NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

 

 

 

 

Hot rod history with Jack Beckman, a recap of drag racing: 1950-1959

Jack Beckman used the break in racing action to offer a master's class on drag racing's early years: 1950-1959. These TED-talk-like lectures will continue to cover the early-’60s, but for those who may have missed them we present them in one easy to find location.
08 Jul 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature, Gallery
10
In the early days of drag racing there were lots of cars, lots of would-be racers, and lots of open land. The one thing in short supply was the structure needed to bring early hot rodders together to turn them into drag racers. Wally Parks, and his…
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Focus On: Wheelstands

There are few sights more thrilling than a drag racing car hooking up hard enough to lift the front tires off the ground as the car appears to fly off of the starting line, but sometimes too much of a good thing can lead to some wheelie big problems.
02 Jul 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Second-generation Aussie nitro pilot Andrew Cowin showed the power and fury of a Top Fuel dragster by simultaneously wheelstanding and smoking the rear tires on this launch at the 1999 Phoenix event. 16
There are few sights more thrilling than a drag racing car hooking up hard enough to lift the front tires off the ground as the car appears to fly off of the starting line. Wheelstands put 100 percent of the vehicle’s weight on the rear tires for…
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The thrill of victory

The thrill of victory is like no other in motorsports, and NHRA Drag Racers can’t wait to get back to experiencing that winning feeling this summer. Here’s a look back at great NHRA victory celebrations over the decades from the NHRA National Dragster archives.
28 May 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Gallery
Few drivers enjoy a victory as much as 64-time winner Ron Capps, who’s always happy to share a celebratory Mello Yello with his pal Wally. 22
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Kenny Bernstein: The King of Speed

If all he ever did was become the first NHRA driver to exceed 300 mph in NHRA competition, Kenny Bernstein's name would forever be etched in the record books, but he accomplished so much more than that. Here's a photographic look at his career with images from the NHRA National Dragster library.
17 May 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Gallery
A salute to Kenny Bernstein: NHRA Drag Racing's "King of Speed" 50
If all he ever did was become the first NHRA driver to exceed 300 mph in NHRA competition, Kenny Bernstein's name would forever be etched in the record books, but the Texas native accomplished so much more than that, winning six championships --…
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Focus on: Race car names

What’s in a name? While the flanks of today’s race cars are more likely to be emblazoned with the logo of a sponsor or the name of the team, car names back in the 1960s and ‘70s were the calling cards and public faces for many operations. Here's a gallery of some of the more colorful from the National Dragster archives.
13 May 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Gallery
The Hoover family out of Minnesota started in Top Fuel but later fielded some of the prettiest Funny Cars of the late 1970s and early 1980s, emblazoned with the Showtime moniker of its sides. Tom Hoover and his octogenarian father/crew chief George won a slew of NHRA national event titles. 18
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Tech Specs: Inside Chevy’s NHRA Pro Stock engine—The 500-cid DRCE

Shrouded in secrecy, Chevrolet’s Pro Stock Drag Race Competition Engine (DRCE) evolved the big-block Chevy into a 1,400-hp, 10,000-rpm, naturally aspirated motorsport weapon one race weekend at a time.
09 May 2020
David Kennedy
Gallery, Racing Technology
10
Tracing its roots to the Chevy Mark IV Rat Motor, the Chevrolet Performance Drag Racing Competition Engine (DRCE) delivers more than 1,400 electronically fuel-injected horsepower to a pair of Goodyears for a 6-second ride down the quarter-mile in an…
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Happy birthday, John Force

Drag racing's winningest driver, John Force, is celebrating his birthday today, and we're celebrating right along with him with the gallery of candid Force photos. The 16-time champ is never thrilled to be reminded of his age, so we'll just celebrate it with these 71 images.
04 May 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Gallery
Celebrating 16-time NHRA Funny Car champ John Force 71
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Flashback Friday: Rewatch the 2019 Arby's NHRA Southern Nationals

We're throwing it back to the 2019 Arby's NHRA Southern Nationals broadcast, featuring Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock Motorcycle racing. Watch the entire Sunday broadcast—right now.
01 May 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Gallery
8
  To see all the action from the NHRA's video archive you'll want to subscribe to NHRA.tv.
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Photo feature: A focus on Burnouts

It doesn’t matter which class you run, there’s a very strong bet that a tire-warming burnout is part of your pre-run ritual. While there’s a definite performance-related benefit to the smokey spectacular, it’s also become an integral part of the drag racing show.
21 Apr 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Two of Funny Car's finest, John Force and Kenny Bernstein, put on a show for the fans at the 1987 Southern Nationals 18
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WATCH! 2019 Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil—See the highlights and bonus photos

It was all about nitro racing at the 2019 Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals Presented by Pennzoil. Relive the race highlights in the video link below.
20 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
Gallery
13
The 32 second running of the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals Presented by Pennzoil brought with it the perfect conditions for nitro racing. John Force and Brittany Force came into race day as the number one qualifiers in Funny Car and Top…
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Top Fuel legend Eddie Hill

He was known by many names, from "The Texan" to "The Thrill," but it's certainly easier to just call Eddie Hill (and his wife, Ercie) one of the most popular racers of the 1990s.
13 Apr 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Gallery
Eddie and Ercie Hill were two of the most popular racers throughout the 1990s 26
He was known by name names, from "The Texan" to "The Thrill," but it's certainly easier to just call Eddie Hill one of the most popular drivers of the 1990s. With his wife, Ercie, red-bearded crew chief Terry "Fuzzy" Carter, and a menagerie of…
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GALLERY: Stockers are way cool

The NHRA Stock Eliminator class features the greatest collection of classic and modern muscle cars in the world. Today's gallery features some of our current favorites.
01 Apr 2020
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Gallery
John Gray (A/SA '69 Camaro) 52
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GALLERY: Check out these iconic Funny Cars from the 1960s

Take a look back at some of the Funny Cars that entrenched the class as one of the most popular in NHRA Drag Racing.
30 Mar 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Gallery
The famed "Chi-Town Hustler" 17
The Chi-Town Hustler, "Jungle Jim" Liberman and Butch Leal all brought out incredible Funny Cars in the 1960s and are on full display in this gallery, featuring many of the floppers that got the fledgling category off the ground. You can also see…
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Racer Scrapbook: Frank Manzo

During an amazing driving career that lasted nearly four decades, Frank Manzo earned more NHRA Wally trophies than anyone including 17 world championships and 105 national event wins. Stepping out of the drivers seat nearly a decade ago, he's currently the crew chief for the Al-Anabi Pro Mod car driven by Mike Castellana. Here is a look back at some of his most memorable moments.
27 Mar 2020
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Gallery
38
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Watch Tony Schumacher make history with his legendary run at the 2006 Auto Club NHRA Finals—Video and Photo Gallery!

Watch the 2006 Auto Club NHRA Finals broadcast, highlighted by “The Run” and one of the great Funny Car races between John Force and Jack Beckman.
25 Mar 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Gallery
17
Also seen in this race: John Force and Jack Beckman in the Funny Car final, the Ken Black Pro Stock cars battle each other for the Wally,  and Craig Treble wins in Pro Stock Motorcycle. See the full classic broadcast here.…
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Never Before Seen Photos of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals: 1962-1970

The NHRA National Dragster photo archive is one of the preeminent collections of motorsport and hot rod photos in the world. Born from the vision of Wally Parks, it’s been curated by the NHRA’s in-house Photo Department and used to create every single issue of National Dragster for the last 60 years.
24 Mar 2020
David Kennedy
Gallery
38
During our pause in racing action we’ll be sharing this drag racing treasure trove with you and publishing-never-before-seen photos from our vault. The NHRA has built us the tools, and we’ve been given the opportunity—it’s time we shared this with…
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Racer Scrapbook: Jeff Taylor

Jeff Taylor has won four world championships and 48 NHRA national events as a driver and countless more as an engine builder and crew chief. Here's a look back at some of his most memorable cars and moments.
24 Mar 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
51
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Shirley Muldowney through the years

Three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Shirley Muldowney, a pioneering trailblazer for women in motorsports, had a remarkable career behind the wheel and continues to be part of the NHRA family with appearances. Here's a photographic look back at some of the cars and moments of her career.
24 Mar 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Three-time NHRA Top Fuel world champ Shirley Muldowney 31
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GALLERY: See photos of Funny Car world champion Ron Capps through the years

Take a trip down memory lane with these historic photos of 2016 Funny Car world champion Ron Capps' career, going all the way back to the 1990s.
20 Mar 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
75
Ron Capps began burning nitro in a Top Fuel dragster and has been racing, mostly in Funny Car, for more than 20 years. That's a lot of passes down the drag strip and we've got photos of the Californian going back to the beginning to share with you.…
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See the cars of the SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown in this photo gallery

SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown returns for the 2020 season at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and the NHRA National Dragster photographers have the photos you need to get you ready for the new campaign.
05 Mar 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
113
Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford return to the drag strip to battle for supremacy in the SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown beginning with the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The three American motorsports powerhouses bring the Camaro, Challenger and…
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NHRA Arizona Nationals Sunday gallery

Check out photos from NHRA National Dragster photographer Marc Gewertz from the final day of racing at the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix.
23 Feb 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
NHRA Arizona Nationals
We've got incredible photos from the final day of the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix, including images from the winner's celebrations and cars traversing the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park drag strip that you've got to see.…
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Gallery: Check out how NHRA teams wait out the rain in Phoenix

NHRA National Dragster photographer Marc Gewertz braved the rain to bring you photos of how teams, and fans, spent the rain delay at the NHRA Arizona Nationals.
22 Feb 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Greg Anderson
Check out these great photos of cars, drivers and fans in the rain at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, the second of 24 stops on the Mello Yello NHRA Drag Racing Series tour. 
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NHRA Arizona Nationals Friday gallery

NHRA National Dragster photographer Marc Gewertz grabbed incredible images on the first day of NHRA Arizona Nationals qualifying and we've got them all in one place for you.
21 Feb 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Ron Capps
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Gallery: See inside the cars of the Arizona Big Tire Shootout

You've seen them hit the strip at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, now take a look under the hood of the cars of the Arizona Big Tire Shootout
21 Feb 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Big Tire
The Arizona Big Tire Shootout hit the drag strip at the NHRA Arizona Nationals to help kick off a weekend of racing (which you can watch here), and now you…
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Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Sunday photo gallery

NHRA National Dragster photographers Jerry Foss, Marc Gewertz, and Randy Anderson were all over Auto Club Raceway at Pomona to capture the action on and off the track at the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com.
09 Feb 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Photo Gallery
NHRA President Glen Cromwell, left, and Mello Yello's Mike Adams presented championship jackets to 2019 champs Robert Hight, Erica Enders, and Andrew Hines. Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence is not in attendance…
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Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Saturday photo gallery

NHRA National Dragster photographers Jerry Foss and Marc Gewertz were all over Auto Club Raceway at Pomona to capture the action on and off the track at the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com.
08 Feb 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Pomona
Great Southern California weather has brought out NHRA fans in large numbers for the season opener in Pomona. NHRA's world-famous open pits allow…
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Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Friday photo gallery

NHRA National Dragster photographers Jerry Foss and Marc Gewertz were all over Auto Club Raceway at Pomona to capture the action on and off the track at the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com.
07 Feb 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Gallery
Photo Gallery
Fans entering the track were greeted by a vintage Winternationals sign like the one that hung over the starting line for decades. The iconic Winternationals snowflake is also…
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See the cars from Las Vegas in NHRA preseason testing gallery

NHRA preseason testing is complete at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and National Dragster photographer Marc Gewertz grabbed the great images you need to see.
02 Feb 2020
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Tommy Johnson Jr.
Cool weather didn't deter NHRA teams from making strong passes over three days of testing at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, Austin Prock and Antron Brown all made solid passes in Top Fuel while Robert Hight, Matt…
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Auto Club NHRA Finals Sunday photo gallery

NHRA National Dragster photographers Jerry Foss, Marc Gewertz, and Randy Anderson were all over Auto Club Raceway at Pomona on the final day of the Auto Club NHRA Finals to capture the action on and off the track.
17 Nov 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Photo Gallery
The championship crowning began early with the acknowledgement of many of the Lucas Oil champs, who joined NHRA's Glen Cromwell and Lucas Oil's Tom Bogner on stage during the pre-race ceremony. NHRA…
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Auto Club NHRA Finals Saturday photo gallery

NHRA National Dragster photographers Jerry Foss and Marc Gewertz were all over Auto Club Raceway at Pomona on the third day of the Auto Club NHRA Finals to capture the action on and off the track.
16 Nov 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Photo Gallery
Terry McMillen and his Amalie Motor Oil Top Fuel dragster are in the thick of the fight in Pomona. The former Indy champ is qualified No. 11 and will face championship contender Doug Kalitta in round one.…
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