- TICKETS ON SALE FOR GERBER COLLISION & GLASS NHRA ROUTE 66 NATIONALS PRESENTED BY PEAK PERFORMANCE IN CHICAGO
- WIRE-TO-WIRE DOMINANCE LEADS GAIGE HERRERA TO RECORD-BREAKING PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE WORLD TITLE
- Former Top Sportsman Racer Bill Riddle Becomes 2023 PDRA Pro Street World Champion
- I-22 Motorsports Park Converts to WDRA Sanction
- PRO STOCK’S ERICA ENDERS OVERCOMES SLOW START TO CONTINUE DOMINANT RUN, EARN SIXTH WORLD TITLE
- TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF DODGE POWER BROKERS NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
- Bristol Dragway Joins Five Familiar Tracks for PDRA’s Eight-Race 2024 Schedule
NMRA To Host VMP Tuning Terminator / GT500 Shootout at Maryland Event
Courtesy of NMRA
Budds Creek, MD – The NMRA is pleased to announce that VMP Tuning has stepped up to the plate to sponsor a special 
Terminator / GT500 Shootout at the NMRA Maryland event that will take place at Maryland Int’l Raceway the weekend of May 4-6, 2012.
The Terminator / GT500 Shootout will bring together some of the fastest Cobras and GT500s in the U.S. to compete in a heads-up winner take all format at the newest NMRA Keystone Automotive event on the schedule. Some of the loudest smack-talk on the web is from the Terminator / GT500 community all talking about who has the fastest ride…well this Shootout will decide it once and for all!
VMP Tuning, one of the leading tuners of high performance Fords in the U.S. and manufacturer of VMP TVS superchargers, put up the cash for the Terminator / GT500 class:
Courtesy of Paul Smith Racing
GAINESVILLE, FL – Funny Car racer Blake Alexander will be starting off his 2012 season at the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals this weekend, following a long off-season. Blake and team owner Paul Smith have been working all
winter to put the right pieces into place to field a competitive Fuel Funny Car.
“A lot has been happening over the winter. Paul and the team put together a new chassis and motor, which will be hitting the track for the first time atGainesville. The major achievement was putting together a nine-race schedule, promoting the Auto Service Plus brand,” explained Alexander.
Blake will be a part of the fierce battle for the Auto Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, or Rookie of the Year. He joins rookies Courtney Force, Alexis DeJoria, and Todd Lesenko in Funny Car.
Event Wrap-up, NMRA Spring Break Shootout
Courtesy of NMRA
Bradenton FL – The 18th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Break Shootout Presented by Steeda officially kicks off the 2012 NMRA Keystone Ford Nationals season. Old faces along with new ones made the trek down to sunny Bradenton
Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida. There were some impressive elapsed times run on Sunday, when the headwind switched directions and the temperature and humidity dropped, racers turned the wicks up and put on an awesome show.
In SCT Pro Outlaw 10.5 turnout was light thanks to cars not being ready or hurt in pre-season testing, with only four cars taking the beams in competition. At the end of Saturday, Tim Essick sat at the top of the ladder with a 6.88 at 201 miles per hour. Archie Marasco was able to sneak by an ailing Mike Murillo to advance to the final round and meet Tim Essick. Essick cracked off an outstanding 6.663 at 208 miles per hour to take the win over Marasco’s aborted run.
ProCharger Super Street Outlaw, six drivers were all vying for a spot in the winner’s circle. After an intense three rounds of qualifying, Chris Tuten came out on top with a 7.16 at 200 miles per hour to lead the field. However Tuten fell in the first round to Andrew DeMarco, who advanced all the way to the final round where he met John Urist. DeMarco left first but Urist was able to drive around him for the win, 7.16 to 7.39.
Race Day Products/VP Fuels Named Official Fuel Supplier of the Pro Slammers
Courtesy of Race Day Products
San Francisco, Ca – We are pleased to announce that Race Day Products/VP Racing Fuels has been named the official fuel supplier of the Pro Slammers Door Car Association.
VP Racing Fuels are known as the industry standard and are the spec fuels for the NHRA. These fuels provide you with the consistency and power needed to get down the track. Race Day Products owner, Danny Hollingsworth will provide technical support as well as special pricing for our members.
Race Day Products has been serving customers at Sacramento Raceway for many years and is the main VP dealer in Northern California. They carry more than just fuel, they also offer everything from spark plugs and oil filters to lubrication and specialty products.
Danny will be at all of our events in 2012 and if any team needs to purchase fuel you should contact him prior to the event. As always please support those that support us. For more information on Race Day Products/VP Fuels please call Danny Hollingsworth at (916) 202-7983 or online at www.racedayproduct.com
Demke Going to the Max for Gainesville Title Defense
Courtesy Maddern Racing
Gainesville, FL – Winning is good. Winning the same race two years in a row is better. That’s the task that befalls Chris Demke and the Maddern Racing Team this weekend at the 43rd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented
by NapaFilters.com. The Peen Rite/801 Racing Team won this race in 2011, and are ready to defend their title.
“It’s an awesome track,” quoted Chris Demke. “The close proximity of the trees gives great oxygenation, and that means more horsepower. I’m looking for some great performance out of the car.”
Before the celebratory chicken dinner can be served, there is work to be done. Travel to the east coast is the first matter. Maddern Racing is based in Southern California. Getting the car and trailer to Florida is just the beginning. Jerry and Dixie Maddern arrived early in the week and began the setup.
“My mind is back in the right place,” said Demke. “I’m just going to drive the car and not think.”
IHRA mourns the loss of Jim Weinert
Courtesy of IHRA
NORWALK, OH – Everyone knew the man with the cigar. And it is with great sadness that the IHRA family announces the passing of Jim Weinert, who died in his sleep last night.
Fans, racers, owners and anyone involved in the world of drag racing knew who Jim Weinert was and what he did. “Big Jim”, as he became known to many, was the Picasso of track prep. He was a staple on the Norwalk Raceway Park starting line for years before joining the IHRA team and managing the field operations and track preparation at every IHRA national event since the 90s. His prep work was unmatched and heralded by racers.
Roaming the starting line with an authority he earned after decades in the business, he was one of the brightest lights the world of drag racing has ever known.
On March 7, 2012, at the age of 58, that light was extinguished.
“Big Jim had an irascible nature about him that cleverly covered up the fact that he was a giant teddy bear who would do anything for anybody,” said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “No one could outwork Jim, but what separated him from everyone else was his loyalty. He could have easily taken his talents elsewhere for twice the money but refused because IHRA was where his friends and family were and his loyalty lie.
Mike Everitt joins Quick 32 Series for 2012 Season
Courtesy of Quick 32
STRATFORD, ON – Mike Everitt is planning on going faster this year than he ever has in drag racing.
With a new Top Dragster, Everitt will be competing in his first year of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, and he said he is looking forward to his season.
“We’ve been following the series, and to wanted to jump into it,” said Everitt, who will drive the Everitt Racing Team car. “We bought the car late last year, and only have a couple of laps on it.”
Although he has raced since 2004, the dragster will be a new experience for the former doorcar racer. He did race a slower dragster, but has not experienced the under seven-second times this car should be capable of.
“I’ve been down the track a million times,” he said, “but not in this car. We’ve got a lot to learn and we’ll have to get used to this car.”
Gray, Coughlin, Krawiec, Alexander and Reinhart on WFO Radio
Courtesy of WFO
HOLLYWOOD, FL – WFO Radio previews the Tire Kingdom Gatornationals. DSR Funny Car driver, Johnny Gray, Jeg’s Pro Mod driver Troy Coughlin, Pro Stock Motorcycle World Champion Eddie Krawiec following his 200MPH run in 
testing, and Nitro rookie Blake Alexander all join Joe Castello, along with the NHRA’s Alan Reinhart, on WFO Radio NHRA Nitro, as they prepare for the Tire Kingdom Gatornationals, March 8 – 11th. To listen now, go to http://www.wforadio.com/
DSR Service Central/Tire Kingdom Funny Car driver, Johnny Gray, talks about getting ready for his sponsor’s race, the importance of the Gatornationals, and the possibility of both himself and his son, Shane, who races in Pro Stock, winning the same event.
Jeg’s Pro Mod driver, Troy Coughlin checks in from testing at PBIR prior to the Get Screened America Pro Mod season opener, at the Gatornationals. Coughlin talks about his 2012 set up, the Pro Modified class, and bracket racing as a hobby.
Samantha Coughlin Livin’ the Dream in Gainesville
Courtesy of Jegs
GAINESVILLE, FL – Super Comp racer Samantha Coughlin is a bona fide national event winner who has proven to be absolutely lethal on the racetrack in her JEGS.com dragster. But when the helmet comes off, Coughlin is quick to flash a
pretty smile that usually disarms even the most hardened of opponents.
“I love to win; it’s why we race,” said Coughlin, the wife of five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. “But to me, the NHRA is more about family and friends and having fun. The relationships we’ve made out here last a lot longer than the thrill of winning a round.”
Coughlin should be plenty happy at this weekend’s 42nd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals as she’ll be joined in competition by her husband, brother-in-law Troy Coughlin and brother Jason Kenny, who will pilot Jeg Jr.’s Super Comp dragster.
“It looks like Team JEGS will have plenty of representation,” Samantha said. “Jason and I will be racing Super Comp, Troy is starting his season in Pro Mod and Jeg is racing in Pro Stock and Stock. There will be yellow and black everywhere!
RPM MAGAZINE AT MEGASPEED!
Courtesy of RPM Magazine
Brandford, ON – This coming weekend (March 9-11th) MEGASPEED will take over Toronto, Ontario, Canada with wild fast cars and hot rods of all shapes and sizes, and for the 13th year in a row, RPM Magazine will be there! (Visit RPM
MAG at Booth # 123 located in the main hall)
MEGASPEED Custom Car & Truck Show is one of the largest shows in Canada and boasts a completely revamped “BRAND NEW SHOW” format that promises to be packed with serious horsepower and have something for everyone… they even have special guests Henry Winkler and Mike Holmes in the house!?
“It’s definitely like a tradition for RPM,” says Trish Biro, VP of Marketing and Customer Relations for RPM. “Emails started rolling in a few weeks back from people looking forward to seeing us there again this year, to chat and renew their subscriptions. We look forward to it, and as always will have a full compliment of staff on hand including Ian & Janis Rae, Raymond Knight, myself, RPM Editor Chris Biro, as well as RPM photographers making their rounds of the show.”
