Race Wrap | NMCA Scoggin Dickey Muscle Car Mayhem
Orland, FL – With hard launches, huge wheelies, and head-to-head racing, competitors settled right into the new home of the Scoggin Dickey Parts Center NMCA Muscle Car Mayhem presented by Holbrook Racing Engines, March 17-19, 2023 at Orlando Speed World Dragway in Florida.
They thrilled at every turn as they took aim at the NMCA Winner’s Circle at this first of six events on this year’s Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals tour, and along the way, they confirmed their commitment and courage.
“We saw some amazing racing at our highly anticipated NMCA season opener at Orlando Speed World Dragway,” said Rollie Miller, NMCA General Manager and National Event Director. “On the well-prepped national stage, racers showed us what we can expect to see on this year’s chase to the championships, and we are in for a wild ride.”
Race after race, VP Racing Lubricants Xtreme Pro Mod competitors prove that they want more and are willing to work for it, and Ty Tutterow and Robert Abbott were certainly among them at this event. Tutterow, in his 1957 Buick-bodied Pro Mod, hammered the tree with an .014 and then hauled to a 3.634 to take a trip to the winner’s circle over Abbott, who was right there with a 3.635 in his Camaro-bodied hot rod.
With a Team Win at the Gators, TSR Heads to Phoenix for More!
Chandler, AZ – The NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is the second event on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ 21-race calendar in 2023. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) brings its two full-time entries – one in Top Fuel for 10-time Top Fuel winner Leah Pruett and one in Funny Car for three-time Funny Car champion Matt Hagan. Hagan delivered TSR’s first victory of the season in the prior event at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway, driving his Dodge Direct Connection SRT Hellcat Funny Car to his 44th career victory in the 54th NHRA Gatornationals.
Direct Connection is the primary partner of Pruett and Hagan this weekend in Phoenix. With muscle car enthusiasts looking for “ready to run” parts, Direct Connection serves as the source for high-performance parts and technical expertise straight from the factory. The Top Fuel Dragster and Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car are featured in Sublime green. Sublime was first introduced during the 1970 model year. The Dodge Charger and Challenger, in current form, are coming to an end after this year. Dodge is bringing back the iconic color for consumers to bring nostalgia to the highways and purchase their own commemorative last call vehicle.
The Arizona Nationals will mark Pruett’s 195th career Top Fuel start and her 10th at Phoenix. She’s had more success at Phoenix than any other venue, with three final rounds, one No. 1 start and two wins. Pruett’s first career victory came at Phoenix in 2016 when her 3.775 ET, 323.12 mph run defeated Brittany Force’s 3.774 ET, 321.35 mph run. The second victory occurred in 2017 when Pruett’s 3.705 ET, 328.22 mph run defeated Brittany Force’s 3.704 ET, 330.39 mph run. Pruett earned No. 1 qualifier in 2017 with a run of 3.672 seconds at 327.90 mph.
Go Lithium Brings Power to Buddy Hull Racing
DALLAS – Beginning this weekend at the NHRA Arizona Nationals Buddy Hull Racing will be partnering with Minnesota-based Go Lithium
to provide the team with custom designed 48-volt battery packs for their 12,000-horsepower Moonshine Methanol Top Fuel dragster. This first of its kind product from Go Lithium will feature four 12-volt batteries wired to create the 48-volts needed to power the starter in a custom design billet case.
“I am so excited to show off this Go Lithium battery starter,” said Buddy Hull, who will be making his 2023 debut this weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. “There are two things I love about racing, the technical innovations and looking cool. These battery packs combine both of those elements and I think Go Lithium will get a lot of customers once people see how sharp this custom starter looks and how well it works. Doug Johnson and Jason Line have done an amazing job.”
Mickey Thompson Tires Unleash the Power of Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Mickey Thompson ET Street R and ET Street Front tires featured on Dodge brand’s final “Last Call” vehicle
STOW, OH – Mickey Thompson Tires played a key role from the ground up in the record-breaking performance of the new 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, revealed this evening by the Dodge brand in Las Vegas. Before undertaking the project, Mickey Thompson worked closely with Dodge engineers in developing a tire that could unleash record-setting power for the world’s quickest 0-60 production car.
“Nobody puts power to the ground like Mickey, and nobody creates power like Dodge,” said Dominick Montouri, President of Mickey Thompson. “Dodge values record-breaking performance as much as we do, and they truly broke every barrier with this vehicle.”
A relationship born at the dragstrip, the two companies began development of a modified version on Mickey Thompson’s popular ET Street R P315/50R17 months prior to the Challenger SRT Demon 170 project kickoff.
Mickey Thompson’s ET Street tires turn the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170’s 945 ft.lbs of torque into traction. Achieving 0-60 in 1.66 seconds, the 1025-horsepower Demon 170 completes a quarter mile in a record breaking 8.91 seconds at the track. The rear tire features a modified version of the popular Mickey Thomson ET Street R P315/50R17. The additional tread grooves improve on-street performance, allowing the Demon 170 to switch from the strip to the street without the need for tire modifications.
EXCITING TOP FUEL REMATCHES SET AS MISSION #2FAST2TASTY NHRA CHALLENGE KICKS OFF AT FINAL NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS
PHOENIX – The final NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series race at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park will also include matchups in the first-ever Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, with an intriguing foursome in Top Fuel set to rematch as part of this weekend’s last NHRA Arizona Nationals.
The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge brings competitive racing to the qualifying schedule on Saturday at 12 regular-season events during the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series campaign, pitting semifinalists from the previous race against each other in a pair of rematches, with the two winners then matching up in the final qualifying session.
That starts in Phoenix, with Gainesville Top Fuel winner Mike Salinas taking on Leah Pruett and Steve Torrence facing off with Doug Kalitta. With a bonus purse and bonus playoff points on the line, Salinas is hopeful for a big weekend in his 11,000-horsepower Scrappers Racing dragster at a track where he won in 2022.
LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS KICK OFF NEW ERA AT NEWLY-NAMED IN-N-OUT BURGER POMONA DRAGSTRIP
POMONA, CA – A new era in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ storied history in Pomona is set to begin later this month, as the newly-named In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip hosts one of NHRA’s iconic events, the 63rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals on March 30-April 2.
The facility has played host to NHRA history for more than six decades and this year’s Lucas NHRA Winternationals marks an exciting new chapter with the first official race with the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip name. It comes as the third race in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, with all the top stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock looking for an early-season victory at the legendary dragstrip.
The race will also feature the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, an exciting new special program that debuts this season and will take place on Saturday. Offering bonus money and bonus points, the challenge will feature the rematch of the semifinalists at Phoenix, with the winners meeting up in the finals. It will make for a thrilling Saturday, leading right into the must-see action of Sunday eliminations at one of the most historic venues on the NHRA tour.
PAUL WOODY JOINS JOHN FORCE RACING EXECUTIVE TEAM
YORBA LINDA, CA – In its continued effort to grow partnerships and strengthen business-to-business relationships, John Force Racing announced that they have hired Paul Woody as its Chief Revenue Officer. In his new role, Woody will be responsible for creating new and enhancing current partnerships as well as developing and executing successful activation.
“We are always looking for ways to keep up, keep up with how business is being done, keep up with what sponsors are looking for and I believe Paul will be important in keeping us up to speed,” said John Force, CEO of John Force Racing and driver of the PEAK / BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car. “We’re focusing on maintaining partnerships for years to come, building relationships that benefit both us and the businesses that support what we love doing. Having Paul specifically focused on finding and maintaining those relationships will be essential to John Force Racing.”
Woody joins John Force Racing with two decades of sponsorship experience, most recently serving as the Vice President of Business Development for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), where he played an integral role in sponsorships, partnerships, and media development. Prior to PRCA, Woody worked for IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media, and fashion management and marketing, for a total of nine years, notably serving as General Manager for IMG Sports Marketing at the Air Force Academy, Ohio University and Assistant General Manager at UNLV.
Tasca Ford Backs 55th Anniversary Cobra Jet Reunion At NMRA Norwalk
Norwalk, OH – Back in 2018, NMRA’s sister series, NMCA, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Cobra Jet, and ever since then Cobra Jet owners and fans have clamored for another gathering of Ford’s storied, purpose-built machines. That time has come as Tasca Ford and TascaParts.com again support the 55th Anniversary Cobra Jet Reunion during NMRA’s Ford Homecoming event at Summit Motorsports Park from June 8-11.
“The first Cobra Jet reunion was simply epic, and since that time owners and fans have asked me when we could do another one,” Steve Wolcott, President and CEO of NMRA, said. “With the 55th Anniversary of the Cobra Jet coinciding with NMRA’s silver anniversary, what could be a better time? We’re thrilled to have TascaParts.com again supporting this event, and we can’t wait to see all the classic and modern Cobra Jets in Norwalk.”
Cobra Jet owners can participate in a variety of ways, including a dedicated car show or entries that include the car show and drag racing. Participants will enjoy a Saturday lunch provided by Tasca Ford under a dedicated Cobra Jet Reunion tent in the car show, and fans can enjoy a variety of Cobra Jet vehicles from a legendary chapter in Ford’s performance history.
DRAG AND DRIVE EXHIBITION FEATURING ALEX TAYLOR AND TOM BAILEY COMING TO CHICAGO’S ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS PRESENTED BY PEAK
JOLIET, IL – NHRA officials announced today a special “Drag and Drive” eight-car exhibition as part of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ return to Chicago at Route 66 Raceway for the 23rd annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance on May 19-21.
Featuring standout names like Alex Taylor, Tom Bailey, Steve Morris and Bryant Goldstone, plus more to be announced in the coming weeks, the Drag and Drive exhibition offers something unique for the first race at Route 66 Raceway since 2019. The street cars set to be featured in Chicago run in the 6-second range and quicker at speeds of more than 200 mph, offering a thrilling spectacle for all race fans.
Along with the stars of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, this exhibition will showcase some of the quickest street cars in the world. They are set to entertain fans with runs throughout the weekend, crowing a winner during eliminations on Sunday.
MATCHUPS SET FOR FIRST MISSION #2FAST2TASTY NHRA CHALLENGE AT NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS
PHOENIX – The matchups are now set for the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, which takes place at the upcoming and final NHRA Arizona Nationals on March 24-26 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge brings competitive racing to the qualifying schedule at 12 regular-season events during the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series campaign, pitting semifinalists from the previous race against each other in a pair of rematches, with the two winners then matching up in the final qualifying session.
With a bonus purse and bonus points for the Countdown to the Championship on the line, drivers are thrilled to get the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge started in Phoenix as part of the final race at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
“To have a race on Saturday, it’s really exciting and our guys are already talking about it,” said Funny Car star Matt Hagan, who won in Gainesville to open the 2023 season. “That’s how excited they are about it and it’s huge for all of us. I’m pumped that NHRA was able to put it together (with Mission Foods) and I think it’s going to be a big thing for everyone.”