NEWS NUGGETS
NHRA HEADS TO KANSAS FOR DOLLAR GENERAL NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS, HOME OF NHRA’S FIRST NATIONAL EVENT, May 18–20: Due
to the flat landscape and its central proximity to the rest of the
country, in 1955, Kansas served as the official host for the NHRA’s
first “national event” on an airstrip near the town of Great Bend. It
was simply called "The Nationals," and with that event, hot rodding
enthusiasts across the U.S. could test their machines against the best
of the best. That race evolved into what is today the Mac Tools U.S.
Nationals in Indianapolis, but Kansas has solidified its place in NHRA
Drag Racing history. Heartland Park Topeka has hosted NHRA Full Throttle
Drag Racing Series events since 1989 and in some seasons hosted two per
year. Today, the track is regarded as one of the fastest on the
circuit, and every year, drivers get to return and pay homage to the
sport’s roots. Defending winners are Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert
Hight (Funny Car) and Shane Gray (Pro Stock). For tickets, call
800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.
NEWS NUGGETS
SPEEDFEST IN TOPEKA TO KICK OFF RACE WEEK: Festivities for the Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka, May 18–20, kick off May 17 with SPEEDFEST—a fan fest in downtown Topeka, Kansas, that will feature NHRA driver appearances, contests, racing simulators, music, food, prizes and race car displays. The free event is scheduled from 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on 8th Street and Kansas Avenue. Get your tickets for the Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at NHRATix.com.
SPEEDFEST IN TOPEKA TO KICK OFF RACE WEEK: Festivities for the Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka, May 18–20, kick off May 17 with SPEEDFEST—a fan fest in downtown Topeka, Kansas, that will feature NHRA driver appearances, contests, racing simulators, music, food, prizes and race car displays. The free event is scheduled from 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on 8th Street and Kansas Avenue. Get your tickets for the Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at NHRATix.com.
NEWS NUGGETS
WE’RE HEADED TO HOT-LANTA: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Georgia for the seventh race of the season—the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Defending winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). The NHRA is offering a limited number of NHRA Nitro Generation Fan Packs for the event, featuring a great day of fun and racing action for a family of four, including two adult and two child seats, preferred parking, four hot dogs, four small Coca-Colas and an event program. The NHRA Nitro Generation Fan Packs are available in limited quantities for each day of the event, with Friday priced at $82 and Saturday or Sunday at $114. The NHRA Nitro Generation Fan Packs must be purchased in advance. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass for the event. For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.
WE’RE HEADED TO HOT-LANTA: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Georgia for the seventh race of the season—the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Defending winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). The NHRA is offering a limited number of NHRA Nitro Generation Fan Packs for the event, featuring a great day of fun and racing action for a family of four, including two adult and two child seats, preferred parking, four hot dogs, four small Coca-Colas and an event program. The NHRA Nitro Generation Fan Packs are available in limited quantities for each day of the event, with Friday priced at $82 and Saturday or Sunday at $114. The NHRA Nitro Generation Fan Packs must be purchased in advance. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass for the event. For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.
NEWS NUGGETS
HOUSTON, WE ARE GO FOR LAUNCH: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series travels to Royal Purple Raceway in Houston for the 25th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries April 27–29. Houston is traditionally a fast track, which means that records could be broken, and racing will be extremely quick and incredibly close. The NHRA’s first stop of the season in the Lone Star State will include racers in all four professional categories—Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle—as they head to the dragstrip in hopes of earning a Wally trophy. To purchase reserved seats, call Royal Purple Raceway, 281-383-RACE (7223), or log on to RoyalPurpleRaceway.com.
HOUSTON, WE ARE GO FOR LAUNCH: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series travels to Royal Purple Raceway in Houston for the 25th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries April 27–29. Houston is traditionally a fast track, which means that records could be broken, and racing will be extremely quick and incredibly close. The NHRA’s first stop of the season in the Lone Star State will include racers in all four professional categories—Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle—as they head to the dragstrip in hopes of earning a Wally trophy. To purchase reserved seats, call Royal Purple Raceway, 281-383-RACE (7223), or log on to RoyalPurpleRaceway.com.
NEWS NUGGETS
HIGHT LOOKS TO MAKE HISTORY AT ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY: The hottest Funny Car driver on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series circuit is Robert Hight. The California native has won the last four races and holds a commanding lead in the points standings as the series moves to ultrafast Royal Purple Raceway near Houston for the 25th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, April 27–29. With his fourth consecutive win, Hight joined some elite company in the NHRA record books. Only four other Funny Car drivers have claimed four wins in a row: Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, John Force and Cruz Pedregon. Prudhomme’s mark of seven wins in a row in ’75–’76 stands as the record in the category. The most consecutive Funny Car wins in a single season is five, held jointly by Prudhomme, Pedregon and Force.
HIGHT LOOKS TO MAKE HISTORY AT ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY: The hottest Funny Car driver on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series circuit is Robert Hight. The California native has won the last four races and holds a commanding lead in the points standings as the series moves to ultrafast Royal Purple Raceway near Houston for the 25th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, April 27–29. With his fourth consecutive win, Hight joined some elite company in the NHRA record books. Only four other Funny Car drivers have claimed four wins in a row: Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, John Force and Cruz Pedregon. Prudhomme’s mark of seven wins in a row in ’75–’76 stands as the record in the category. The most consecutive Funny Car wins in a single season is five, held jointly by Prudhomme, Pedregon and Force.
NEWS NUGGETS
NHRA FULL THROTTLE SERIES DRIVERS AND FANS ARE READY FOR THRILL OF FOUR-WIDE RACING: On April 13–15, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will break from the traditional one-on-one format for the third annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte's zMAX Dragway. The different format is a welcome change for many drivers and fans. Fans can purchase two tickets to any day of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals for $60 and receive a choice of two T-shirts, two beer vouchers or two Coca-Cola soft drinks and two hot dogs. Children 13 and younger are admitted for free with the purchase of an adult ticket. To purchase tickets, call 800-455-FANS (3267) or log on to www.zmaxdragway.com. At-track camping options are also available.
NHRA FULL THROTTLE SERIES DRIVERS AND FANS ARE READY FOR THRILL OF FOUR-WIDE RACING: On April 13–15, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will break from the traditional one-on-one format for the third annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte's zMAX Dragway. The different format is a welcome change for many drivers and fans. Fans can purchase two tickets to any day of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals for $60 and receive a choice of two T-shirts, two beer vouchers or two Coca-Cola soft drinks and two hot dogs. Children 13 and younger are admitted for free with the purchase of an adult ticket. To purchase tickets, call 800-455-FANS (3267) or log on to www.zmaxdragway.com. At-track camping options are also available.
NEWS NUGGETS
TOBLER NAMED NEW CREW CHIEF FOR CAPPS IN RESTRUCTURING AT DON SCHUMACHER RACING: Rahn Tobler has been named crew chief for the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car of Ron Capps effective immediately, team owner Don Schumacher has announced. Don Schumacher Racing also has hired veteran tuner Todd Smith as the new crew chief for the Valvoline NextGen Funny Car driven by Jack Beckman in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Smith's first race with the team will be the April 13–15 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte (North Carolina) Motor Speedway's zMAX Dragway. Tobler also will be the lead tuner for Beckman's team for at least the next two Full Throttle events as Smith transitions to his new position. John Collins will assist Tobler on the NAPA Auto Parts team and Terry Snyder will assist Smith on Beckman's car.
TOBLER NAMED NEW CREW CHIEF FOR CAPPS IN RESTRUCTURING AT DON SCHUMACHER RACING: Rahn Tobler has been named crew chief for the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car of Ron Capps effective immediately, team owner Don Schumacher has announced. Don Schumacher Racing also has hired veteran tuner Todd Smith as the new crew chief for the Valvoline NextGen Funny Car driven by Jack Beckman in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Smith's first race with the team will be the April 13–15 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte (North Carolina) Motor Speedway's zMAX Dragway. Tobler also will be the lead tuner for Beckman's team for at least the next two Full Throttle events as Smith transitions to his new position. John Collins will assist Tobler on the NAPA Auto Parts team and Terry Snyder will assist Smith on Beckman's car.
NEWS NUGGETS
POPULAR NEW YORK-NEW YORK HOTEL AND CASINO FANFEST RETURNS TO KICK OFF RACING ACTION AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: More than 25 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series drivers will be at the annual Fan Fest March 29 on the Brooklyn Bridge in front of the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, including all seven Don Schumacher Racing drivers and the Summit Racing Equipment duo of Greg Anderson and Jason Line. The party starts at 5:00 p.m., with driver autographs from 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. The free event will be hosted by Team Full Throttle and include music and giveaways. For tickets to the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, call 800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.
POPULAR NEW YORK-NEW YORK HOTEL AND CASINO FANFEST RETURNS TO KICK OFF RACING ACTION AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: More than 25 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series drivers will be at the annual Fan Fest March 29 on the Brooklyn Bridge in front of the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, including all seven Don Schumacher Racing drivers and the Summit Racing Equipment duo of Greg Anderson and Jason Line. The party starts at 5:00 p.m., with driver autographs from 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. The free event will be hosted by Team Full Throttle and include music and giveaways. For tickets to the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, call 800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.
NHRA Pro Stock legend Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins passed away March 29. He was 81.
NEWS NUGGETS
NHRA HEADS TO SIN CITY FOR THE SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: When the NHRA heads to Las Vegas March 30–April 1, defending Funny Car winner Robert Hight hopes to capitalize on his early season success and earn his third consecutive victory this year. Reigning Top Fuel event champ Antron Brown will look to earn his second win of the season, as will Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards, who also won the 2011 event at The Strip. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock racers will battle on the track all weekend for the most coveted trophy in all of drag racing—the Wally.
NHRA HEADS TO SIN CITY FOR THE SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: When the NHRA heads to Las Vegas March 30–April 1, defending Funny Car winner Robert Hight hopes to capitalize on his early season success and earn his third consecutive victory this year. Reigning Top Fuel event champ Antron Brown will look to earn his second win of the season, as will Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards, who also won the 2011 event at The Strip. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock racers will battle on the track all weekend for the most coveted trophy in all of drag racing—the Wally.