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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

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Charlotte Funny Car qualifying results: Q3

Robert Hight, Jack Beckman, and Tommy Johnson Jr. were the quickest drivers in the third Funny Car qualifying session.
27 Apr 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
hight
Robert Hight, Jack Beckman, and Tommy Johnson Jr. were the quickest drivers in the third Funny Car qualifying session. Hight, the current points leader and winner of three of the first five events of the season, backed up last night's 3.93-second…
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Charlotte Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying results: Q2

Karen Stoffer betters Friday's run to lead Q2 while teammates Joey Gladstone and Cory Reed make big gains at zMax Dragway.
27 Apr 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
gladstone
Karen Stoffer's Friday run at zMax Dragway was obviously no fluke after she rode Jerry Savoie's Suzuki to a 6.793 to lead Q2. Stoffer picked up an additional three bonus points after making the best run of her long career. She held off four-time…
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Stoffer quickly adjusts to life with the WAR team

Karen Stoffer has big expectations for her first season as a member of Jerry Savoie’s White Alligator Suzuki team.
27 Apr 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
stoffer2
Every year since her debut in 1996, Karen Stoffer has got to the starting line with the comfort that comes with knowing her husbang, Gary, has her back. Gary Stoffer is still Karen’s biggest supporter, and she’s still and integral part of the team…
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Don Schumacher Racing, Okuma expand partnership to include racecar sponsorships

Don Schumacher Racing has expanded the team’s ongoing partnership with Okuma to include a primary sponsorship of Leah Pritchett’s Top Fuel dragster at three NHRA events in 2019, and associate support of Tommy Johnson Jr.’s Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car.
27 Apr 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
DSR
Don Schumacher Racing has expanded the team’s ongoing partnership with Okuma, a leading machine tool manufacturer, to include a primary sponsorship of Leah Pritchett’s Top Fuel dragster at three NHRA events in 2019, and associate support of Tommy…
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What drives Mike Salinas?

Mike Salinas didn't ponder long after his breakthrough win in Las Vegas. After a celebratory ice cream, for him it was a simple as, "OK, now that I've proven I can win, let's go win again." He makes no bones about it: He expects success. He's a goal setter and a problem solver, whether it's in his business or his racing.
27 Apr 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Mike Salinas
Three weeks ago in Las Vegas, Mike Salinas realized a dream years in the making when he hoisted the Wally trophy after winning NHRA’s four-wide event in Las Vegas.  Of course he got congratulatory calls and texts from a lot of his racing…
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Confidence and experience have Clontz optimistic about year two

Second-year Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Kelly Clontz has become a consistent qualifier on her Steamfitters Union Local 602 Suzuki.
27 Apr 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
clontz
Kelly Clontz ran all 16 Pro Stock Motorcycle events last season and she experienced a lot of memorable moments including her first professional round win in Dallas. Armed with a full-year's experience, and a new sponsor, the Steamfitters Union Local…
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NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Saturday preview

The second of two four-wide races of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues today with two qualifying sessions at zMAX Dragway outside of Charlotte, N.C.
27 Apr 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
charlotte
NHRA teams faced adversity yesterday after rain and high winds interrputed the opening day of the NGK Spark Plugs Four-Wide Nationals but Mike Salinas, Jack Beckman, and Karen Stoffer managed to adapt to the changes and head into Saturday's final…
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Gilbertson gives North Carolina nitro fans a favorite to cheer for

North Carolina fans have learned to love their nitro like they love their NASCAR, and this weekend they have a homestate favorite to cheer for in veteran Bob Gilbertson.
27 Apr 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Bob Gilbertson
North Carolina fans have learned to love their nitro like they love their NASCAR, and this weekend they have a homestate favorite to cheer for in veteran Bob Gilbertson. For the last seven years, the Gastonia, N.C., racer, once a tour…
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Charlotte Friday Photo Gallery

Photo highlights from the opening day of the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
26 Apr 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Photo Gallery
Photo highlights from the opening day of the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway. It was a challenging opening day at the track with rain hitting twice, leading to some yeoman's work by the NHRA Safety Safari…
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Salinas, Beckman, and Stoffer take early qualifying leads in Charlotte

Mike Salinas, Jack Beckman, and Karen Stoffer are the early leaders after and abbreviated day of qualifying at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway.
26 Apr 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
friday hero
Mike Salinas, Jack Beckman, and Karen Stoffer are the early leaders after and abbreviated day of qualifying at zMax Dragway. Salinas, coming off his first national event win three weeks ago in Las Vegas, set the zMax Dragway track record with a 3.…
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Charlotte Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying results: Q1

Karen Stoffer rode Jerry Savoie’s Suzuki to the top spot during Friday’s Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying in Charlotte.
26 Apr 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
stoffer
Karen Stoffer rode Jerry Savoie’s Suzuki to the top spot during Friday’s Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying. Stoffer, who joined Savoie’s White Alligator team this season, rode to a 6.864 to take the early lead. Stoffer is riding the same bike that LE…
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Charlotte Top Fuel Friday results: Q1

Mike Salinas set a new zMAX Dragway track record, blasting his Scrappers Racing dragster to a 3.687, breaking the 3.689 mark set last year by Brittany Force.
26 Apr 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Mike Salinas
Mike Salinas set a new zMAX Dragway track record, blasting his Scrappers Racing dragster to a 3.687, breaking the 3.689 mark set last year by Brittany Force. Fresh off of his runner-up two weeks ago in Houston, Antron Brown raced to a 3.725 for…
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Charlotte Funny Car Friday results: Q2

Jack Beckman has the lead halfway through Funny Car qualifying after powering his Infinite Hero Dodge to a 3.891 under the lights at zMAX Dragway.
26 Apr 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Jack Beckman
Jack Beckman has the lead halfway through Funny Car qualifying after powering his Infinite Hero Dodge to a 3.891 under the lights at zMAX Dragway. Points leader Robert Hight had the only other three-second pass, a 3.935 that could have been…
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Charlotte Funny Car Friday results: Q1

After what is undoubtedly the combined shortest and weirdest Funny Car qualifying session in history, Dale Creasy Jr. is the low qualifier with a 7.713-second elapsed time.
26 Apr 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Dale Creasy Jr.
After what is undoubtedly the combined shortest and weirdest Funny Car qualifying session in history, Dale Creasy Jr. is the low qualifier with a 7.713-second elapsed time. Only one grouping of three Funny Cars made it off the starting line after…
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Smith willing to let his bike do the talking, sometimes

Pro Stock Motorcycle champ Matt Smith believes his win at all costs mentality is perfectly suited for four-wide racing.
26 Apr 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
smith
Matt Smith is a lot of things but shy isn’t one of them. Whether he’s playing a staging game with the intention of throwing his opponents out of rhythm or publicly calling most of his Pro Stock Motorcycle rivals “hobby racers”, he often boldly goes…
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Rookie Austin Prock is not only learning the lessons, he's acing them

It’s his rookie year, and Austin Prock is learning his lessons at a fast clip. Pedalfests. Rivalry races. Going four-wide. And he's crushing it.
26 Apr 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Austin Prock
It’s his rookie year, and Austin Prock is learning his lessons at a fast clip. Within a matter of days he went from just getting his Top Fuel license to a surprise entrant at the season-opening Winternationals. His first head-to-head race was…
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For Jack Beckman, fast cars are a way of life

From his vintage '68 El Camino to his 330-mph Infinite Hero Dodge Funny Car, Jack Beckman's life is consumed by fast automobiles.
26 Apr 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
beckman
Jack Beckman likes to joke that because he lives 2,000 miles away from the Schumacher Racing headquarters in Brownsburg, Ind., he is able to resist his temptation to spend countless hours at the shop. That doesn’t mean that Beckman isn’t able to…
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Four-wide Charlotte surprise: The Return of Spencer Massey

Former NHRA rookie of the year Spencer Massey will make his return to Top Fuel racing at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals this weekend after a near-four-year absence, driving Pat Dakin’s Commercial Metal Fabrication dragster.
26 Apr 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Spencer Massey
Former NHRA rookie of the year Spencer Massey will make his return to Top Fuel racing at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals this weekend after a near-four-year absence, driving Pat Dakin’s Commercial Metal Fabrication dragster. Massey,…
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Andrew Hines shares his secret for four-wide success

When it comes to four-wide Pro Stock Motorcycle racing, Andrew Hines is nearly in a class by himself with three wins in four finals.
26 Apr 2019
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
hines
When you have a Pro Stock Motorcycle that can run 6.72, you probably don’t need much of an edge but Andrew Hines believes the four-wide format affords himself a significant advantage over most of his competitors. It’s hard to argue with Hines’…
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Bode's back, and well-stocked and prepared for Funny Car battle

After running a pair of career-best passes at the season finale in Pomona last November, Bob Bode couldn’t wait to get back on the track this season. He had no idea it would be late April before that happened.
26 Apr 2019
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Bob Bode
After running a pair of career-best passes at the season finale in Pomona last November, Bob Bode couldn’t wait to get back on the track this season. He had no idea it would be late April before that happened. “We always go to Pomona [for the…
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NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Friday preview

The second of two four-wide races of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season kicks off today with two qualifying sessions at zMAX Dragway outside of Charlotte, N.C.
26 Apr 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
Race coverage
Charlotte
The second of two four-wide races of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season kicks off today with two qualifying sessions at zMAX Dragway outside of Charlotte, N.C. Just three weeks ago, the teams duked it out four-wide at The Strip…
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Eddie Krawiec leads Mickey Thompson Tires Pro Bike Battle standings

Hector Arana Jr., Matt Smith follow Krawiec in Mickey Thompson Tires Pro Bike Battle points.
25 Apr 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Pro Bike Battle
The Mickey Thompson Tires Pro Bike Battle will descend on Sonoma Raceway once again in July during the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Eddie Krawiec, who runnered up against Matt Smith in 2018, leads the standings as the race-within-a-race approaches. Hector…
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Stevie "Fast" Jackson seeking redemption at zMAX Dragway

Pro Mod racer Stevie "Fast" Jackson looks to rebound in Charlotte following major wreck at zMAX Dragway.
25 Apr 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Stevie "Fast" Jackson
Considering he has two final rounds appearances, a world record, one victory and the points lead, it couldn’t be a much better start to the 2019 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season for Stevie “Fast”…
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Denso Spark Plugs 200-mph Club members

A list of Pro Stock Motorcycle riders who have joined the exclusive Denso Spark Plugs 200-mph Club so far.
25 Apr 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Hector Arana JR.
Denso Spark Plugs created the 200-mph Club at the beginning of the 2018 season with the expressed purpose of encouraging Pro Stock Motorcycle riders to break one of the last great barriers in NHRA Drag Racing. It worked almost immediately. Hector…
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NHRA Power Rankings Explained: Getting to know the newest drag racing stat

NHRA on FOX broadcasters Brian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon joined National Dragster Associate Editor Jake Sundstrom in the Wally Parks Studio via Skype to discuss NHRA Power Rankings ahead of the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
25 Apr 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Power Rankings
Power Rankings
NHRA Power Rankings debuted alongside the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona as a way to measure race teams via a host of drag racing statistics. To help bring fans up to speed, NHRA on FOX broadcasters Tony Pedregon and Brian Lohnes joined…
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Jerry Savoie chases second-straight win at NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

2017 Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Jerry Savoie took home the 2018 four-wide victory in Charlotte and is looking for his first win of the season entering zMAX Dragway.
25 Apr 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Jerry Savoie
Jerry Savoie isn’t sure how many events he will race during the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. But there are two definite locations on his list and two races he wasn’t going to miss. The first was the four-wide race in Las Vegas,…
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Tricky Tipster: Who’s the leader of the “quad squad”?

Tricky Tipster, NHRA’s in-house wizard of odds, has labeled Steve Torrence, Robert Hight, Matt Smith, and Pro Mod’s Steve Jackson as favorites to win the NGK Spark Plugs Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.
25 Apr 2019
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Tricky Tipster
Ahh the joys of four-wide racing, where you can lose to the same driver twice and still win the race -- or holeshot three other drivers at once to produce a stunning victory. Opinions on four-wide racing vary, but no one can call it boring.…
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zMAX Dragway prepped and ready for exciting weekend of four-wide NHRA action

Greg Walter, Executive Vice President/General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway joined NHRA's Lewis Bloom via Skype in the Wally Parks NHRA Studio to preview this weekend's NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
24 Apr 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Today™
Charlotte
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J.R. Todd poised for four-wide sweep entering NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

J.R. Todd joined Lewis Bloom in the Wally Parks Studio via Skype to talk about the upcoming four-wide race at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte where he can sweep the 2019 four-wide events.
24 Apr 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Today™
J.R. Todd
J.R. Todd won the first four-wide event of the season, the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, and can go back-to-back in the four-wide format in Charlotte. The NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals kick off Friday at zMAX…
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Cruz Pedregon hoping for second-straight win at NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

Cruz Pedregon has always been a fan of four-wide NHRA Drag Racing. Not much has changed in the 10 years since it debuted at zMAX Dragway.
24 Apr 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Cruz Pedregon
When the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and zMAX Dragway first made plans for a four-wide drag race in 2010, Cruz Pedregon considered himself a fan of the concept. Heading into this weekend’s 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals…
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