The story behind Robert Hight and that monster burnout at the NHRA Finals
Robert Hight surprised everyone -- including his crew chief Jimmy Prock and team owner John Force -- with a half-track smoky burnout in the Funny Car final at the Auto Club NHRA Finals but he had some clear goals with the unprecedented-in-recent-times tire smoker.
Robert Hight wanted to give the fans a little something extra at the Auto Club NHRA Finals to celebrate his impending coronation as Funny Car champion. The title was one informality away: a clean pass down the track in the final round against Jack…
What, me worry? Steve Torrence 'relaxed,' ready heading into Championship Sunday
Steve Torrence's nerves have been tempered by the championship fires the last two seasons, and the defending Top Fuel champ and current points leader says he relaxed and ready to do battle Sunday in a four-way title fight.
Steve Torrence has been on both sides of Championship Sunday. In 2017, he came in with the points lead and lost it to Brittany Force. Last year he had it wrapped up before the event even began as part of an unprecedented sweep of all six Countdown…
Matt Hagan controls his own destiny in dream playoff run
A postseason of surprises can conclude with a title at Auto Club Raceway for Matt Hagan and the Mopar team.
Matt Hagan came out of nowhere because we (or I, because it's unfair to lump everyone else into this) stopped paying attention. The Mopar Express Lane team has been better than everyone else during the NHRA Countdown to the Championship by a wide…
Racing Top Fuel at his hometown event a dream come true for Jordan Vandergiff
You hear it all the time – “It gives me goosebumps just thinking about” – but when Top Fuel rookie sensation Jordan Vandergriff talks about running at the Auto Club Finals, he pulls up his shirt sleeves to show that's not just some cliché to him.
You hear it all the time – “It gives me goosebumps just thinking about” – but when Top Fuel rookie sensation Jordan Vandergriff talks about running at the Auto Club Finals, he pulls up his shirt sleeves to show a reporter the gooseflesh that shows…
Watch Ryan Oehler break in his Pro Stock Motorcycle tires with a Camaro
The Pro Stock Motorcycle rider gets his tires ready for competition in an unconventional way.
Pro Stock Motorcycles gain traction using one ginormous Mickey Thompson tire. The tire you see on Ryan Oehler's Pro Stock Motorcycle this weekend at the Auto Club NHRA Finals did not go directly from Mickey Thompson Tires to the back of his EBR.…
Matt Hagan: "You have to focus on what you can control" in Funny Car title battle
Riding a two-race win streak and after having the only Funny Car to make it down Auto Club Raceway at Pomona on both qualifying passes Friday, Matt Hagan is feeling pretty good -– and relaxed -- about his bid for a third Funny Car championship.
Riding a two-race win streak and after having the only Funny Car to make it down Auto Club Raceway at Pomona on both qualifying passes Friday, Matt Hagan is feeling pretty good -– and relaxed -- about his bid for a third Funny Car championship.…
It's the last ride for Cory MClenathan, and he's hoping that better times are ahead
Twenty-eight years of Top Fuel competition will come to an end this weekend for Cory McClenathan, who earlier this year announced that the final three events of the 2019 season would be his last. The first two have been rough, and he'd like a storybook finish at his home track in Pomona.
Twenty-eight years of Top Fuel competition will come to an end this weekend for Cory McClenathan, who earlier this year announced that the final three events of the 2019 season would be his last.
McClenathan, who made his Top Fuel debut at Auto…
Jimmy Prock: 'I have all the faith in the world in my driver and crew'
Robert Hight and the Auto Club team are gunning for a third Mello Yello Funny Car world championship this weekend at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. NHRA’s John Kernan caught up with crew chief Jimmy Prock to talk about the important weekend ahead.
Steve Torrence and Brittany Force locked in duel for 2019 Top Fuel title
Steve Torrence can win his second-straight Top Fuel title at the Auto Club NHRA Finals if he holds off Brittany Force and a handful of competitors on Sunday.
Steve Torrence can win his second-straight Top Fuel title at the Auto Club NHRA Finals if he holds off Brittany Force and a handful of competitors on Sunday. He leads Force by 16 points and can extend his lead to 39 points (a full round) if the…
How Robert Hight can fight off seven contenders for Funny Car title
Robert Hight heads to his home track, Auto Club Raceway, with more round wins than any other Funny Car driver and an opportunity to win his third title. He leads Jack Beckman by 46 points and will automatically clinch a title by going the same…
Erica Enders must hold off Jeg Coughlin Jr. to win third title
Erica Enders is on the verge of her third title, but Jeg Coughlin Jr. will have something to say about it.
SECOND IN A SERIES
Erica Enders begins the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona with a great opportunity to win her third Pro Stock world championship and first since 2015. She holds a 92-point lead over Elite Motorsports teammate Jeg…
How to stop Andrew Hines from winning his sixth title at the Auto Club NHRA Finals
The Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider enters Pomona with a big lead, but he can be stopped.
FIRST IN A SERIES
Andrew Hines opened the 2019 season with a victory at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, ending a year-long stretch of leaving drag strips emptyhanded. He dropped from first place only once: the second…
Robert Hight embracing pressure to perform at home track with world title
With a possible third world title in reach, Funny Car's Robert Hight hopes to again come through in the clutch at his home track at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Nov. 14-17.
Robert Hight has been in this situation before and it’s one that never gets old. The Funny Car standout is competing at his home track, at his sponsor’s race with the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world title on the line, and it’s a moment…
Pre-race interviews: Jack Beckman, Brittany Force, Matt Hartford, and Karen Stoffer
Mello Yello championship contenders Jack Beckman, Brittany Force, Matt Hartford, and Karen Stoffer chatted with NHRA's Alan Reinhart prior to the start of eliminations at the Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil.
Jack Beckman
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Brittany Force
Matt Hartford
Karen Stoffer
Ryan Oehler rebounding quickly from qualifying run into gravel
Ryan Oehler has his EBR ready to ride for the first round after a long run on Saturday night.
Ryan Oehler road his EBR well beyond the quarter-mile finish line during the final qualifying session at the Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil. That was not the plan for the second-year Pro Stock Motorcycle rider, who ended up in the gravel…
Top Fuel rookie Austin Prock still has some boxes to check before season ends
Austin Prock may be the odds-on favorite to win the Auto Club Road to the Future award as the season’s top first-year driver in the Mello Yello classes, but the Top Fuel rookie isn’t preparing that speech just yet. He has bigger goals still on tap.
Austin Prock may be the odds-on favorite to win the Auto Club Road to the Future award as the season’s top first-year driver in the Mello Yello classes, but the Top Fuel rookie isn’t preparing that speech just yet. He has bigger goals still on tap…
A quick Friday signals a turnaround for Tommy Johnson Jr. and Make-A-Wish crew
Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish crew know its too little too late in their bid for the Funny Car championship, but after making their two best runs of the season Friday -– 3.879 and 3.858 –- it at least will make the final two events more enjoyable and set the table for 2020.
Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish crew know its too little too late in their bid for the Funny Car championship, but after making their two best runs of the season Friday -– 3.879 and 3.858 –- it at least will make the final two events more…
Greg Anderson driving a great car -- now he's got to put it to good use
Greg Anderson earned his third win of the season at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, punching his way back into the Pro Stock world championship hunt. He will need a similar performance at the Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil to remain competitive as he chases his first title since 2010.
Greg Anderson earned his third win of the season at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, punching his way back into the Pro Stock world championship hunt. He will need a similar performance at the Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil to remain…
David Grubnic dominates the speed sheet in Top Fuel
Australian tuner David Grubnic's name doesn't appear in the NHRA record book -- but his handiwork is all over it.
Brittany Force ran a blistering speed of 338.17-mph to reset the national speed record on Friday night by nearly a full 2-mph. The previous speed record (336.57) was run by Tony Schumacher, tuned by Mike Neff, and set in the cool, crisp air of…
Steven Densham ready to follow in his father's footsteps in 'big show' debut
When the dad finally hands the keys to the family car to the kid, it’s a rite of passage for most teenagers. For Steven Densham, there’s a lot more at stake this weekend than maybe putting a dent in a bumper.
When the dad finally hands the keys to the family car to the kid, it’s a rite of passage for most teenagers. For Steven Densham, there’s a lot more at stake than maybe putting a dent in a bumper.
After decades of waiting and apprenticing in…
Matt Hagan chasing second-straight victory as Funny Car title race heats up
The way Matt Hagan figures it, if he’s fortunate enough to end his 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with a few wins, he’ll head into the offseason with plenty of good feelings at the very least. If three straight victories leads to a third title, that’s just the icing on the cake.
The way Matt Hagan figures it, if he’s fortunate enough to end his 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with a few wins, he’ll head into the offseason with plenty of good feelings at the very least. If three straight victories in the…
How to become a 17-time Funny Car world champion in three easy steps
John Force can win his 17th championship at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona. You don't want to miss it.
John Force, he of 16 Funny Car world championships, driver of the PEAK Coolant Chevy Camaro Funny Car, and wearer of 25-year-old leather jackets bearing his name, is knee-deep in a title race. Don't let him tell you otherwise: That's his favorite…
On a rare off weekend, KB racing’s Dave Connolly returns to his first love, sportsman racing
Dave Connolly, a key member of the Summit Racing braintrust, returned to the driver's seat this weekned for the Mickey Thompson Million Dollar Drag Race.
In his role as a valued crew member and part of the KB Racing Pro Stock team, Dave Connolly is currently battling for the NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock championship with Summit-backed drivers Jason Line, Greg Anderson, and their KB stablemate, Bo…
Jack Beckman focused on strong finish heading to Las Vegas event
If Jack Beckman is to have a chance to race for an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship, the former Funny Car world champ knows he must perform at the penultimate race of the 2019 season, the Dodge NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil.
The plan for Jack Beckman is to have a chance to race for an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship at the final race of the season. But for that to happen, the former Funny Car world champion knows he must perform at the penultimate…
Dissecting Steve Torrence's first-round loss in Dallas: What went wrong
Mello Yello Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence suffered a stunning first-round loss at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. NHRA Indy bureau chief John Kernan spoke with crew chief Bobby Lagana Jr. to find out what went wrong.
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MEANWHILE: Billy Torrence grabs second Top…
Talking nitro with Heritage Series Nostalgia Top Fuel champion Mendy Fry
Two-time NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Nostalgia Top Fuel champion Mendy Fry joined Lewis Bloom in the Wally Parks NHRA Studio to talk about her career and 2019 season and this weekend's California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California.
Stars (Re)Born: Erica Enders and Karen Stoffer back in championship form
Erica Enders and Karen Stoffer survived down periods and are right in the thick of championship battles.
The image spoke for itself. Erica Enders and Karen Stoffer stood arm in arm in the winner’s circle at World Wide Technology Raceway, replicating an iconic drag racing moment. Stoffer and Enders combined for the 148th and 149th wins for women in the…
Cory McClenathan talks about retirement 'tour,' reflects on successful career
Cory McClenathan, one of the top 10 winners in NHRA Top Fuel history, announced recently that he will retire after the final three events of the 2019 season. He joined NHRA's Lewis Bloom in the Wally Parks NHRA Studio to talk about his decision and his long and decorated racing career.
Cory McClenathan, one of the top 10 winners in NHRA Top Fuel history, announced recently that he will retire after the final three events of the 2019 season. He joined NHRA's Lewis Bloom in the Wally Parks NHRA Studio to talk about his decision and…
Kalitta teammates J.R. Todd and Shawn Langdon trade whacks on and off the track
A week after Kalitta Racing teammates J.R. Todd and Shawn Langdon squared off in the final round at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, the duo lined up against one another in a throttle-whacking competition for employees of sponsor Wix Filters.
A week after Kalitta Racing teammates J.R. Todd and Shawn Langdon squared off in the final round at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, the duo lined up against one another in their Funny Cars in a parking lot in Gastonia, N.C., that went…
What the teams said entering the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals
“We got the points lead back in St. Louis and you know, that feels great. I’m confident we can go some rounds on race day, just keep picking away at this championship." -- Robert Hight
TORRENCE RACING
STEVE TORRENCE
“I’ve got a really good group. They rarely make mistakes and that sends me to the starting line with an awful lot of confidence. Very seldom do I win races. About all I can do is screw it…