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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 Top Fuel star Leah Pruett donating Cameo proceeds to local food bank

Through April 19, NHRA Top Fuel star is donating 100% of the proceeds from her Cameo appearances to her local Havasu (Ariz.) Community Health Foundation Food Bank.
15 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Leah Pruett
Through April 17, NHRA Top Fuel star is donating 100% of the proceeds from her Cameo appearances to her local Havasu (Ariz.) Community Health Foundation Food Bank. Cameo is a service through which famous people make personalized videos upon…
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Darrell Gwynn, and a salute to the human spirit and determination

Thirty years ago today, the driving career of Top Fuel star Darrell Gwynn was cut short in a tragic racing accident in England that left him paralyzed. Three decades later, Gwynn shares an inspirational message accompanied by our photographic look back at his career.
15 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
In a racing career that spanned just a decade, Darrell Gwynn scored 28 national event wins 28
by Darrell Gwynn Today is a very important and emotional day for me. You see, it was 30 years ago today, on April 15, 1990, that I became paralyzed. I was in England racing my car and going more than 200 mph when it crashed. When…
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Nitro Time Machine: Mark Oswald’s dramatic victory at the 1991 Gatornationals

After an exploding rear tire took out a huge chunk of the body of Mark Oswald's In-N-Out Burger Funny Car in a semifinal victory at the 1991 Gatornationals, it took a massive, multi-team pit thrash to get him to the final round, where he defeated John Force.
14 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Nitro Time Machine
Nitro
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Get To Know: Brian Lohnes

Many of you see his smiling face alongside Tony Pedregon during NHRA on FOX race broadcasts and because you're seeing him a lot here on NHRA.com during our unscheduled 2020 intermission, here's the story behind lead announcer Brian and where the heck he came from. 
14 Apr 2020
Brian Lohnes, NHRA on FOX announcer
Feature
Brian Lohnes
Since many of you out there tune in to see the smiling faces of both Tony Pedregon and I during NHRA on FOX race broadcasts and because you’ll be seeing me pretty frequently here on NHRA.com during our unscheduled 2020 intermission, it seems to…
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Weekend Update with Brian Lohnes: The news of the week, past and future

NHRA on FOX lead announcer Brian Lohnes recaps the news of the last week and takes a look at the week ahead for NHRA fans.
14 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Weekend Update
Weekend Update
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Tech Specs: Inside the supercharged Ford Cobra Jet Mustang

We’re taking a deep dive into the factory muscle cars, engineered in Detroit, and campaigned by NHRA Sportsman racers in the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown
13 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
Racing Technology
2019 Ford Cobra Jet Mustang
Of the Big Three, Ford has been in this arena the longest. It’s the only Detroit automaker that’s continuously produced a ponycar from ’64 ½ to ’20. It launched its Cobra Jet Mustang drag car (based on the Ford FR500C Grand Am road race car) a year…
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NHRA announces revised 2020 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series schedule

NHRA officials have announced revisions to the 2020 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series schedule.  The series is tentatively planned to resume at the Nite of Fire event on June 5 at Sacramento Raceway.
13 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Heritage Series
  In consideration of the COVID-19 global pandemic, NHRA officials have announced revisions to the 2020 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series schedule.  The series is tentatively planned to resume at the Nite of Fire event on June 5 at…
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Tech Specs: Inside the supercharged Chevrolet COPO Camaro

We’re taking a deep dive into the factory muscle cars, engineered in Detroit, and campaigned by NHRA Sportsman racers in the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown
13 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
Racing Technology
2020 Chevrolet COPO Camaro for NHRA Factory Stock
The muscle car gods were smiling down on NHRA drag racers when Ford, Dodge, and Chevy began offering supercharged ponycars from the factory. It started when GM reimagined its historic ZL1 engine code as a performance package for the fifth-generation…
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VIDEO: How much nitro does a Top Fueler or Funny Car guzzle on a run?

Nitromethane by the bucketful fuels today’s 11,000-horsepower NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car engines. Here’s what it looks like.
13 Apr 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Racing Technology
Nitro
The NHRA Motorsports Museum includes an interactive display that simulates the massive amount of nitromethane that pours into each cylinder of a Top Fuel or Funny Car engine. The first seconds of the display show the amount of fuel being…
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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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NHRA Expertise: Make AN hoses—the easy way

Eight steps to make AN hoses in your garage, at the track, or at the shop
13 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
Racing Technology
How to make AN Lines in Eight Steps
One the fundamentals of building a drag car is plumbing. Fuel, oil, coolant, and hydraulic systems all need reliable and serviceable connections. In our world, that means AN fittings—an open-source fluid-transfer technology that dates back to World…
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JEGS SPEEDweek at National Trail Raceway doubles prestige of JEGS SPORTSnationals

JEGS Speedweek, which will take place July 15-19, adds a Division 3 race to the already scheduled JEGS SPORTSnationals, giving the country's best Sportsman racers twice as many chances to win and earn points.
13 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Jegs
Officials with JEGS High Performance and National Trail Raceway unveiled "JEGS SPEEDweek" Thursday at the PRI trade show in Indianapolis. JEGS Speedweek, which will take place July 15-19, adds a Division 3 race to the already scheduled JEGS…
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Defending Funny Car world champ Hight excited about 'old-school' points race ahead

Defending NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car champion Robert Hight chatted via Skype with NHRA on FOX lead announcer Brian Lohnes to talk about the upcoming points race that will fire up once competition resumes in June.
13 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Robert Hight
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Clay Millican's field of drags: 'People will come. People will definitely come'

Echoing character Torrence Mann’s memorable monologue from the film Field of Dreams, Top Fuel driver Clay Millican delivers an inspirational message to the drag racing community about a return to racing: "It reminds us all of what was good and will be again."
12 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Clay Millican
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WATCH! The 2001 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals—See Connie Kalitta tune Doug Kalitta to a repeat win

In 2001, as the NHRA was celebrating its 50th anniversary, we returned to racing at Thunder Valley’s Bristol Dragway. Relive the entire race in the link below the photo gallery!
11 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
News
32
One of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ most unique venues, Bruton Smith rebuilt these hallowed grounds into a world-class drag racing facility for the 2001 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. The track was raised 21 feet from its previous design…
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Kalitta Motorsports teams are winging it in new temporary roles for the boss

NHRA on FOX announcer Brian Lohnes spoke via Skype with Kalitta Motorsports general manager Chad Head, who talked about how team owner Connie Kalitta is keeping his crew and shop teams employed during the racing break by putting them in action at his air-cargo business.
11 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Chad Head
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Austin Prock joins the virtual dirt-tracking fun on iRacing with his new rig

Last year’s top rookie, reigning Auto Club Road to the Future award winner Austin Prock, is among the many NHRA stars getting involved in virtual competition through iRacing. Prock takes us through his new system and the realism involved.
11 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Austin Prock
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Stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Series offer their thanks to front-line workers, fans

NHRA stars Ron Capps, Leah Pruett, Clay Millican, J.R. Todd, Matt Smith, Angie Smith, Austin Prock, Cruz Pedregon, Tim Wilkerson, Steve Torrence, Bo Butner, Chris McGaha, and Alex Laughlin share some words of appreciation to front-line workers and NHRA fans.
10 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Thank you
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WATCH! 2008 NHRA Carolina Nationals—See the entire race in this Flashback Friday feature with bonus photos

After six months of construction more than 35,000 fans came to zMax Dragway in 2008 to see the first NHRA race from the brand new facility. Watch the entire broadcast in the link below the photo gallery!
10 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
43
Watch the entire 2008 NHRA Carolina Nationals Sunday broadcast in the link below, and see all the action that led up to wins by Steve Johnson in Pro Stock Motorcycle and Justin Humphreys success in Pro Stock. Also check out Jack Beckman…
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Remembering Jack Ditmars

Jack Ditmars, best remembered by fans as the skilled pilot of two wild, short-wheelbased machines, the Lil’ Screamer ’34 Ford and the Mini Brute ’68 Opel Kadett, passed away March 31 and is remembered here by friends.
10 Apr 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
Dragster Insider
It was a pretty tough week for drag racing with the losses of three successful and popular drivers from days gone by: female Alcohol Funny Car pioneer…
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Don’t let your kids watch this video! Epic Hot Wheels track takes over Alex Laughlin’s garage

275-feet of Hot Wheels track, 15 hours of work, and 1 NHRA U.S. Nationals winning Pro Stock driver—let the fun begin.
09 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
14
Proving you’re never too old to build your dream Hot Wheels track, 2019 U.S. Nationals-winning Pro Stock racer, Alex Laughlin converted his home garage into a toy box for big kids this week. Check out the video for the on-car angles and the bonus in…
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2020 JEGS Allstars teams set in six of seven divisions; Division 4 team still open

After announcing a revised Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule last week, NHRA officials have announced which divisions finalized their teams for the 2020 JEGS Allstars to be contested at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals on July 9-11 at Route 66 Dragway. 
09 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
JEGS Allstars
After announcing a revised Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule last week, NHRA officials announced today which divisions…
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A very special NHRA Insider Podcast: Connie Kalitta Wide Open

Connie Kalitta is a man of big actions but a man of few words. That’s just one reason why this one-hour conversation with the man that covers everything from his drag racing history to business is so unique and special.
09 Apr 2020
Brian Lohnes, NHRA on FOX announcer
NHRA Insider podcast
NHRA Insider
Connie Kalitta is a man of big actions but in-public he is mostly a man of few words. That’s why this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast is so unique and special. You are going to listen to a one-hour conversation with Connie Kalitta that…
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From the USA to Australia and all ages, the best of hand-colored hot rods

Last week, NHRA offered five free coloring-book pages for kids (and adults) to enjoy. Here’s a look at some of the submissions we received on NHRA’s media channels.
09 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Coloring
Jason Lee Drennan family Amber Martin Philip Ragatos, 9, Sydney, Australia …
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Lex Joon making improvements to Top Fueler in anticipation of Gainesville debut

New grandfather Lex Joon talks about the improvements that he and crew chief Lance Larsen have made to his Strutmasters.com Top Fuel in anticipation of their season debut at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in June.
08 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Lex Joon
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Behind the scenes of the DSR/DSM medical faceshield 3D-printing program

Scott Cutler, Sr. Manufacturing Engineer at Don Schumacher Racing, spoke with NHRA's Brian Lohnes about the DSR/DSM partnership with 3D printing giant Stratasys to build medical face shields for healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
08 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Don Schumacher Racing 3D Printed Shields
Read more: DSR/DSM partner with Stratasys to aid in the fight of COVID-19 pandemic Take a tour of the DSR/DSM machine shop:…
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Check it out! Jack Beckman’s Lego drag race

Our favorite new Lego movie burning up the internet was produced by the Infinite Hero team and directed by Jason Beckman—yup, that’s Jack Beckman’s son
08 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
Feature
Jack Beckman Lego Drag Race
  Jason Beckman Drag Race Okay, this is awesome!…
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WATCH! Rare footage of ’50s drag cars from the 1958 NHRA U.S. Nationals

More than 500 hot rods from around the country gathered at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds to compete at The Big Go in 1958.
08 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
6
  The photos and footage collected here come from NHRA National Dragster's archives of the 1958 NHRA U.S. Nationals in Oklahoma City, held August 29-September 1, 1958. They showcase the state-of-the-art in drag racing and…
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Ten great drag racing movies to help get you through the racing break

If you’re a drag racing fan, what’s better than a movie about your favorite motorsport to while away the hours? Here’s our list of 10 of our most treasured movies about drag racing.
08 Apr 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
movies
Whether you’re relaxing on your couch streaming entertainment or at the local movie theater, who doesn’t love a good flick? And if you’re a drag racing fan – and we know you are – what’s better than a movie about your favorite motorsport? Many of…
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Nitro Time Machine: Shirley Muldowney goes on a wild ride in 1990

Shirley Muldowney went on a wild ride against Gary Ormsby at the 1990 NHRA Arizona Nationals in her Rahn Tobler-tuned Otter Pops Top Fuel dragster.
07 Apr 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Nitro Time Machine
Shirley Muldowney
  The 1990 NHRA Arizona Nationals took a turn for the worst for Shirley Muldowney, who went on a wild ride in her Rahn Tobler-tuned Otter Pops Top Fuel dragster. Watch the run in this NHRA Nitro Time Machine and check out more…
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