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Variety is the spice of life for Alex Laughlin
Alex Laughlin is up to drive just about anything and he's pulling double-duty this weekend in Pro Stock and the E3 Pro Mod series.
Alex Laughlin lives his life by a simple code; if it has wheels, he will drive it. The 2019 season is barely three months old and Laughlin has already raced, and won, with a shifter cart on the high banks of Daytona Int’l Speedway. He also won $50,…
Gainesville Funny Car Friday results: Q1
Three-time Gatornationals Funny Car winner Ron Capps grabbed the early qualifying lead with his NAPA Auto Parts Charger SRT Hellcat with a 4.017 in the opening session.
Three-time Gatornationals Funny Car winner Ron Capps grabbed the early qualifying lead with his NAPA Auto Parts Charger SRT Hellcat with a 4.017.
Behind Capps is another multi-time Gainesville champ, eight-time winner John Force, who clocked a 4.…
Shirley takes down Garlits to highlight round one of Unfinished Business race
Shirley Muldowney defeated “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in the opening round of the Unfinished Business competition at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which pitted eight legends in identical Toyotas in head-to-head competition. Joe Amato, Warren Johnson, and Ed McCulloch also advanced into Saturday’s second round.
Shirley Muldowney defeated “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in the opening round of the Unfinished Business competition at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which pitted eight legends in identical Toyotas in head-to-head competition.…
Gainesville Pro Stock Motorcycle Friday results: Q1
The first Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying session of the new year didn't look much different from the final session of 2018.
Reigning NHRA Mello Yello champion Matt Smith maintained the torrid pace he set at the end of last season and claimed the early lead in Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying.
Smith rode his bright red Denso EBR to a 6.753 to lead a strong field of 23…
Dutchman's Lex Joon's Top Fuel 'American Dream' revs up again at Gatornationals
It’s a long trip from the Netherlands to the United States, but it’s symbolic of the trek that Top Fuel racer Lex Joon and wife Gerda have traveled to participate on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour and the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
It’s a long trip from the Netherlands to the United States, but it’s symbolic of the trek that Top Fuel racer Lex Joon and wife Gerda have traveled to participate on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour and the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA…
Angelle Sampey and the Vance & Hines team: the not-so-odd couple
Once bitter, rivals, Angelle Sampey and the Vance & Hines have found common ground in the battle for Pro Stock Motorcycle superiority.
When it comes to unlikely pairings Angelle Sampey and the Vance & Hines team go about as well as orange juice and toothpaste. At least at first glance. Then again, it’s worth noting that Don Garlits once raced as a teammate to Shirley Muldowney…
Friday Preview: Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Welcome to the long awaited 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, the third race of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Two sessions of qualifying in all four Professional categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle) are scheduled today, beginning at 1:15 p.m. local time.
You can stay up to date by keeping it on NHRA.com all day for round-by-round recaps, features on your favorite drivers, and more. That’s not the only way you can stay in touch with NHRA during the event. If you’re coming out to Gainesville today,…
50 Memorable Moments in Gatornationals history
The Gatornationals, the third oldest event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, has a deep and rich heritage that ensures its place in the history books and in the hearts and minds of racers and fans alike. Here's a look back at 50 Memorable Moments from the event’s colorful history.
The Gatornationals, the third oldest event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, has a deep and rich heritage that ensures its place in the history books and in the hearts and minds of racers and fans alike. Added to the national…
Defending champion Matt Smith chasing down first Gatornationals win
Matt Smith enters Gainesville as the defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champ, but he's still looking for his first Gatornationals title.
Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith has never won at Gainesville Raceway in his standout career. But after a thrilling finish to his 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season ended with his third world title, the veteran…
Mike Janis trying to build on 2018 Pro Mod title
Mike Janis’ incredible 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season ended with a dream result: his first NHRA Pro Mod world championship.
Mike Janis’ incredible 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season ended with a dream result: his first NHRA Pro Mod world championship.
As satisfying as that was, Janis insists he is nowhere near…
Jeg Coughlin to debut new car, throwback paint scheme at Gatornationals
A brand new car and a special throwback scheme will make an already special weekend even more memorable for Jeg Coughlin Jr.
A brand new car and a special throwback scheme already will make this weekend a special one for Jeg Coughlin Jr. Add in a victory at the massive 50th annual AMALIE Motor…
Tricky Tipster: Gauging greatness at the Golden Gators
Tricky Tipster’s picks to click at the historic 50th anniversary Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals include Steve Torrence, Robert Hight, Bo Butner, Matt Smith, and Rick Hord.
With all five classes in action for the historic 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, it’s time for Tricky Tipster, NHRA’s resident odds-maker, to get serious about picking favorites. Those who figure to have the best shot at hoisting…
Terry McMillen chasing first Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals win
Top Fuel standout is trying to earn a special Wally to his trophy case at his sponsor’s race, this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
Terry McMillen put together a memorable weekend to win a historic race a year ago at Indy, and the Top Fuel standout is now trying to add another one at the 50th anniversary of his sponsor’s race, this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals…
Don Garlits: Destiny, history, and victory at the Gatornationals
Drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits shared his thoughts about his homestate race, the Gatornationals, and his long history, successes, and frustrations at one of NHRA's most storied events.
In 1956, I wrote a letter to Hot Rod magazine complaining that they weren’t giving racing in Florida the kind of coverage I thought we deserved.
I understood that drag racing had originated on the West Coast, where the aircraft…
Don Schumacher inducted into Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
NHRA team owner and Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher was one of seven inductees enshrined into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America March 12 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
NHRA team owner and Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher was one of seven inductees enshrined into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America March 12 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Schumacher, owner of drag racing powerhouse Don Schumacher Racing, was…
WFO Radio Gatornationals preview
Get ready for the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals with WFO Radio NHRA Nitro Podcast. Amalie driver Terry McMillen and his “clutch guy” Kaylynn Simmons discuss the team’s chances of winning their sponsor’s race. Erica Enders talks Pro Stock…
Jack Beckman wants more success at 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Jack Beckman won in Funny Car at Gainesville Raceway a year ago, but the former world champion is now eager for a second straight win, especially considering the magnitude of this weekend’s massive 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
Jack Beckman is proud of the fact he was able to win for the first time in his Funny Car career at Gainesville Raceway a year ago. But the former world champion is now eager for a second straight win, especially considering the magnitude of this…
Justin Ashley Racing announces plans to compete in Top Fuel in 2020
Justin Ashley Racing has joined forces with Davis Motorsports to field a Top Fuel Dragster at a minimum of 12 NHRA events in 2020 with the second-generation driver behind the wheel.
Justin Ashley Racing has joined forces with Davis Motorsports to field a Top Fuel Dragster at a minimum of 12 NHRA events in 2020 with the second-generation driver behind the wheel. The team plans to begin testing later this spring. …
The Gatornationals: A family tradition that led to a career in drag racing
For National Dragster columnist, NHRA staff announcer, and WFO Radio NHRA Nitro podcast host Joe Castello, 40 years of Gatornationals family history "is the reason that I’m involved with this sport now."
Simply put, the NHRA national event known as the Gatornationals is the reason that I’m involved with this sport now. For five decades, drag racing fans on the East Coast have seen many milestones, fantastic performances, and epic thrills, but what…
Texas legislature to honor 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence
Native Texan Steve Torrence will be recognized on the floor of the state House of Representatives March 20 for his accomplishments in professional drag racing, specifically for winning the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel championship.
Native Texan Steve Torrence will be recognized on the floor of the state House of Representatives March 20 for his accomplishments in professional drag racing, specifically for winning the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel championship at the wheel of…
McMillen and team take the future into their own hands with in-house chassis
Terry McMillen, crew chief Rob Wendland, and the Amalie Motor Oil Top Fuel team began building their own chassis in-house this year, and the results so far have been nothing short of impressive.
No one forgets their first Gatornationals, nor their last, nor many in-between
NHRA National Dragster Editor Phil Burgess has been attending the Gatornationals for more than 30 years, and while there's no forgetting your first date with the venerable Gainesville Raceway, the event remains an annual must-attend for any hardcore racing fan.
Gainesville, Florida. Home to the University of Florida and its national champion football team. Teenage stomping grounds of rock ‘n’ roll hall of famers such as Tom Petty, Stephen Stills, and Eagles guitarists Don “Fingers” Felder and Bernie Leadon…
2019 Factory Stock Preview: Chevy, Ford, and Dodge teams set for epic factory supercar battle
Quicker elapsed times and increased competition await competitors this season in the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown.
The stakes have gone up in the School of Automotive Machinists and Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown; way up for any driver who aspires to win consistently in 2019. Last year, the best cars in the class were able to nudge their way into the…
Puckett, Caheely, Wahl join alky winners Hart, Gill as ‘Baby Gators' champions
Van Puckett, Tyler Caheely, and Jim Wahl joined Saturday winners Josh Hart and Matt Gill as champions of The Baby Gators at Gainesville Raceway.
Preview | Friday | Saturday
The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division Fourth annual Baby Gators:
…
2019 Pro Stock Motorcycle Preview: Wild offseason sets up new campaign
Angelle Sampey’s move to the Harley-Davidson team highlights a wild offseason in NHRA’s two-wheel class
There was a lot of news involving the Pro Stock Motorcycle class this winter, but few announcements carried the weight of the bombshell dropped by the Vance & Hines team in early January when they announced the addition of Angelle Sampey to…
Pro Mod Preview: Rickie Smith shakes up class by switching to turbocharger
There have been 15 different winners in the last 24 Pro Mod events. Expect the unexpected to continue in 2019.
The statistics don’t lie. There have been 15 different winners in the last 24 events in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series dating back to the start of 2017, making it one of the most competitive classes in all of drag racing. Looking…
Ed McCulloch looks back on Gatornats history, ahead to Unfinished Business
NHRA legend Ed “the Ace” McCulloch (and a few surprise guests) joined Lewis Bloom in the Wally Parks NHRA Studio to talk about his Gatornationals history and his participation in the Unfinished Business competition at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
Latest issue of NHRA National Dragster with Gatornationals salute now online
NHRA National Dragster magazine's latest issue, featuring a special salute to the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, is online now for NHRA members, and it’s in the mail to homes and shops around the world.
NHRA National Dragster magazine's fourth issue of 2019, featuring a special salute to the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, is online now for NHRA members, and it’s in the mail to homes and shops around the world.
The event…
Team JEGS will run throwback paint schemes in Gainesville
During the 50th anniversary Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, each of the Team JEGS entries will carry a unique throwback paint scheme of cars campaigned by family patriarch Jeg Coughlin Sr.
During the 50th anniversary Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, each of the Team JEGS entries will carry a unique throwback paint scheme of cars campaigned by family patriarch Jeg Coughlin Sr., was known as an individual who could drive (and win)…
Remembering Ezra Boggs
Ezra Boggs and the Moby Dick Funny Car were match-race mainstays in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and occasional national event competitors. Boggs passed away Feb. 20 and was remembered by friends.
I always thought that Funny Car Ezra Boggs had one of the coolest names, and his Moby Dick Corvette was (ahem) a whale of a good car, but I never really knew much about him. When I learned of his passing Feb. 20, I set out to rectify that and…