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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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Saturday's Scenes From Charlotte

Saturday, April 14, 2012

News and views from the
NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

Last update: 5 p.m.
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Day two of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals has dawned bright and clear, and eager race fans are already packing zMAX Dragway in anticipation of today's final two Full Throttle qualifying sessions that will set the fields for Sunday's final eliminations. Behind the scenes, the teams are readying their mounts for battle, and drivers like Top Fuel fave Clay Millican (right) are pitching in.


	Race fans yesterday welcomed back two favorites they hadn't seen since last year's Four-Wide Nationals, Pro Stock ace Dave Connolly (above) and hometown Top Fuel hero Doug Herbert (left). Both struggled a bit in their return and enter today's action still seeking a spot in their respective 16-car qualified fields.

Between chatting up drivers and collecting autographs, race fans can also visit several interactive displays along the Manufacturers Midway, including Ford's Motorcraft display.

[12:15 p.m.] Vincent Nobile had the second-best run of the third Pro Stock session with a 6.512 that boosted the Mountain View Tire Dodge to the No. 3 spot behind Jason Line and Allen Johnson; A.J.'s 6.500 was the best of Q3.

Spencer Massey made the fastest run ever in Top Fuel, 328.78 in the third qualifying session. The previous best, 328.62, also was recorded by Massey, at the 2012 season opener in Pomona.


	(Above) From top, Hillary Will, Shawn Landon, Clay Millican, and Spencer Massey go four wide in Top Fuel 's Q3. (Left) Dom Lagana, Bob Vandergriff Jr., Terry McMillen, and David Grubnic.

[1:15 p.m.] Robert Hight took over the No. 1 qualifying spot in Funny Car with a 4.074 in the Auto Club Mustang. Incoming leader Ron Capps bettered his previous-best 4.10 with a 4.092 that has him in the No. 2 spot.

Race fans have jammed zMAX Dragway for today's final qualifying sessions.

Matt Hagan's barrier-breaking 3.995-second run from last fall's zMAX event has been immortalized on the guardwall in lane 2, where he made the historic run. Lane 2 has also been the site of some not-so-good times for Hagan, including yesterday's body-destroying explosion, shown below in a frame grab from ESPN2's super slo-mo camera. Hagan has blown up in lane 2 at the last three four-wide events.

[3:20 p.m.] Allen Johnson's 6.508 was quickest of the final Pro Stock session — the Dodge driver had the best run of three of the four sessions — but still didn't end up No. 1; reigning world champ Jason Line (above) was the quickest in the other session with a 6.493 to A.J.'s 6.500 best.

[3:30 p.m.] Morgan Lucas (above), low qualifier at three of the season's first four races, entered the final Top Fuel qualifying session not in the field, but bumped his GEICO entry into the show with a 3.930.

Steve Torrence (left) locked down his first career No. 1 qualifying spot in Top Fuel, hanging onto the lead with his 3.799 from Friday.


Mike Neff (right) had the best run of the final Funny Car session, a 4.092, that moved him up to No. 3. Neff's teammate Robert Hight qualified No. 1 with a 4.074 thanks to some fine-tuning adjustments by crew chief Jimmy Prock (below). Reigning world champ Matt Hagan (above) never recovered from Friday's engine explosion and missed the show.

Friday's Scenes From Charlotte

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