Joe Castello, Podcast host and NHRA reporter/announcer
Katherine Wooten, NAPA director of partnership strategy and activation
Don Russell, Director of Marketing at Cornwell Quality Tools
Ron Capps, Three-time NHRA Funny Car world champion and team owner
Rich McPhillips, Top Alcohol Dragster car owner and instructor
Buddy Hull, Funny Car driver and YouTube star
Richard Gadson, Pro Stock Motorcycle racer
Paul Lee, Businessman, Nitro Funny Car racer
Ida Zetterström, Top Fuel driver
Speed is the essence of war—and racing
-
4/13: It’s 413 day—Celebrating the Max Wedge and the engine that won the ’62 Winternationals
-
Bob Bender: Swinging west on an emotional trip with his Chevy wagon Stocker
NHRA 4-Wide Nationals Saturday Preview
NHRA teams gear up for first four-wide event of 2025 season in Las Vegas
NHRA Arizona Nationals Saturday photo gallery
-
Wally Parks inducted into West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame during 2025 NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas
-
Continuity and community at Pacific Division Jr. Championship Series kickoff
-
NHRA Arizona Nationals to celebrate 40 years at Firebird Motorsports Park
-
NHRA Museum celebrates a blockbuster weekend at the 75th Grand National Roadster Show
-
Hot rods of the sky: Kalitta’s connection to the firefighting DC-10s above Los Angeles
-
National Dragster All-Star Social Media Account of the Year: AB Motorsports
-
NHRA Museum Twilight Cruise Toy Drive united car enthusiasts for a cause
-
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of Pro Stock Motorcycle parity: What the numbers say
Billy Meyer caps first season of Talkin’ Funny Cars; marathon set for Saturday
-
Don Prudhomme honored with Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award
-
NHRA livestreams from the heart of the 2024 SEMA Show—Day 4
-
NHRA livestreams from the heart of the 2024 SEMA Show—Day 3
-
NHRA livestreams from the heart of the 2024 SEMA Show—Day 2
-
Cornwell Quality Tools named title sponsor of NHRA U.S. Nationals
-
Johnny Pluchino wins Mountain Motor Pro Stock title in Las Vegas
Tricky Tipster: A change of seasons
It's almost August which means its time for the Lucas Oil Winternationals. Yes, that's strange but what isn't strange is Tricky Tipster's picks for this week's Pomona event.
Add this to things you never thought you’d read but after two-thirds of the annual NHRA Western Swing, we’re headed to Auto Club Pomona Raceway for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by Protect the Harvest. Odd as that may seem, it’s where…
Tricky Tipster: The grapes of wrath
It's hard to find a more perfect setting for a Camping World NHRA Series event than Sonoma Raceway and it's lush vineyards and rolling hills. That's especially true for Steve Torrence, Matt Hagan, Greg Anderson, and Matt Smith, this week's favorites.
Stop us if you’ve heard this before but you can’t sweep the Western Swing unless you win the first race. Yeah, we know it’s an old quote but it’s entirely true which means that heading into this weekend’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals, only Steve Torrence…
Tricky Tipster: The Rocky Mountain Way
The variables that define Bandimere Speedway often make for some interesting outcomes and the track has been the site of some of NHRA’s biggest upsets. Then again, those who have their act together tend to do very well in Denver which helps explain why Steve Torrence once again gets our top billing. Torrence is joined at the top by Robert Hight (Funny Car), Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) and Jose Gonzales (Pro Mod).
The variables that define Bandimere Speedway often make for some interesting outcomes and the track has been the site of some of NHRA’s biggest upsets. Then again, those who have their act together tend to do very well in Denver which helps explain…
Tricky Tipster: Who wants ice cream?
NHRA's resident oddsmaker, Tricky Tipster, has given the nod to Steve Torrence, Bob Tasca III, Greg Anderson, Matt Smith, and Justin Bond as the pre-race favorites for this week's Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
There’s a lot to like about Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, including the neatly manicured grounds, the enthusiastic fan base, and, of course, the ice cream that’s available for just $1 per pound. Moreover, each of the champions crowned at…
Tricky Tipster: A lot of history on the line at New England Dragway
The favorites to make history in Epping include Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). Torrence and Hight are coming off wins in Houston while Anderson has been the Pro Stock points leader for much of the young season.
With the possible exception of Pomona and the surrounding areas of Southern California, there isn’t a track on the NHRA tour that celebrates the heritage of NHRA racing better than New England Dragway. The host of a Camping World NHRA series event…
Tricky Tipster: Who wants to be the biggest star in the Lone Star State?
The Camping World NHRA Tour heads West for this weeks' Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil and National Dragster's own Tricky Tipster has offered up the following picks to win in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
There is a semi-famous quote that says, “There’s no better place than Texas to start over.” and maybe that's good advice for Tricky Tipster after a tough outing last weekend at the Charlotte Four-Wide race. Sure, he pegged Top Fuel winner…
Tricky Tipster: Rating the contenders from the Bellagio of Dragstrips
It’s been a while since we visited zMax Dragway for the good old NGK NTK Four-Wide NHRA Nationals, but three races into the 2021 season and the Las Vegas four-wide still fresh in his mind, tipster is prepared to offer his selections for this week’s contest.
It’s been a while since we visited zMax Dragway for the good old NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, but three races into the 2021 season and the Las Vegas four-wide still fresh in his mind, Tipster is prepared to offer his selections for this week’s…
Tricky Tipster: The night the lights went out in Georgia
All good things must come to an end including the Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. On the eve of the final NHRA national event here, Tricky Tipster has issued his predictions and has given the final nod to Steve Torrence, Bob Tasca III, Erica Enders, Matt Smith, and Jose Gonzalez as the favorites.
Your old pal Tricky Tipster doesn’t often get emotional, but this week is different. On the eve of the final NHRA Southern Nationals, he can’t help but think of all the good times and exciting memories provided by Atlanta Dragway in the last 40…
Tricky Tipster: It's time to go four-wide racing in Las Vegas
With just one event in the books, we’ve seen just a random sampling from NHRA’s Pro racers. To that end, here are Tricky Tipster’s best bets for this weekend's Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
Racing in the thin desert air of Las Vegas presents its own set of unique challenges to NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pros, but when combined with the unpredictable nature of the four-wide format, the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-…
Gainesville Tricky Tipster: Let’s get this party started
Among the things that did not change last season was the success of several NHRA pros including world champions Steve Torrence, Matt Hagan, Erica Enders, Matt Smith, and Steve Jackson. They will each begin the season as the top picks of National Dragster's Tricky Tipster.
It’s hard to put into words all that’s happened since last March when we were all anticipating the initial running of the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. We made it through a trying 2020 season and optimism is the keyword as we return to…
Tricky Tipster: Leaving Las Vegas (but not until we crown champions)
So how did Tricky Tipster fare in Houston? How about a big fat donut as he went 0-for-5 picking winners at last week’s Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals. Oh well, you’ve have those days and fortunately, we’ve got one last chance to make amends…
Tricky Tipster: Down to the wire in Baytown
As the Camping World NHRA tour heads Southward (slightly) to Houston Raceway Park, Tricky Tipster is sticking with Dallas winner Steve Torrence in Top Fuel and he'll share the top billing with Dallas winner Jack Beckman, and points leaders Erica Enders, Matt Smith, and Steve Jackson.
Last week in Dallas, Tipster correctly picked Steve Torrence to walk away with the Top Fuel title, but whiffed on the other four winners in Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Pro Mod. Somedays, you’ll have weeks like that where the…
Tricky Tipster: Who are going to be the stars in the Lone Star State?
This week, Tricky Tipster, NHRA’s in-house oddsmaker for more than four decades, give the nod to native Texans Steve Torrence and Erica Enders in Top Fuel and Pro Stock, and also labels Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle), and Steve Jackson (Pro Mod) as the favorites.
If you ask a Texan, they’ll gladly tell you that everything is bigger and better in Texas and that logic almost certainly applies to this week’s AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. The site of many of drag racing’s most historic moments, the historic…
Tricky Tipster: Gateway to greatness
Last week, Tipster had a decent showing when he correctly picked Steve Torrence and Matt Smith to win in Gainesville so as the tour heads westward to St. Louis for the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Pennzoil, he’s feeling pretty good about his chances to keep the ball rolling.
Last week, Tipster had a decent showing when he correctly picked Steve Torrence and Matt Smith to win in Gainesville so as the tour heads westward to St. Louis for the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Pennzoil, he’s feeling…
Tricky Tipster: Gainesville predictions, take two
As the NHRA tour moves to Gainesville Raceway for a second attempt at the Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals, Tricky Tipster has chosen Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock), Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle), and Stevie Jackson (Pro Mod) as his pre-race favorites.
After four races at Lucas Oil Raceway Indianapolis, the NHRA Mello Yello tour takes a much-needed road trip to Gainesville Raceway for the resumption of the Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals, an event previously scheduled for mid-March. When it comes…
It’s time for The Big Go!
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock), Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle), and Jonathan Gray (Pro Mod) are Tricky Tipster's favorites to capture glory at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals.
Let’s face it, the 2020 season has been like nothing anyone has ever seen but through all the turmoil, NHRA drag racing has survived and now it’s time to celebrate the biggest, most important, and most prestigious event of the season, the Denso…
Tricky Tipster: The third time is the charm
Last month, NHRA hosted a pair of Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events at historic Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and even though the final rounds of the second event were delayed by rain, it would be reasonable enough to assume that Tricky Tipster, NHRA’s longtime resident oddsmaker, has collected enough data to accurately handicap any pro class.
Last month, NHRA hosted a pair of Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events at historic Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and even though the final rounds of the second event were delayed by rain, it would be reasonable enough to assume that Tricky…
Tricky Tipster: So nice, let’s do it twice
Following last week’s Indy race, Tricky Tipster has tabbed Doug Kalitta and Hagan as the favorites in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively, while defending series champ Stevie Jackson gets the nod in Pro Mod.
Last weekend, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour returned to action for the first time in nearly five months with the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis. The event was by all accounts a success especially for pro winners Billy…
The wait is over; let's go racing
It’s been more than four months since the COVID-19 pandemic halted the 2020 NHRA season but the wheels are once again turning for Mello Yello Series pros with this weekend’s E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis.
It’s been more than four months since the Covid-19 pandemic halted the 2020 NHRA season but the wheels are once again turning for Mello Yello Series pros with this weekend’s E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis. The first two events in…
NHRA Arizona Nationals Tricky Tipster: Desert Storming
Tricky Tipster, NHRA National Dragster magazine's resident Wizard of Odds, has labeled Pomona winners Doug Kalitta, Jack Beckman, and Jeg Coughlin Jr., as his pre-race picks for this weekend's NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix.
There is something peaceful and tranquil about the Arizona desert unless of course, one takes into account the oasis that is Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park just outside of Phoenix. The words “peaceful” and “tranquil” are rarely used to describe…
NHRA Winternationals Tricky Tipster: And we're off and running
The beauty of each new season is that every driver in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series is currently tied for first place in the standings. Naturally, that won’t last long. Once qualifying begins on February 7, at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by Protect the Harvest, the battle for titles will begin in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock. With that, here’s Tricky Tipster’s first attempt to handicap the Pomona pro fields.
The beauty of each new season is that every driver in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series is currently tied for first place in the standings. Naturally, that won’t last long. Once qualifying begins on February 7, at the Lucas Oil NHRA…
Tricky Tipster: Picking favorites at the Auto Club NHRA Finals
Nine months after it began, the 2019 season is coming to a close in Pomona and Tricky Tipster® has the inside scoop on the Mello Yello series pros who are on track to finish on a high note.
Nine months after it began, the 2019 season is coming to a close in Pomona at the Auto Club NHRA Finals and Tricky Tipster has the inside scoop on the Mello Yello series pros who are on track to finish on a high note. The pre-race favorites include…
Tricky Tipster: Viva (the leaders) in Las Vegas
Tricky Tipster, NHRA’s longtime wizard of odds, has installed points leaders Steve Torrence, Robert Hight, Erica Enders, Andrew Hines, and Steve Jackson as the favorites to win the Dodge NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.
This weekend, the NHRA tour returns to Las Vegas, the land where dreams are made (and crushed) on a daily basis. By the end of the Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil, the championship picture in all four Mello Yello classes should be much…
Tricky Tipster: Don't mess with these folks in Texas
According to Tricky Tipster, NHRA’s resident odds-maker, Steve Torrence, Robert Hight, Erica Enders, and Andrew Hines are the best bets for Lone Star State glory at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals.
Please excuse Tricky Tipster for a second while he gloats over last week’s results where he correctly picked Steve Torrence, Robert Hight, and Steve Jackson to deliver wins in Charlotte. Of course, it’s also worth noting that he completely whiffed…
Tricky Tipster: Betting big at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals
Tricky Tipster labeled Steve Torrence, Robert Hight, Erica Enders, Jerry Savoie, and Steve Jackson as the favorites midway through the NHRA Countdown to the Championships.
A lot has changed since NHRA last visited palatial zMax Dragway nearly six months ago. Approaching the halfway point in the Countdown to the Championship, it’s approaching now or never time for many racers who desire to wear the title of NHRA Mello…
Tricky Tipster: 2019 AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals
St. Louis is the current home of NHL’s Stanley Cup, but the racers who descend on World Wide Technology Raceway for this weekend’s AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals will have a different trophy on their minds; a coveted NHRA Wally.
St. Louis is the current home of NHL’s Stanley Cup, but the racers who descend on World Wide Technology Raceway for this weekend’s AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals will have a different trophy on their minds; a coveted NHRA Wally.
This is…
Tricky Tipster: 2019 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil
With six races to decide a champion, there is no room for error, and with that in mind, Tricky Tipster, NHRA’s legendary in-house wizard of odds, has labeled Steve Torrence, John Force, Erica Enders, and Andrew Hines as the favorites for the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals in Reading. Where did your favorite rank?
Enough of the small talk. The next time the NHRA Mello Yello series pros take to the track at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals in Reading, the playoffs will be in full swing which means the importance of each and every round cannot be…