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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

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Zizzo surprises with Top Fuel pole; Hight, Butner, Smith also lead Gainesville fields

After the first two rounds of pro qualifying at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, T.J. Zizzo, Robert Hight, Bo Butner, and Matt Smith, hold the top spots.
15 Mar 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
TJ Zizzo
After the first two rounds of professional qualifying at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, T.J. Zizzo is the surprise low qualifier in Top Fuel. Zizzo is joined at the top of the standings by Robert Hight, Bo Butner, and Matt…
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Gainesville Top Fuel Friday results: Q1

World champ Steve Torrence showed the Top Fuel field the way home in the opening qualifying session with a 3.800 on the new and still a little green all-concrete track that will only get better through the weekend.
15 Mar 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Steve Torrence
World champ Steve Torrence showed the Top Fuel field the way home in the opening qualifying session with a 3.800 on the new and still a little green all-concrete track that will only get better through the weekend. Leah Pritchett was not far…
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Variety is the spice of life for Alex Laughlin

Alex Laughlin is up to drive just about anything and he's pulling double-duty this weekend in Pro Stock and the E3 Pro Mod series.
15 Mar 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
laughlin
Alex Laughlin lives his life by a simple code; if it has wheels, he will drive it. The 2019 season is barely three months old and Laughlin has already raced, and won, with a shifter cart on the high banks of Daytona Int’l Speedway. He also won $50,…
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Gainesville Funny Car Friday results: Q1

Three-time Gatornationals Funny Car winner Ron Capps grabbed the early qualifying lead with his NAPA Auto Parts Charger SRT Hellcat with a 4.017 in the opening session.
15 Mar 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Ron Capps
Three-time Gatornationals Funny Car winner Ron Capps grabbed the early qualifying lead with his NAPA Auto Parts Charger SRT Hellcat with a 4.017. Behind Capps is another multi-time Gainesville champ, eight-time winner John Force, who clocked a 4.…
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Shirley takes down Garlits to highlight round one of Unfinished Business race

Shirley Muldowney defeated “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in the opening round of the Unfinished Business competition at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which pitted eight legends in identical Toyotas in head-to-head competition. Joe Amato, Warren Johnson, and Ed McCulloch also advanced into Saturday’s second round.
15 Mar 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Unfinished Business
Shirley Muldowney defeated “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in the opening round of the Unfinished Business competition at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which pitted eight legends in identical Toyotas in head-to-head competition.…
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Gainesville Pro Stock Motorcycle Friday results: Q1

The first Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying session of the new year didn't look much different from the final session of 2018.
15 Mar 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
smith
Reigning NHRA Mello Yello champion Matt Smith maintained the torrid pace he set at the end of last season and claimed the early lead in Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying. Smith rode his bright red Denso EBR to a 6.753 to lead a strong field of 23…
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Dutchman's Lex Joon's Top Fuel 'American Dream' revs up again at Gatornationals

It’s a long trip from the Netherlands to the United States, but it’s symbolic of the trek that Top Fuel racer Lex Joon and wife Gerda have traveled to participate on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour and the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
15 Mar 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Lex Joon
It’s a long trip from the Netherlands to the United States, but it’s symbolic of the trek that Top Fuel racer Lex Joon and wife Gerda have traveled to participate on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour and the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA…
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Angelle Sampey and the Vance & Hines team: the not-so-odd couple

Once bitter, rivals, Angelle Sampey and the Vance & Hines have found common ground in the battle for Pro Stock Motorcycle superiority.
15 Mar 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
angelle
When it comes to unlikely pairings Angelle Sampey and the Vance & Hines team go about as well as orange juice and toothpaste. At least at first glance. Then again, it’s worth noting that Don Garlits once raced as a teammate to Shirley Muldowney…
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Friday Preview: Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals

Welcome to the long awaited 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, the third race of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Two sessions of qualifying in all four Professional categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle) are scheduled today, beginning at 1:15 p.m. local time.
15 Mar 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Gainesville
You can stay up to date by keeping it on NHRA.com all day for round-by-round recaps, features on your favorite drivers, and more. That’s not the only way you can stay in touch with NHRA during the event. If you’re coming out to Gainesville today,…
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50 Memorable Moments in Gatornationals history

The Gatornationals, the third oldest event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, has a deep and rich heritage that ensures its place in the history books and in the hearts and minds of racers and fans alike. Here's a look back at 50 Memorable Moments from the event’s colorful history.
15 Mar 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
Gainesville
The Gatornationals, the third oldest event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, has a deep and rich heritage that ensures its place in the history books and in the hearts and minds of racers and fans alike. Added to the national…
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Defending champion Matt Smith chasing down first Gatornationals win

Matt Smith enters Gainesville as the defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champ, but he's still looking for his first Gatornationals title.
14 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Matt Smith
Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith has never won at Gainesville Raceway in his standout career. But after a thrilling finish to his 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season ended with his third world title, the veteran…
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Mike Janis trying to build on 2018 Pro Mod title

Mike Janis’ incredible 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season ended with a dream result: his first NHRA Pro Mod world championship.
14 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Mike Janis
Mike Janis’ incredible 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season ended with a dream result: his first NHRA Pro Mod world championship. As satisfying as that was, Janis insists he is nowhere near…
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Jeg Coughlin to debut new car, throwback paint scheme at Gatornationals

A brand new car and a special throwback scheme will make an already special weekend even more memorable for Jeg Coughlin Jr.
14 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
A brand new car and a special throwback scheme already will make this weekend a special one for Jeg Coughlin Jr. Add in a victory at the massive 50th annual AMALIE Motor…
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Tricky Tipster: Gauging greatness at the Golden Gators

Tricky Tipster’s picks to click at the historic 50th anniversary Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals include Steve Torrence, Robert Hight, Bo Butner, Matt Smith, and Rick Hord.
14 Mar 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Gainesville
With all five classes in action for the historic 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, it’s time for Tricky Tipster, NHRA’s resident odds-maker, to get serious about picking favorites. Those who figure to have the best shot at hoisting…
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Terry McMillen chasing first Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals win

Top Fuel standout is trying to earn a special Wally to his trophy case at his sponsor’s race, this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
14 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Terry McMillen
Terry McMillen put together a memorable weekend to win a historic race a year ago at Indy, and the Top Fuel standout is now trying to add another one at the 50th anniversary of his sponsor’s race, this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals…
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Don Garlits: Destiny, history, and victory at the Gatornationals

Drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits shared his thoughts about his homestate race, the Gatornationals, and his long history, successes, and frustrations at one of NHRA's most storied events.
13 Mar 2019
by Don Garlits
Feature
Don Garlits
In 1956, I wrote a letter to Hot Rod magazine complaining that they weren’t giving racing in Florida the kind of coverage I thought we deserved.  I understood that drag racing had originated on the West Coast, where the aircraft…
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Don Schumacher inducted into Motorsports Hall of Fame of America

NHRA team owner and Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher was one of seven inductees enshrined into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America March 12 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
13 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Don Schumacher
NHRA team owner and Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher was one of seven inductees enshrined into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America March 12 in Daytona Beach, Fla.   Schumacher, owner of drag racing powerhouse Don Schumacher Racing, was…
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WFO Radio Gatornationals preview

13 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
WFO
Get ready for the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals with WFO Radio NHRA Nitro Podcast. Amalie driver Terry McMillen and his “clutch guy” Kaylynn Simmons discuss the team’s chances of winning their sponsor’s race. Erica Enders talks Pro Stock…
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Jack Beckman wants more success at 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals

Jack Beckman won in Funny Car at Gainesville Raceway a year ago, but the former world champion is now eager for a second straight win, especially considering the magnitude of this weekend’s massive 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
13 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Jack Beckman
Jack Beckman is proud of the fact he was able to win for the first time in his Funny Car career at Gainesville Raceway a year ago. But the former world champion is now eager for a second straight win, especially considering the magnitude of this…
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Justin Ashley Racing announces plans to compete in Top Fuel in 2020

Justin Ashley Racing has joined forces with Davis Motorsports to field a Top Fuel Dragster at a minimum of 12 NHRA events in 2020 with the second-generation driver behind the wheel.
13 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Justin Ashley
Justin Ashley Racing has joined forces with Davis Motorsports to field a Top Fuel Dragster at a minimum of 12 NHRA events in 2020 with the second-generation driver behind the wheel. The team plans to begin testing later this spring. …
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The Gatornationals: A family tradition that led to a career in drag racing

For National Dragster columnist, NHRA staff announcer, and WFO Radio NHRA Nitro podcast host Joe Castello, 40 years of Gatornationals family history "is the reason that I’m involved with this sport now."
12 Mar 2019
Joe Castello
Feature
Joe Castello
Simply put, the NHRA national event known as the Gatornationals is the reason that I’m involved with this sport now. For five decades, drag racing fans on the East Coast have seen many milestones, fantastic performances, and epic thrills, but what…
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Texas legislature to honor 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence

Native Texan Steve Torrence will be recognized on the floor of the state House of Representatives March 20 for his accomplishments in professional drag racing, specifically for winning the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel championship.
12 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Steve Torrence
Native Texan Steve Torrence will be recognized on the floor of the state House of Representatives March 20 for his accomplishments in professional drag racing, specifically for winning the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel championship at the wheel of…
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McMillen and team take the future into their own hands with in-house chassis

Terry McMillen, crew chief Rob Wendland, and the Amalie Motor Oil Top Fuel team began building their own chassis in-house this year, and the results so far have been nothing short of impressive.
11 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Today™
Terry McMillen
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No one forgets their first Gatornationals, nor their last, nor many in-between

NHRA National Dragster Editor Phil Burgess has been attending the Gatornationals for more than 30 years, and while there's no forgetting your first date with the venerable Gainesville Raceway, the event remains an annual must-attend for any hardcore racing fan.
11 Mar 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
ND
Gainesville, Florida. Home to the University of Florida and its national champion football team. Teenage stomping grounds of rock ‘n’ roll hall of famers such as Tom Petty, Stephen Stills, and Eagles guitarists Don “Fingers” Felder and Bernie Leadon…
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2019 Factory Stock Preview: Chevy, Ford, and Dodge teams set for epic factory supercar battle

Quicker elapsed times and increased competition await competitors this season in the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown.
11 Mar 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
Fss1
The stakes have gone up in the School of Automotive Machinists and Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown; way up for any driver who aspires to win consistently in 2019. Last year, the best cars in the class were able to nudge their way into the…
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Puckett, Caheely, Wahl join alky winners Hart, Gill as ‘Baby Gators' champions

Van Puckett, Tyler Caheely, and Jim Wahl joined Saturday winners Josh Hart and Matt Gill as champions of The Baby Gators at Gainesville Raceway.
10 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Division 2
Preview | Friday | Saturday The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division Fourth annual Baby Gators: …
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2019 Pro Stock Motorcycle Preview: Wild offseason sets up new campaign

Angelle Sampey’s move to the Harley-Davidson team highlights a wild offseason in NHRA’s two-wheel class
10 Mar 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
Angelle Sampey
There was a lot of news involving the Pro Stock Motorcycle class this winter, but few announcements carried the weight of the bombshell dropped by the Vance & Hines team in early January when they announced the addition of Angelle Sampey to…
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Pro Mod Preview: Rickie Smith shakes up class by switching to turbocharger

There have been 15 different winners in the last 24 Pro Mod events. Expect the unexpected to continue in 2019.
09 Mar 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
Rickie Smith
The statistics don’t lie. There have been 15 different winners in the last 24 events in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series dating back to the start of 2017, making it one of the most competitive classes in all of drag racing. Looking…
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Ed McCulloch looks back on Gatornats history, ahead to Unfinished Business

NHRA legend Ed “the Ace” McCulloch (and a few surprise guests) joined Lewis Bloom in the Wally Parks NHRA Studio to talk about his Gatornationals history and his participation in the Unfinished Business competition at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
08 Mar 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Today™
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Latest issue of NHRA National Dragster with Gatornationals salute now online

NHRA National Dragster magazine's latest issue, featuring a special salute to the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, is online now for NHRA members, and it’s in the mail to homes and shops around the world.
08 Mar 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
ND cover
NHRA National Dragster magazine's fourth issue of 2019, featuring a special salute to the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, is online now for NHRA members, and it’s in the mail to homes and shops around the world. The event…
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