- TSR Heads to Maple Grove for Round 1 of the Countdown
- DRAG RACE BRACKET BONANZA READY TO GIVE FANS WHAT THEY WANT AGAIN IN 2024 COUNTDOWN
- COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP LOADED WITH STORYLINES AS NHRA PLAYOFFS SET TO BEGIN
- JOE MORRISON ON A MISSION TO IMPROVE LUNG HEALTH AND AWARENESS IN RETURN TO MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY
- CORDOVA DRAGWAY SECURES OVERALL TEAM VICTORY AT WDRA SUMMIT MIDWEST BRACKET FINALS
- Jayden Lawler Crowned Silver State HVAC $50,000 Saturday Champion at the Summer Fling
- 4 Questions with Bill Bader about the NHRA North Central Division 3 Summit Racing Series Team Finals in Norwalk
Daniel Wilkerson Joins Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull on NHRA FAST Channel September 4
DALLAS – Following the 70th Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull, the first television offering produced by 
Werner G+E LLC, will catch up with second generation Funny Car driver Daniel Wilkerson. The interview-style program, hosted by Funny Car driver Buddy Hull is the latest original series added to the NHRA’s 24/7 digital channel which is available on 13 platforms including the Roku Channel (USA & Canada), Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, Sling Freestream, and others. Interested viewers can search NHRA and select the LIVE option on any of these platforms.
“One of my favorite things to do when I’m not working on Funny Cars, is trading racing stories,” said Wilkerson, driver of the SCAG Power Equipment Funny Car. “Getting to sit down with a guy like Buddy who I’ve raced with for a long time and trade stories was fun for me. We just happened to be filming Talkin’ Funny Cars so everyone could see it too. I hope the fans enjoy the stories.”
The Wilkerson episode will feature a wide-ranging interview with the two relative Funny Car newcomers talking about their shared passion for the class while Wilkerson tells stories of learning life and driving lessons from his father, veteran Funny Car driver and crew chief Tim Wilkerson. The SCAG Funny Car driver also talks about his early career, earning his Funny Car license in record time and how family and a CPA career has impacted his racing. Continue reading
Stewart Takes 50th Anniversary Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster to Semis at U.S. Nationals, Joins Hagan in Securing Berth in NHRA Playoffs
Auburn Hills, MI – Tony Stewart has become a major factor in his “rookie” NHRA Top Fuel season, notching another impressive 
performance at the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on September 2, 2024. Sporting special 50th anniversary Direct Connection graphics on his Top Fuel dragster, Stewart recorded his second consecutive No. 2 qualifying position in a tough 19-car field and advanced to the semifinals amid a star-studded lineup that included five former NHRA world champions.
Stewart and his Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Direct Connection Dodge//SRT dragster jumped to the top of the Top Fuel qualifying charts with a sensational 3.707 and 331.04 mile per hour run before Brittany Force nipped his time for the pole with a 3.693. The Indiana driver came back in hot conditions (130-degree track surface) to post a 3.79 run in qualifying.
In final eliminations on Monday, Stewart continued his strong on-track showings with a 3.723 in defeating Doug Foley in the first round and posted a 3.747 in taking out Justin Ashley in round two. His 3.747 run just missed gaining lane choice for the semifinals against former world champion Steve Torrence. In the U.S. Nationals semifinals, Stewart and Torrence left the starting line together but Stewart’s dragster lost traction down the track and Torrence advanced to the final round. Continue reading
PROCK DOMINATES IN DRAG RACING’S BIGGEST EVENT
Brittany, Beckman Take Their Chevies to Semifinals at 70th U.S. Nationals
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Austin Prock applied an exclamation point to his team’s domination of the regular season Monday, driving the 
Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS past the two-time defending champion Ron Capps in the final round of 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
At the wheel of a John Force Racing Chevy prepared by his dad with input from his brother, and with his grandfather watching, the 29-year-old Funny Car rookie went wire-to-wire in drag racing’s biggest single event.
Just for good measure, he serviced the supercharger on the Cornwell Camaro between rounds, one of the jobs he handled at JFR before he got his chance to drive a Funny Car like his grandad, Tom Prock, who lost to Don Prudhomme in the Funny Car semifinals of the 1977 Nationals. Continue reading
AARON STANFIELD AND JHG / MELLING PICK UP U.S. NATIONALS VICTORY FOR ELITE MOTORSPORTS
INDIANAPOLIS – Aaron Stanfield and his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brother’s Racing team 
dominated raceday at the 70th running of the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals to pick up their fourth Pro Stock victory of the season Monday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
On his way to winning the 12th Pro Stock victory of his career, Stanfield also picked up the win the Factory X category making him the first driver in the 70 years of the U.S. Nationals to double-up on raceday. His two wins count for his 29th and 30th career NHRA national event wins.
“This is what dreams are made of, right here. Indy is always a busy week for me. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions the whole entire time. I knew I had two good hot rods and a good chance to win in both categories, but this race has kicked my butt in the past. So, this feels great,” Stanfield said. “I’ve been close to doubling a couple of times and had both cars in the final round a few times this year. It’s eluded me, but I’m okay with not being able to get it done at those past races because this is the place to do it if you’re going to do it. Man, there’s just so much history at this racetrack. It’s special to me to not only win Indy in Pro Stock and Factory X but to win them both in the same day and put my name down on the history books.” Continue reading
ZIZZO MAKES HIS BEST U.S. NATIONALS QUALIFYING EFFORT
INDIANAPOLIS – When a race has been going on for as long as the historic Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, it allows time for some full circle 
moments. At the 70th running of the U.S. Nationals, TJ Zizzo, the driver of the Zizzo Racing Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster, experienced one of the most full-circle moments of his career, as well as qualifying the highest he’s ever qualified for this legendary event, at the No. 3 spot.
“We take extreme pride in qualifying for the U.S. Nationals,” Mike Kern, Zizzo Racing crew chief. “We talked this morning about how we raced Doug Kalitta here in 2010 when we were the No. 10 qualifier. We most likely had some parts from them that we had bought, and we beat them in that first round. For this race, we knew we were No. 3 qualifier. We knew we were racing Ida Zetterström and her crew chief, Jon Schaffer, bought some of our used parts. One of our goals this morning was not to let them beat us with our old parts like we have done to others in the past. It’s funny to say that, but we feel that we have come full circle from where we began. We want to win and we are doing everything we can. We also want to keep more teams out here, like teams supported us when we were just starting.” Continue reading
Millican, Prock, Stanfield and Herrera Take Top Honors at Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals
INDIANNAPOLIS – Clay Millican – Top Fuel Winner
Arby’s Top Fuel Dragster -3.792 seconds, 327.82 mph
Austin Prock – Funny Car Winner
Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS – 3.885 seconds, 327.98 mph
Aaron Stanfield – Pro Stock Winner
Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Janac Brothers Racing Pro Stock Car – 6.561 seconds, 209.36 mph
Gaige Herrera – Pro Stock Motorcycle Winner
RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki – 6.763 seconds, 198.70 mph
video courtesy of NHRA
JOSH HART RACES TO QUARTERFINALS AT US NATIONALS TO CLOSE OUT REGULAR SEASON BEFORE PLAYOFFS
INDIANAPOLIS – Josh Hart, a two-time U.S. Nationals winner in Top Alcohol Dragster, was racing the 70th Toyota NHRA U.S Nationals 
looking to add a third “Big Go” Wally to his collection. Through three days of qualifying Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team struggled to make consistent power. Their third qualifying run of the event was their best and set the team up in the No. 12 spot heading into race day today. Their 3.772 second, 326.48 mph run on Saturday evening earned the team two qualifying bonus points as the third quickest run of the session.
On the final day of qualifying Hart’s final two qualifying runs did not improve and his team worked late into the evening in preparation for today’s first round versus Tripp Tatum. Tatum, who was racing in his third race of the season, and looking for his second Top Fuel national event win.
“We knew Tripp would be a tough first round opponent, so we dug in to improve our performance,” said Hart, a two-time Top Fuel national event winner. “This was a tough field to even qualify for.” Continue reading
FUNNY CAR’S CHRIS KING HAS MAGICAL U.S. NATIONALS
INDIANAPOLIS – Chris King and the Howard Cams/Competition Products Dodge Funny Car team were looking to the 70th Toyota NHRA 
U.S. Nationals as an opportunity to continue to chase their Funny Car dream. Through three days of qualifying leading up to race day King rode an emotional roller coaster. Their perseverance and support from the racing community provided them the chance to compete with the best of the best.
King opened the first qualifying round posting his career best elapsed time, 4.079 seconds and his career best speed of 302.21 mph. The pass fired up King’s team and added momentum to the part-time team’s efforts.
Chris King made his career best run on Friday night at the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, photo credit NHRA/National Dragster
“It’s been a weekend of ups and downs and a roller coaster for sure,” said King. “We came in with expectations to try to run our best numbers, and we did. We were very excited after running a 4.07 and going 300 miles an hour. That’s two big check marks off my list.” Continue reading
HULL ADVANCES TO FIRST-EVER FUNNY CAR QUARTERFINALS AT U.S. NATIONALS
INDIANAPOLIS – There’s nothing like the magic of the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, and rookie Funny Car driver Buddy Hull had an even 
more magical weekend at the 70th anniversary running of the event. For the first time in his Funny Car career, the driver for Jim Dunn Racing advanced to the quarterfinals, setting a new personal best speed in the process.
“It’s the U.S. Nationals and we finally did it,” said Hull. “Between Brainerd and Indy, we changed a lot. We put some more new parts in the race car and it immediately did what it needed to do. We had a completely different race car this weekend than what we’ve had all year long. There’s no question about it.”
During the three days of qualifying leading up to race day, Hull made five qualifying runs. His best pass came during the fourth run on Sunday, at 4.046 seconds, 303.30 mph, earning him the No. 15 spot. On race day on Monday, he was able to get past No. 2 qualifier Bob Tasca III in the first round of eliminations. In the second round, Hull set a new personal record for speed, with a 4.028 second, 320.51 mph run against Ron Capps. Continue reading
2024 JEGS Performance Summer Fling Presented by Optima Batteries Pre-Race
Bristol, TN — The Fling Team has arrived at Bristol Dragway to ignite the second half of the Fling Race Series tour with the JEGS 
Performance Summer Fling presented by Optima Batteries September 3-7.
The first of two Flings to be held at Thunder Valley is bringing three $50K races Thursday through Saturday, over $55,000 in racer appreciation giveaways, and a free Laris Motorsports Insurance Racer Appreciation Dinner with live music Friday night. The full ‘Fling Experience’ will be delivered with a fun, family atmosphere at a professionally-run race including activities for the kids with a bounce house and treasure hunt for toys.
“With it being the fifteenth anniversary of the Flings, we knew our Fall Fling 500K entries would sell out quickly,” said promoter Peter Biondo. “Now the Bristol racers who didn’t make it in the 500K event, can race the Summer Fling at the same track.” Continue reading
