NHRA
NHRA NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION SUMMIT RACING SERIES HEADS TO LUCAS OIL RACEWAY
INDIANAPOLIS – Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis will be hosting the 44th Annual NHRA Summit Racing Series 
North Central Division Finals, September 13-15. The event will feature teams of the series’ best racers representing NHRA member tracks from across the region. Top points earning drivers in five classes will be on hand to compete for team and individual honors. Nearly 700 drivers are expected to compete in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Super Pro Bike, and High School categories. Racers in the High School class will run for trophies while the others will compete for cash awards of more than $60,000.
Friday’s action will also feature the Sunoco Race of Champions, where the best of the best in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Super Pro Bike will compete for top honors. Sunday’s winners will move on to compete for a national championship at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Calif., in November. They will run against the winners from NHRA’s other six divisions for more than $100,000 in prize money.
Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis is located on Indiana Highway 136, four miles west of I-465, exit 16. For more information call the track, (317) 291-4090 or visit www.LucasOilRaceway.com.
TEXAS MOTORPLEX WELCOMES BACK NHRA’S SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION SUMMIT SERIES FINALS
ENNIS, TX – Texas Motorplex will host the 2019 NHRA South Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals, 
September 13-15. Top drivers from NHRA member tracks across the South Central division will compete in four classes for individual and team honors.
Individual champions in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle will advance to the NHRA Summit National Championship and will compete against the winners from NHRA’s other six divisions at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November.
Participants in the top classes will compete for cash awards of more than $20,000 who advance to Pomona will each receive an additional $3,000 with a $5,000 winner take all purse going to the National Champion. Competitors in the High School class and Jr. Street will earn trophies.
For more information contact the Texas Motorplex, (972) 878-2641 or visit www.TexasMotorplex.com or www.nhradiv4.com
E3 Spark Plugs, Bullard and Ed Federkeil Make Safety Safari Protective Hood Donation with Hoods for Heroes
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Today following the first round of Lucas Oil Racing Series eliminations Competition 
Eliminator racer Ed Federkeil, a retired firefighter with 30+ years of service, along with sponsor E3 Spark Plugs donated 15 protective hoods to the NHRA Safety Safari on behalf of Florida-based charity Hoods for Heroes. Federkeil provided the space to Hoods for Heroes on his Dodge Avenger and worked with sponsors E3 Spark Plugs to make this donation happen during the 65th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
“This opportunity just grew from conversations I had with the founders of Hoods for Heroes and the folks at E3 Spark Plugs,” said Federkeil. “The NHRA Safety Safari does so much for every racer we just thought it was the perfect way to recognize their tremendous contributions to the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.”
Prior to the event Federkeil along with Hoods for Heroes reps Jeff Rountree and Bill Hamilton spoke with Bob Lang from the NHRA Safety Safari about donating 15 protective hoods that can help reduce head and neck exposure to carcinogens by 99% to the member of the Safety Safari. Understanding that safety and protective gear is one of the most costly elements of fire protection, Bullard, a leading manufacturer of high-quality personal protective equipment and systems, provided the hoods, which are valued at over $2,000.
The Stage is Set for Sonoma
Eight riders earn spot in Mickey Thompson’s Pro Bike Battle
STOW, OH – Last weekend’s Mile High Nationals was the last chance for NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle riders to grab 
points and earn a spot in the highly-anticipated Mickey Thompson Pro Bike Battle, a special race-within-a-race during the Sonoma Nationals where the top eight Pro Stock Motorcycle riders will compete for a winner-take-all $25,000 prize.
The field has officially been set for the 2019 Pro Bike Battle, scheduled for Saturday, July 27th. The elite eight includes a lot of familiar names, with former world champions Eddie Krawiec, Matt Smith, Andrew Hines, Angelle Sampey and Hector Arana Sr. among the competitors. Angie Smith, Hector Arana Jr., who notably became the first rider to reach 200 mph on a Pro Stock Motorcycle last year, and second-year rider Ryan Oehler round out the field for the Pro Bike Battle.
But while the names look familiar, a signifigant change in procedure is coming to the 2019 Pro Bike Battle.
Johnny Pluchino Prepared for NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock Debut at Bristol
BRISTOL, TN – After Johnny Pluchino unexpectedly made his PDRA Extreme Pro Stock debut at the recent PDRA 
North-South Shootout in Maryland, the second-generation wheelman is eager to make his quarter-mile debut in the Mountain Motor Pro Stock exhibition at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, June 14-16 at Bristol Dragway.
“This is a really big race for us,” Pluchino said. “There’s so many things going into this race. I’m preparing for it like it’s one of the biggest races of my life because it might be.”
Pluchino, the defending world champion and current points leader in PDRA Pro Outlaw 632, is set to drive the Strutmasters.com ’13 Ford Mustang previously driven by his father, 2016 PDRA Extreme Pro Stock world champion John Pluchino.
The younger Pluchino made a couple test runs in the car during the PDRA Virginia race in May, then was given the chance to enter Extreme Pro Stock competition at Maryland just hours before qualifying started. It wasn’t as quick of a decision as one might think, but Pluchino took his father up on the opportunity and qualified No. 4, gaining valuable seat time in the process.
Aeromotive Gears Up for Big Weekend Close to Home at NHRA Heartland Nationals at Heartland Motorsports Park
TOPEKA, KS – Aeromotive Inc., the market leader in fuel delivery systems and components, is commemorating its 
25th year in 2019 and one of the biggest celebrations will take place this weekend at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka.
The company will have a major presence at this weekend’s Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties in Topeka, bringing all of its employees to Heartland Motorsports Park, which is just over an hour from Aeromotive’s Lenexa, Kan. headquarters.
Aeromotive also sponsors the left-hand lane at the facility, while president Steve Matusek will be driving his turbocharged Aeromotive 25th anniversary Ford Mustang in the NHRA Pro Mod class as well.
“We’re super excited for this weekend. It’s great to have the opportunity to bring our team out to a race of this magnitude,” Aeromotive Vice President Jeff Stacy said. “In total we have nearly 200 people coming out to spend time in the pits with Steve [Matusek] and the Aeromotive Pro Mod Mustang as well as longtime Aeromotive racer Larry Larson, who’ll be attempting to set the street-legal elapsed time record this weekend.”
MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY CONTINUES WHILE SEEKING NEW OWNERSHIP
Mohnton, PA – Now that the news has officially been released and many have already shared the listing via social 
media, we would like to take a moment to explain.
The first question many have asked, “Is it true, is the track really for sale?” The simple answer is yes, Maple Grove Raceway is for sale. The more complex answer being that it is not just the Raceway being listed for sale. The listing includes campground facilities, expansive income-producing parking, several residential rentals, office/event buildings, numerous outbuilding, racing equipment, etc.
The next question asked is “Why? Why is the track being listed for sale?” Well, this is where one answer is just not enough, because there is not one single reason. Above all, the original families of the founder, Alfred Stauffer, have decided to pursue other personal interests. Running a world famous facility and maintain approximately 450 acres is not an easy venture. The families are seeking new owners for Maple Grove Raceway now because they want to see the track continue and advance to the next level.
SEMA EXPANDS YOUTH OUTREACH WITH NHRA
DIAMOND BAR, CA – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is expanding its youth outreach efforts 
by partnering with the NHRA’s Youth & Education Services (YES) Program. This initiative enables SEMA to reach and introduce students to the excitement and opportunities in motorsports, whether as a spectator, career or an overall lifestyle.
Through the program, middle and high school students attend NHRA races, often for the first time in their lives. As a sponsor, SEMA is committed to supporting efforts to introduce youths to the unique environment found at race tracks and helping to grow the automotive aftermarket performance industry.
“We all remember our first time at a race track,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We never forget the adrenaline and rush watching Top Fuelers top 300 mph in a matter of seconds. It’s inspiring to see that same excitement in kids’ faces, and to watch as fascination takes hold of them.”
Team Aruba prepares for 2019 debut at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
Union, SC – Team owner Ven Eman and driver of the Aruba.com Mustang Trevor Eman have made their way back 
stateside, traveling from their home country of Aruba to their race shop base in Union, S.C. to prepare for the 2019 race season. Team Aruba is eager to build upon the monumental new foundations laid late last season when Mountain Motor Pro Stock began a relationship with the National Hot Rod Association. Eman and team debuted their new Jerry Haas-built Mustang at the Big Go with positive results, both in on-track performance and NHRA fan reception.
In January, NHRA announced a four event exhibition schedule for Mountain Motor Pro Stock. Team Aruba will compete at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in North Carolina April 26-28.
“We are looking forward to seeing the Mountain Motor Pro Stock category more in 2019,” said NHRA vice president of competition, Ned Walliser stated in the January announcement. “These drivers are eager to run at NHRA national events and offer an exciting new showcase for fans.”
NHRA professional drag racing speeds into Houston at 330 mph this weekend
HOUSTON – The top drag racing series in the world will be in action this weekend at Houston Raceway Park 
powered by Pennzoil, with NHRA professional drivers competing in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Mod and Top Fuel Harley.
Located in Baytown, just off the Grand Parkway, HRP is hosting the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil for the 32nd time. Widely regarded as one of the quickest tracks on the planet due to a near-sea level altitude, fans have come to expect big things at this event. This weekend should be no exception.
“We’re excited to welcome all of our racing family back to Baytown and to once again host our legion of fans that literally come from around the world,” track General Manager Seth Angel said. “Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran drag racing supporter, watching Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars go from a standing start to the finish line in just a few seconds at a speed of 330-plus mph is always a thrilling experience.
“We also have the excitement of Pro Mod cars this year, along with nitro-burning Top Fuel Harleys, and once you add in all the Sportsman action to the four professional classes, it’s going to be a full weekend of top-level racing.”
