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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

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Matt Smith’s four-bike assault part of a bigger plan

Matt Smith Racing has brought four Pro Stock Motorcycles to Chicago with the addition of crewman/rider Michael Ray.
01 Jun 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
Michael Ray
On most weekends, reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith has his hands full running three bikes, but it was easy for him to defend his decision to add a fourth entry to this weekend’s NHRA Route 66 Nationals. In addition to his own Denso…
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Route 66 NHRA Nationals Saturday Preview

The ninth event of 24 on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour continues with the final day of qualifying at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals outside of Chicago.
01 Jun 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Chicago
The Route 66 NHRA Nationals wrap up qualifying outside of Chicago with a pair of qualifying sessions in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Route 66 Nats also features competition in the thrilling Jegs…
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Mike Salinas, Ron Capps, Jason Line and Eddie Krawiec lead Route 66 NHRA Nationals qualifying

Following a thrilling day and night of professional qualifying at Route 66 Raceway, Mike Salinas, Ron Capps, Jason Line, and Eddie Kraweic are the top-ranked racers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, respectively.
31 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Mike Salinas
Nighttime qualifying has long been a highlight of the NHRA Route 66 Nationals and this year's edition of Friday Night Lights did not disappoint. Las Vegas winner Mike Salinas delivered the best run of the night by driving his Scrappers dragster to a…
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WATCH: Mike Salinas captures provisional Top Fuel pole at Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Mike Salinas took his Scrappers Top Fuel dragster to the top of the field at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Watch every pass here.
31 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Mike Salinas
//hide image on specific article jQuery(document).ready(function ($) { }); Mike Salinas took his Alan Johnson-tuned Top Fuel dragster to the top of the field in the second qualifying session at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals. He made the…
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WATCH: J.R. Todd makes best pass of second Chicago Funny Car session

J.R. Todd made the best Funny Car run of the second qualifying session at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals while Ron Capps retained pole position in Chicago. Watch every run here.
31 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
J.R. Todd
//hide image on specific article jQuery(document).ready(function ($) { }); J.R. Todd made the best pass of the second qualifying session to earn three points and move into the No. 2 position at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals outside of…
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Chicago Pro Stock results: Q2

KB Racing teammates Jason Line and Greg Anderson flex their muscles with a pair of 6.58-second runs under the lights to lead the Chicago Pro Stock field.
31 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
line
Chicago Pro Stock results: Q2 A Pro Stock field that was already close got even closer under the lights during Friday’s second Pro Stock session. Several drivers made significant improvements most notably KB Racing teammates Jason Line and Greg…
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Route 66 NHRA Nationals Friday Gallery

NHRA National Dragster photographers Jerry Foss and Randy Anderson captured the Route 66 NHRA Nationals with their cameras. Enjoy.
31 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
The Route 66 NHRA Nationals got off to a flying start with a terrific first Funny Car qualifying session, quick runs in Top Fuel and a first 6-second pass for Jianna Salinas in Pro Stock Motorcycle. A loaded field in Pro Stock hasn't quite…
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Shawn Reed ready to seize his moment 

Former boat champion Shawn Reed talks taking down Steve Torrence and adjusting to quick car
31 May 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Shawn Reed
Shawn Reed started driving Top Fuel in 2015. His equipment was never bad, but he wasn’t leading Tricky Tipster selections or putting his Hughes Oilfield dragster on the pole on a weekly basis. The Washington native and former drag boat champion is…
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Chicago Pro Stock Motorcycle results: Q2

Eddie Krawiec nudged Matt Smith from the top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying after a quick Friday night session.
31 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
krawiec
Eddie Krawic stole the top spot from Matt Smith during a quick second round of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying. Krawiec rode his Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson to a 6.835 to end the day as the provisional low qualifier. Smith improved from his…
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Chicago Top Fuel results: Q1

Defending Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence made the best pass at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals to continue his dominant stretch.
31 May 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Steve Torrence
Steve Torrence continued his dominant stretch of performance with a 3.757-second run. The defending world champion earned three bonus points for the best run in the first Top Fuel qualifying session at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Doug Kalitta and…
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Chicago Funny Car results: Q1

Ron Capps took his NAPA Brakes Funny Car to the top of the Route 66 NHRA Nationals field in a lightning-quick field.
31 May 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Race coverage
Ron Capps
The NAPA Brakes Funny Car team dropped a hammer on the competition in the first round of qualifying at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Ron Capps drove his Rahn Tobler-tuned Dodge Charger // SRT Hellcat to a 3.894, nearly a tenth quicker than No. 8…
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Chicago Pro Stock results: Q1

Matt Hartford takes the early lead in Pro Stock qualifying with a 6.585 in his Total Seal Camaro.
31 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
hartford
Matt Hartford has been to a pair of final rounds this year and now he’s the provisional low qualifier after the first Pro Stock qualifying in Chicago. Hartford drove to a 6.585 in his Total Seal Camaro to earn three bonus points. He’s followed by…
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Chicago Pro Stock Motorcycle results: Q1

World champ Matt Smith take early lead in Pro Stock Motorcycle while rookie Jianna Salinas makes her first six-second run
31 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
smith
After the first qualifying session, the top three riders in Pro Stock Motorcycle are Matt Smith, Eddie Krawiec, and Hector Arana Sr., and they are separated by just seven thousandths of a second. Reigning word champ Smith rode his Denso EBR to a 6.…
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Sampey anxious to deliver results for Vance & Hines team

Six races into her first season with the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team, Angelle Sampey believes she's ready to get her first win
31 May 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
angelle
The NHRA Route 66 Nationals will mark the 244th race for three-time world champion Angelle Sampey but just her sixth with the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team. From the first time she first rode the team’s Street Rod V-twin during pre-season…
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Distractions? Not for Pro Stock leader Bo Butner

Even a fire in his Nitro Fish merchandise trailer can't dampen Bo Butner's enthusiasm after a hot start to the 2019 season.
31 May 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
butner
Right now, it’s good to be Bo Butner. After winning four of the first five races in Pro Stock, and earning a runner-up finish at the most recent SAM Tech.edu Factory Stock Showdown race in Richmond, he’s off to the best start of his career so even a…
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Funny Car veteran Tim Wilkerson knows when to swing

Tim Wilkerson picks his spots as he chases his first Funny Car win of 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.
31 May 2019
Jacob Sundstrom, NHRA National Dragster Associate Editor
Feature
Tim Wilkerson
Tim Wilkerson’s dash for the biggest trophy in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing in 2018 captured imaginations because it came out of nowhere. That was the conventional wisdom, anyway. As is often the case, conventional wisdom leaned more on…
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Route 66 NHRA Nationals Friday Preview

The ninth event of 24 on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour kicks off with the Route 66 NHRA Nationals outside of Chicago.
31 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Chicago
The Route 66 NHRA Nationals get under way outside of Chicago with a pair of qualifying sessions in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Route 66 Nats also features competition in the thrilling Jegs…
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Defending Funny Car world champ J.R. Todd ahead of last year’s title pace

As the defending Funny Car world champion, J.R. Todd has experienced a bigger spotlight than any other time in his standout drag racing career. But through eight races in the 2019 season, Todd seems to be relishing the opportunity.
30 May 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
J.R. Todd
As the defending Funny Car world champion, J.R. Todd has experienced a bigger spotlight than any other time in his standout drag racing career. But through eight races in the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, Todd seems to be…
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Latest issue of NHRA National Dragster now online (Vol. 60 No. 10)

NHRA National Dragster magazine's 10th issue of 2019, featuring coverage of the Virginia NHRA Nationals, is online for NHRA members and in the mail to homes and shops around the world.
30 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
ND cover
NHRA National Dragster magazine's 10th issue of 2019, featuring  coverage of the Virginia NHRA Nationals, is online for NHRA members and in the mail to homes and shops around the world. In addition to complete coverage of the Richmond event…
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After strong start, Clay Millican confident a win is coming soon

After winning on the 20th anniversary of his first career Top Fuel start a year ago, things continue to come full circle for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series star Clay Millican at Route 66 Raceway, the site of this weekend’s Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
30 May 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Clay Millican
After winning on the 20th anniversary of his first career Top Fuel start a year ago, things continue to come full circle for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series star Clay Millican at Route 66 Raceway, the site of this weekend’s 22nd annual Route 66…
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WFO Radio Virginia NHRA Nationals Nitro Winners Edition

29 May 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
WFO
Virginia NHRA Nationals Nitro Winners Edition featuring Ron Capps and Bo Butner. NHRA’s Alan Reinhart and Joe Castello wrap up Virginia and get ready for the Route 66 Nationals. Scott Palmer joins Joe for “My Time.”  …
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Tricky Tipster: Which NHRA Pros will find a sweet home in Chicago?

In NHRA’s annual stop in the Windy City, Tricky Tipster has labeled Steve Torrence, Ron Capps, Bo Butner, and Andrew Hines as the favorites for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
29 May 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Tricky Tipster
His chest swelling with pride, NHRA’s own Tricky Tipster can’t help but remind his faithful followers about the nearly-perfect scorecard he posted for the recent Virginia NHRA Nationals in Richmond where pre-race favorites Steve Torrence, Bo Butner…
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Tommy Johnson Jr. hopes to keep consistent pace at Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Make-A-Wish Funny Car racer Tommy Johnson Jr. hunting first win of 2019 at Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
29 May 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Tommy Johnson Jr.
If Tommy Johnson Jr. keeps the consistent pace he’s put together for more than a year, he knows that will bode well for the outcome of his 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. But the Funny Car standout is more than ready to add a few…
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Drag racing and softball to collide at inaugural Burnout on the Bases

Route 66 Raceway will partner with the NHRA, the Joliet Slammers, and the City of Joliet to host the first-ever “Burnout on the Bases” Softball game May 30 at 6 p.m. at Route 66 Stadium Joliet to kick off the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
28 May 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Chicago
Route 66 Raceway will partner with the NHRA, the Joliet Slammers, and the City of Joliet to host the first-ever “Burnout on the Bases” Softball game May 30 at 6 p.m. at Route 66 Stadium Joliet to kick off the Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66…
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NHRA Route 66 Nationals boasts field of 40 Top Fuelers and Funny Cars

Fans of NHRA Championship Drag Racing are in for a treat this weekend at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals where 40 11,000-hp nitro-powered cars will be competing with 21 Top Fuel cars and 19 Funny Cars competing for 16 qualifying spots in their respective categories.
28 May 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Chicago
//hide image on specific article jQuery(document).ready(function ($) { }); Fans of NHRA Championship Drag Racing are in for a treat this weekend at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals where 40 11,000-hp nitro-powered cars will be competing with…
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Jonnie Lindberg to miss Chicago; Jeff Arend will sub in Head Contractors entry

Veteran Jeff Arend will drive Jim Head’s Mustang at this weekend’s NHRA Route 66 Nationals while Jonnie Lindberg takes another step towards U.S. citizenship.
28 May 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
arend
Jonnie Lindberg will not be driving Jim Head’s nitro Funny Car at this weekend’s NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Chicago. In his place, veteran driver and former Chicago winner Jeff Arend will drive the Head Contractors Mustang. Lindberg, a two-time…
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Tickets now on sale for season-ending Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona

Tickets for the season-ending 55th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Pomona, Calif., are on sale now for the national event taking place Nov. 14-17. 
28 May 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Pomona
Purchase tickets now Tickets for the season-ending…
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Chicago White Sox, Clay Millican team up for NHRA Route 66 Nationals

The Chicago White Sox will team up with the Straightline Strategy Group-owned, Clay Millican-driven Parts Plus Top Fuel dragster as a major sponsor at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals, May 30 – June 2 in Joliet, Ill. 
28 May 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Clay Millican
The Chicago White Sox will team up with the Straightline Strategy Group-owned, Clay Millican-driven Parts Plus Top Fuel dragster as a major sponsor at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals, May 30 – June 2 in Joliet, Ill.  “Any time we can cross-…
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The Skillmans' commitment to NHRA Drag Racing has only increased through the years

When the Skillman family took their Cobra Jet Mustangs out for a test drive, they had no idea what would happen next.
26 May 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
Skillmans
Bill Skillman and son Drew still recall in vivid detail the peculiar chain of events that triggered their now decade-long investment in NHRA Drag Racing. It began, innocently enough, the day they took delivery of a pair of Cobra Jet Mustangs at…
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35th annual JEGS Allstars competition set for NHRA Route 66 Nationals

26 May 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
JEGS Allstars
JEGS.com, one of the largest high-performance automotive equipment retailers in the United States, once again sets the stage for one of the most intense Sportsman competitions of the year. For 35 years, the JEGS Allstars has assembled the top…
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