Monday, October 31, 2005


Goodguys Fuel & Gas Finals Caps Vintage Drag Racing Season
The 2005 Goodguys/VRA season came to a rough and tumble end this past weekend at storied Famoso Raceway. Coming into the event, 11 of the 14 class championships were still undecided which provided for an anxious weekend for nostalgia drag racing’s top teams.

Aussie BB/FCs of the 1970s
Australian alcohol funny cars were a gutsy bunch who faced long odds whenever they competed. Whether racing against lighter altereds (before the funny car class was born) or racing their nitro powered cousins in later years, the BB/FCs did well despite the disadvantages.

Jungle Time!
Geoff Stunkard sent this killer shot of Bob Gilbertson in the Jungle Jim tribute Camaro funny car.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

2005 IHRA Rockingham Final Results
Final eliminations results and final 2005 Hooters IHRA World Championship points standings after the Udderly Smooth World Finals at Rockingham Dragway.
Steve Tryon's 'Bad Company' Hits The Track For Maiden Passes
After a long year and a half of hard work, Steve Tryon rolled out his "Bad Company" Mini Sattelite Nostalgia Funny Car in yellow primer. The body was the first body made by Dale Smith's Coyote Composites to roll down the track.

Classic Thunder Drag Racing - The Message Board is Back
There is a ton of new stuff on the Classic Thunder message board, including photos, stories, news, results, video clips, and a history of Classic Thunder nostalgia racing events. Classic Thunder wants to showcase nostalgia/vintage/classic drag racing from all over the world, from Goodguys to the smallest circuits. Check in today and join the fun!

Clay on Fire!
Clay Millican probably was not smiling after this run in the Kenny Koretsky owned Werner Enterprises Top Fueler. Not only was he getting passed by Jack Becakman in the Menard's dragster, but he also kicked out a head gasket with a fiery result.

Mousie and the Guys
John Hutchinson caught Al "Mousie" Marcellus next to the "Winged Express" AA/FA. Hutchinson also shot Mike Boyd at the wheel of the "Express" and other classic AA/FAs that we all love and cherish.
Inyokern Dragstrip, World's Oldest, Closes its Gates
Due to new public flying safety requirements imposed on the Inyokern Airport by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Inyokern Dragstrip has cancelled the remainder of the 2005 season and has officially closed its gates.
Ariel Motor Company
The Ariel Atom is an unbelievable street legal machine (at least in Europe) that is as fast as some of the world's most expensive supercars, but at one tenth the price. You MUST see the video.

Saturday, October 29, 2005


The Racing Career of Vance Hunt
Bud DeBoer catches us up with Vance Hunt, one of the toughest fuel dragster racers in the history of the sport.

Las Vegas Photo Gallery by Jerry Gilles
Jerry shares his great album of shots from NHRA Fall Las Vegas 2005. Includes a lot of great people shots.

The Snake and The Mongoose
2005 marks the 35th Anniversary of the Mattell sponsorship of the Don "The Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen. David Graves shot the classic duo many moons ago at Dallas International.

Clean Camaro -- Neese & Knowles Funny Car
James Drew shot the debut of a new body for Neese & Knowles at Chandler, AZ in 2004. The body looks great without decals and overdone graphics.
2005 IHRA Rockingham Final Qualifying Results
IHRA gang struts its stuff at the last major event of 2005, the Udderly Smooth World Finals at Rockingham Dragway. Includes final pro qualifying results and first round pairings.
2005 IHRA Rockingham Friday Qualifying Results
Day one professional qualifying results from the Rock, where three of four pro categories went quicker than the current IHRA national records.

Draglist Exclusive: Coverge of the Inaugural Forge Musclecar Show
There is not a lot that can upstage the Mopar Hemis, the Yenko Camaros, the 427 Thunderbolts, and the GS Buicks, but promoter Tim Lopata and his crew pulled out all of the stops this year. So, in addition to the 70+ pristine musclecars on hand, Lopata, together with Valerie Harrell, daughter of the late Dick Harrell, and her close friend Dale Pulde, brought in the stars and cars that had made her father a household name back in the day.
Racers roars for the rush
The Southern Bracket Racing Association drag racing finals take place this Friday through Sunday at Eastside Speedway in Waynesboro, Virginia.
GM drivers plan USO trip to Germany
A USO-sponsored trip to Germany to visit wounded American troops will be a part of the post-season travel plans for four GM drag racing competitors. Six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson, two-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Jim Yates, NHRA Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr., and NHRA Top Fuel veteran Cory McClenathan will represent GM Racing and the NHRA during a November support mission to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC).
Title is a drag for lightning ace
Speed demon Phil Wood has raced to a top title. He claimed the Straightliners Drag Racing Series crown at the Elvington leg of the championship.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Mercure Uninjured in Accident

Top Stock points leader Paul Mercure was uninjured in a top-end accident during a qualifying run at Rockingham Dragway Friday.

Frank Teuton, running in the left lane, accidentally bumped his transmission into reverse while trying to shift into neutral as he crossed the finish line. Teuton's car, with the rear wheels locked, went out of control and came across the track, pinching Mercure's familiar "Checkmate" Camaro into the right-hand wall. Mercure's car bounced off the wall, then continued across the track, hitting the opposite wall at high speed.

Mercure's car was estimated to be a total loss. Ironically, Teuton's car appeared to be repairable and might be able to return to competition as early as tonight or tomorrow afternoon.

Initially, Mercure was worried that the accident would cost him the championship, but the only driver close enough to him in the points, Joe Aluise, Jr., did not run in the afternoon qualifying session and is not expected to compete at Rockingham.

The Hemi Hunter!
Dave Milcarek shot the Hemi Hunter doing a killer burnout. Dale Thierer is the pilot for the legendary Chevy powered AA/FD.

Donn Hosford, Funny Car Anti-Hero
Draglist contributor David Hapgood offers this tribute to a mostly unknown funny car veteran.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Everson goes drag (racing)
Kevin Everson explains that his upcoming film 'Cinnamon' is about 'the craft of art-making,' in particular, 'African-American art making.' And the African-American artists at Cinnamon's heart are drag racers.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005


60s Funny Cars: Division 4 Match Bashers
The Match Bash Funny Car era of of '65 -'68 featured some exciting cars to say the least. This edition of 60s Funny Cars captures the machines that raced across the South Central US during that time.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Drag Race Pioneers Set For Willowbank Nationals
All the major players of Australian drag racing have confirmed their attendance at this year's 40th Australian Nationals to be held at Queensland's Willowbank Raceway from November 4-6.

80s Funny Cars: Division Five -- The High and Mighty
These ten high and mighty fuel funny cars raced both in the high altitude of Division Five and across the country.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Newberry Clinches NHRA Lucas Oil National Title with a Trip Down South
Bob Newberry took the win in Top Alcohol Funny Car at Silver Dollar Raceway and locked up the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Funny Car National Championship.
LaHaie to Retire Following 2005 NHRA Season
One of the more successful partnerships in NHRA drag racing will come to an end following the conclusion of the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season, as five-time NHRA champion Dick LaHaie will retire as crew chief of the Larry Dixon-driven Miller Lite dragster.
Bazemore Survives Huge Fire in Testing, Matco Tools Dodge Stratus Destroyed

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 24, 2005) - Whit Bazemore survived a huge fire today while testing the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway following yesterday's NHRA National event.

Bazemore was on his second test pass of the day when the car's engine exploded at the 1000-ft. mark. Despite running close to 300 mph and having both the parachutes and tires burn off the car, Bazemore was able to stop without crashing. The car was virtually destroyed, but Bazemore was unhurt.

"It was a pretty big fire," said Bazemore. "That's always a concern, especially when testing, because the NHRA Safety Safari is not on hand. But the local track officials did an excellent job of responding."

The Matco Tools team will race a new car at the season finale of the POWERade Drag Racing Series in Pomona, Calif., Nov. 3-6.
Losing in the first round is a drag
Rod Fuller sat in the lounge of his team's transporter and forced a smile. Although the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals had begun less than an hour earlier, Fuller already had traded his fire suit for street clothes.
At the mercy of Agneta and Wilma...
Sweden's Anders Envall has packed up his ten-second street-legal Impala SS and is headed to the USA for the Southern Super Heavyweight Shootout #5 at Atlanta Dragway in Georgia on 5th November. Anders told Eurodragster.com that his wife Agneta insisted that they go, so now it's just a case of getting Hurricane Wilma to agree to Anders' and his Impala's travel plans.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

2005 NHRA Las Vegas Final Results
Final results and up to date 2005 NHRA POWERAde points standings after the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals.
2005 NHRA Las Vegas Final Qualifying Results
Tony Schumacher raced to the Budweiser Shootout victory and Greg Anderson claimed his third consecutive Pro Stock world championship title Saturday at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Plus final qualifying results and first round pairings.
Anderson Claims Third Straight POWERade Series World Championship in Pro Stock
Greg Anderson clinched his third consecutive POWERade Series world championship in Pro Stock Saturday by qualifying No. 1 at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Mike's 25th Anniversary at US 30
Mike Alberts, a Pro Street racing founding father, recently celebrated his car's 25th birthday. Alberts took the infamous Camaro out to defunct U.S. 30 Dragway for some photos and a burnout. Thanks to Pete Gemar for sending us this story.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Drag racer puts brakes on multiple sclerosis
Drag racer Robert Burgin says he spun his wheels too long thinking he could get away from his multiple sclerosis.
2005 NHRA Las Vegas Friday Qualifying Results
Day one qualifying results from the 2005 ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Schumacher Races to Third POWERade Series World Championship
Tony Schumacher claimed his second straight and third overall POWERade Series world championship in Top Fuel Friday by making a qualifying run at the fifth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Celebration time for Popeye Racing Team
Pat Musi's former Camaro Pro Streeter has found a new home in Bahrain and its new owners just won their Pro Mod Championship with some 6.40 times.

Friday, October 21, 2005


Badgett Before Launch
Bret Kepner has excelled in roles as varied as track manager, journalist, announcer, circuit director, television personality, bracket racer, and more. Over the past few years, he's added photography with predictable results: it's great. Here's the first shot of many from one of the founding fathers of The Drag Racing List.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Bahrain Team Europe revealed
FIA and UEM European Championship promoter Keith Bartlett today revealed to Eurodragster.com the names of the thirteen European Professional drag racers who will be travelling to the Bahrain International Circuit to make demonstration passes at the Bahrain Drag Racing Festival on 10th-11th November.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005


Q&A with Heath Harvey - Outlaw Top Sportsman
We recently talked with Heath Harvey, an up and coming Outlaw Top Sportsman racer from Clarksville, Texas.

Texas Two Lane
Bill 'Badco' Ott Does Dallas... with some old and new friends.
DragCoverage.Com
A new site that wants to be your #1 Source For News & Results In Sportsman/Heads Up Racing.

Forge Musclecar Show in Nashville This Weekend!
Don't miss The Forge Invitational Musclecar Show on Oct. 21-22-23, 2005 at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

King Camaro!
They say a picture tells a thousand stories. Lord knows how many this one could tell. Both Dean LaPole and Dan Geare passed this year and we honor them with this photo.

Drag On!
The Drag-On Vega was one of the hardest running and most popular funny cars from the South Central United States.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005


Wilson honored for her devotion to drag racing
Vance Tourism Executive Director Nancy Wilson was inducted Sunday into a hall of fame that she helped create.

Bunny, again, will race Eastside
Bunny Burkett brings her funny car to Eastside Speedway to match race Bill Naves this weekend -- 33 years after first racing at Eastside.

Monday, October 17, 2005


Quarter Mile Heroes at the Sand Drags
Walt Huff shot these popular drag racers while they were still sand drag racing at that point in their careers.

Sunday, October 16, 2005


2005 USA-1 Dragfest Returns on November 12
The 2005 USA-1 Dragfest at Bruce Larson’s Stoney Creek Barn is ready to rumble on November 12, 2005. The 1989 NHRA Funny Car World Champion once again will open his barn full of precious race memorabilia and old cars to East Coast drag fans. Click for all the info, including directions to Bruce's house!
Boland wins Lancaster Battle; Lilienthal wins PMRA War
On a clear and cool night at Lancaster Motorsports Park, Bruce Boland of Hamilton, ON, won his first Pro Modified Racing Association event, the fifth and final PMRA race of 2005.

CARtoonz
Nice looking site chock full of cool hot rod artwork.

Saturday, October 15, 2005


Plymouth Colts, the Wildest Doorslammers of the 1970s
The Colts were the wildest and scariest doorslammers of the 1970s. Outlawed for NHRA Pro Stock, the Hemi Colts ran in NHRA Comp classes, IHRA Pro Stock, and match races.

Eoff's AA/Fuel Altered
Chris Graves sent us this great shot of Eric Eoff's Bantam AA/FA from Red River Raceway.
2005 NHRA Dallas Personal Best Performances
Steve Klemetti updates us with new entries and new personal best elapsed times and speeds from 2005 NHRA Dallas.

Friday, October 14, 2005


Ashley!
John Force's daughter has shown she is one of the best T/AD drivers out there, wheeling Jerry Darien's killer A/Fuel Dragster nationally and in Division 4 action.
Drag Racing Chassis Tuning
Pure and simple, drag racing is an acceleration contest, not who goes the fastest. You win by being the quickest car through the measured quarter-mile, not the fastest at the end. Of course speed is important, but it is more a by-product of acceleration. Here's some tips on how to accelerate quicker and more effectively than your opponent.

Thursday, October 13, 2005


Sour Grapes!
Joel Johansson kindly sent us a photo of his father's Challenger AA/FC called "Sour Grapes."

California Hot Rod Reunion Wheelstands
Gary Brown shares starting line wheelstanding action from the 2005 California Hot Rod Reunion. Part two of Gary's series.

2005 SCCA Washington DC Region Solo Championship Standings
My friend and coworker Dave Mapes won the C/Prepared category season championship in the 2005 Sports Car Club of America Washington, DC, Region Solo championship. Go about halfway down the page to see how Dave did it. Congrats, Dave!!! bp

Wednesday, October 12, 2005


Sky High!
The Photo Guy provides amazing wheelie action from Milan, Michigan!

Philadelphia Fryer!
An awesome Dave Milcarek photo of Frank Kramberger having a serious blower explosion and fire in the lights at E-town!

Tuesday, October 11, 2005


Chris Hurt Race Operation Stolen
Chris Hurt's entire race operation (centered around a priceless 1961 Dragmaster FED) was stolen from his home in Milwaukie, Oregon on Oct 9th 2005 between 11:30 pm. and 5:00 am. Please be on the lookout for this car or parts.
FAA Cracks Down On Airport Drag Racing
It's a quiet little airport with long stretches of straight, level pavement. Perfect for planes -- and drag racers. But the FAA says California's Inyokern Airport is for planes only and if the drag racing continues, the airport may lose both its funding and its certification.

Sunday, October 09, 2005


Southern Maryland ATV Park - Wanna Ride?
Our latest website for Rick and Debbie Bolton and their great ATV Park in Budds Creek, Maryland.
California Hot Rod Reunion photo highlights by Dawn Mazi-Hovsepian and Mark Hovsepian.
2005 NHRA Ennis Final Results
Final eliminations results and up to date 2005 NHRA POWERAde world championship points standings after the 2005 O’Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals in Ennis, Texas.
Payne just misses 5-second Run in Ennis
It's official: the first AMS/TLR Pro Mod driver to post a run quicker than Jay Payne's lifetime best e.t. will also become the first to ever reach the 5-second zone in competition. And, at the rate he's going, that driver is likely to be Payne himself.

California Hot Rod Reunion XIV - Part 3
Robert Briggs wraps up his photo coverage of the California Hot Rod Reunion XIV - Part 3 of 3 - with 15 more shots of awesome vintage drag racing machines.

The Cape Codder!
James Morgan caught the legendary "Cape Codder" funny car of Ed Parker at New England Dragway.
NHRA Manufacturers Cup History
The automobile manufacturer whose 2005 models earn the most points for qualifying and category victories at NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series national and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional events will be awarded the NHRA Manufacturers Cup for performance achievement at the end of the season. Here's a list of all previous winners.
Clifford Performance: Make 6 = 8
Clifford Research, now known as Clifford Performance, is the undisputed leader in 4 & 6 cylinder cars and off-road vehicles.
Allen released from hospital, Koretsky continues recovery
The Reher-Morrison race team has announced that driver Bruce Allen is being released from Parkland Hospital in Dallas to convalesce at home. Allen sustained no broken bones in his horrific Friday night accident with Ken Koretsky at the Texas Motorplex. He suffered a concussion and abrasions to his hands but was alert and communicating with his wife and teammates. Ken Koretsky has a bruised heart from the impact and remains hospitalized at Parkland.
2005 NHRA Ennis Final Qualifying Results
Final pro qualifying results and first round pairings from the 2005 O’Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec.

Showdown at the Alamo
Here is a rare shot of two seldom raced Top Fuelers. John Davisson takes on Burce Burleson at the now closed Alamo Dragway.

Dyno Don's Big Cat!
John Bell painted this great image of "Dyno Don" Nicholson and his last funny car, a Mercury Cougar.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Friday, October 07, 2005

Tropical Storm Tammy Postpones World Finals for Three Weeks
The remnants of Tropical Storm Tammy interrupted the start of the 10th annual IHRA World Finals Friday at Rockingham Dragway, forcing a three-week postponement of the concluding event in the 12-race 2005 IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series.

El Kaboom!
Outlaw 10.5 racer Craig Miller had a little problem recently at race in Alabama.

California Hot Rod Reunion XIV - Part 2
Robert Briggs checks in with Part 2 of 3 of his California Hot Rod Reunion XIV photos.

Thursday, October 06, 2005


80s Funny Cars: Low Buck Division 7 Racers
Division Seven was a traditional hotbed of funny cars. That extended into the 1980s with a load of racers. Many raced on small budgets, and we cover some of these hard core teams in this story.
2005 Joliet (2) and Budds Creek Performance Updates
Steve comes through with new personal best ETs and speeds from two of the top numbers factories on the respective NHRA and IHRA tours: Joliet (Part 2) and Budds Creek.

Rebel T Smoking the Hides!
Here is the "Rebel T" caught in the middle of a burnout. The car is part of Nostalgia Fuel Altered Association that just completed its first year in Great Britain.

First Renegade Pro Stock Race hits Outer Banks Speedway
Outer Banks Speedway held its first Renegade Mountain Motor Pro Stock Clash on Saturday with Bert Jackson taking the win in a mild surprise over several top IHRA racers.

Flashback to 2004 CHRR Cackefest
Chad Clark snapped these great shots at the 2004 CHRR on the the night of the Cacklefest. Thanks Chad for sharing these shots with us!

2005 CHRR Winners Photos
Eight class winners receiving their awards and eight action photos of the winners at the California Hot Rod Reunion. Part 1 of Gary's coverage.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005


California Hot Rod Reunion XIV
Robert Briggs offers up spectacular photos from the California Hot Rod Reunion XIV -- Part 1.