IHRA Summit Pro-Am Division 9 @ Piedmont Dragway

Racers enjoy rare Division 9 doubleheader weekend at Piedmont Dragway

Young, Smith grab pair of finals at crucial D9 competition

JULIAN, N.C. (July 2, 2013) – After a rainout forced the postponement of the Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL event at Rockingham Dragway earlier this year, racers were treated to a rare doubleheader over the weekend as Piedmont Dragway hosted the finale of the Rockingham competition plus its own Raiders Division race to the delight of southern race fans.

With a rare double on the line, Mark Young and Greg Smith were the two who were able to reach two finals during the busy Piedmont race weekend, with Young taking a win and runner-up in Super Stock and Smith taking a pair of runner-up finishes in Top Dragster.

Mark Young

Also taking wins over the weekend were Mike White (Top Sportsman), Michael White (Top Dragster), Mark Young (Super Stock), Richard Alford Jr. (Stock), Dale Harrison (Quick Rod), Brian Baker (Super Rod) and Kevin McLamb (Hot Rod) from the rained-delayed Rockingham race and Rick Whaley (Top Sportsman), David Barr (Top Dragster), Joel Warren (Super Stock), Terry Taylor (Stock), Brett Nesbitt (Quick Rod), Greg Slack (Super Rod) and Glenn Ferguson (Hot Rod) from the Piedmont competition.

Junior Dragster winners were Josh Phelps (Masters), Jason Craft (Advanced) and Wallace Wilson and Tyler Duff (Beginner).

Young survived a handful of rounds at Rockingham Dragway earlier this year before the rains came and pushed the event to later in the year, setting him up for a potential double. He then finished the job in Piedmont, taking a red-light victory over Mike Boyles and losing in a breakout on the second day to Joel Warren behind the wheel of his ’93 Mustang.

Hodges, South Carolina native Greg Smith reached two finals as well, falling in a double-breakout to Michael White in the Rockingham final and losing by the narrowest of margins in the Piedmont final to David Barr. Barr produced a .012 reaction time with Smith just seven thousandths slower and both ran within a few tenths of their dial, with Barr taking the win by six thousandths at the line.

Greg Slack

Both Josh Phelps (Pasadena, Md.) and Jason Craft (Wilson, N.C.) pulled double wins over the weekend. Phelps had wins over Breanna Wall and Brittney Dial, while Craft recorded final round wins over Nick Weaver both days to take home two Ironman trophies.

Greg Slack won his second Division 9 race in a row with his Super Rod win over Sherlon Truelove, while Glenn Ferguson and his famous ’66 Fairlane returned to the IHRA winners circle with a win over Daryl Griffin.

In one of the most exciting matchups of the weekend, veteran racer Brett Nesbitt faced defending Quick Rod World Champion and 18-year-old Corey Manuel in Sunday’s Quick Rod final, with Nesbitt showing his veteran prowess with a .006 light and a 5.747 on a 5.70, while Manuel broke out by six thousandths at the line.

Raiders racers head to Farmington Dragway for their next IHRA Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL event August 9-11. The Farmington Pro-Am is a true doubleheader.

Top Sportsman final – Rick Whaley (far lane) vs. Jut Crumpler

The following are final results from the Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL, Raiders Division 9 events at Piedmont Dragway, including the rain-delayed race originally scheduled to be finished at Rockingham Dragway.

ROCKINGHAM RACE

GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP SPORTSMAN - Mike White, Arden, N.C., '63 Corvette, 4.877, 139.31 def. Tim Fields, Abingdon, Va., '02 Firebird, 5.284, 134.87.

GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP DRAGSTER - Michael White, Arden, N.C., dragster, 4.709, 147.39 def. Greg Smith, Hodges, S.C., dragster, 4.673, 147.10.

SUPER STOCK - Mark Young, Wake Forest, N.C., '93 Mustang, PBA-2, 6.969, 72.02 def. Mike Boyles, King, N.C., '57 Bel Air Wgn, PI-1, foul.

STOCK ELIMINATOR - Richard Alford Jr., Raleigh, N.C., '98 Camaro, D/CM, 6.714, 98.54 def. Ray Grice, Alken, S.C., '86 Mustang, H/PS, 8.861, 74.44.

QUICK ROD - Dale Harrison, Sanford, N.C., dragster, 5.707, 133.01 def. Smokey Dial, Pembroke, N.C., dragster, 5.621, 129.83.

SUPER ROD - Brian Baker, Asheboro, N.C., '71 Comet, 6.412, 114.62 def. Chip Johnson, Fayetteville, N.C., '80 Monza, 6.394, 108.31.

HOT ROD - Kevin McLamb, Maxton, N.C., '87 Camaro, 7.003, 108.09 def. Michael Morton, Jacksonville, N.C., '70 Nova, 7.004, 101.45.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER MASTERS - Josh Phelps, Pasadena, Md., dragster, 7.906, 83.69 def. Breanna Wall, Kenly, N.C., dragster, 7.902, 84.53.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER ADVANCED - Jason Craft, Wilson, N.C., dragster, 8.991, 72.92 def. Nick Weaver, Sanford, N.C., dragster, foul.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER BEGINNER - Wallace Wilson, Taylors, S.C., dragster, 12.534, 53.70 def. Tyler Duff, Holly Ridge, N.C., dragster, 11.944, 53.60.

PIEDMONT RACE

GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP SPORTSMAN - Rick Whaley, Reidsville, N.C., '90 Camaro, 5.016, 139.36 def. Jut Crumpler, Elm City, N.C., '94 Beretta, 5.132, 136.61.

GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP DRAGSTER - David Barr, Candler, N.C., dragster, 4.586, 151.74 def. Greg Smith, Hodges, S.C., dragster, 4.675, 145.34.

SUPER STOCK - Joel Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firebird, GT/FA, 6.586, 99.94 def. Mark Young, Wake Forest, N.C., '93 Mustang, PBA-2, 5.918, 116.03.

STOCK ELIMINATOR - Terry Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '74 Corvette, I/CM, 6.783, 97.71 def. Junior Bryant, Stanley, N.C., '73 Duster, H/CM, 6.877, 98.02.

QUICK ROD - Brett Nesbitt, Burlington, N.C., dragster, 5.747, 129.16 def. Corey Manuel, Winston Salem, N.C., dragster, 5.694, 133.65.

SUPER ROD - Greg Slack, Albemarle, N.C., '70 Maverick, 6.497, 114.01 def. Sherlon Truelove, Dunn, N.C., '82 Camaro, 6.435, 116.76.

HOT ROD - Glenn Ferguson, Greensboro, N.C., '66 Fairlane, 6.969, 109.03 def. Daryl Griffin, Pittsboro, N.C., '69 Camaro, foul.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER MASTERS - Josh Phelps, Pasadena, Md., dragster, 7.924, 79.45 def. Brittney Dial, Pembroke, N.C., dragster, 7.959, 82.04.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER ADVANCED - Jason Craft, Wilson, N.C., dragster, 9.151, 69.79 def. Nick Weaver, Sanford, N.C., dragster, 9.488, 68.97.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER BEGINNER - Tyler Duff, Holly Ridge, N.C., dragster, 12.389, 50.75 def. Mallory Logan, N. Chesterfield, Va., dragster, 12.247, 51.40.

The following are final results from the Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL, Raiders Division 9 events at Piedmont Dragway, including the rain-delayed race originally scheduled to be finished at Rockingham Dragway.

ROCKINGHAM RACE

GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP SPORTSMAN - Mike White, Arden, N.C., '63 Corvette, 4.877, 139.31 def. Tim Fields, Abingdon, Va., '02 Firebird, 5.284, 134.87.

GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP DRAGSTER - Michael White, Arden, N.C., dragster, 4.709, 147.39 def. Greg Smith, Hodges, S.C., dragster, 4.673, 147.10.

SUPER STOCK - Mark Young, Wake Forest, N.C., '93 Mustang, PBA-2, 6.969, 72.02 def. Mike Boyles, King, N.C., '57 Bel Air Wgn, PI-1, foul.

STOCK ELIMINATOR - Richard Alford Jr., Raleigh, N.C., '98 Camaro, D/CM, 6.714, 98.54 def. Ray Grice, Alken, S.C., '86 Mustang, H/PS, 8.861, 74.44.

QUICK ROD - Dale Harrison, Sanford, N.C., dragster, 5.707, 133.01 def. Smokey Dial, Pembroke, N.C., dragster, 5.621, 129.83.

SUPER ROD - Brian Baker, Asheboro, N.C., '71 Comet, 6.412, 114.62 def. Chip Johnson, Fayetteville, N.C., '80 Monza, 6.394, 108.31.

HOT ROD - Kevin McLamb, Maxton, N.C., '87 Camaro, 7.003, 108.09 def. Michael Morton, Jacksonville, N.C., '70 Nova, 7.004, 101.45.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER MASTERS - Josh Phelps, Pasadena, Md., dragster, 7.906, 83.69 def. Breanna Wall, Kenly, N.C., dragster, 7.902, 84.53.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER ADVANCED - Jason Craft, Wilson, N.C., dragster, 8.991, 72.92 def. Nick Weaver, Sanford, N.C., dragster, foul.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER BEGINNER - Wallace Wilson, Taylors, S.C., dragster, 12.534, 53.70 def. Tyler Duff, Holly Ridge, N.C., dragster, 11.944, 53.60.

PIEDMONT RACE

GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP SPORTSMAN - Rick Whaley, Reidsville, N.C., '90 Camaro, 5.016, 139.36 def. Jut Crumpler, Elm City, N.C., '94 Beretta, 5.132, 136.61.

GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP DRAGSTER - David Barr, Candler, N.C., dragster, 4.586, 151.74 def. Greg Smith, Hodges, S.C., dragster, 4.675, 145.34.

SUPER STOCK - Joel Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firebird, GT/FA, 6.586, 99.94 def. Mark Young, Wake Forest, N.C., '93 Mustang, PBA-2, 5.918, 116.03.

STOCK ELIMINATOR - Terry Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '74 Corvette, I/CM, 6.783, 97.71 def. Junior Bryant, Stanley, N.C., '73 Duster, H/CM, 6.877, 98.02.

QUICK ROD - Brett Nesbitt, Burlington, N.C., dragster, 5.747, 129.16 def. Corey Manuel, Winston Salem, N.C., dragster, 5.694, 133.65.

SUPER ROD - Greg Slack, Albemarle, N.C., '70 Maverick, 6.497, 114.01 def. Sherlon Truelove, Dunn, N.C., '82 Camaro, 6.435, 116.76.

HOT ROD - Glenn Ferguson, Greensboro, N.C., '66 Fairlane, 6.969, 109.03 def. Daryl Griffin, Pittsboro, N.C., '69 Camaro, foul.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER MASTERS - Josh Phelps, Pasadena, Md., dragster, 7.924, 79.45 def. Brittney Dial, Pembroke, N.C., dragster, 7.959, 82.04.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER ADVANCED - Jason Craft, Wilson, N.C., dragster, 9.151, 69.79 def. Nick Weaver, Sanford, N.C., dragster, 9.488, 68.97.

GOOD VIBRATIONS JUNIOR DRAGSTER BEGINNER - Tyler Duff, Holly Ridge, N.C., dragster, 12.389, 50.75 def. Mallory Logan, N. Chesterfield, Va., dragster, 12.247, 51.40.

NHRA NEWS: CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE TO SPONSOR PRESTIGIOUS U.S. NATIONALSAT HISTORIC LUCAS OIL RACEWAY

GLENDORA, Calif. (July 2, 2013) – NHRA announced today that General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) and its Chevrolet Performance brand has signed a multi-year deal to become title rights sponsor of the largest and most prestigious event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

The event, which holds a place in NHRA history like no other, is traditionally held on Labor Day weekend with the 2013 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals scheduled for Aug. 28-Sept. 2. The event features 11 hours of coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD, including six hours on race day, Monday, Sept. 2, from noon to 6 p.m. (ET).

NHRA NEWS: OHIO RETURN COULD BE GOOD NEWS FOR TOP FUEL STAR LARRY DIXONAT SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS

NORWALK, Ohio – Accustomed to competing for world championships, progress means something a little different for Top Fuel standout Larry Dixon in 2013.

As part of the new, Australian-based Rapisarda Top Fuel team, the three-time world champion is experiencing all of the growing pains associated with a rookie team that has jumped into one of the most competitive classes in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

But Dixon continues to see progress and there may be a chance for more this weekend as he returns to Ohio, a state that has produced five of his 62 career wins. Two of those have come at Summit Motorsports Park, the site of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, July 4-7, and the 13th of 24 races in the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were the 2012 winners at the race at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, which will be televised on ESPN2 HD.

Dixon will be an underdog in another loaded Top Fuel field, but his major objective is seeing more improvement out of the 8,000-horsepower Rapisarda dragster that has posted three round wins in 2013.

Rocky Reports: Bowling Green Hot Rod Reunion!

The Bowling Green National Hot Rod Reunion has become a staple on our race schedule over the past decade. Each year the Pirrone & Ellershaw Race Team makes the 16 hour trip to Kentucky to not only compete but to enjoy all the reunion has to offer. This year, we packed up four hot rods to make the trek. We had the Big John Mazmanian 41 Willys Tribute car along with the Fred Bear driven K.S. Pittman 33 Willys along with the Boss Hydro and Frantic Ford Nitro Classical funny car...  The three blown Willys coupes were entered in the "Classical AA/GS" class and the Frantic Ford would be making shake down runs on it's maiden voyage to BG. The "Classical AA/GS" class had nine entries competing for eight qualifying spots. Freddy Bear in the K.S. Pittman 33 Willys tribute car had the number one spot with a 5.57 et  Bones Balogh, had the number four slot and the Boss Hydro was sixth. First round action saw Freddy Bear going a little too quick as his 5.59 broke the gentleman's rule and the two time Hot rod Reunion champ was on the trailer. Bones Balogh left a little too soon, and his day was done too. The Boss Hydro entry made it out of the first round with a hole shot victory over Steve Crook and his bad ass 56 Chevy. The holeshot win was paybacks as Steve did the same thing to the Boss a week earlier in the final round at Beaver springs! the Boss Hydro advanced to the final round with a all over the track win over Dave Cobb and his "Finders Keepers" 33 Willys. In the final round the Boss Hydro saved it's best run of the day carding 5.69 ET and .09 reaction time to defeat the red lighting 5.86 run of Micky Hale. The win gave the Pirrone & Ellershaw Race Team it's third straight victory lane appearance at the fabled Bowling Green event!

7/02/13 Drag Racing News

News

Drag racing: Coughlin races to second pro stock win of season Columbus Dispatch Drag racing: Coughlin races to second pro stock win of season. Related Items. Ray Stein wants to know what's on your mind. Auto Racing Headlines. Quaker State 400 results · Auto racing | Sprint Cup: Late gamble pays off for Kenseth · Auto racing ... See all stories on this topic »

Schumacher wins wild Top Fuel race on NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series The Spokesman Review (blog) Tony Schumacher's fiery finish stopped the clocks in 3.930 seconds at 269.29 mph, but it was quick enough to hold off a determined Clay Millican, whose Parts Plus dragster trailed and the veteran driver remained winless in six career final round ... See all stories on this topic »

F1, Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, MotoGP, ALMS, And More! PaddockTalk She races in the NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series for sportsman racers. The other three winners that used Goodyear tires were all in the NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series for professional teams. They included Tony Schumacher (in Top Fuel), Matt ... See all stories on this topic »

Drag races on in Forks this weekend after organizer gets insurance Peninsula Daily The West End Thunder drag racing club finalized coverage with Propel Insurance of Tacoma last Thursday, said Melene Bourm, secretary-treasurer of the club. The races, the first of the summer season originally set for the weekend of June 15-16, were ... See all stories on this topic »

NHRA returns to Norwalk for a horsepower-charged July Fourth celebration NHRA.com As the ground-shaking thrills of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series descends on "America's Racetrack," Summit Motorsports Park, for the seventh annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, July 4-7, race fans will experience an exciting ... See all stories on this topic »

JEGS to continue as NHRA Allstars sponsor SportsPro Media The deal ensures JEGS, a supplier of automotive parts and equipment, will remain the title sponsor of the drag racing body's JEGS Allstars event until 2016. The culmination of a year-long points battle, the event features the top points earners from ... See all stories on this topic »

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GARY COURTIER RACES TO NEOPMA PRO MOD SERIES VICTORY AT MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY’S RUMBLE AT THE GROVE

(7-2-2013) Mohnton, PA – Gary Courtier and Team had their 68' Courtier Home Improvement, Milt Decker tuned Jerry Bickel  Pro Mod Camaro ready for action and proved it with an impressive hole shot win at the "Rumble at the Grove" at Maple Grove Raceway this past weekend. Gary's reaction times were awesome, and he used it in the finals to take down Fred Scriba who has been a tear with consistent 6.0-6 teens for the last 3 events.

Conditions were hot and humid and made for tricky track conditions, and with days of terrible weather forecasted leading up to the event, 16 teams attended and prepared for qualifications after a change in forecast to clear and sunny skies for the June 29 event. Many of the teams struggled to get a handle on the track, but by the final qualifier many of the teams where ready for eliminations.

"Maple Grove is such a great track to race," Gary Courtier said. "The Camaro was working perfectly. Lex Dudas, and Track Manager Anthony Winchester and all the staff at MGR took care of all the racers, and prepped the track perfectly. My crew chief Milt Decker and Team had the Courtier Home Improvement Pro Mod running consistent. I would like to thank Reher Morrison, Switzer Dynamics, Ram Clutches, Goodyear, Moroso to name a few. Also thanks to my crew Tony, Frank, George, Craig, Jason, Buddy, Joshua, Bobby and Dominic."

"Several of the Pro Mod Teams chose not to make the trip due to the 40% or more chance of thunderstorms leading up to the event, event day and beyond. It's unfortunate that the forecasts change so much day to day. These weather patterns seem to be the norm, and affects drag racing across the US," states John Mazzorana NEOPMA President. "It's understandable and only the teams can make the go, no go decision. Overall for the year, we have had 40+ different Pro Mods attend at least one of our events. That says something positive about quarter mile Pro Mod action on the East Coast."

With the win, Gary Courtier assumes second place in points, with Fred Scriba maintaining the points lead.

The NEOPMA Pro Mod Series continues with the Super Chevy Show, July 19 - 21 at Maple Grove Raceway.  For more info of this event visit http://www.maplegroveraceway.com/blog/?page_id=9509

Final round-by-round results from the NEOPMA Pro Mod Warriors Series following the "Rumble at the Grove" at Maple Grove Raceway.

ROUND ONE – Fred Scriba, Corvette, 6.072, 235.60 def. Angela Ray, Ford Mustang, Broke; Kevin McCurdy, Camaro, 6.599, 187.63 def. Matt Deitsch, Camaro, Broke; Steve Drummond, Mustang, 6.312, 232.67 def. Paul Atkins, Mustang, Broke; Steve Kramer, Camaro, 6.283, 228.23 def. Bruce Mullins, Corvette, 6.880, 180.67; Jeff Miller, Belaire, 6.112, 232.63 def. Matt Deitsch Jr., Cavalier, 7.745, 168.79; Dwayne Wolfe, Firebird, 6.229, 229.12 def. Dean Marinis, Camaro, 6.384, 227.61; Gary Courtier, Camaro, 6.108, 236.88 def. Mickey Rauff, Beretta, 7.223, 189.15; Dave Hance, Bel Air, 6.251, 229.08 def. Mark Wells, Mustang, 8.941, 98.95.

QUARTERFINALS - Scriba, 6.065, 236.26 def. McCurdy, 6.758, 175.66; Kramer 6.229, 228.31 def. Drummond, Broke; Miller, 6.146, 231.12 def. Wolfe, Broke; Courtier, 6.087, 230.13 def. Hance, 6.225, 228.81.

SEMIFINALS -- Scriba, 6.033, 236.01 def. Kramer, 6.226, 228.00; Courtier, 6.087, 230.13 def. Miller, Broke.

FINAL -- Courtier, 6.101, 232.75 def. Scriba, 6.038, 237.13.

Point standings (top 10) for NEOPMA Pro Mod Warriors Series following the Door Wars at Maple Grove Raceway.

1. Fredy Scriba 1801, 2. Gary Courtier 1372, 3. Steve Kramer 1268, 4. Jeff Miller 1155, 5. Dwayne Wolfe 1085, 6. Angela Ray 968, 7. Dave Hance 702, 8. Jeff Rogers 626, 9. Tim O'Hare 576, 10. Steve Drummond 568

For more info on the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association visit http:// www.neopma.com  and a huge thank you to all our sponsors below.

Pictures courtesy of godragracing.org

IHRA Mopar Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam Nationals Preview

Canada's biggest drag race returns to Edmonton July 5-7

Edmonton's Tim Boychuk going for fourth straight Funny Car win

EDMONTON, Alberta (July 1, 2013) – The 2013 IHRA Nitro Jam series returns to Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta July 5-7 for the MOPAR Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam Nationals presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports. This exciting 1/4 mile competition is the biggest drag race in Canada and will feature racing in over a dozen different classes with professional and sportsman racing taking place all three days.

Here is what's making headlines entering this weekend's race:

EVENT: MOPAR Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam Nationals presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports

SUMMIT PRO-AM DIVISION: Division 6 Border Bandits

WHERE: Castrol Raceway | 10 Minutes south of Edmonton. Highway 19 and Highway 2, Nisku, Alberta, Canada

WHEN: July 5-7

CONTACT: (780) 461-5801 | www.castrolraceway.com  

MEDIA DAY: Thursday, July 4 @ The Canadian Brewhouse from 4-7 p.m. | 9538 Ellerslie Road, Edmonton, Alberta, T6X 0K6

FOUR-FOR-FOUR?

Edmonton native and Funny Car ace Tim Boychuk will be going for his fourth consecutive win at his home race this weekend.

Based right down the road from the track, Boychuk has made a name for himself in the nostalgia Funny Car ranks over the past few years setting records and winning some of the biggest races in the sport including taking home the famed March Meet crown at Bakersfield, California earlier this year. But nowhere has Boychuk been better than at the track where he got his drag racing start.

Over the past three years Boychuk has dispatched of Andy Beauchemin, Michael Grekul and Jim Obalek in the AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car finals to take wins in the only qualified-field Funny Car competition on the Nitro Jam schedule. Boychuk also took a runner-up finish in Top Fuel in 2010.

This year's competition will without a doubt be Boychuk's toughest yet as he squares off against a stout field of competitors including three-time IHRA Top Fuel World Champion Paul Romine in the "Power Steel" Camaro and the famed "Candies & Hughes" Funny Car team and March Meet runner-up Mark Sanders.

Fans will be in for a treat if Boychuk can once again take home the Ironman in the biggest IHRA race of the year.

THE LEGEND RETURNS

Speaking of Funny Car competition, if you haven't heard three-time IHRA Top Fuel World Champion and recent nostalgia Funny Car star Paul Romine will be coming out of retirement and traveling from his home in Indianapolis, Indiana to Edmonton to compete in his first race in over a year.

Romine received a call from Jim Broome, owner of the famed "Candies & Hughes" Funny Car team, earlier this year to drive his newly acquired "Power Steel" Camaro and Romine happily obliged. After taking a mini-retirement from the sport, Romine will return to action this weekend alongside his "Candies & Hughes" teammate as one of the most iconic Funny Car teams in the sport travel to Edmonton to battle Tim Boychuk and western Canada's best racers.

Adding to the excitement, Romine will be reuniting with his old crew as he teams with longtime tuner Mike Cavalieri and crewman John Bullard – both of whom have played pivotal roles with Romine over the years – as the team tries to get the "Power Steel" Camaro up to snuff against a very tough field in IHRA's only qualified Funny Car competition of the season.

"We are getting the band back together," Romine said. "It has been a little while since the last time I was behind the wheel, but with these guys I am sure we can get the car and myself up to speed pretty quickly. Mike used to help me with the Funny Car and John has been with me forever and having those guys with me up in Edmonton will make for a pretty awesome weekend."

A SPECIAL GUEST COMES HOME

Hall of Fame crew chief and Edmonton native Bernie Fedderly, long associated with legendary Funny Car driver John Force, has been named the Grand Marshal for the upcoming IHRA MOPAR Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam Nationals presented by Good Vibrations.

Fedderly, who retired from racing earlier this year, spent more than two decades with John Force Racing where he served alongside Austin Coil in guiding Force to 15 NHRA Funny Car championships. Fedderly was elected into the Drag Racing Hall of Fame in March and the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Fedderly has been around drag racing for more than 40 years. He broke onto the scene in 1980 when he guided Terry Capp to a victory at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and went on to win more than 100 national events with six different drivers in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.

With his Edmonton roots and longtime association with Castrol, Fedderly will serve as Grand Marshal for one of Canada's biggest motorsports events, the International Hot Rod Association's MOPAR Rocky Mountain Nationals set for July 5-7 at Castrol Raceway.

A SHOW UNLIKE ANY OTHER

One of the things that makes the MOPAR Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam Nationals so special is the unique lineup of racers and racecars. Between professional and sportsman competitors over a dozen different classes will fill the lanes this weekend including one of the wildest assortments of show cars found anywhere in the sport.

Professional competition will be conducted in Top Fuel Dragster, AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car, Nitro Harley, Fuel Altered, Rocky Mountain Nostalgia Funny Car and more.

In addition to all of the racing, the 2013 Rocky Mountain Nationals will also feature one of the biggest shows in the history of the event.

Multiple wheelstanders, jet dragsters and even a pair of jet trucks will join Alcohol Funny Cars, wheelstanding Police Cars and more. It will be a nice complement to an already stellar lineup of racing!

RENEWED RIVALRY

One of the oldest rivalries in all of IHRA drag racing is that between Top Fuel veterans Bruce Litton and Bobby Lagana Jr.

The two have competed against one another for over a decade, each winning multiple races and even a few championships during that span. But this year the two haven't seen much of each other – that is until this weekend.

Lagana and Litton will renew their age-old rivalry at Castrol Raceway as the two Top Fuel pilots, both winners of this event in the past, will join Kyle Wurtzel and a fourth Top Fuel team in an old-fashioned 320 mile-per-hour shootout to determine the fastest racer on the property. Last year it was Litton, who will take this year's showdown?

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

Over the past few years one of the most popular classes to emerge from the Rocky Mountain Nationals is the similarly named Rocky Mountain Funny Car group.

What began as an exhibition class at this event several years ago has grown into an integral part of the Edmonton event as the racers, from all across western Canada and the United States, travel to Castrol Raceway in their unique assortment of race vehicles looking for a shot at their biggest win of the year.

Racing on an index, these wild-bodied race cars qualify and compete in a 16-car field with the winner taking bragging rights for the year. And to add to the excitement – you never really know who is going to take the win.

Last year's Rocky Mountain Nostalgia Funny Car race was marred with upsets as No. 13 qualifier Shane Reykdal went on a tear eliminating one contender after another – including top qualifier David Brant – to eventually take home the win over Troy Sitko.

NHRA NEWS: POPULAR TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT TICKET PACKAGE RETURNS FOR NHRA U.S. NATIONALS

GLENDORA, Calif. (July 1, 2013) — NHRA and Traxxas have teamed up to once again offer fans a special Traxxas Nitro Shootout ticket package for the 59th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Aug. 28-Sept. 2.

The NHRA U.S. Nationals is the world’s most prestigious drag race and the longest running and most tradition-rich in the 24-race NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, and Traxxas, the fastest name in radio control, will once again partner with NHRA to present the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootouts.

The Traxxas Nitro Shootouts are $100,000 specialty bonus races for both Top Fuel and Funny Car. In honor of the Traxxas Nitro Shootouts, NHRA is offering a special Saturday, Sunday and Monday ticket-bundle package at a discount rate for fans to catch the Traxxas Nitro Shootouts on Saturday and Sunday and see the event champions crowned during Monday’s final eliminations.

NHRA NEWS: CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT MAKES FUNNY CAR ROOKIE CHAD HEAD ONE TO WATCH AT SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS

NORWALK, Ohio – When it comes to his own performance through the first part of his rookie season, Funny Car driver Chad Head isn’t afraid to be honest.

Led by a team that includes father Jim Head, a legendary Top Fuel and Funny Car driver, tuner and innovator, operating as the crew chief, a standout team and a proven Head Racing 8,000-horsepower Funny Car, the Columbus, Ohio native knows the pieces are in place to succeed.

He’s proven that to be true as well, taking the car to the No. 1 qualifying spot and a final round appearance at the prestigious Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, N.C., in April. But Head is looking for constant improvement and that includes his own strides as a driver.

Head knows there is more work to be done, and his next chance comes at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, July 4-7, which also marks the start of the second half of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were the 2012 winners at the race at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, which will be televised on ESPN2 HD.

7/01/13 Drag Racing News

News

OK to drag - Racing to resume at Vernamfield in July Jamaica Gleaner Hundreds of diehard motorsport fans are expected to cram the one-time airstrip, as the Government has given the National Drag Race Circuit (NDRC) the green light to resume drag racing there. "We received a letter from the Ministry of Transport and ... See all stories on this topic »

Petrol-head mecca as Slamfest takes over Benaraby Mackay Daily Mercury The track was as busy as it has ever been, with both the regular Central Queensland Drag Racing Association meet on and the Top Door slammers bringing eight of Australia's best drag racers to the venue. Ben Bray was the star of the night, taking the ... See all stories on this topic »

Schumacher, Hagan double up in Joliet Chicago Tribune Both lead their respective standings in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Schumacher celebrated his 72nd National Hot Rod Association triumph — and fourth in Joliet — and Hagan his eighth, sharing the winner's circle with Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock ... See all stories on this topic »

Akouris: DeJoria more than just a pretty face Joliet Herald News Drag racing is one of those auto sports with a cult-like following. It's not like NASCAR where most of the country — sports fans and non-sports fans alike — know drivers Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Their names ... See all stories on this topic »

Action Furiously Fast In Route 66 Qualifying RacinToday.com 1 qualifiers at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in Joliet, Ill. Capps posted the first three-second Funny Car run in Route 66 Raceway's history and it proved to be quick enough to hold on to the top spot. His track record performance of 3 ... See all stories on this topic »

Hagan returns to winning form Toledo Blade Sunday at the O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill., Hagan passed John Force at the 60-yard mark and stayed ahead of the drag racing veteran and team owner for the remainder of the final. "John [Force] is tough so we knew we had to run ... See all stories on this topic »

Martin Dragway dominator: 'This track loves me' MLive.com Thrift, of Waycross, Ga., raced his 2007 GTO to victory Sunday afternoon when the American Drag Racing League returned for its annual stop at the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin. Thrift made the 15-hour trip up from Georgia for the two-day Summer ... See all stories on this topic »

Drag racers turn out by the family to Helena event Helena Independent Record "Sometimes you think of drag racing as driving down the highway and throwing money out the window," he said. Terry Thomas, who teaches automotive sciences at Helena High School, races a Chevy Nova, rescued some time ago from his back yard. He put ... See all stories on this topic »

Upgraded raceway sure to rev up tourism numbers Fraser Coast Chronicle Gladstone is an ideal central location - not far from midway between Townsville and Brisbane, and I would expect that an upgraded facility would see people travel from north and south to compete and as spectators. This is not something that the drag ... See all stories on this topic »

Goodyear Is A Big Believer In Win On Sunday , Sell On Monday Forbes Goodyear spends untold millions of dollars as the exclusive tire supplier for NASCAR and NHRA drag racing, and on promoting those relationships in its marketing and advertising. Is it worth it? Goodyear and NASCAR obviously think so. This year is the ... See all stories on this topic »

Web

Drag Racing - 4x4 | Facebook Drag Racing - 4x4. 558 likes · 0 talking about this. Get Drag Racing - 4x4 on Google Play: Will be released in July 2013! https://www.facebook.com/DragRacing4x4

Officials: Epping drag racing event went off without a hitch | New ... Last weekend's inaugural Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals brought more than 20000 drag racing fans a day to the area, and despite heavy traffic and  ... www.unionleader.com/article/20130626/SPORTS11/.../sports

NMRA NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing | Motor ... NMRA NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing. Published June 27, 2013. Joliet is just around the corner. See you there. motormaniatv.com/?p=860

Racin & Rockin Radio: Dave Settles on July 1!

Join us on Monday, July 1, as we welcome Texas Top Fuel legend Dave Settles! Dave is one of the top engineers in the sport with tons of innovations to his name. Plus, he drove and tuned some of the quickest rides in the sport's history.


Plus John Bockelman does "JB's Take" with thoughts on music and drag racing.

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