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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 Scenes From Seattle

Friday, August 03, 2012

News and views from the O’Reilly Auto Parts
NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries

Last update: 7:30 p.m.
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Racers returned to Pacific Raceways for the silver anniversary of the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, the 15th of 23 stops on the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

For out-of-state racing fans who attend this event, one of the most spectacular visual attractions is the majestic Mount Rainier, which with a summit elevation of 14,411 feet, is the most topographically prominent mountain in the continental United States.

The Teacher’s Pet '69 Camaro AA/FC was one of many nostalgia cars on display near the staging lanes.

Funny Car veteran Gary Densham bannered Bucky’s Complete Auto Repair on the side of his Dodge Charger. Bucky Austin won this event four times as a Top Alcohol Funny Car driver and will run his Kris Krabill-driven Nostalgia Funny Car tomorrow.

Cruz Pedregon held nothing back in his first run on the repoured concrete surface. The Snap-on driver led the first Funny Car session with a 4.12.

Kapowsin, Wash., Top Fuel driver Ron Smith made his annual appearance at this event. He was the first Top Fuel dragster to cross the finish line beam this weekend when he ran a 4.57 in the opening session.

Mike Edwards (above) and Erica Enders (below) ran identical times of 6.573 in the first and second rounds of Pro Stock qualifying, respectively; Edwards' slightly better speed (210.97 to 210.73) gave him the No. 3 spot.

Vincent Nobile, who uses engines supplied by Allen Johnson’s father, Roy, ended up No. 2 with a 6.564 best.

In addition to winning the first two races of the Western Swing, Allen Johnson has maintained his perfect record of being the quickest car in every session of Pro Stock qualifying so far during the three events. Today, he extended his pace-setting streak to 10 consecutive runs with times of 6.554 and 6.563.

Alexis DeJoria returned to the site of her first Top Alcohol Funny Car win a year ago. She made a pair of solid runs in the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car with a 4.19 and a 4.16 that put her in the No. 7 position.

Ron Capps, whose first win was in Roger Primm’s Top Fuel dragster at this event in 1995, shot to the No. 1 position with a 4.11, 298 in the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger Funny Car.

(Above) David Grubnic was at the top of the sheets when his Optima Top Fuel dragster ran a 3.87 in the second session, but he was bounced all the way down to No. 9 at the end of a great qualifying round.

(Right) Spencer Massey secured the provisional No. 1 qualifying position by running a 3.837 in the FRAM dragster, which Tony Schumacher equaled two pairs later but was relegated to No. 2 based on speed.

(Below) In the final pair of fuelers to go down the racing surface, Steve Torrence came within .001-second of the top qualifying position and 23-hundredths of one mile-per-hour of top speed.

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