get to him

This might be Justin Ashley’s first time in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, but the rising Top Fuel star isn’t letting the moment get to him.
15 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Justin Ashley
This might be Justin Ashley’s first time in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, but the rising Top Fuel star isn’t letting the moment get to him. Ashley, the NHRA’s reigning rookie of the year, advanced to the…
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Nitro Time Machine: All-Kalitta battle settles Top Fuel at 2017 Charlotte race

Kalitta Motorsports teammates Doug Kalitta and Richie Crampton squared off in the Top Fuel final at the 2017 fall event at zMAX Dragway,
15 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Nitro Time Machine
Nitro Time Machine
 
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Matt Hagan cleared to race, continue his Funny Car title defense in Charlotte

After missing two races due to COVID-19, reigning NHRA Camping World Series Funny Car champion Matt Hagan has completed all NHRA protocols and has been cleared to suit up for this weekend's NHRA Carolina Nationals to continue his title defense.
15 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Matt Hagan
Reigning NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion Matt Hagan will return to competition this weekend at the NHRA Carolina Nationals in Concord, N.C., after missing two races due to COVID-19. Hagan has completed all NHRA protocols and…
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Rottler Manufacturing will back Matt Hartford's Pro Stock entry in Charlotte

Rottler Manufacturing will take over as primary sponsor on Matt Hartford’s NHRA Pro Stocker for the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
14 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Matt Hartford
Rottler Manufacturing will take over as primary sponsor on Matt Hartford’s NHRA Pro Stocker for the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. “Rottler and Total Seal Piston Rings are such a great fit together,” stated Hartford. “We discuss…
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Nitro Time Machine: V. Gaines goes for a wild ride during 2014 Charlotte event

Pro Stock racer V. Gaines took a wild ride during the 2014 fall Charlotte event, losing control of the car and tumbling down the zMaAX Dragway shutdown area. He was not injured.
14 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Nitro Time Machine
V Gaines
 
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September 11 tribute from the 2021 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals in Pennsylvania

20 years after that fateful day in American history, the NHRA reflects on what the last two decades have meant, and the collective resolve that drives our nation forward.
14 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
September 11 tribute from the 2021 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals in Pennsylvania
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Nitro Time Machine: Robert Hight wins Funny Car at 2017 fall Charlotte event

Robert Hight scored a crucial victory at zMAX Dragway in the fall of 2017 as he closed in on his second NHRA Funny Car championship.
14 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Nitro Time Machine
Nitro Time Machine
 
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J.R. Todd and Todd Smith on how to free a stuck clutch pedal with the throttle

When the clutch pedal in J.R. Todd’s Funny Car got hung up at the starting line in round two of the 2021 U.S. Nationals he could have aborted the run. But with a blip of the throttle, Todd staged the car, freed the clutch, and got the holeshot on Cruz Pedregon.
14 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
J.R. Todd and Todd Smith on how to free a stuck clutch pedal with the throttle
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Greg Anderson and Warren Johnson: Head to head on the way to 97 victories

With his Pro Stock victory at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil, Greg Anderson tied Warren Johnson for the class lead in victories at 97. NHRA historian and statistician Bob Frey took a deep dive into the numbers that make up their totals.
14 Sep 2021
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Greg Anderson and Warren Johnson
With his Pro Stock victory at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil, Greg Anderson tied Warren Johnson for the class lead in victories at 97. NHRA historian and statistician Bob Frey took a deep dive into the numbers that make…
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Five things we learned at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals

From incredible performances, memorable storylines, and a fanbase that had the facility buzzing, these playoffs are off and running in spectacular fashion. With the next playoff race coming in days, here are five things we learned at Maple Grove Raceway.
13 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Feature
5 things
The NHRA Countdown to the Championship is officially here and it was hard to top the action that took place during a picture-perfect weekend at Maple Grove Raceway. From incredible performances, memorable storylines and a fanbase that had the…
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Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Sunday Photo Gallery

NHRA National Dragster's photographers were at Maple Grove Raceway for eliminations at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil, chronicling the action on and off the track.
12 Sep 2021
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Fans at Maple Grove Raceway 46
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Billy Torrence opens Countdown to the Championship with impressive victory

Billy got the opening jump in the Top Fuel ranks, winning the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Maple Grove Raceway with a run of 3.720 at 326.08 in the final round against Justin Ashley.
12 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Race coverage
Billy
It was a Torrence who started the Countdown to the Championship in impressive fashion, only this time it was Billy who got the opening jump in the Top Fuel ranks, winning the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Maple Grove…
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Tommy Johnson Jr. makes most of opportunity, beats John Force in a thriller

Filling in for defending Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan, who missed his second straight race due to COVID-19, Johnson drove to the win with a run of 3.926 at 330.23 to beat John Force in the final round of the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil.
12 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Race coverage
TJ
You can now call Tommy Johnson Jr. the super sub. Filling in for defending Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan, who missed his second straight race due to COVID-19, Johnson drove to an incredible win on Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway, delivering a…
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Greg Anderson gets 97th win, ties Warren Johnson for most in Pro Stock history

The win came in the final round of Sunday’s Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Maple Grove and it came against longtime rival Erica Enders at Maple Grove Raceway, as Anderson went 6.578 at 208.30 to hit the historic mark.
12 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Race coverage
Anderson
The question of when is no longer as Greg Anderson has tied Warren Johnson for the most wins in Pro Stock history. It came in the final round of Sunday’s Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil and it came against longtime rival…
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Steve Johnson wins playoff opener, grabs points lead for first time since 2014

Johnson capped off a tremendous Sunday at Maple Grove victory with his second victory of the season, rolling to the win in the final round of the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil with a run of 6.775 at 196.87 against Eddie Krawiec.
12 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Race coverage
Steve
Steve Johnson’s dream season continues to build and now he’s the points leader in Pro Stock Motorcycle for the first time since 2014. Johnson capped off a tremendous Sunday at Maple Grove victory with his second victory of the season, rolling to…
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Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Sunday News and Notes

News and Notes from final eliminations at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil. This will be updated throughout the day with notes, quotes, photos, videos, and more from the first race of the Countdown to the Championship!
12 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Race coverage
Sunday Reading Notes
It's the first Countdown to the Championship for reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year Justin Ashley, but the young standout is off to a great start, making the best run of his weekend in his opening round win against veteran Doug Kalitta. In a great…
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Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil Sunday preview

After two tremendous days of qualifying at Maple Grove Raceway, the journey towards a championship officially begins with today’s eliminations at the 36th annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil.
12 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Race coverage
Reading Sunday
After two tremendous days of qualifying at Maple Grove Raceway, the journey towards a championship officially begins with today’s eliminations at the 36th annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil. With speed records…
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Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Saturday Photo Gallery

NHRA National Dragster's photographers at Maple Grove Raceway on the final day of qualifying at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil, chronicling the action on and off the track.
11 Sep 2021
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
J.R. Todd 48
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Force, Pedregon, Enders and Sampey claim No. 1 spots at Maple Grove Raceway

The final day of qualifying at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil delivered plenty of standout runs, as Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) earned No. 1 qualifiers.
11 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Race coverage
Cruz
The final day of qualifying at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil delivered plenty of standout runs in a front of another massive crowd at Maple Grove Raceway, and Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Erica…
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Doug Foley running special Sept. 11 tribute at Maple Grove Raceway

The remembrance Foley and his team put together on their dragster was on display at 300 mph during this weekend’s Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Maple Grove Raceway, and it’s an anniversary that hits especially close to home for Foley.
11 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Feature
Foley
On the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Doug Foley felt it was important to put together a special tribute on his Top Fuel dragster. The remembrance his team put together on their dragster is on display at 300 mph during this…
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Angelle Sampey racing for more than just wins at Maple Grove Raceway

Racing at Maple Grove Raceway has always been special for Angelle Sampey, but winning has taken on an even bigger meaning right now for the three-time world champion following the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in her home state of Louisiana.
11 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Feature
Sampey
Racing at Maple Grove Raceway has always been special for Angelle Sampey, but winning has taken on an even bigger meaning right now for the three-time world champion. Her first victory in Pro Stock Motorcycle came 25 years ago at the track and…
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Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil Saturday preview

The kickoff to the Countdown to the Championship featured two track speed records during Friday’s lone session, and with another spectacular day in store, all the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will look make moves during Saturday’s final two sessions.
11 Sep 2021
Josh Hachat
Race coverage
Reading Saturday
For anyone who forgot just how special — and fast — Maple Grove Raceway can be, they were reminded in emphatic fashion during the first round of qualifying on Friday as part of this weekend’s 36th annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented…
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Conway, Hool, and Billingsley lead Tri-State Raceway Lucas Oil Series winners

Shane Conway, Kris Hool, and David Billingsley led the champion's list as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series West Central Division was in action at Tri-State Raceway.
10 Sep 2021
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Division 5
The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, West Central Division event at Tri-State Raceway: TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER Shane Conway, Spring, Texas, 5.255, 269.13  def. James Stevens,…
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Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals Friday Photo Gallery

NHRA National Dragster's photographers were all over Maple Grove Raceway on the opening day of the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil, chronicling the action on and off the track.
10 Sep 2021
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Fans at Maple Grove Raceway 48
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