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Austin Prock: 'I felt pretty confident going that we were going to have the car to beat'
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Paul Lee: 'It’s going to be great just to see our friends and the fans'
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Jack Beckman: 'I don’t know if anyone wants to get back more than me'
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Tim Wilkerson: 'I don’t think they’re ready for my attitude. It’s gonna be fun'
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Kenny Delco: 'We were fast, we qualified fourth at Pomona and Phoenix'
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Steve Torrence: 'You’ve got to come out and swing for every one of ’em'
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Cristian Cuadra: 'I think I’m doing well, but I have a lot of room to improve'
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Tommy Johnson Jr.: 'I’ve not wanted to win a championship more than this year'
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Brittany Force: 'We’re ready for all this to be over so we get back to what we love'
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Robert Hight: 'I can’t wait to get back and try to defend our championship'
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Alex Laughlin: 'All we have to do is shove the car back in the trailer, and we are ready to go racing'
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Shawn Langdon: 'I’m trying to stay as fresh as I can so we can be ready to go'
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Chris McGaha: 'We’ve come up with some new ideas and we’ve beaten on some things'
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J.R. Todd: 'I have all the confidence that we will be in contention when it counts'
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Clay Millican: 'I can’t wait to stomp on that loud pedal ... it’s been way too long'
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Bob Tasca III: 'Trust me, this Motorcraft car is going to have its day in the sun'
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Antron Brown: 'I’ve been doing everything I can; I’m gonna come back hungry and ready'
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Jason Line: 'It doesn’t matter what track we start with, the cars will all be ready to go when we get the call'
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Fernando Cuadra Jr: 'We’re applying many of the things we learned from the first two races'
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John Force: 'I’ll be ready. I know the car. I could drive it with my eyes closed'
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Rahn Tobler maps out plans and goals for the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car team
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Leah Pruett: 'This is not the time to test or play; it’s time to run with what we know'
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Ron Capps: 'It’s going to feel crazy the first time any of us steps on the gas for the first time'
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Doug Kalitta: 'We’re all just really hungry and ready to make it happen'
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Bo Butner: 'I feel like when we all come back racing we’ll be stronger than ever!'
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Jeg Coughlin Jr: 'It’s time to go. Every round will be as important as the last'
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Matt Hartford: 'We have a car that can run for the championship—bar none'
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Alexis DeJoria: 'I just hope that everybody makes it back to the track safely'
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Justin Ashley: 'Having a break like this really puts things in perspective'
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Erica Enders: 'Our great start proves the organization’s hard work is paying off'
Austin Prock: 'I felt pretty confident going that we were going to have the car to beat'
The reigning rookie of the year showed that his road to the future remains a steady one as he reached his second career final round at the season opener. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
AUSTIN PROCK | Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster
Current points position: 4th | Best season e.t. to date:.3.678
Early-season…
Paul Lee: 'It’s going to be great just to see our friends and the fans'
In their debut with new sponsor Global Electronic Technology, Paul Lee and crew chiefs Jim Oberhofer and Donnie Bender qualified impressively in Pomona but fought a series of bad breaks through the season's first two events. This is the final article in a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
PAUL LEE | Global Electronic Technology Dodge Charger
Current points position: Tied for 10th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.898
Early-season…
Jack Beckman: 'I don’t know if anyone wants to get back more than me'
Things couldn’t have gone much better for Jack Beckman and crew chiefs Dean Antonelli and John Medlen to start 2020. They won the season opener in Pomona and were runners-up in Phoenix. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
JACK BECKMAN | Infinite Hero Dodge Charger
Current points position: 1st | Best season e.t. to date: 3.837
Early-season report card:…
Tim Wilkerson: 'I don’t think they’re ready for my attitude. It’s gonna be fun'
Tim Wilkerson won a round at each of the season’s first two races and can't wait to return to the trick with a new Levi, Ray and Shoup Funny Car.This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
TIM WILKERSON | Levi, Ray and Shoup Shelby
Current points position: 6th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.879
Early-season report card:…
Kenny Delco: 'We were fast, we qualified fourth at Pomona and Phoenix'
Kenny Delco's 2020 Pro Stock effort got off to a strong start before the Coronavirus hit the pause button on his success. We caught up with Delco as he prepares to return to racing and joining his competitors back on the track. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
KENNY DELCO| KD Racing Chevrolet Camaro
Current points position: 4th | Best season e.t. to date: 6.553
Early-season…
Steve Torrence: 'You’ve got to come out and swing for every one of ’em'
Reigning NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence made up for missing the season opener by winning the second event and sits fifth in points and eager to continue his title defense. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
STEVE TORRENCE | CAPCO Contractors dragster
Current points position: 5th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.671
Early-season report card…
Cristian Cuadra: 'I think I’m doing well, but I have a lot of room to improve'
Cristian Cuadra is looking to join his father, Fernando Cuadra, and brother, Fernando Cuadra Jr, to form a three-car Mustang Pro Stock team and finish in the Top 10 this year. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
CRISTIAN CUADRA| CUADRA Racing Mustang
Current points position: Tied for 9th | Best season e.t. to date: 6.611…
Tommy Johnson Jr.: 'I’ve not wanted to win a championship more than this year'
The 2020 season couldn’t have started much better for Tommy Johnson Jr. and crew chief John Collins with a win in Phoenix and a current second-place rank in the standings, and T.J. would love to be remembered as the guy who won the title in this weird year. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
TOMMY JOHNSON JR. | MD Anderson Cancer Center Dodge Charger
Current points position: 2nd | Best season e.t. to date: 3.864 …
Brittany Force: 'We’re ready for all this to be over so we get back to what we love'
Past Top Fuel world champ Brittany Force began her second year with crew chief David Grubnic, two new sponsors, and hit the ground running with two No. 1 qualifying berths and a trio of round wins. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
BRITTANY FORCE | Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac dragster
Current points position: 2nd | Best season e.t. to date: 3.643.
Early-season report…
Robert Hight: 'I can’t wait to get back and try to defend our championship'
After qualifying third in both Pomona and Phoenix with mid-3.8-second passes, defending NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car champ Robert Hight's Jimmy Prock-led Auto Club team has just one round-win in two events, but he's confident in his team and their tune-up. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
ROBERT HIGHT | Auto Club Chevy Camaro
Current points position: 7th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.862
Early-season report card:…
Alex Laughlin: 'All we have to do is shove the car back in the trailer, and we are ready to go racing'
Alex Laughlin's 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock start began with great preseason testing before the car stumbled with odd mechanical issues. Laughlin is ready to put all of that behind him and get back in his Chevy Camaro. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
ALEX LAUGHLIN| Laughlin Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro
Current points position: 7th | Best season e.t. to date: 6.546…
Shawn Langdon: 'I’m trying to stay as fresh as I can so we can be ready to go'
In his return to Top Fuel after two seasons in Funny Car, Shawn Langdon and the DHL team struggled a bit at the first two events of the season, but Langdon has been putting in the wheelwork to stay fresh and dragster-ready. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
SHAWN LANGDON | DHL/Kalitta Motorsports dragster
Current points position: 8th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.699
Early-season report…
Chris McGaha: 'We’ve come up with some new ideas and we’ve beaten on some things'
As the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series prepares to return to racing, Chris McGaha fills us in on how he's itching to side-step the clutch and launch again. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
CHRIS McGAHA| Harlow Sammons Chevrolet Camaro
Current points position: 6th | Best season e.t. to date: 6.565
Early-season report card: Chris McGaha is…
J.R. Todd: 'I have all the confidence that we will be in contention when it counts'
Two middle-of-the-pack qualifying efforts and first-round losses in Pomona and Phoenix wasn’t quite the start that 2018 season champ J.R. Todd and crew chiefs Jon Oberhofer and Todd Smith were hoping for, but they're eager to make up ground This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
J.R. TODD | DHL Toyota Camry
Current points position: Tied for 10th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.914
Early-season report card:…
Clay Millican: 'I can’t wait to stomp on that loud pedal ... it’s been way too long'
The Mike Kloeber-tuned Parts Plus dragster was solidly in the 3.70s in both Pomona and Phoenix, but the results haven't been there on raceday, so Clay Millican sits ninths in points after two events, but is eager to get back into action. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
CLAY MILLICAN | Parts Plus dragster
Current points position: 9th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.731
Early-season report card:…
Bob Tasca III: 'Trust me, this Motorcraft car is going to have its day in the sun'
The season did not start well for the Tasca Racing team with just one round win in the year's first two events, but the veteran Funny Car driver knows that his team is set up for more success like it enjoyed in 2019. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
BOB TASCA III |Motorcraft Ford Mustang
Current points position: 9th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.883
Early-season report card:…
Antron Brown: 'I’ve been doing everything I can; I’m gonna come back hungry and ready'
After reuniting with crew chief Brian Corradi for the 2020 season, the year started off with some mixed results for Antron Brown, but the Matco Tools team remains optimistic about the year ahead. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
ANTRON BROWN | Matco Tools dragster
Current points position: 7th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.721
Early-season report card:…
Jason Line: 'It doesn’t matter what track we start with, the cars will all be ready to go when we get the call'
Technically, this the is the last year Pro Stock racers will have to fear lining up against Jason Line. In reality, Line plans to be far more fearsome for the competition in 2021 when his attention is focused 100-percent on engine development. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
Jason Line| Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro
Current points position: 3rd | Best season e.t. to date: 6.558
Early-season report card: Three-time…
Fernando Cuadra Jr: 'We’re applying many of the things we learned from the first two races'
The Cuadra Racing team has been busy during this unexpected pause in racing action, and Fernando Cuadra Jr tells us it has allowed them to really up their capabilities. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
FERNANDO CUADRA JR.| Cuadra Racing Mustang
Current points position: Tied for 9th | Best season e.t. to date: 6…
John Force: 'I’ll be ready. I know the car. I could drive it with my eyes closed'
Sixteen-time world champ John Force and new crew chief Danny Hood find themselves in third place after two strong outings to launch the season and perhaps higher if not for that pesky Jack Beckman guy. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
JOHN FORCE | Peak Chevy Camaro
Current points position: 3rd | Best season e.t. to date: 3.848
Early-season report card: …
Rahn Tobler maps out plans and goals for the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car team
NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car crew chief Rahn Tobler joined NHRA's Brian Lohnes via Skype recently to discuss the revised 2020 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule and his team's plans, preparations, and strategy for the road ahead.
Leah Pruett: 'This is not the time to test or play; it’s time to run with what we know'
Witha fast start to the 2020 season, Lean Pruett and her team obviously quickly worked out a great setup for 2020, one that she thinks will carry them through the season. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
LEAH PRUETT | Mopar dragster
Current points position: 3rd | Best season e.t. to date: 3.659
Early-season report card: Pruett and…
Ron Capps: 'It’s going to feel crazy the first time any of us steps on the gas for the first time'
A pre-season trailer fire put the team behind the 8 ball and caused them to miss testing, but Ron Capps and the NAPA Auto Parts team rebounded for a strong start to the 2020 season. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
RON CAPPS | NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger
Current points position: 4th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.864
Early-season report card: A…
Doug Kalitta: 'We’re all just really hungry and ready to make it happen'
After missing out on the 2019 Top Fuel championship, Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools team rebounded with a strong start to 2020 and lead the points after two races. What's ahead for the team and what have they been up to? This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
DOUG KALITTA | Mac Tools dragster
Current points position: 1st | Best season e.t. to date: 3.672
Early-season report card: After…
Bo Butner: 'I feel like when we all come back racing we’ll be stronger than ever!'
Bo Butner has been dubbed the "Luckiest man in Pro Stock," and if the 2020 season goes as he intends, come November he'll be celebrating his second Pro Stock championship on his honeymoon with Stock Eliminator racer Randi Lyn Shipp. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
BO BUTNER| Strutmasters.com Chevrolet Camaro
Current points position: 3rd | Best season e.t. to date: 6.553…
Jeg Coughlin Jr: 'It’s time to go. Every round will be as important as the last'
With a dominating series of qualifying performances, Jeg Coughlin Jr has shown no mercy in 2020. As we prepared to return to racing, “the Natural” also returns to his final year of championship-seeking Pro Stock racing. Is the pressure on? Far from it. Coughlin is as cool as ever. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
JEG COUGHLIN JR.| JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro
Current points position: 2nd | Best season e.t. to date:…
Matt Hartford: 'We have a car that can run for the championship—bar none'
With six final-round appearances in 2019, Matt Hartford was ready to run for the championship in 2020. After nearly three months away from his race car, he is ready to get back into his Chevy Camaro. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
Matt Hartford | Total Seal/CIP1/Nitro Fish Chevrolet Camaro
Current points position: 8th | Best season e.t. to date: 6.574…
Alexis DeJoria: 'I just hope that everybody makes it back to the track safely'
Alexis DeJoria made her return to Funny Car competition in Pomona after a two-year hiatus and picked up right where she left off. What's next and what has she been doing during the race break? This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
ALEXIS DeJORIA ROKiT/ABK BEER TOYOTA CAMRY
Current points position: 8th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.916
Early-season…
Justin Ashley: 'Having a break like this really puts things in perspective'
Rookie Top Fuel racer Justin Ashley had high hopes for this season and started out strong in his quest to win rookie of the year honors. He's parked like everyone else but still has big expectations for his season. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
JUSTIN ASHLEY | Strutmasters.com dragster
Current points position: 6th | Best season e.t. to date: 3.707
Early-…
Erica Enders: 'Our great start proves the organization’s hard work is paying off'
Three-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders had a great start to the 2020 season and is eager to get back to racing with her Chevy Camaro. This is one of a series of interviews with the top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
Erica Enders | Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro
Current points position: 1st | Best season e.t. to date: 6.552
…