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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

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Stevie "Fast" Jackson wraps up 2019 E3 Pro Mod Series championship

Three years into his career in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod series, Stevie “Fast” Jackson delivers on his promise to win a championship.
14 Oct 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
jackson
When Stevie "Fast"  Jackson entered the NHRA E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod series three years ago, it was anything but a publicity stunt. Already the sport’s best drag radial racer, Jackson boldly promised to take the fight to NHRA’s best Pro Mod…
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Sean Bellemeur clinches 2019 Top Alcohol Funny Car championship in Charlotte

Sean Bellemeur officially clinched his second-straight NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car national championship on Monday at zMax Dragway.
14 Oct 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Sean Bellemeur
Sean Bellemeur officially clinched his second-straight NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car national championship on Monday at zMax Dragway. Bellemeur took matters into his own hands in the semifinal round by beating Shane Westerfield to mathmatically lock up…
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Jack Beckman's Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat explodes as he moves to second in points

The good news: Jack Beckman is second in Funny Car points. The bad news: He's going to need a new Infinite Hero body.
14 Oct 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Jack Beckman
Jack Beckman defeated Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. to pass John Force in the Funny Car leaderboard, but he did so in costly fashion. The driver of the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat drove through a fiery explosion,…
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Erica Enders takes over Pro Stock standings lead in upset-filled first round

Erica Enders took over the Pro Stock lead after a first-round victory combined with a first-round defeat for Jason Line at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals.
14 Oct 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Erica Enders
Erica Enders took over the Pro Stock lead after a first-round victory combined with a first-round defeat for Jason Line at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals.  The two-time world champion can extend her lead if she earns back-to-back victories…
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NASCAR racer Kyle Larson takes in Monday morning Nitro in Charlotte

Sunday's rain-out in both the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the NASCAR Cup Series allowed Kyle Larson to root on his favorite Funny Car racer.
14 Oct 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson didn't have the Sunday he wanted in Talladega, recording a Do Not Finish at the Alabama superspeedway before the race was rescheduled due to weather (we can relate). The good news? Larson, along with anyone with a…
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Justin Ashley gets Top Fuel career off to flying start with win over Mike Salinas

Justin Ashley started his Top Fuel career nearly perfectly. He cut a .041-second reaction time and, more importantly, turned on the win light. 
14 Oct 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Justin Ashley
Justin Ashley started his Top Fuel career nearly perfectly. He cut a .041-second reaction time and, more importantly, turned on the win light.  TUNE TO NHRA ON FOX AT 9 P.M. EASTERN FOR FULL…
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NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals Monday preview

A day later than expected, but welcome again to raceday at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals. Champions will be crowned today in the four Mello Yello classes, plus Pro Mod, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car at the third race of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship at zMAX Dragway.
14 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Race coverage
hero
Welcome to Monday raceday at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals. Let's be honest, yesterday was a bummer. In spite of a heroic effort by the NHRA Safety Safari and zMax Dragway crews, we didn't run a single car down the famed "Bellagio of…
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Rain claims Sunday; NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals will resume Monday at zMAX

Due to precipitation throughout the morning and afternoon on Sunday, and despite multiple attempts to get the track dry, eliminations at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway have been moved to Monday.
13 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Charlotte
Due to precipitation throughout the morning and afternoon on Sunday, and despite multiple attempts to get the track dry, eliminations at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway have been moved to Monday. Monday’s schedule:…
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Alex Laughlin dials up the heat in Charlotte (and pays the price for it)

The day-to-day pressures of chasing an NHRA Mello Yello series championship is usually more than enough to induce an upset stomach, cold sweats, and sleepless nights. Pro Stock racer Alex Laughlin suffered through all of those symptoms and then some Friday night in Charlotte.
13 Oct 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
laughlin
The day-to-day pressures of chasing an NHRA Mello Yello series championship is usually more than enough to induce an upset stomach, cold sweats, and sleepless nights. Pro Stock racer Alex Laughlin suffered through all of those symptoms and then some…
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Top Fuel rookie Justin Ashley hoping to 'influence' Top Fuel outcome in first start

Justin Ashley enters the first eliminations round of his professional career today at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals after successfully qualifying his and Dustin Davis' Influencer dragster in his Top Fuel debut.
13 Oct 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Justin Ashley
Justin Ashley enters the first eliminations round of his professional career today at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals after successfully qualifying in his Top Fuel debut. Ashley, the son of former U.S. Nationals Funny Car winner Mike Ashley, cut…
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Steve Torrence looking to stay perfect at zMAX to boost championship repeat bid

The deed may say that Bruton Smith actually owns zMAX Dragway, but Steve Torrence has occupied the winner’s circle here so often that he ought to be granted residency at least. He's shooting for his fourth straight win at the track and fifth in the last six.
13 Oct 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Steve Torrence
Over the last two-plus seasons, Steve Torrence has owned zMAX Dragway. The deed may say that Bruton Smith actually owns “the Bellagio of Drag Racing,” but Torrence has occupied the winner’s circle so often that he ought to be granted residency at…
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Rain Delay Theater: 2018 NHRA Carolina Nationals

As we wait for eliminations to start at the 2019 NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals, here's a little Rain Delay Theater for you, a look back at the 2018 NHRA Carolina Nationals, where Steve Torrence continued his rampage through the Countdown to the Champion.
13 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Rain delay
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NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals Sunday preview

Welcome to raceday at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals. Champions will be crowned today in the four Mello Yello classes at the third race of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship at zMAX Dragway.
13 Oct 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Charlotte
Welcome to raceday at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals. We won’t lie – it looks like it’s going to be a long day as rain is forecast throughout the day, making this a battle of survival and willpower as much as anything. When the track is dry,…
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Jack Beckman's Dodge maintains No. 1 spot in Charlotte Funny Car qualifying

Jack Beckman qualified No. 1 for the second time this season, fending off all challengers for his 26th pole position with his Friday pass of 3.873 holding fast.
12 Oct 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Jack Beckman
Jack Beckman qualified No. 1 for the second time this season, fending off all challengers for his 26th pole position with his Friday pass of 3.873 holding fast. “I’m not usually into green [low qualifier] hats –- I like the yellow [winner]…
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Steve Johnson qualifies No. 1 in Pro Stock Motorcycle for the first time since 2013

In one of the most surprising developments of the year, Steve Johnson will start from the top of a Pro Stock Motorcycle field for the first time since the 2013 Englishtown race.
12 Oct 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
johnson
In one of the most surprising developments of the year, Steve Johnson will start from the top of a Pro Stock Motorcycle field for the first time since the 2013 Englishtown race when he rode his Slick 50 Suzuki to a stunning 6.786 on Saturday…
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Steve Torrence holds on to No. 1 spot in Charlotte Top Fuel qualifying

Steve Torrence held onto the No. 1 spot for his fourth pole of the season and the 23rd of his career as no one was able to better his Friday best of 3.711, though several people came close to unseating him.
12 Oct 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Steve Torrence
Steve Torrence held onto the No. 1 spot for his fourth pole of the season and the 23rd of his career as no one was able to better his Friday best of 3.711, though several people came close, including Leah Pritchett, who clocked a 3.714 in Q4…
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Erica Enders will continue pursuit of Pro Stock championship from No. 1 spot

As she pursues her third Mello Yello championship, Enders banked 11 of 12 possible bonus points in qualifying while putting her Melling-backed Chevy Camaro into the top spot for the third-straight event.
12 Oct 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
erica sat
The popular “every point counts” refrain is heard often during NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs and Erica Enders and her Elite Motorsports team are obviously taking it seriously. As she pursues her third Mello Yello championship, Enders…
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NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals Saturday photo gallery

NHRA National Dragster photographer Marc Gewertz was all over zMAX Dragway on the second day of the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals, providing a gallery's worth of photos from on and off the track.
12 Oct 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Photo Gallery
Following Friday's thrilling nighttime qualifying, fans returned to zMax Dragway en masse for Saturday's final qualifying runs. Erica Enders drove to the top spot in Pro Stock qualifying for the third-…
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Drag Week hero Rick Steinke earns Wally in Charlotte street car showcase

Rick Steinke and his popular “Honk if parts fall off” ’67 Chevelle four-door was crowned the champion of the special eight-car exhibition of Hot Rod Magazine Drag Week entries held during the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway.
12 Oct 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
Drag Week
Rick Steinke and his popular “Honk if parts fall off” ’67 Chevelle four-door was crowned the champion of the special eight-car exhibition of Hot Rod Magazine Drag Week entries held during the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway. Steinke’s…
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Sunday’s eliminations at NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals moved up one hour

The start time of Sunday’s final eliminations for the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway has been moved up one hour and will now begin at 11 a.m.
12 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Charlotte
With the possibility of precipitation Sunday and in an effort to complete the full event as scheduled, speedway officials and NHRA moved the start of Sunday’s final eliminations for the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway up one hour and…
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Matt Smith pulling double duty in Charlotte; adds Super Comp dragster to four-bike stable

As if tuning four Pro Stock Motorcycles wasn’t enough, reigning world champ Matt Smith decided to increase his work load this weekend by making his national event debut in the Super Comp class.
12 Oct 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
smith
As if tuning four Pro Stock Motorcycles wasn’t enough, reigning world champ Matt Smith decided to increase his work load this weekend by making his national event debut in the Super Comp class. Smith has owned a dragster for more than two years, but…
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Riding 339-mph power, Ron Capps has everyone's attention in the Funny Car Countdown

Ron Capps and Rahn Tobler have won lots of races without breaking records, relying on consistency to get it done, but after running 339 mph in Reading, now they're a double-threat weapon in the Countdown to the Championship.
12 Oct 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Ron Capps
When Ron Capps powered the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger Hellcat to the second-fastest speed in NHRA history, a 339.28-mph blast during qualifying at the Countdown opener at Maple Grove Raceway, it sent some shockwaves through the class. Despite…
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Rick Steinke 's four-door Chevelle takes commanding lead in Drag Week showcase

Fan favorite Rick Steinke drove his four-door Chevelle to an 8.722 on Saturday to take a commanding lead in the special eight car showcase featuring entries from Hot Rod magazine’s Drag Week.
12 Oct 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
DragWeek
Fan favorite Rick Steinke drove his four-door Chevelle to an 8.722 on Saturday to take a commanding lead in the special eight-car showcase featuring entries from Hot Rod magazine’s Drag Week. After three of four runs, Steinke has an average elapsed…
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Jeg Coughlin Jr. is very much in the thick of the Pro Stock title picture

Down by 94 points with four races remaining in the season, the arithmetic is fairly straightforward for Jeg Coughlin Jr. to win his sixth Pro Stock championship (and seventh overall).
12 Oct 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Down by 94 points with four races remaining in the season, the arithmetic is fairly straightforward for Jeg Coughlin Jr. to win a sixth Pro Stock championship (and seventh overall). If Coughlin can pick up even one round on his closest rivals at…
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Todd Paton's services are in demand, both on and off the track

It’s been a whirlwind year for second-generation Todd Paton, who in the last nine months started his own business and has driven four different Top Fuel cars, including this weekend the new Top Fuel car of Doug Foley and Tim Lewis.
12 Oct 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Todd Paton
It’s been a whirlwind year for second-generation Todd Paton, who in the last nine months started his own business and has driven four different Top Fuel cars, including this weekend the new Top Fuel car of Doug Foley and Tim Lewis.   Paton, a…
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NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals Saturday preview

Welcome to Day 2 of the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals, the third leg of the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs. The Mello Yello teams will get their two final qualifying shots today, scheduled for 1:15 and 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
12 Oct 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Charlotte
Welcome to Day 2 of the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals, the third leg of the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs. The Mello Yello teams will get their two final qualifying shots today, scheduled for 1:15 and 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Top…
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McClay, McClanahan, Lamb lead winners at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park

Scott McClay, Ryan McClanahan, and Justin Lamb led the list of winners as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Pacific Division competed at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
11 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Scott McClay
The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Pacific Division event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park: COMPETITION ELIMINATOR Scott McClay, Tehachapi, Calif., '98 dragster, C/ED, 7.350…
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Champs crowned at Division 2 Summit Racing Series Finals at Gainesville Raceway

Paul Rebis, Seth Bevins, Jake Ball, and Dennis Stewert, won the titles at the Southeast division NHRA Summit Racing Series Southeast Division Finals to earn berths in the National Championship event in Pomona in November.
11 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Division 2
The following are Saturday's final results from the 2019 NHRA Summit Racing Series Southeast Division Finals: SUPER PRO Paul Rebis, Tampa, Fla., dragster, 4.791, 144.72  def. David Scigluito, Largo, Fla., '10…
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Steve Torrence dominates Friday Top Fuel qualifying at Charlotte, retakes points lead

Reigning world champ Steve Torrence, who has won the last three NHRA national events and four of the last five at zMAX Dragway, had the best run of both qualifying sessions Friday and took over the points lead in the process.
11 Oct 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Steve Torrence
Reigning world champ Steve Torrence, who has won the last three NHRA national events and four of the last five at zMAX Dragway, had the best run of both qualifying sessions Friday and took over the points lead in the process. Torrence who entered…
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Jack Beckman powers Infinite Hero Dodge to the top of Charlotte Funny Car field

Jack Beckman, who got his Countdown to the Championship account off to a good start by winning the playoff opener in Reading, powered his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger Hellcat to the No. 1 spot Friday night at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals.
11 Oct 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Jack Beckman
Jack Beckman, who got his Countdown to the Championship account off to a good start by winning the playoff opener in Reading, got some more good news when he powered his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger Hellcat to the No. 1 spot Friday night under the…
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