John Hale, newly returned to the AA Funny Car ranks, will appear on KENS-TV Channel 5 in San Antonio on Friday morning, May 19, on the “Great Day San Antonio” broadcast sometime between 9 and 10 a.m.

Hale will be driving his “One Bad Texan” Friday and Saturday evenings in the DragRacingOnline.com AA/FC Challenge at San Antonio Raceway. And the Agent will bet there will be some samples of his Best of Texas barbeque sauce, too.  (Adam Cranmer photo) [05/16/17]

Summit Motorsports Park has sweetened the pot for drivers in Top Alcohol Funny Car and Top Alcohol Dragster at the 11th Annual Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser, May 19-21, at Ohio’s Summit Motorsports Park.

A total of $11,600 is now up for grabs among drivers who qualify in the first through twelfth spots in those categories, with $5,800 going to Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifiers and $5,800 going to Top Alcohol Dragster qualifiers. Guaranteed qualifying money for each class will be distributed as follows: #1 qualifier - $1,000; #2 qualifier - $900; #3 qualifier - $800; #4 qualifier - $700; #5 qualifier - $600; #6 qualifier - $500; #7 qualifier - $400; #8 qualifier - $300; and #s 9-12 qualifiers - $150 each.

That, paired with the purse from NHRA, brings the total earnings to $29,600 for both categories combined. [05/16/17]

No Mercy Racing has announced the addition of Johnny West as crew chief on the Dodge Charger Nitro Funny Car that is owned and driven by retired USAF pilot, Chris Bennett.

"Johnny has a wealth of experience and the leadership qualities to develop our team into a professional caliber drag racing team," said No Mercy Nitro Funny Car owner/team chief, Brad Miner. “West has spent several weeks evaluating our program, and instructing the dedicated crew at NMR. We’re just a bunch of guys with a common vision that are trying to do something much bigger than ourselves and Johnny can help us transform into a top performing team ready to win races.”

West will be working with owner/assistant crew chief, Jeff Bennett, to institute a quality maintenance program while coaching him on the finer points of tuning. He will also be grooming long-time Nostalgia Funny Car and Fuel Altered driver Chris Bennett, who has been working to upgrade his license and begin professional competition.

The team began initial testing at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, AZ, last weekend and strive to begin competition by the end of the 2017 race season. [05/16/17]

Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, IL, held a make-up race for its ET Bracket Series presented by Carl’s 4-Wheel Drive & Performance Center on Saturday, May 13, after the original date of April 29 was rained out.

There have not been any repeat winners in three ET Bracket Series points races held to date in 2017.

SUPER PRO: Mike Eggleston (Highland, IL) Nelson dragster, .005 RT, 4.554 ET, 150.58 def. Kevin Johnson (Foristel, MO) 1970 Chevelle, .011,  5.806, 115.38

PRO: Jon Tignor (Hillsboro, MO) .018, 6.108, 110.47 def. Jeremy McKague (Chamois, MO) 1978 Nova, .021, 6.450, 102.69

SPORTSMAN: Danny Ratulowski (Highland, IL) 2001 Camaro, .043, 13.025, 106.23 def. (his brother) Mike Ratulowski (Highland, IL) 2000 Camaro, .053, 13.380, 103.59

SUPER PRO MOTORCYCLE: Charles Willis Jr. (Collinsville, IL) Suzuki, .178, 9.931, 125.32 def. Mike Simpher (Barnhart, MO) .038, 10.037, 144.04

Next events at Gateway are Wide Open Wednesday presented by AAA Insurance (May 17); Midnight Madness Fueled By Monster Energy (May 19); and Cars & Coffee St. Louis (May 21).  [05/16/17]

3M Auto has announced it latest improvement to existing scratch removal solutions. Designed to be used as step four in the 3M™ Body Repair System, the pliable, heat-resistant pad is ideal for removing light surface rust, scuffs and scratches. The 3M™ Ultra Fine Scrubbing Sponge reaches challenging locations that ordinary sanding tools simply cannot reach without shredding, rusting or splintering. The non-woven web provides consistent surface finishing over the lifespan on the pad. Effective on metal, wood, plastics or composites. Can be used wet or dry and can be rinsed clean for repeated use. [05/16/17]