Jalopnik: Nhra

Stunning photos capture 221 MPH race crash

Justin Hyde — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EDT

Two weeks ago, photographer Mark J. Rebilas set up to shoot drag races in Bristol, Tenn. What he got was a front-row seat to a fiery crash that nearly took out both cars. Here is his stunning gallery. More »

A Different Kind of Christmas Tree

Tom Joslin — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST

This excerpt from the NHRA's "The First 50 Years" features an explanation of how the current quarter mile starting light system or "Christmas Tree" replaced starting flags and some awesome vintage drag racing footage. More »

The Spirit Of Rett: The World's Fastest Single-Engine Tribute

Ms. Motor — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EDT

Last week during a private FIA sanctioned meet at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Charlie Nearburg set a new land-speed record of 414.5 mph with his NHRA Pro Stock engine based "Spirit of Rett." More »

Former Drag Racer Commits Suicide In His Failed Car Dealership

Justin Hyde — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:30:00 EDT

Lenny Woods, a black businessman whose name graced the groundbreaking Stone Woods & Cooke Swindler drag car racer in the 1960s, was found dead in his failed California Ford dealership Tuesday after an apparent suicide. He was 64 years old. More »

The Only Way To Travel

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:30:00 EDT

Hall-of-fame drag racer "TV Tommy" Ivo explains the origin of race car hauling and this amazing custom Dodge truck, including a particularly hilarious antic involving the Pennsylvania State Police. (Hat tip to JDUB!) [NHRA.com] More »

Four-Wide Jet-Powered Drag Racing

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EDT

In honor of this weekend's first-ever NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at North Carolina's zMax Dragway, we bring you this video from months earlier that defines awesome — four jet-powered dragsters with an estimated 24,000 HP combined rocketing down the track. More »

Taking On The World In a Rental Car: Krider Racing at the NHRA Street Legal Drags!

Rob Krider — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EDT

Jalopnik headed out to Sacramento Raceway Park in Northern California to enjoy some Wednesday night street legal tire-smokin' mayhem. Does the rent-a-racer stand a chance against Corvette Z06s and boosted-to-hell-and-gone VTEC Civics? More »

VIDEO: Flying Tire At Arizona Drag Race Kills Spectator

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:15:00 EST

A female spectator was killed Sunday during the NHRA Arizona Nationals when Antron Brown's Top Fuel dragster went out of control and struck the opposite lane wall, sending a rear tire into the crowd. Video below. More »

Name Your Amateur Motorsports Poison

Rob Krider — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST

Where do you go, or which club do you choose, when it's time to take your car out for some tire-smoking, engine-revving mayhem? More »

Drag Racing Photographer Has Steel Balls, Death Wish

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST

Andy Willsheer is aptly named, as it took the sheer force of his mighty will to keep snapping photos of this Mustang funny car as it hurls towards his camera. His great photos and video of the accident below. More »

Eight Great Mustangs From Racing History

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EDT

Like it or loathe it, the NASCAR Ford Mustang is part of a long history of Mustang racing. Here's a look at the most noteworthy examples of Mustang racing below. More »

Mystery Nightmare Car Plus Bonus NHRA Pace Car Firebird Down On The Spanish Dirt Lot

Murilee Martin — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EDT

This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we see interesting street-parked cars in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. Dominick was car shopping in Malaga when he found these two. More »

Eric Rickman, Original NHRA Safety Safari Member, Dies

Ray Wert — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:15:00 EST

Original NHRA Safety Safari member Eric "Rick" Rickman dies. [NHRA] More »

Dodge Challenger Super Stock Drag Package Available For Order...If You're Man Enough

Mark Arnold — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:40:00 EDT

We're stoked that Chrysler is offering a Dodge Challenger Drag Pak turn-key racer, but how exactly do you go about ordering one from your local Dodge dealer? Since these mighty Mopars are going to be limited production, you gotta prove you're worthy. First, you're required to submit your application in writing to a dealer, who will then fax it to Mopar Motorsports' secret lair. Keep in mind that this is all first-come first-served, so you probably want to get a fax confirmation to make sure your paperwork went through. But what qualifications will buyers have to meet? More »

NHRA Approves Roush Mustangs For Straight-Line Competition

Andrew Stoy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:20:00 EDT

The National Hot Rod Association has granted its approval to the 2008 Roush supercharged 4.6-liter V8 in the Stage 3TM and P-51ATM Mustangs. This marks the first time the NHRA has given the nod to an aftermarket powertrain; previous competition powertrains had to be as-delivered by the manufacturer. Depending on configuration and bodystyle, the Roush Mustangs will be classified between AA Stock and B Stock or SuperStock A and F. Look for the first Roush car coming from Haas, Carrothers & Wagner Racing; the team won three consecutive NHRA Division 3 championships from 2004-2006, and they're currently building a Roush Mustang with a Stage 3TM powertrain. More »

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Nitro Fumes And Meat On A Stick At The Mopar Mile High Nationals!

Murilee Martin — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Last weekend, I found myself in Denver on short notice, and damn if they weren't running the Mopar Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway! As a Doctor Of Automotive Journalism, it was my sacred duty to check it out, regardless of the fact that I hadn't brought my good camera. It was 97 degrees in the shade, engines and sea-level humans were gasping for oxygen, and there was much grumbling that Top Fuel and Funny Car classes were running 320 feet less than before...but there's still no substitute for the apocalyptic full-body sensation of an 8,000 horsepower blown Hemi blasting off a few yards away. Make the jump for the complete gallery. More »

Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pack Finally Revealed

Mark Arnold — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT

After more than a year of anticipation, Chrysler has taken the wraps off the Drag Package for the 2008 Dodge Challenger (Read our three-part review of the SRT8 here!). At least 100 of the Mopar muscle machines will be built, each tailored for the specific NHRA category in which the buyer wishes to compete. The big decision will be whether you want a 5.9-liter Magnum wedge, 5.7-liter Hemi or the big 'n nasty 6.1-liter Hemi. Any of them can be paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. Full details in the press release below the jump. More »

NHRA Shortens Track After Fatal Crash, No Longer 1/4-Mile

Mark Arnold — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT

As an interim safety measure in the wake of Scott Kalitta's fatal crash, the NHRA has decided to shorten the length of the race in the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes from 1320 feet down to 1000 feet. This comes as part of an effort to reduce speeds; plus, with the shortened racing distance, the drivers are left with more track after the finish line, allowing them more time to slow down after the race. The measure is said to be temporary, but the NHRA is looking into several other ways to increase safety and decrease the risk of another tragedy. More »

NHRA Testing Vibrator

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT

If you follow gaming or home theater gadgets, you may have heard of the Guitammer ButtKicker system. The core of the system is an electromagnetic piston capable of reproducing low-range frequencies without sound, providing an immersive experience to correspond with music or on-screen action. The NHRA is testing this industrial-grade vibrator as a way to simulate the drag racing experience on the couches of fans at home. This weekend, Jeg Coughlin Jr. will be carrying the transmission system in his Chevy Cobalt drag racer and a group of test subjects will be experiencing seat-of-the-pants racing like never before. More »

Scott Kalitta, NHRA Champion, Killed In Qualifying Incident

Matt Hardigree — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:01:00 EDT

UPDATE: We've now posted the Scott Kalitta crash video. Funny Car driver and two-time Top Fuel champion Scott Kalitta died after injuries sustained in a fiery crash during the final round of qualifying of the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway park saturday. According to reports, his Toyota Solara Funny Car experienced an engine explosion at around 300 mph, causing his car to hit a sand trap and eventually crash. Kalitta, age 46, had a long and successful career, including back-to-back championships in the NHRA POWERade Series Top Fuel series in 1994 and 1995. More »

Ashley Force Wins Funny Car Race, Seriously

Mark Arnold — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:40:00 EDT

After Danica Patrick won her first Indy race, there was a lot of noise from talking heads, with serial bloviators like Pedro de la Rosa and Gregg Doyel weighing in on the topic of women in motorsport. So, to shut up all the skeptics, Ashley Force won at yesterday's NHRA Southern Nationals to become the first female driver to win a national Funny Car event. The victory came against her dad, the legendary John Force, denying him of what would have been his 1000th career win. Her final 1/4-mile run was 4.837 seconds at 320.36 MPH— lets see you macho guys do that without needing to change your underwear. More »

Pat "Uncle Patty" Foster, Racing And Tuning Legend, Dead At Age 67

Ray Wert — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:30:00 EDT

We're all saddened to hear legendary drag racer, builder and tuner Pat "Uncle Patty" Foster passed away on March 28th due to what we're told were "medical complications." What to say about "Uncle Patty?" Well, we could talk about how Foster started his career as a test pilot, or how over the past 35 years Pat Foster built everything from Gas Coupes to Land Speed Record cars, and every Dragster and Funny in between. We could talk about how Foster was involved in virtually every aspect of the Southern California and national racing scene — how he worked with the likes of Woody Gilmore, Ronnie Scrima, Frank Huszar, Jim Hume, Nye Frank, Tom Jobe, Mickey Thompson and the recently-passed John Buttera. No, instead, we'll let Hot Rod's Jim Hill tell you a story from the June '69 NHRA Springnationals where he first crossed paths with "Uncle Patty" More »

Lil John Buttera, Funny Car Legend, Dead At 67

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST

Lil John Buttera, famous for making some of the most visually and technologically unique dragsters and funny cars, died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Both an engineer and a designer, Buttera contributed to drag racing with cutting edge manufacturing techniques and aesthetic touches that helped increase the popularity of the sport in the 1970's. Some of his most famous designs include Don Prudhomme's Snake II, Mickey Thompson's Mach 1 and our personal favorite: the Wonder Wagon Vega driven by Don Schumacher. More »

Slingshot Dragster Launch At 1,000 Frames Per Second

Murilee Martin — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST

Ford and NHRA Create Black Blue Boxes For Nitro Cars

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST

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There's an old Chris Rock joke that goes "How come every time an airplane crashes, all they can ever find is the black box. Why don't they just make the whole plane out of the black box?" That's all a setup for this story about Ford and NHRA teaming up to provide Blue Box sensors for all dragsters in the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes. They've already been tested in the past by the likes of John Force Racing, who knows how to knock the crap out of a car. Besides good times for the engineers, the raw crash data will be used to help develop better and safer cars. Press release below: More »

OK Then: What About Drag Racing?

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST

You all had such strong reactions to our little NASCAR query that we're going to keep it going. So, for those of you who bitched and moaned about, "turn left, turn left, turn left, turn left," here's a motorized endeavor that features no turning whatsoever. Just machines barreling straight down a quarter mile runaway. Totally lost on Europeans (who the hell cares about 402.336 meters?) drag racing is about as American as it gets. Half the kids I went to high school with had Chevelles and '55 Bel Airs that could (supposedly) run in the 11s. And these were 16-year-olds. And we will be the first to admit that the times and speeds being achieved by modern top fuel dragsters are mind boggling. 4.5 seconds at 330 mph doesn't even make sense, let alone the fact that drivers are subjected to 6 Gs under acceleration. That said, we find drag racing pretty dull and would rather watch NASCAR. Also, many complained that drifting is nothing but an exhibition. Pot kettle black much? More »

John Force Goes Home After 27 Days In Hopsital

tingwall — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:21:34 EDT

Drag racer John Force returned to his home on Saturday after spending 27 days in the hospital, but still has a long way to go before he makes a full recovery. Force was traveling at more than 300 mph in the Funny Car semifinals of the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals when the violent crash that split his car in two occurred. Watching the video of the accident will leave you shocked that he only suffered a broken ankle, foot, hand and fingers along with injuries to a knee and wrist. Force will still have regular therapy and is scheduled to have pins removed from his legs in five weeks. Most of his time out of bed will be spent in a wheelchair or a walker, but he plans to attend the last two NHRA events of the season. [Sports Illustrated] More »

Down in the Grove at Bakersfield

Mike Bumbeck — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EDT

A week has past since we drove into the drizzle with a 207 thousand plus miles econobox to get to Bakerfield for a drag race that also happened to be a swap meet and car show. The roots of the California Hot Rod Reunion run deeper into history than a modern drag racing event. Behind the bleachers at Famoso Raceway is the Grove, in the ground of which trees are planted in honor of those drag racing heavyweights that have passed on. The Grove at the CHRR is packed with those who feel a strong enough connection to the action on the track to fork over a few extra sawbucks to show off their rides - with some spots conspicuously vacant after the call to the staging lanes crackled over the loudspeakers. More »

Super Nova Melt Down at CHRR

Mike Bumbeck — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:00:00 EDT

The bad news is the Randy Walls Super Nova exploded in a horrific fireball at half track during Chicago style first round action at the California Hot Rod Reunion. The good news is Randy walked away with only minor burns and smoke inhalation. The MaxChevy crew were down at the top end and captured the full destructive power of nitro in photo sequence. [Walls Goes 'Super Nova' at CHRR via MaxChevy.com] More »

Monday! Monday! Monday! CHRR Funny Cars!

Mike Bumbeck — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:45:00 EDT

The mayhem that was the Chicago-style Nostalgia Funny Car battle at the California Hot Rod Reunion wrapped yesterday with Bucky Austin driving his 1977 ~~Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste~~ Plymouth Arrow-bodied Funny Car to the king of the hill spot. The struggle to the finish was as heavy in the pits as it was on the track, as crews blew apart what was left of engines to repair damage from the horrors of nitro in time for the next round. Out of nineteen cars entered only one could trip the win light in the end. Vegas, Mustangs, and Firebirds all eventually fell victim to the power of Plymouth. More »

Nitromethane Illuminates a Cacklefest Dusk

Mike Bumbeck — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:30:00 EDT

The good stuff kept burning long after the last pair of race cars lit up the clocks at the California Hot Rod Reunion. With dusk came the return of Cacklefest to the hallowed track surface of Famoso Raceway. Over 50 restored fuel machines of the slingshot and funny car variety first ran parade in front of the capacity crowd, then put fire into the holes until thousands of eyeballs either watered up the acrid power of nitro, emotion, or a mix of both. More »

Round one of CHRR Chicago Style Funny Car...

Mike Bumbeck — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:30:00 EDT

Round one of CHRR Chicago Style Funny Car action is a wrap. Randy Walls is OK after his Super Nova went fireball at half track. Terry Capp holds the number one spot with a 6.031 ET at 239.93 mile per hour assault. Full rundown of all the flopper action at Drag Race Central. [CHRR FC Action] More »

Fire and Rain and The Ridge Route Blues

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:30:00 EDT

In a vain attempt to join Jalopnik stringer Bumbeck at Famoso Raceway yesterday morning for Day 2 of the California Hot Rod Reunion, yours truly loaded up the Chrysler with camera gear, sundry recording devices, the Fall box set, and a hot thermos of 80 weight Cafe Bustello. Ahhh.... the Cali Hot Rod Reunion, where period-perfect dragsters of antediluvian design and origins get up on the tire and blister the hides down the length of the quarter-mile. More »

Smirnoff Vodka and the Spirit(s) of the Sixties

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 14:00:00 EDT

I barely remember the days when Smirnoff vodka sponsored a AA/Fuel Dragster, and how gorgeous the car was in its original incarnation. But I do recall the car and that it was at one time shoed by the legendary dragster driver, Larry Dixon. What I really remember most is the stuff of family legend. Back in the day, my Uncle Phil drove a small-block Chevy Junior gas dragster ("Connelly & Coonce") at various strips in Southern California. In 1967 or '68, at one of Lions Drag Strip's "Professional Dragster Association" meets, my Uncle was suited up and strapped in the car in the staging lanes, waiting his turn to make a qualifying pass. More »

Saturday Racing Action from Bakersfield

Mike Bumbeck — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 13:30:00 EDT

Skies are clear here at Famoso Raceway and the staging lanes are packed. Yesterday brought qualifying along with voluminous amounts of nitromethane, alcohol, and even a bit of race gas burned up for what was the largest single day crowd the CHRR has seen to date. Sunday will bring elimination rounds and the Funny Cars to the tarmac. The first pair of nitro cars are set to light off as the last note of the National Anthem crackles through the PA. Brad Thompson holds the number one Top Fuel qualifying spot with a 5.74 second at 255.89 mile per hour blast. Check the gallery for some of yesterday's racing action today. More »

Mopowered Shopping Cart

Mike Bumbeck — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 12:30:00 EDT

Taking the big box philosophy one step too far are these drag race fans. It's always a good idea to bring a shopping cart to the California Hot Rod Reunion. Just make sure the cart is large enough to seat many, and make absolutely sure to stuff a Mopar V8 and TorqueFlite into it. Wing optional. More »

Swap Meet Stroll: We'll Give You Eight Bucks

Mike Bumbeck — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:00:00 EDT

Half the fun in referencing the past is collecting the bits and pieces of an era that still survive. We would like to spend our vast earnings on a corroded set of Mickey Thompson wheels, a Hilborn injector stack, or even a set of Cragar five-spokes with Wide Oval bias ply tires cracked into patina with age. What we could afford was this 1958 copy of Motorspeed magazine with a very jet-age looking turbine-powered Firebird of the future gracing the cover. We paid five bucks, not even eight. Maybe we'll luck out and stuff a Honda 550 Super Sport in orange metalflake into the Starlet for the trip back home. The squirrel is another story entirely. More »

Famoso Raceway remains socked in with drizzle....

Mike Bumbeck — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 13:15:00 EDT

Famoso Raceway remains socked in with drizzle. Top Fuel qualifying is set to begin again at high noon, weather permitting. The swap meet and car show on the grove is in full effect. Race fans seem oblivious to the few raindrops, and celery stalks have been seen in the cups of many. More »

Live From the Tower at Famoso Raceway

Mike Bumbeck — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 13:00:00 EDT

The bad news is we won't have time to shoot photos, go to the swap meet to read a March 1967 issue of Car Craft, eat hot dogs, and post round-by-round racing results all at the same time. The good news is Daryl Jackman will be running the action as he sees it from the Famoso Raceway tower through his keyboard, and onto the wires at Drag Race Central. Those wanting to see elapsed times and trap speeds as they happen are advised to check it out. Look for CHRR. [Dragracecentral.com] More »

The Bakersfield Smell

Mike Bumbeck — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 11:00:00 EDT

The Bakersfield Sound is well heard. Anyone who has motored through the Bakersfield also knows of the Bakersfield smell. While we don't hold a job at the company that makes mirror hanging stinky pines, we do have a theory. The first component is the fumes of agribusiness. The next odd brew of scent arises from oil refinery by-products. These two combined with trucking and the greasy spoons that line 99 may in fact be responsible for the unique olfactory memory and orangy evening skies. Then again, it could all be coming from the Clamato factory near Fresno. More »