Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Odi Bakchis took his second win of the season in Orlando. |
Bakchis Increases 2019 Formula DRIFT Lead With Second Win at Orlando Round
Coming into the second round of the 2019 Formula DRIFT season in Orlando, Florida, for the AutoZone Scorched presented by Black Magic, Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis had taken the win in the Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship at the opening round in Long Beach, California. Orlando would also see the first round of the Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro 2 Championship. The field has a different look from last season with the top three drivers (Travis Reeder, Dylan Hughes and Sebastien Gauthier) promoted to the Pro category. In the final, Chris Forsberg seemed hesitant off the line and didn’t get great proximity to Bakchis, but it didn’t matter because Forsberg retired from the second run after a rear tire was “de-beaded.” This gifted Odi his second win of the season and solidified his position at the top of the 2019 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship. For full results, visit the Formula DRIFT website.
The 2019 Formula DRIFT series continues May 9–11 in Atlanta for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Road to the Championship presented by Permatex. It will include the third round of the Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship and the second round of the Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro 2 Championship.
 Shawn Langdon powered his Global Electronics Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car to a run of 4.125 seconds at 305.08 mph. |
Langdon Gets First Funny Car Victory at NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
Shawn Langdon picked up his first Funny Car win at the 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals to become only the second driver in history to win in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories at zMAX Dragway. He is the 17th driver in NHRA history to secure victories in both categories. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victors in their respective NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series categories. Langdon clinched his first Funny Car victory when he powered his Global Electronics Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car to a run of 4.125 seconds at 305.08 mph. Reigning world champion Torrence piloted his Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster to the winner’s circle for the first time this season with his pass of 3.778 at 323.19 taking out Leah Pritchett, Clay Millican and Terry McMillen. Millican came in second. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hines won with his run of 6.831 at 198.17 on his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Street Rod to pick up his 50th career victory and is the first rider in NHRA history to make it to this milestone. He faced teammate Eddie Krawiec, Hector Arana Jr. and Ryan Oehler in the final round. Krawiec was the runner-up in the category. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series travels to Atlanta next week for the Arby’s NHRA Southern Nationals, May 3–5, for the seventh race of the 2019 season.
 Lavon Miller’s former ’06 RAM 3500 will be piloted by Josh Scruggs for the 2019 diesel drag-race season. | |
Hot Shot’s Secret Announces New Sponsorship for Josh Scruggs
Josh Scruggs of Triple Hart Repair and Fab in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is the new owner of the Firepunk Diesel truck formerly owned by three-time Ultimate Callout Challenge (UCC) champion Lavon Miller. This truck is well known for setting records at the Diesel Power Challenge, NHRDA drag strips and sled-pull competitions, and for achieving a 4.97 at 151 mph Pro-Street record at Outlaw Diesel Super Series (ODSS.) Now this ’06 RAM 3500 will be piloted by Scruggs for the 2019 diesel drag-race season. Hot Shot’s Secret will continue to support Scruggs for the 2019 season.
 Yokohama Tire and Canyonlands Jeep Adventures have extended their off-road partnership. |
Yokohama Tire Extends Partnership With Canyonlands Jeep Adventures
Yokohama Tire and Canyonlands Jeep Adventures have extended their decade-long off-road partnership. Moab, Utah-based Canyonlands Jeep Adventures offers off-roading enthusiasts a chance to hit trails in Jeeps riding on Yokohama’s durable, all-terrain GEOLANDAR tires.
 In the Super Touring class, Reto Baumann in his Revo/Current Graphix Volkswagen Jetta GLI grabbed his second win. |
Rydquist Wins in GT at Las Vegas; Baumann Wins Super Touring
In the Super Touring class at the inaugural weekend of the 2019 United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) at Las Vegas, Swiss driver Reto Baumann in his Revo/Current Graphix Volkswagen Jetta GLI grabbed his second win so far over third-place finisher Larry Bani’s GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels BMW M3 and second-place finisher Mike Sekhon’s ARG Motorsports BMW M3. Swedish driver Carl Rydquist had an easy victory in the Myraceshop.com/Ridetech FFR GTM after his closest rival Rob Harper’s AP Racing Chevrolet Corvette had issues and had to start from the back. In the Sportsman class, Dutch driver Pete Bovenberg took the win in the Rota Wheels/Supertech Honda Civic. Dan Zargham finished second in the Stevens Creek Didge SRT4, while Michael McColligan grabbed third place on the last lap in the Idemitsu/Raybestos Mazda RX8. Baumann also grabbed Plastex Top Rookie honors along the way as the highest placing rookie. The Top Team award went to the MBO Motorsports Team’s Pete Bovenberg and Dan Zargham, who came first and second in the Sportsman class.
For more racing news, visit the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) website.