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NHRA 101: Your Guide to NHRA Drag Racing

In basic terms, a drag race is an acceleration contest between two vehicles over a measured distance, but what is a holeshot? Or a breakout? Welcome to NHRA 101, your complete guide to the world of NHRA Drag Racing, from the terminology of the sport to what you need to enjoy a day at the races to info on the many different vehicles that take to the track during a race weekend.
NHRA.com Features and Columns

There's more to drag racing than just two cars streaking down the strip. NHRA.com has a wide assortment of regular columns, including the DRAGSTER Insider -- in which ND Editor Phil Burgess treats you to "the stories behind the stories" from yesterday and today -- exclusive Driver Blogs that take you into the homes and trailers of the sport's top stars, and the NHRA.com Notebook. From this area, you also can access previous Special Sections, including special-edition websites and blogs as well as memorial pages.
Meet the Stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Series

Want more information on your favorite NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers? NHRA.com has full bios on all the series regulars, including major accomplishments, best runs, hobbies, and more, plus team and driver website addresses and contact information in the fan-club sections.
Watch NHRA Drag Racing on TV

All 24 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events feature same-day television coverage on ESPN2 of the Professional-class action with play-by-play from motor racing veteran Dave Rieff and expert color commentary by former Top Fuel and Funny Car racer Mike Dunn. ESPN2 also offers coverage of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. NHRA Drag Racing also is aired in Canada on TSN.
The Sights and Sounds of NHRA Drag Racing

NHRA.com offers a wide array of multimedia features for you to enjoy the sights and sounds of NHRA Drag Racing. With video clips and photos from the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the popular National Dragster Photo of the Week, and a gallery of .wav files for your computer, there's lots to see and hear in NHRA Multimedia.
Get Your Official NHRA Apparel and Merchandise

A wide range of NHRA-themed items is available for purchase online. The NitroMall is your one-stop spot for official NHRA merchandise, products from some of the teams of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and more. The NHRA Store is the place to join NHRA and purchase specialty items and DVDs, and the NHRA Museum Store has items to satisfy history buffs, from vintage T-shirts to historical books.

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Friday's Chicago Chronicles

Friday, June 29, 2012

News and views from the O'Reilly Auto Parts
Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries

Last update: 10:15 p.m.
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	Day two of racing at Route 66 Raceway was going along well until just before noon, when the skies darkened, thunder began booming, and lightning started flashing, followed by a gully washer of a rainstorm (left). (Below) By 12:30, the NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA, led by NHRA Chief Starter Mark Lyle, right, was on the racing surface to begin the drying process. The estimated time for racing to return is 2 p.m. The day's two Full Throttle Professional qualifying sessions are still on schedule for 4 and 7 p.m.

[1:50 p.m.] Ahead of schedule, the Top Alcohol Funny Car teams — including that of recent Tulsa, Okla., regional winner Annie Whiteley (above) — began rolling back to the staging lanes they abandoned during the storm. (Below) Meanwhile, the Full Throttle teams, like those of Top Fuel's Clay Millican, continued readying their mounts for the first of two scheduled qualifying sessions later today, set for 4 and 7 p.m.

[4:35 p.m.] Hector Arana Sr. powered to the top of the Pro Stock Motorcycle field with a 6.915 in the first session, His son, Hector Jr., qualified No. 2 at 6.941 at 193.21 (top speed). Steve Johnson was third at 7.010.

Allen Johnson crushed it in his opening pass in Pro Stock, putting the Mopar Avenger No. 1 with a 6.597 at 209.26. Jason Line (6.629) and Bristol champ Mike Edwards (6.635) also earned qualifying bonus points.

[5:40 p.m.] Ron Capps' special-edition NAPA Charger, saluting the Intrepid Fallen Heroes group, qualified No. 1 in Funny Car in the first session with a 4.121. Jeff Arend (4.142) and Cruz Pedregon (4.150) were second and third.

[6:25 P.M.] Spencer Massey, who won this event in his 2009 rookie season, put the Prestone dragster No. 1 in the first Top Fuel session with a 3.818. Shawn Langdon was second at 3.835 and Steve Torrence third (3.840).

[7:30 p.m.] Hector Arana Sr., right, who's also tuning Wesley Wells aboard Arana's third bike, remained No. 1 in Pro Stock Motorcycle and also had the best pass of the second session, a 6.920. Hector Jr. (below) again was the second quickest with a marginally improved 6.939. World champ Eddie Krawiec failed to earn bonus points in either session.

[7:50 p.m.] Allen Johnson again had low e.t. of the second Pro Stock session (6.618), but Jason Line (above) and V. Gaines (below) also made nice runs for the second and third best of the frame. Line's Summit Camaro ran 6.632, and Gaines' Kendall Dodge Avenger ran 6.635. Points leader Greg Anderson is just ninth with a 6.649 best.

John Force has his eyes set on his No. 140 career No. 1 qualifying spot by running a stout 4.05 in Funny Car's second qualifying session. Jack Beckman (below) was No. 2 with a 4.054 in the Schumacher Electric machine.

Antron Brown tied Larry Dixon's two-year-old track record of 3.773 to lead Friday's Top Fuel field. Spencer Massey (below) set top speed at 326.79 mph to shatter Tony Schumacher's old track mark of 323.12.

The jet dragsters of Scotty Holdridge (Black Ice) and Al Zukauskas (Hot Blade) closed Friday's show.

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