- EXCITEMENT BUILDING FOR AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS TO OPEN 2025 NHRA SEASON
- SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout Adds Associate Sponsor Boninfante Friction
- Mountain Motor Pro Stock, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster Round Out 2025 World Series of Pro Mod Lineup
- WDRA WELCOMES NEW INSURANCE PROVIDER TO THE SPORT
- NRC Truck Conversions and Competition Trailers Added as Premium Sponsors for SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout
- Chris King Set to Rep NHRA at Milwaukee Admirals Motorsports Night
- LEGENDARY DARLINGTON DRAGWAY JOINS NHRA MEMBER TRACK FAMILY IN DIVISION 2
EXCITEMENT BUILDING FOR AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS TO OPEN 2025 NHRA SEASON
GAINESVILLE, FL – With the NHRA set for its 74th season of racing in 2025, the countdown is on for the start of the NHRA Mission Foods 
Drag Racing Series and it doesn’t get much bigger than the season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which kicks off the year March 6-9 at Gainesville Raceway.
The legendary facility will play host to the 56th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, long regarded as one of the marquee events on the NHRA tour. This season will be no different as all the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will look to win the historic race and start their year with a spectacular victory.
The season kickoff is loaded with a host of special events to make the Gatornationals even bigger, including the big-money Top Fuel All-Star Callout specialty race, which takes place on Saturday, March 8, as well as the first race of 2025 in the Congruity Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, and action in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
The Gatornationals have drawn massive crowds for more than five decades, as fans in 2025 will get their first glimpse of the incredible 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro machines and all the biggest stars on the NHRA tour, including reigning world champions Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle). Continue reading
SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout Adds Associate Sponsor Boninfante Friction
INDIANAPOLIS – The Professional Racers and Owners Organization (PRO) today announced that Boninfante Friction will join the growing 
list of industry leaders who are sponsoring the SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout, February 6-8, 2025, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The family-owned business, Boninfante Friction, started in 1988, produces superior quality parts as the world leader in friction clutch manufacturing for the motorsports market. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock competitors will be using Boninfante clutch discs and components to chase win lights and records during the three-day specialty race.
“Our sport has been built on manufacturers and suppliers like Boninfante Friction,” said Scott Woodruff, PRO Board Member. “When you look at the teams competing at the SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout, you’ll see a Boninfante decal on their race car. That kind of universal support is critical to our growth and having them involved with this event is a perfect match.”
Mountain Motor Pro Stock, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster Round Out 2025 World Series of Pro Mod Lineup
BRADENTON, FL – Along with Pro Mod and Pro 10.5, the 2025 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod will feature Mountain Motor Pro 
Stock, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and Super Pro, event officials announced today. The third annual Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational adds a naturally aspirated element to the $100,000-to-win Pro Modified event, while Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will bring fast bracket racing’s finest to Bradenton Motorsports Park. Super Pro will provide local bracket racers with an opportunity to compete on a national stage at the series finale of the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service.
“We were very happy with the ‘supporting cast’ that participated in last year’s World Series of Pro Mod, so we decided to run it back for the 2025 edition,” said Wes Buck, founder and editorial director, Drag Illustrated. “Pro Mod and Mountain Motor Pro Stock have shared the stage for many years. Fans enjoy seeing these two classes compete together. It’s a unique group of racers and teams, and the same can be said for Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. There are some big personalities and beautiful cars in these classes. Finally, we can’t have a race without the local racers getting to take part. These are the guys and girls we want to help us put on a show on the first weekend of March.” Continue reading
WDRA WELCOMES NEW INSURANCE PROVIDER TO THE SPORT
The WDRA’s mission of reducing operating costs for member tracks continues with a new program introduced to the sport
NORWALK, OH – The World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) announces the launch of a new insurance provider option aimed at helping 
member racetracks navigate the expensive world of insuring their facilities. Crafting a specialty program alongside Laris Motorsports Insurance has been a goal for drag racing’s newest sanctioning body from the start.
“We are proud to welcome a familiar name to our track insurance program,” said Skooter Peaco with the WDRA. “Laris Motorsports Insurance, who has been a WDRA partner from the very beginning, will now extend its expertise into the track benefits program with the launch of their track insurance offerings.”
Racetracks will now have the opportunity to receive quotes from Laris Motorsports Insurance in addition to WDRA’s other insurance providers. Adding another option to the mix will allow tracks to carefully consider the best route for their business and add another element of stability to all the work that goes on behind the scenes. Continue reading
NRC Truck Conversions and Competition Trailers Added as Premium Sponsors for SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Comfort and mobility are key at the highest levels of drag racing. NRC Truck Conversions and Competition Trailers are 
each a leader in their respective industries with the highest quality products for racers and fans across the country. The Professional Racers and Owners (PRO) Organization today announced both NRC Truck Conversions and Competition Trailers would support the 2nd annual SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout as Premium sponsors. The specialty race slated for February 6-8, 2025, at Bradenton Motorsports Park just south of Tampa, Florida, will feature the top names in drag racing from Top Fuel, Funny Car and the Pro Stock ranks. Each of these companies will have signage and advertising during the FloRacing broadcast of the three-day race.
“NRC Truck Conversions and Competition Trailers have supported a number of the teams that are competing at the SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout, so this was a perfect opportunity to raise their profile,” said Richard Freeman, PRO Board Member. “Racers, sponsors and fans all basically live at the track during the season, and you won’t find a better way to travel in style than a custom ride built by NRC Truck Conversions. These guys at NRC can build just about anything for anyone and we appreciate their support for our event.” Continue reading
Chris King Set to Rep NHRA at Milwaukee Admirals Motorsports Night
CHICAGO – NHRA Funny Car driver and team owner Chris King will participate in the Milwaukee Admirals’ Motorsports Night, January 10, 
joining fellow professional racers from NASCAR and IndyCar. The Admiral’s, who play in the American Hockey League (AHL), will be squaring off against the Texas Stars. The game will be played at UW-Milwaukee (UWM) Panther Arena, one of Milwaukee’s iconic sports and entertainment complexes at 7:00 p.m. CST. King will be available to the media prior to the game, and he will also be recognized during the first period. Throughout the game King and the rest of the drivers will be signing autographs throughout the arena.
“I am thrilled to be representing NHRA and my Howards Cams/Competition Products Dodge Charger Funny Car team at the Admirals game on Friday. I still play a little hockey and growing up I always wanted to play for the Admirals so this will be an awesome experience,” said King, who plans to kick off his season at the historic Gatornationals in March. “I am looking forward to talking about drag racing with the players as well as the other drivers who will be there. It should be a fun night to help promote NHRA and motorsports.” Continue reading
LEGENDARY DARLINGTON DRAGWAY JOINS NHRA MEMBER TRACK FAMILY IN DIVISION 2
HARTSVILLE, SC – NHRA officials are pleased to announce the addition of Darlington Dragway to the NHRA Member Track Network, 
bringing the historic facility to the NHRA’s Southeast Division (Division 2) for the first time.
Located in Hartsville, S.C., the track first opened in 1977 and has been a standout venue for nearly 50 years. It has been a host for big-time events and grassroots drag racing for decades, boasting a strong commitment to the local racing scene. Darlington Dragway also aligns with NHRA’s mission for safe and exciting drag racing as it looks to continue to build on an already impressive legacy.
“Taking a legendary facility like Darlington to the next level is something I’ve always wanted,” Darlington Dragway President Jeff Miles said. “It just makes sense to have the most historic and largest facility in South Carolina be on board with a sanctioning body like NHRA, which has been in business for nearly 75 years. Great things are certainly in our future!” Continue reading
VP Racing Celebrates 50 Years Of Makin’ Power
San Antonio, TX – VP Racing Fuels, Inc., recognized worldwide as the leader in performance fuel products, begins 2025 by celebrating its 
50th year of Makin’ Power®. The company’s 50-year journey has been one of continuous expansion, exponentially in recent years, to become a powerhouse in several fuel, automotive, and related sectors.
“VP Racing has experienced phenomenal growth across the country and, in fact, globally, in recent years,” said Alan Cerwick, President & CEO of VP Racing. “We would not be here today without the trust and support shown by our customers. Our loyal racers, series partners, dealers, distributors, retail partners, and commercial and consumer end-users have all contributed to our growth, and we can’t thank them enough.”
Beginning in 1975 with one ground-breaking race fuel formula, VP Racing met and surpassed its first goal, bringing more power to the drag strip. Since then, VP has introduced over 80 unique fuel formulas to every form of motorsport around the globe. In turn, the company’s innovation has extended the VP Racing brand to the development of other product categories, such as motor oil, lubricants, coolants for on-track and off, plus outdoor equipment fuel, fuel additives, and appearance products for consumer and commercial applications. Most recently, VP has entered new territories with innovative, sustainable fuel for racing and aviation fuel, AVGAS, for general piston engine aircraft. Supporting VP’s expanding product portfolio are three manufacturing facilities and a new distribution terminal in Arizona, which will be coming online soon. Continue reading
Coast Packing Joins Drag Illustrated Winter Series as Associate Sponsor
CEO Eric Gustafson Set to Return for World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Drag Illustrated is proud to announce that Coast Packing has joined the 2025 Drag Illustrated Winter Series as an 
Associate Sponsor. Coast Packing, led by CEO Eric Gustafson, has long been a supporter of door-car drag racing, bringing both competitive spirit and industry know-how to the Pro Mod community. Although Gustafson missed the first Winter Series event – the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals – and will sit out the upcoming U.S. Street Nationals, he’s set to climb back behind the wheel of his Pro Mod for the series finale, the World Series of Pro Mod.
“We’re beyond excited to have Coast Packing on board for the Winter Series,” said Wes Buck, Founder and Editorial Director of Drag Illustrated. “Eric Gustafson has always embodied the competitive drive and community-minded ethos that make Pro Mod racing special. Bringing Coast Packing into the fold as an Associate Sponsor further galvanizes our mission to unite racers of all backgrounds under one banner.”
While Gustafson was away, longtime crew member Cam Hensley stepped in to drive the Coast Packing Pro Mod entry at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, turning heads with an impressive showing. Now, with Gustafson set to reclaim the driver’s seat at the World Series of Pro Mod, Coast Packing will once again be at full strength, representing the brand on track and in the pits. Continue reading
Alexis DeJoria Joins JCM Racing for 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Series Season
BROWNSBURG, IN – Alexis DeJoria is taking her talents to Joe Maynard’s JCM Racing team for the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag 
Racing Series season, it was announced by both parties today. DeJoria will join Maynard’s multi-car operation where she will pilot the Bandero Premium Tequila Funny Car. DeJoria previously drove for Del Worsham and the DC Motorsports team where she advanced to the final round seven times including powering to victory at the 2021 Bristol, Tenn. event during the team’s run from 2020 through the 2024 season. Prior, she competed under the Kalitta Motorsports banner from 2011 through 2017.
“First and foremost, I want to share my appreciation for Del Worsham and all he has done for me and my career,” DeJoria said. “He has been with me since day one. I licensed in his Funny Car way back in 2011. He was my first crew chief at Kalitta Motorsports. Del and I have really been in the trenches as teammates. He’s my mentor, my closest confidante, and really, my brother. We had several candid conversations over these last few months about the future of the team. He expressed wanting to take some time to reevaluate the direction of his career, and I wholeheartedly support that.
“I’m really looking forward to this next chapter in my career, competing as a member of the JCM Racing team,” DeJoria added. “It’s been many years since I was part of a multi-car operation and I’m excited for that opportunity. From my very first conversation with Joe about us potentially teaming up, I knew this was going to be a good fit. His enthusiasm for the sport is incredible, and the impact he has made on this industry in just a few years’ time is undeniable. I have unfinished business on the track, and I have no doubt our Bandero team will be dialed in and ready to perform when we get to Gainesville for the Gatornationals season opener in two months.” Continue reading
