Johnny Pluchino to Banner Ross Environmental Services at Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational
LONG ISLAND, NY – Reigning Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock world champion Johnny Pluchino will roll into the third annual Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational (MMPSI) at Bradenton Motorsports Park with Ross Environmental Services on the side of his Ford Mustang. In a continuation of a partnership that started with Pluchino’s championship weekend in Las Vegas last fall, Pluchino will represent Ross Environmental Services in the $25,000-to-win shootout held in conjunction with the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, Feb. 27-March 1.
“I’m extremely excited to bring the Ross Environmental Services group back out with us as we chase the $25K,” said Pluchino, a two-time PDRA Extreme Pro Stock world champion. “After launching our partnership and winning the NHRA championship in Vegas, I got a chance to head down to their facilities in Ohio to check out their operation and I was extremely impressed. It’s a third-generation family deal, so it’s close to home with our team. It’s just an impressive company that’s been around for over 75 years and I’m honored to be able to carry their name.”
Pluchino enters the MMPSI with momentum from the last running of the event, as well as from the end of the season. He started his 2024 campaign with a runner-up finish at the MMPSI, then won the first two events on the PDRA Extreme Pro Stock tour, adding No. 1 qualifier efforts at the second and third races. He closed out the PDRA season with a win at the Brian Olson Memorial World Finals. On the NHRA side, he went into the season finale as the points leader with two wins in five races. The New York native swept the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals, qualifying No. 1, winning the race, and securing the first-ever NHRA world championship for the class. Continue reading
Pro Line Racing Engines Joins Drag Illustrated Winter Series as Major Partner; Launches $5,000 Off The Trailer Bonus Program
BRADENTON, FL – Pro Line Racing Engines has officially joined the Drag Illustrated Winter Series as a major partner, further solidifying its commitment to supporting drag racers around the world. Known for delivering high-performance engines, parts, and turnkey packages, Pro Line will use this platform as an opportunity to engage and support new and existing customers at each of the DI Winter Series events.
“As a whole, we believe in supporting the places our customers race, but the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement around the DI Winter Series and the World Series of Pro Mod, as well as the movement in the industry, is off the charts,” said Eric Dillard, co-owner of Pro Line Racing Engines. “There’s no doubt these events are shaking up the drag racing community and our whole team is excited about being a part of it.” Continue reading
NHRA ANNOUNCE TEAM SET TO SHOWCASE CURRENT AND PAST STARS, NEW FACES AND TALENTED VETERANS ON NHRA.TV IN 2025
Along with strong variety of talent, NHRA will also deliver improved viewing and listening experience for fans in-venue and on NHRA.tv
INDIANAPOLIS – With several talented names, new faces and the addition of current and former stars, the NHRA is pleased to release its in-venue and NHRA.tv announce team for the 2025 season in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
Along with veteran NHRA announcers Joe Castello, Jason Galvin, Hannah Rickards and Jason Logan, the NHRA will add David Freiburger, Top Fuel driver Jordan Vandergriff and Courtney Enders to its standout team. Star drivers like Ida Zetterstrom and Angelle Sampey will also join the team in 2025 at a variety of races, as well as appearances from legendary drivers throughout the year. Continue reading
RIGHT TRAILERS NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF NHRA TOP FUEL ALL-STAR CALLOUT AT AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, FL – The NHRA announced today that Right Trailers has been named the title sponsor of the upcoming big-money NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout.
The Right Trailers NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout will take place on Saturday, March 8 as part of the season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway, pitting eight star drivers against each other as part of a unique one-day specialty event at one of the biggest races on the NHRA tour.
A longtime supporter of NHRA drag racing, Right Trailers continues to be involved in the sport at several levels. They sponsor both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals in the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League and Right Trailers, which was started in 2024, is also the title sponsor of the NHRA’s Top Dragster and Top Sportsman categories. Now they move into the 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph Top Fuel ranks for the specialty race that offers a big purse, bragging rights and a special Callout trophy as part of one of the most historic races on the NHRA schedule. Continue reading
THRILLING 2025 NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES SEASON LEADS TO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN LAS VEGAS
INDIANAPOLIS – The standout competitors in the NHRA Summit Racing Series, the world’s largest motorsports program when it comes to racer participation, will now have the opportunity to race for a world championship in Las Vegas, as the 2025 Summit Racing E.T. Series schedule was announced today.
For the first time, winners in the Eastern Canada Division will advance for the chance to compete for a world championship in 2025. An Eastern Canada E.T. Finals took place for the first time a year ago, and now winners will advance to the NHRA Summit Racing Series World Championship, which takes place Oct. 30-Nov. 2 as part of the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
It also adds an eighth official division to the thrilling Summit E.T. Series, as drivers will in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle will compete at NHRA member tracks across North America for a chance at a world championship. The Street Legal EV Finals will be contested at the eight divisional championships in 2025. Super Pro will move from 1/4-mile to 1/8-mile at the world championship to stay more in line with most common style of racing in the category at NHRA member tracks. Continue reading
Angelle Sampey to Debut First NHRA Canopy A/Fuel Dragster as Hangsterfer’s Metalworking Lubricants Continues Support of AB Motorsports and its Accelerate Program
BRADENTON, FL – A global leader in the motorsports, aerospace, and medical manufacturing industries, Hangsterfer’s Metalworking Lubricants is proud to continue to support cutting-edge initiatives both on and off the race track. Hangsterfer’s latest contribution to NHRA Drag Racing includes partnering with AB Motorsports Accelerate program athlete Angelle Sampey as she prepares to debut the first enclosed canopy cockpit on an A/Fuel dragster when the 2025 NHRA season opens with the Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway next month.
As a former member of Don Schumacher Racing, AB Motorsports team owner and driver Antron Brown was the second NHRA driver to compete in the modern canopy Top Fuel dragster that first hit the track in 2012. NHRA officials have since authorized the canopy-style dragster body to compete in the Top Alcohol Dragster category beginning in 2025.
“We’re excited to be the first to field a canopy car in the Top Alcohol Dragster class,” Brown said. “I first started racing in a canopy car in 2013 and it’s something I feel strongly about. Safety is always first and foremost and I’m glad we were able to implement this on Angelle’s car. A huge thank you to Hangsterfer’s for supporting this initiative. This is the next step in seeing the category continue to be a developmental platform for the future crop of Top Fuel drivers. Our goal has always been to steadily prepare Angelle to move to Top Fuel and by converting our race-proven backup car into an A/Fuel car, we’re moving towards that objective.” Continue reading
NHRA SET TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF EXCITEMENT AT FIREBIRD MOTORSPORTS PARK DURING NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS
40th annual “Duel in the Desert” will also include first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the 2025 NHRA season
PHOENIX – In 40 days, it will be time to celebrate four decades of incredible NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series action at revitalized Firebird Motorsports Park, as the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals will take place March 21-23 at the fan-favorite facility.
For 40 years, the NHRA Arizona Nationals has been a must-see early-season race, providing incredible performances and recording-breaking runs for some of the most passionate fans on the NHRA tour. Fans and race teams can also look forward to some impressive improvements at the facility, including a freshly repaved dragstrip for the standout event in 2025.
The “Duel in the Desert” remains a major highlight on the NHRA circuit as all the top stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will compete on one of NHRA’s biggest stages. It starts with two qualifying sessions on both Friday and Saturday, leading into eliminations on Sunday at the historic venue.
On a weekend loaded with celebrations for the 40th annual race, the Phoenix event will also feature the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge of the 2025 season. The popular specialty program, which brings bonus points, a bonus purse and competitive racing to Saturday qualifying, will feature the semifinalists of the season-opener in Gainesville with plenty on the line. Tony Schumacher, J.R. Todd and Erica Enders each collected Mission Challenge wins in their respective categories last year. Continue reading
SCAG RACING WRAPS UP PRO SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT AND PRE-SEASON TEST AT BRADENTON MOTORSPORTS PARK
BRADENTON, FlL – The three-car SCAG Racing team wrapped up a successful showing at the SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Justin Ashley and his SCAG Toyota Top Fuel dragster made it to the semifinals while Daniel Wilkerson in the SCAG Ford Mustang Funny Car had a first-round appearance in the eight-car field and Dave Richards in the BlueBird Turf machine participated in the Top Fuel versus Funny Car exhibition race for the second consecutive year.
Following two and a half days of testing teams had four qualifying attempts, one Thursday night and three Friday, to put their best effort to get eliminations on Saturday.
Ashley and the SCAG Top Fuel team started their race day from the No. 4 qualifying position after a solid 3.679-second pass at 330.39 mph during Friday qualifying. Wilkerson’s SCAG Ford Mustang Funny Car team landed the No. 5 spot Thursday with their career best elapsed time of 3.860 at 313.66 mph. The BlueBird Turf Funny Car had its best pass of the event Friday evening laying down a 3.944 run at a career best speed of 313.66. It was good enough for 10th but left Richards sitting on the outside looking in. Continue reading
TROY COUGHLIN JR. MAKES IT TWO IN A ROW FOR ELITE MOTORSPORTS WITH VICTORY AT THE SCAG PRO SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT
BRADENTON, FL – Troy Coughlin Jr. had a Cinderella Story-type day Saturday at the SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The JEGS.com driver narrowly qualified for the 16-car field in the final qualifying session night before rallying to victory. Elite Motorsports has now won both of the specialty events, first held last year with Erica Enders celebrating in the winners circle.
“You know, it’s so surreal, I haven’t even really let it sink in yet, but we’re definitely gonna enjoy this, and thank you to the PRO group, and all the sponsors involved, especially SCAG,” said Tory Jr. “We have such a wonderful organization in drag racing. And that’s, that’s the PRO group and PRO Promotions. They care about the racers, they care about the fans, they care about the vendors. There’s just so much that goes into putting a race on. They absolutely did a phenomenal job. It’s an honor just to be here.”
Troy Jr. entered race day in the No. 14 position. The JEGS.com team struggled through qualifying and were on the outside looking in before laying down a 6.567-second pass at 209.85 mph to jump from the No. 17 spot. Continue reading
PROCK FALLS IN FINAL ROUND AT PRO SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT
Beckman, Brittany Reach Semifinals in Pre-Season Event at Bradenton
BRADENTON, FL – Ron Capps spoiled Austin Prock’s otherwise perfect week Saturday, beating the reigning NHRA Funny Car Champion and his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS in the final round of the second annual PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Despite the final round outcome, it was a solid preparatory week for all three of the teams representing John Force Racing in the 20-race NHRA Mission Foods Series that begins March 7-9 with the 56th Gatornationals at Gainesville, Fla.
In addition to Prock’s performance, which included a best-in-history 3.791 second run in the final qualifying session, Jack Beckman reached the semifinals from a No. 2 start in the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevy, and after failing to make the eight-car feature a year ago, Brittany Force put up impressive numbers in the Monster Energy dragster before she, too, exited one round before the big money.
It also was a big week for the team’s founder and CEO, 16-time series champion John Force, who was a welcome presence in the JFR compound even though he still is receiving treatment for the Traumatic Brain Injury he suffered in a crash last June at Richmond, Va. Continue reading