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The Sports Report: Rampy joins the century club

David Rampy became just the fourth driver to win 100 NHRA national events when he drove to the Comp title in Pomon
14 Nov 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
rampy
For all the drama and excitement generated during the season-ending Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona there was one achievement that stands out above the rest because there is a good chance that it may not be duplicated for quite some time. Comp…
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The Sports Report: The long road to victory

Chris Stephenson’s season-long journey pays off with his first Stock Eliminator win at the NHRA Toyota Nationals.
31 Oct 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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 “No journey is too long when one finds what he seeks.” – Old Chinese proverb. After winning his first national event at the NHRA Toyota Nationals, Division 3 Stock racer Chris Stephenson can relate to that bit of ancient Chinese wisdom.…
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The Sports Report: What's the point?

Breaking down the Lucas Oil Series sportsman championship battles leading into the final three weeks of the 2018 season.
24 Oct 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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For NHRA’s Lucas Oil Series sportsman drivers, this is crunch time. There are just four races left in the 2018 season including a pair of divisional events in Nobile, Okla., and Las Vegas and the two Mello Yello series national events in Las Vegas…
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The Sports Report: A bet on Proctor is no gamble

Following his second win of the season, Ronnie Proctor has an excellent chance to win the national championship in Top Sportsman presented by Racing RVs.com.
17 Oct 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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A year ago, Ronnie Proctor was one of those guys who raced hard and hoped that his drive and determination would one-day allow him to hoist an NHRA Wally trophy. Proctor checked that item off his to-do list earlier this year with a win in…
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The Sports Report: One single point

Following his win at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, Brian McClanahan leads the Lucas Oil Drag racing Series Stock championship battle by a single point.
10 Oct 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Needing nothing less than a victory to wrest the point lead from reigning Stock Eliminator national champ Justin Lamb, Brian McClanahan delivered the goods with a well-timed victory in the Lone Star State. Lamb, who is seeking an unprecedented feat…
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Clutch performer

Tim Nicholson’s unique approach to Super Gas racing yields big results with a victory at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals
26 Sep 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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For most, the recipe for success in the Super Gas class is fairly straightforward. Take a tube-chassis race car, preferably a roadster, a big block engine with enough horsepower to run over 165-mph, and add a throttle stop, trans-brake, timer, delay…
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The Sports Report: Pressure. What pressure?

In the midst of a heated battle for what could be his second Lucas Oil Series Super Stock national championship Anthony Bertozzi picked up career win No. 20 in Reading.
19 Sep 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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It remains to be seen whether Anthony Bertozzi can hang on to win the NHRA Super Stock national championship but even if his bid for a second title falls short, he’s going to remember the 2018 season as one of his best. Bertozzi defeated Epping…
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Indy's new hometown hero

At the age of 21, Jr. Drag Racing League grad Devin Isenhower has already won a Division 3 championship and now he’s the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals Super Gas champion.
05 Sep 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
devin
On Sunday, Sept. 2, Devin Isenhower posted the following on his Facebook page: “It’s getting brutal out here. Made it through with the roadster to be into the semis! Bowed out by .004 in the dragster after a great race. Racing on a Monday at the…
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The Sports Report: Line goes back-to-back in Brainerd

After a heads-up, no breakout final round, Ben Line claimed his second-straight Stock Eliminator victory at his home event, the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
22 Aug 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes and when it comes to events at Brainerd Int’l Raceway, there also seems to be a similar number of racers from the Line family. Most NHRA fans are very familiar with Pro Stock champion Jason Line, but…
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The Sports Report: Fifth time is a charm

After four-straight runner-up finishes at his home event, the CatSpot NHRA Northwest Nationals, Ryan Warter finally cashed in with his first national event victory
08 Aug 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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It took a little longer than he had hoped, but Ryan Warter finally joined the ranks of NHRA event champions when he defeated Randi Lyn Shipp in the final round of the CatSpot NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle. Warter won the all-Pontiac final…
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The Sports Report: Home built hot rod

Ken Ratzloff earned the Top Sportsman title at the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals behind the wheel of his home built ’53 Studebaker
31 Jul 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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The Top Sportsman presented by Racing RVs.com class is not for the faint of heart. Featuring a bracket racing format among the quickest 32 full-bodied cars in the field, the class has become a home for professionally-built race cars that more…
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The Sports Report: Seems like an eternity

Drew Skillman wasn’t able to defend his Pro Stock title at the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals, but after a lengthy wait on the starting line, he made the most of the trip with a win in Stock Eliminator.
25 Jul 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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In a sport were wins and losses are often determined by thousandths of a second, seven seconds is an eternity. Yet, that’s how long Drew Skillman had to sit on the starting line behind the wheel of his Cobra Jet Mustang in the Stock final before he…
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The Sports Report: A winning strategy

Using a never-give-up mentality, Super Stock racer Anthony Bongiovanni captured his first national event title at the NHRA New England Nationalsin Epping.
11 Jul 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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As the founder and CEO of Micro Strategies, New Jersey-based businessman Anthony Bongiovanni has made a nice living out of identifying and solving complex problems. A decade ago, Bongiovanni decided to go drag racing and applied some of the same…
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The Sports Report: The dynamic duo strikes again

Sportsman racing icons Dan Fletcher and David Rampy share the spotlight again with wins at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk.
27 Jun 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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It’s often been said that it’s impossible to make a living as a sportsman drag racer but apparently, no one ever told Dan Fletcher and David Rampy. Risk-takers who elected to tackle the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing…
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The Sports Report: An almost perfect Father’s Day

Ed Longhany and his son, Ed Jr., enjoyed a Father’s Day celebration they won’t soon forget after they both reached the final round of the Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol.
20 Jun 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Ed Longhany Jr. earned his first-ever NHRA national event victory when he stopped perennial championship contender Joe Santangelo in the Stock final at the Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol. As excited as Longhany was to…
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The Sports Report: Winning is contagious

One week after breaking a four-year winless drought in Pro Stock, Jeg Coughlin Jr. scored again by winning the Super Comp title at the NHRA Virginia Nationals.
13 Jun 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Reigning Mello Yello world champ Bo Butner isn’t the only NHRA pro that maintains close ties to his sportsman racing roots. Five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. also has an impressive sportsman racing resumé that includes the 1992 Super…
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The Sports Report: The highs and lows of Koy Collier

Two weeks after his father, Steve, was injured in an on-track accident in Topeka, Koy Collier went to Chicago and nearly doubled-up at the JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
06 Jun 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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To suggest that the last three weeks have been some of the most stressful, and worrisome, but ultimately rewarding times of young Koy Collier’s life would be a huge understatement. Collier is a member of one of drag racing’s most successful families…
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The Sports Report: Can't keep Mans down

It took seven years, but Super Stock racer Michael Mans fnally made his return to a national event winner’s circle with a convincing win in Topeka
23 May 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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A lot has happened in Michael Mans’ life since 2011 and most of it has been good. Mans has gotten married and started a family, but until this weekend’s Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties, the one thing that hadn’t happened was an…
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The Sports Report: Helms still winning while in new role at Don Schumacher Racing

Four-time world champ Kevin Helms has made the transition to his new role as a crew chief at Don Schumacher Racing, but he's still as competitive as ever with an Atlanta victory.
08 May 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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A lot has changed for Kevin Helms since he won his fourth NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Stock championship in 2015. After spending more than a decade working with the Teuton family on their Houma, La.-based Southland Dodge team, Helms moved from…
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The Sports Report: Feels like the first time

Retired U.S. Army veteran Don O’Neal fulfills his 20-year quest to win an NHRA national event title with a Top Sportsman win in Charlotte
02 May 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Three years ago, Don O’Neal bounced his then-new Chevy Monte Carlo Top Sportsman car off the retaining wall at Lucas Oil Raceway Indianapolis. The car was damaged but repairable and O’Neal emerged unhurt. A lesser racer might have second-guessed his…
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The Sports Report: A near miss and a father-son final

Brenda Grubbs just missed a chance to become NHRA’s first female double winner, and the Collier family scored big at the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway
25 Apr 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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So far, there have been 24 drivers to double-up at an NHRA national event but surprisingly, none of them have been females. Mia Tedecso, Michelle Furr, Lauren Freer, and Brina Splingaire have come close, but that is one of the few barriers in NHRA…
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The Sports Report: With a little help from our friends

With the support of the racing community, Division 6 racers Jeff and Cody Lane were able to quickly return to action following a devastating trailer fire
18 Apr 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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  Jeff and Cody Lane’s 2018 season was almost over before it began. En route from their home in Washington to Pomona for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, the Hancock & Lane team encountered every racer’s worst nightmare; a trailer…
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The Sports Report: Joe Mozeris knows Comp Eliminator, and a recap of the Sportsman action in Vegas

Nearly two decades after making his debut in the Comp Eliminator class, Joe Mozeris finally claimed his first national event victory in Las Vegas
11 Apr 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Five years ago, Joe Mozeris got to celebrate in the winner’s circle at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after his daughter, Kayla, claimed the Stock Eliminator title at the spring NHRA  event. As rewarding as that experience was, Mozeris…
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The Sports Report: Bucky Hess and the one that didn't get away

Separated for almost four decades, Super Stock racer Bucky Hess is reunited with his prized Hemi-powered '70 Challenger
04 Apr 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Most NHRA fans know Super Stock racer Bucky Hess for his success in Mopar Hemi Challenge events and for his string of show quality SS/AH ’68 Plymouth Barracuda factory race cars. Hess has always been a fan of the Mopar brand, dating back to the late…
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Bell reflects on Gainesville rout

Stephen Bell and teammate Aaron Stanfield made a statement with a 1-2 finish at the SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown season-opener in Gainesville
28 Mar 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Stephen Bell knew early on that it was going to take a herculean effort to achieve success in the School of Automotive Machinists and Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown which is precisely why he hired four-time Super Stock national champ and…
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Still going strong

Nearly four decades after his first national event victory, four-time national champion Jeff Taylor is making a run the magic 50-win mark
21 Mar 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Jeff Taylor was still a teenager when he drove Jimmy Morton’s Camaro convertible to his first national event title at the 1981 Cajun Nationals. Later, that year, he was crowned a national champion alongside his older brother, Charlie, who earned the…
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The dawn of the seven-second Stocker

With 30-plus cars, and the potential for a seven-second run, history will likely be made during the SAM Tech NHRA Factory Stock Showdown season-opener in Gainesville
14 Mar 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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When it comes to the School of Automotive Machinists and Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown, the Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals doesn’t just represent the start of a new season, it is more likely the dawn of a new era. The new generation of…
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The Sports Report: Warr Path

A week after winning his first national event at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, Bryan Warr struck again at the Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series opener at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
07 Mar 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Bryan Warr enjoyed his trip to the NHRA Arizona Nationals so much  he decided to stay an extra week at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park so he could compete in the Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series opener, and by the time he…
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Runs as good as it looks

Phoenix Super Gas champ Todd Barton’s colorful ’55 Chevy is a family heirloom but don’t expect to see it in a museum anytime soon
28 Feb 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
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Todd Barton’s ’55 Chevy Super Gasser attracts a lot of attention because, for one, it is one of just a handful of vintage Chevy “shoeboxes” remaining in NHRA competition. The car also features an eye-catching paint scheme which is important to…
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The view from above

Racing in front of his family and friends at his home track, the timing is perfect for Mountain View Racing driver Paul Mitsos to win his first national event title
14 Feb 2018
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
The Sports Report
mitsos
In Pomona, the Mountain View Racing team rightfully garnered a lot of headlines after their Pro Stock driver, Vincent Nobile, qualified at the top of the quick 16-car field. By Sunday afternoon, it was the “other” Mountain View driver, Paul…
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