Josh Hart on his Top Fuel title chances: "Time to dig deep and go for it."
With three races remaining, Josh Hart and his R+L Carriers team are just 64 points out of first place in the hotly contested Top Fuel championship battle so they very much control their own destiny.
Brittany Force looks to play catch-up in epic Top Fuel championship title fight
The first three races of the Countdown to the Championship have not gone according to plan for Brittany Force and her Monster Energy team but they are counting on a strong finish at the final three events.
Retirement rescinded, it's been a unique year for nitro veteran Rahn Tobler
Rahn Tobler was supposed to have retired, but early this year, the multi-championship-winning nitro tuner had a change of heart. It has been a unique season of learning for Tobler, just as it has been for his new charge, young John Force Racing Top Fuel driver Austin Prock.
Rahn Tobler was supposed to have retired. With four world championships and a plethora of race wins under his belt, the well-adorned crew chief had earned his stripes and his time in the sun. Fond goodbyes were exchanged, and Tobler made his way…
Counting up the plusses and minuses as Countdown playoffs enter second half
The NHRA Countdown to the Championship has already treated race fans to dominant performances, record-breaking runs, incredible surprises, and changes at the top of the standings – and that’s just through three playoff races.
The NHRA Countdown to the Championship has already treated race fans to dominant performances, record-breaking runs, incredible surprises, and changes at the top of the standings – and that’s just through three playoff races.
The second half of…
Erica Enders on Pro Stock gamesmanship: 'I wouldn't put it past any one of them'
With a commanding lead in the Camping World NHRA Pro Stock standings, Erica Enders and the Elite team are prepared for just about anything as they head into the final three events of the 2022 season.
Drive for five is still alive after Steve Torrence team wins in St. Louis
The Capco Contractors team has never been out of title contention this season, but their odds of a fifth straight Top Fuel title got a huge boost following Steve Torrence's most recent win in St. Louis.
Jake Opatrny's life goal realized making his Top Fuel debut at St. Louis
"I just wanted to do it my whole life. It's the only thing I've ever thought about, every waking moment of my entire life." —Jake Opatrny, on getting to drive a Top Fuel dragster at the 2022 NHRA Midwest Nationals.
Ride along with Matt Hartford in his 500-cid, five-speed Pro Stock Camaro
For more than 50 years, Pro Stock has been the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series driver's class, and in through these on-board cameras in Matt Hartford's Camaro you can see why.
Still in the hunt, John Force and team are ready to resume the fight in Dallas
Currently ranked No. 4, John Force has work to do if he's going to win a 17th Funny Car championship but no one on the JFR team is prepared to throw in the towel as they head to Dallas for the NHRA Texas FallNationals.
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the 2022 NHRA Midwest Nationals
Go behind the scenes with the winners of the NHRA Midwest Nationals as they celebrate their victories with their teams and one another, and accept congratulations from their vanquished final-round foes.
Angelle Sampey relives sideswiping the wall at 200 mph
At 200 mph, things happen quickly. But listen to Angelle Sampey discuss scraping the wall with her bike's foot peg with the coolness of a fighter pilot.
John Force and Robert Hight; same e.t., two different crew chief philosophies
The talent pool and parts expertise at John Force Racing is extensive, but when you see two Funny Cars run the same e.t. in the same session—that's nitromethane mastery!
Weekend Rewind: NHRA Midwest Nationals
The NHRA Midwest Nationals marked the end of a three-week stretch of back-to-back-to-back events to kick off the Countdown to the Championship and marked the middle point of the all-important six-race playoffs. Relive some of the great moments of the weekend here.
Five things we learned from the 2022 NHRA Midwest Nationals
The NHRA Midwest Nationals shape the rest of the season. And if we've learned anything, it's this: 2022's success can be attributed to the efforts of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series racers, who are putting on one heck of a show this season.
1. Sellout crowds show how competitive NHRA Drag Racing is in 2022. Fans come to the track to see their heroes race and win, and in seasons like this, where so many racers are legitimately in the hunt to be the champion — that…
Championship contenders Matt and Angie Smith navigate a unique battle
Reigning and five-time NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series champion Matt Smith is leading the Pro Stock Motorcycle points after St. Louis, and one of his toughest competitors is right there in his own camp. Oh, and she's at home, too: Matt's wife, Angie.
The Matt Smith Racing team operates with a very interesting dynamic. Reigning and five-time NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series champion Matt Smith is leading the Pro Stock Motorcycle points after St. Louis, and one of his toughest competitors is…
NHRA Midwest Nationals Sunday photo gallery
A behind-the-scenes look at the speed and fury of the 2022 NHRA Midwest Nationals, as shot by NHRA National Dragster photographer Marc Gewertz
2022 NHRA Midwest Nationals Saturday photo gallery
The NHRA and officials at World Wide Technology Raceway announced a sellout crowd during today's racing action, as the passionate fanbase packed the track to close out qualifying in St. Louis. It is the seventh sellout crowd for the NHRA this season.
Funny Car championship contender Matt Hagan is in full-fighter mode
Three-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan entered the NHRA Midwest Nationals just 60 points out of first place, and he and his wing of the TSR Nitro team are steadily focused on making up as much ground as possible as the 2022 NHRA Countdown to the Championship hits dead-center.
Three-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan entered the NHRA Midwest Nationals just 60 points out of first place, and he and his wing of the TSR Nitro team are steadily focused on making up as much ground as possible as the 2022 NHRA Countdown to…
Aaron Stanfield in the midst of efficient recovery from early Countdown stumble
With a victory last weekend, Aaron Stanfield jumped right back in the championship mix, but the rising star in Pro Stock said the chase for an NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series world title in the class won’t be his main focus at the NHRA Midwest Nationals.
Aaron Stanfield, driver of the Janac Brothers Pro Stock Chevrolet Camaro, was back in form this past weekend as he claimed victory at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals and moved back into the No. 2 position in the championship standings. Stanfield…
2022 NHRA Midwest Nationals Friday photo gallery
NHRA National Dragster's award-winning photographer Marc Gewertz shares the beauty, speed, and behind-the-scenes shots his lenses captured at the 2022 NHRA Midwest Nationals.
Rookie Camrie Caruso experiencing the Countdown's potent energy
Camrie Caruso could not have known what she was in for when she stepped into the dog-eat-dog world of Pro Stock at the beginning of the season, but soon enough, Caruso came to understand the inner workings of the class and is experiencing the heightened intensity of a championship chase in a professional category for the first time.
As one twist of the old saying goes, "You don't know until you know." Young Camrie Caruso could not have known what she was in for when she stepped into the dog-eat-dog world of Pro Stock at the beginning of the season. She appeared on the scene…
Funny Car fan-favorite Tim Wilkerson looks to shine in front of family and friends
Tim Wilkerson remains right in the thick of things in the Countdown to the Championship, already advancing to one final round in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ six-race playoffs. Now the veteran has a chance to put on a show at his home track in front of family and friends at this weekend’s NHRA Midwest Nationals.
Tim Wilkerson remains right in the thick of things in the Countdown to the Championship, already advancing to one final round in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ six-race playoffs. Now the veteran has a chance to put on a show at his home…
How former racer Curtis Francois saved and resurrected St. Louis' marquee facility
Twelve years ago, the fate of what today is known as World Wide Technology Raceway was very much in jeopardy until local businessman and developer Curtis Francois bought the property and turned it into the showcase facility that this weekend will host the NHRA Midwest Nationals.
by John Bisci
World Wide Technology Raceway’s compelling story of its narrow escape from the wrecking ball has been told many times, but it never ceases to amaze the listener. In a nutshell, the facility, which included a…
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals
Go behind the scenes with the winners of the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals as they celebrate their victories with their teams and one another, and accept congratulations from their vanquished final-round foes.
Relive the action at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals in our Weekend Rewind
Relive the magic, drama, and upsets of the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, race two of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.
Five Things We Learned at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals
The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals was the second race of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, an event filled with drama, upsets, and a lot of emotion. Here are five big takeaways from the event.
The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals was the second race of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, an event filled with drama, upsets, and a lot of emotion. Here are five big takeaways from the event.
DON’T…
With milestone 600th start on deck, Cruz Pedregon looks back and ahead at career
Two-time NHRA Funny Car world champ Cruz Pedregon will become just the third racer in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series to record 600 raceday starts when he fires the car Sunday morning at zMAX Dragway.
With his place in the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals Funny Car field safely secured with his 3.93-second blast Friday night, two-time NHRA Funny Car world champ Cruz Pedregon will become just the third racer in the NHRA Camping World Drag…
Tim Wilkerson eager to make up for the one that got away in Reading
Tim Wilkerson is still kicking himself after his red-light in the final round of last weekend’s Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, but he’s glad that he only had to wait five days to get back behind the wheel at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals.
Tim Wilkerson is still kicking himself after his red-light in the final round of last weekend’s Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, but he’s glad that he only had to wait five days to get back behind the wheel of his Levi, Ray & Shoup Funny Car at the…
Pro Stock standout Bo Butner looking to make big move in Charlotte
With five races left in the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, Bo Butner knows he has ground to make up starting at this weekend’s Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
With five races left in the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, Bo Butner knows he has ground to make up starting at this weekend’s Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. But coming off his first No. 1 qualifier in three…
NHRA Safety Safari: One of Wally Parks' key contributions to drag racing
For nearly 70 years, the NHRA Safety Safari presented by Simpson has made the National Hot Rod Association the premiere place to drag race.
Wally Parks knew that in order for drag racing to grow to its full potential, it would have to be sustainable. Race tracks would need to be consistent in their processes and preparation, the staff that ran the events would have to be…