- Ashley, Hagan, Anderson and Herrera take Wins at Charlotte Four-Wide
- TOUGH FINAL ROUND PUTS DAMPER ON WEEKEND FOR JOHN FORCE IN CHARLOTTE NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS
- BO BUTNER WINS JHG MOUNTAIN MOTOR PRO STOCK SEASON OPENER
- AARON STANFIELD RUNNER-UP AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS AT ZMAX DRAGWAY
- JUSTIN ASHLEY WINS NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS AT ZMAX DRAGWAY
- Tony Schumacher Out Early After Jam-Packed Four-Wide Weekend in Charlotte
- HART KEEPS IT CLOSE IN TIGHT QUAD AT CHARLOTTE
Burbage gets opening win of the 2012 WCOPMA season
Written by Steve Bunker
Boise, ID – Rod Burbage drove his Spec-Rite Converter sponsored 1958 Corvette to a win this past weekend at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho. With a short field Burbage grabbed the number one qualifying position away from Dan
Nickelson during the final qualifying session.
Nickelson came out of the box with a 6.271 @ 230.41 in the first qualifying session on Friday evening to take to top spot when no one else could get down the 115 degree track. The New Family had the track prepped the best they could given the conditions but most of the drivers still overpowered the track.
During the second qualifying session on Saturday the track came around and so did the performances. Burbage ran a 6.311 @ 223.93 to bump into the number two spot; Andy Neyer was in third with a 6.649 @ 210.03.
New Tuner Giving JEGS.com Team Much-needed Boost
Courtesy of Jegs
CHICAGO, IL – With one national event in the books since decorated crew chief Eddie Guarnaccia joined the JEGS.com race team, driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. says his optimism about the season has exponentially grown.
The month of June has been extremely busy for the Delaware, Ohio-based organization. Guarnaccia was added to the roster on June 4 at the conclusion of the national event in Englishtown, N.J. The team quickly scheduled a test session in Bristol, Tenn., which was followed by the national event at the same facility. After that, another test was conducted in Norwalk, Ohio.
“Things have been happening at a pretty brisk pace,” Coughlin said as he prepares for this weekend’s 15th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Ill. “We tested right away after hiring Eddie because there was a lot of things he wanted to get done. We got most of that stuff changed over before Bristol and then kind of expanded on it some more during the national event.
Greg Hunter Reaches Midpoint of Rookie Season in TAD
Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
JOLIET, IL – Greg Hunter and the ExactAir/Kenny Gilmour Motorsports Top Alcohol Dragster team are in for one of 
the toughest TAD races in the country, the Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago. The centrally located track and prestigious Jegs Allstars race-within-a-race attract the top cars from around the U.S. and Canada. Greg hopes to be one of the sixteen cars racing on Saturday night.
“We’re going to have to run in the 5.3s in order to qualify well here. After running in Denver at the regional, we’re confident in our car. Now we have a baseline tune-up that we can use to build on and hopefully go a little quicker,” said Hunter.
The former alcohol funny car driver is enjoying his first season in a “long car”. Under the watchful eye of team owner and crew chief Kenny Gilmour, Hunter has earned two round wins in just his first few races.
Refreshed look and feel signals future direction of Route 66 Raceway
Courtesy of Route 66
Joliet, IL – This afternoon Route 66 Raceway debuted a refreshed logo and brand direction at a press conference in downtown Chicago with NHRA stars Tony Schumacher, Courtney Force, Antron Brown and Robert Hight on hand
kicking off the 15th running of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals taking place this weekend.
The refreshed logo maintains the classic Route 66 shield and wings that race fans have come to know, but has been updated with a new bold font and brushed aluminum feel.
“We are very proud of our rich history at Route 66 Raceway and are fortunate to have a state-of-the art drag racing facility in a community such as Joliet that embraced us 14 years ago when we stamped our name along historic Route 66” said Scott Paddock, Route 66 Raceway president.
Antron Brown talks Storage Wars, “Big Show” Graham, Bennett, Glafka, and Reinhart
Courtesy of WFO
HOLLYWOOD, FL – Antron Brown, “Big Show” Keith Graham, Bobby Bennett, and Robert Glafka all join Joe Castello, along with the NHRA’s Alan Reinhart, on WFO Radio NHRA Nitro. To listen now, go to http://www.wforadio.com/
Antron Brown,driver of the Aaron’s Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing, stops by WFO Radio to talk about his appearance on hit A&E television show, Storage Wars. Brown previews the episode, discusses how he became friends with Storage Wars star Barry Weiss, and his team’s performance heading into Chicago.
“Big Show” Keith Graham, crew member for Rodger Brogdon’s Pro Stock team, gives “behind the scenes” insight on his responsibilities working on the NHRA tour.
Team JEGS geared up for a big weekend in Joliet
Courtesy of Jegs
JOLIET, IL – It isn’t an exaggeration to suggest that this will be the biggest weekend of the year for Team JEGS drivers Mike Coughlin and his nephew, Troy Coughlin Jr.
From the time they arrive at in town for the annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Route 66 Nationals, the Coughlin’s will maintain a busy schedule that includes both racing and numerous personal appearances.
Mike is one of 80 qualifiers for the annual JEGS Allstars competition, which will be held Saturday, and Troy Jr. will be racing his JEGS.com dragster in the Super Comp class at the regular national event. When they are not strapped into the seat of their race cars, Mike and Troy Jr. both plan to be very active participants in the JEGS Allstars festivities.
“I look forward to this event ever year and that’s certainly true this year because I will be racing in it,” Mike said. “The JEGS Allstars is a very big deal for everyone at JEGS. It’s one of many ways we show our support for the sportsman racers who help support us. Plus, it’s a really fun time for everyone involved.”
As usual, Mike plans to be a gracious host for the racers who have traveled from all over the United States for the JEGS Allstars race, particularly during Saturday evening’s post-race awards banquet. However, his hospitality only goes so far. When he’s behind the wheel of his 200-mph Chevy Cobalt Top Sportsman car, Mike will be looking to win the race, and help his North Central Division teammates claim their first overall team title since 2009.
Demke and Maddern Racing Prepare for Route 66 Onslaught
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Joliet, IL – Chris Demke and the Maddern Racing gang roll into Route 66 Raceway this weekend for a second time this 
month. The world class facility is the same, but this time around it’s going to be a wee bit crazier. It’s a National event combined with the Jegs AllStars competition. A double whammy with twenty-seven Alcohol Dragsters entered. That’s quite a difference from the limited numbers at the Regional event. That was a battle, this is all out war.
“The best of the best are here, and I expect it to be quite the spectacle,” said Demke. “When you have a National event there is always great competition. Adding the Jegs AllStars race really ramps up the talent. The top cars from around the country are here representing their division. We are very proud to be the last Division 7 representative since the change to the Regional system.”
Hinbest takes top spot at Canadian Nitro Nationals
Courtesy of Quick 32
CAYUGA, ON – There was celebration in the Hinbest Racing camp as the team captured its first win in Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts competition.
It was a great weekend, said Top Dragster driver Mike Hinbest of Orangeville, Ontario who won the third race of the 2012 season. Everything came together.
With the supercharged-powered Mike Bos-chassied dragster, Hinbest, who qualified fourth in Top Dragster, defeated the Top Sportsman entry of Spencer Hyde of Stratford, Ontario with his Hyde Racing 1968 Camaro.
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series is comprised of a 16-car Top Dragster field and 16-car Top Sportsman field. Each field races against each other, and the finalist in each races in an event final. The cars compete in a Sportsman-style, dial-in format using the full Christmas Tree at the starting line.
Bruce Boland returns to PMRA winner’s circle in style at Canadian Nitro Nationals
Courtesy of PMRA
CAYUGA, ON – The champion is back. Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario, returned to his winning ways, capturing the 
Pro Modified Racing Association race during the Canadian Nitro Nationals at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park.
A three-time PMRA champion, this win was the first for Boland and his 1941 Willys Pro Modified in 2012.
The win was also his series-leading tenth in PMRA competition since the series began racing in 2005.
“This was a perfect weekend,” Boland mentioned after the final round. “We had some clutch issues earlier this year, but that’s all straightened out, and we ran the same tune-up this weekend and all went well.”
Ahten and the Stump Puller ready to Defend at Salt Lake Nitro Jam
Courtesy of Athen Racing
Salt Lake City, UT – Johnny Ahten is heading to the Salt Lake Nitro Jam with the mindset of a defending champion. You see, back in 2010, Ahten and his Pro Fuel Dragster not only won the event, he reset the track record at Rocky 
Mountain Raceways with a blistering elapsed time of 5.56 seconds. Ahten did not compete in the event in 2011, so to Ahten, it’s a title defense.
“The way the Nitro Jam events are set up, it’s unload the car, and swing for the fence,” said Ahten. “We know what it takes to go fast in Salt Lake, and the crew and the Stump Puller are ready to crank out the long ball.”
Tuning a Nitromethane powered dragster is a tricky thing. It’s a good thing that Crew Chief and Johnny’s Dad, Al Ahten has all the numbers from 2010 when they set the track on fire. The Ahten Racing crew of Howard Katano, Bob Ahten, Chuck Costabile, and Todd “Rocky” Rockwell will be proving the needed muscle and technical advice.
