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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

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Confidence soaring, Tommy Johnson Jr. rides the wave after Chicago win

Tommy Johnson Jr. ended a long winless drought last weekend at Route 66 Raceway. Now he knows the challenge is to keep that momentum going throughout the summer.
07 Jun 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
Johnson
Inspired by the success of Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps, who put together back-to-back wins in Atlanta and Richmond, Tommy Johnson Jr. is hoping that his win at last weekend’s Route 66 Nationals in Chicago was the start of something…
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Larry Larson makes first attempt to reclaim Quickest Street Car on Earth title in Topeka

NHRA Top Sportsman racer Larry Larson made his first run in his Chevy S-10 pickup in his quest to put it in the record books as the quickest street car on earth at the 2019 Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties. We have the video right here.
07 Jun 2019
David Kennedy
News
Larry Larson
NHRA Top Sportsman racer Larry Larson is looking to put his Chevy S-10 pickup in the record books as the quickest street car on earth during exhibition runs Friday at the 2019 Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties. Larson is…
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Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals Friday Preview

The 10th of 24 events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour kicks off with qualifying at the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals in Topeka.
07 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Topeka
The Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals kick off qualifying in Top Fuel, Funny Car, E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Modified, SAMTech Factory Stock Showdown, Mickey Thompson Top Fuel Harley and Lucas Oil Sportsman drag racing beginning at 1:30 p.m. Central…
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WFO Radio Route 66 NHRA Nationals Winners Edition

07 Jun 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
WFO
Check out this special On Location Route 66 NHRA Nationals Winners Edition featuring interviews from the pits after the race. Steve Torrence gets it going following his fourth consecutive victory. Matt Smith, Tommy Johnson Jr., and Deric Kramer give…
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Color our world: Remembering master racecar painter Bill Carter

Legendary race car painter “Wild Bill” Carter created some of the most memorable paint jobs for some of the sport’s most famous racers.
07 Jun 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
Bill Carter
Don Prudhomme. Shirley Muldowney. Tom McEwen. Ed McCulloch. Tommy Ivo. Joe Pisano. Dale Pulde. Tony Nancy. Tom Hoover. K.S. Pittman. That’s a pretty solid Drag Racing First Team. That’s also just a partial customer list for renowned racecar…
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Top Fuel veteran Doug Kalitta motivated by team’s success heading to Topeka

Doug Kalitta got the ball rolling for the Kalitta Motorsports team by winning the first race of the 2019. Since then, everyone on the four-car team has won a race, which makes him proud heading to this weekend’s Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties.
06 Jun 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Doug Kalitta
Doug Kalitta got the ball rolling for the Kalitta Motorsports team by winning the first race of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Since then, everyone on the four-car team has won a race, which makes the Top Fuel veteran proud…
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Chad Green looking for redemption at Heartland Motorsports Park

Chad Green made his debut in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service last season and advanced to his first final round in Topeka, a race he still believes he should have won.
06 Jun 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Chad Green
Chad Green made his debut in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service last season and advanced to his first final round in Topeka, a race he still believes he should have won. A year later, Green will get the…
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Shell Rotella Gas Truck engine oil to sponsor Leah Pritchett dragster in Topeka

Leah Pritchett will be sporting a new, limited edition paint scheme on her Don Schumacher Racing dragster, showcasing Shell Rotella Gas Truck engine oil at this weekend's Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties at Heartland Motorsports Park.
06 Jun 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Leah Pritchett
Leah Pritchett will be sporting a new, limited edition paint scheme on her Don Schumacher Racing dragster, showcasing Shell Rotella Gas Truck engine oil in the brand’s signature red and white color scheme at this weekend's Menards NHRA Heartland…
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Mike Salinas gives crew Harley-Davidson motorcycles following first career win

Top Fuel racer Mike Salinas earned his first career at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Then, he gave his entire crew Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
06 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Mike Salinas
Mike Salinas earned his first career Top Fuel victory at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. He did so with a brand-new team, headed up by legendary tuner Alan Johnson and crew chief Brian Husen. Salinas, who began racing Top Fuel full…
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Tricky Tipster: Summertime blues? Not for Steve Torrence, Ron Capps, and Steve Jackson

Tricky Tipster's early line has Steve Torrence, Ron Capps, and Pro Mod’s Steve Jackson as the favorites heading to Heartland Motorsports Park, the second stop in NHRA’s grueling four-in-a-row “summer swing.”
06 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Tricky Tipster
There is nothing easy about running four events in four weeks but NHRA’s version of the summer swing through Chicago, Topeka, Bristol, and Norwalk figures to do a good job of separating the championship contenders from the rest of the field. The…
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Win a trip to the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in the This Is MY USNats contest

Fans can vie to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to the 2019 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and other great prizes in NHRA's This Is MY USNats contest by submitting your favorite U.S. Nationals memory.
05 Jun 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Contest
NHRA is offering fans the trip of a lifetime! One grand prize winner and a guest will be flown to the 2019 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals for an all-expense-paid trip! Simply submit a photo or video that showcases your favorite memory of the…
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Ford, SEMA, UTI and Mopar CAP to sponsor NHRA YES Program

Ford, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Universal Technical Institute (UTI), and the Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) have signed on as presenting sponsors for NHRA’s Youth and Education Services (YES) Program.
05 Jun 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
YES
NHRA’s Youth and Education Services (YES) Program has made several updates in 2019, attracting four new presenting sponsors to come on board. Ford, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Universal Technical Institute (UTI), and the Mopar…
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NHRA Power Rankings: Erica Enders, Andrew Hines take over top spots following Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Multi-time champions Erica Enders and Andrew Hines lead NHRA Power Rankings after a great weekend of racing at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
05 Jun 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Power Rankings
Erica Enders and Andrew Hines
Erica Enders is one of the reasons I wanted to create something like NHRA Power Rankings. She has two wins since I started working at the National Hot Rod Association, far from the nine-win peak that carried her to a second-straight Pro Stock title…
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The Sports Report: The JEGS Allstars biggest stars

Against long odds, Jeff Lopez and Lester Johnson nearly doubled-up in the JEGS Allstars and NHRA Route 66 Nationals last weekend.
05 Jun 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
lopez
Given the level of competition that exists in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, it’s a small wonder that the folks from JEGS Mail Order ever have to make good on their longstanding policy to double the winnings of any driver who can win…
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New Funny Car racer Mike McIntire Jr. licensed and ready for Norwalk debut

Funny Car racer Mike McIntire Jr. .completed his licensing runs recently at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in anticipation of his NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series debut at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk.
04 Jun 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Mike McIntire
Funny Car racer Mike McIntire Jr. completed his licensing runs recently at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in anticipation of his NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series debut at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk. McIntire, a 35…
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NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series powers into Heartland Motorsports Park

With a full slate of can’t-miss excitement, including Top Fuel and Funny Car Primetime qualifying under the lights, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to the House of Speed, Heartland Motorsports Park for the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties, June 7-9. 
04 Jun 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Topeka
With a full slate of can’t-miss excitement, including Top Fuel and Funny Car Primetime qualifying under the lights, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to the House of Speed, Heartland Motorsports Park, with its 10,000-horsepower, 300-…
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Fast Five: Route 66 NHRA Nationals

NHRA's Lewis Bloom and Amanda Busick count down their top five highlights from the Route 66 NHRA Nationals, race nine of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
04 Jun 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Fast Five
Fast Five
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Former world champs Demke, Westerfield lead Route 66 NHRA Nationals winners list

Former NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champions Chris Demke and Shane Westerfield topped the list of winners at the 2019 Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
03 Jun 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Shane Westerfield
Former NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champions Chris Demke and Shane Westerfield topped the list of winners at the 2019 Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Top Alcohol Dragster Chris Demke, 5.265, 275.39 def. Megan Meyer, 5.594, 265.…
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WATCH: Steve Torrence earns fourth-straight Top Fuel Wally at Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Steve Torrence won for the fourth-straight time in 2019, defeating Mike Salinas at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
02 Jun 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Steve Torrence
Steve Torrence won for the fourth-straight race, taking his Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster to the winner's circle at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals. He defeated Mike Salinas, who smoked the tires in his Scrappers Racing machine and failed to make…
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WATCH: Tommy Johnson Jr. drives Make-a-Wish Funny Car back to winner's circle at Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Tommy Johnson Jr. earned his first win since 2017 in fiery fashion, defeating Robert Hight at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
02 Jun 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Tommy Johnson Jr.
Tommy Johnson scored his first win since the last race of the 2017 season in fiery fashion at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals. He defeated Robert Hight, who he also beat to capture his last Wally, taking his Make-a-Wish Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to the…
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WATCH: Deric Kramer rolls to victory against Erica Enders in Route 66 NHRA Nationals Pro Stock final

Deric Kramer picks up third-career national event win after Erica Enders red-lights in Chicago Pro Stock final.
02 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Deric Kramer
Deric Kramer did not have the quickest or fastest Pro Stock car at Route 66 Raceway, but he was good when he had to be and picked up his third-career national event win and first of the season after two-time Mello Yello champion Erica Enders fouled…
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WATCH: Matt Smith earns first win of season over Karen Stoffer in Route 66 NHRA Nationals Pro Stock Motorcycle final

Reigning champ Matt Smith wins his 23rd Pro Stock Motorcycle race after a dominant performance at Route 66 Raceway.
02 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Matt Smith
In a rematch of his first national event win at the 2006 Englishtown race, Matt Smith defeated Karen Stoffer to win the Pro Stock Motorcycle title in Chicago. Smith, aboard his Denso EBR, made the quickest run of eliminations with a 6.807 and needed…
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Chicago Pro Stock Motorcycle results: semifinals

Reigning champ Matt Smith powers his way to the Pro Stock Motorcycle final for the 52nd time in his career where he'll face Karen Stoffer's Suzuki.
02 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Matt Smith
It wasn't the most enjoyable win of his career, but reigning Mello Yello Pro Stock Motorcycle champ Matt Smith did what he had to do when he raced his wife, Angie, in the semifinal round at Route 66 Raceway. Matt made one of the best runs of the day…
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Chicago Funny Car results: semifinals

02 Jun 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Tommy Johnson Jr.
John Force will have to wait another week to get his 150th race win. Tommy Johnson Jr. defeated the 16-time champ with a holeshot after Force dove right in with his Peak Coolant Funny Car and got crew chief John Collins lane choice against 2017…
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Chicago Pro Stock results: semifinals

Deric Kramer will take on Erica Enders in the Pro Stock final at Route 66 Raceway. Neither driver has won a race this season.
02 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Deric Kramer
Deric Kramer will have his first opportunity to win a Pro Stock race since last year's Brainerd event, but in order to do so he'll have to beat Erica Enders in the final of the Route 66 Nationals. Kramer drove to a 6.550 to 6.582 in the semifinals…
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Chicago Top Fuel results: semifinals

Steve Torrence is chasing his fourth-straight victory, but he'll have to get past Mike Salinas' Alan Johnson-tuned Scrappers Racing Top Fuel dragster at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
02 Jun 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Steve Torrence
Steve Torrence will chase his fourth-straight victory. He defeated Antron Brown, who drove through a fiery explosion in his Matco Tools Top Fuel Dragster, and posted a 3.804-second elapsed time to secure lane choice against Mike Salinas in the final…
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Steve Torrence stretches win streak to four; Tommy Johnson, Deric Kramer, and Matt Smith get first wins of the year at Route 66 Nationals

Following his perfect six-for-six performance during the 2018 Countdown to the Championship, Steve Torrence is on another roll with four-straight Top Fuel wins; Tommy Johnson Jr. Deric Kramer, and Matt Smith also victorious at Route 66 Raceway.
02 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Route 66 NHRA Nationals
After a rocky start to the 2019 season, Steve Torrence and his Capco creew have found the momentum that helped them win last season's Mello Yello Top Fuel championship. A recent winner in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Richmond, Torrence ran his win streak…
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Chicago Pro Stock Motorcycle results: E2

The Pro Stock Motorcycle semifinals are set in Chicago, but all eyes are on rookie Jianna Salinas, who walked away from a scary top-end crash.
02 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Karen Stoffer
In less than an hour, rookie Jianna Salinas experienced both the highs and lows of of racing in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. After claiming the first round win of her career in round one, Salinas took a tumble when she lost control of her Stoffer…
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Chicago Funny Car results: E2

Tommy Johnson Jr. will try to stop John Force from reaching his first final round of 2019 at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
02 Jun 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Tommy Johnson Jr.
Tommy Johnson Jr. ran the low elapsed time of the second round of eliminations and will get a shot at stopping John Force in the semifinals. That has proved difficult through the first two rounds of Funny Car racing at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals as…
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Chicago Pro Stock results: E2

Erica Enders wins her 300th round on a holeshot; goes to the semifinals for the first time since Phoenix.
02 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Erica Enders
Erica Enders won her 300th round of Pro Stock competition in a familiar fashion with a holeshot win against her team owner, Richard Freeman in the second round at Route 66 Raceway. Enders drove to a 6.566 to beat Freeman's 6.560. Ender's Elite…
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