Chevrolet Performance pioneered the high-performance crate engine half a century ago, and since then, drivers of everything from classic Camaros to Jeep Wranglers have turned to these factory-built, fully assembled LS and LT V-8 engines for speed, ease of installation and durability. For the seventh year in a row, Chevrolet will sponsor the Performance Challenge Series so owners of hot rods can race for bragging rights and prize money.

The annual event kicks off April 5 at the 10th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA. It is followed by races in Joliet, Ill., Norwalk, Ohio and two events in Bowling Green, Ky. The series ends Sept. 9 in Bowling Green.

“The racing community has made Chevrolet’s crate engine program a very successful one in the industry, and supporting the Challenge Series keeps us close to our customers and fans,” said Steve Walczak, marketing manager, Chevrolet Performance. “The series is a great way for highly qualified racers to showcase the power of our parts on the track.”

Chevrolet Performance, the series sponsor since 2011, manufactures LT and LS engines and performance parts that racers use. Requirements for race car modifications vary throughout five different race categories and range from mildly modified to completely rebuilt cars. Cars can race with crate or modified production LS or LT engines. The modified vehicles range from Chevrolet Camaros and Corvettes and other popular makes and models.

In addition to mild and heavily modified engines, the series also showcases the Chevrolet Performance DR 525 drag racing sealed crate engine in the Chevrolet Performance Stock class, said Steve Wolcott, President & CEO of ProMedia LLC, which runs the series. The DR 525 is the only crate engine allowed in the Chevrolet Performance Stock class.

For more information on the Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series, including class rules, go to www.nmcadigital.com/lsx  [03/14/18]

The JEGS Mail Order team will be well represented at this weekend's 49th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals with Jeg Coughlin Jr. racing in Pro Stock, Mike Coughlin competing in Top Dragster, and third-generation racer Troy Coughlin Jr. making his debut in Top Alcohol Dragster.

Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Ron Lewis photo)

Jeg Jr. will continue his pursuit of a sixth NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock title (and seventh championship overall) at this weekend's event. Jeg Jr. will once again be driving a Rick Jones Race Cars-built Chevy Camaro as a member of the Elite Motorsports team.

"We found a few things that appear to be giving us the consistency and efficiency we've been lacking at the first two races of the year," Coughlin said. "The JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro has been a little lazy between 100 foot and 3-400 feet and we look for more favorable results this weekend.”

Mike Coughlin will continue his pursuit of the Top Dragster championship in Gainesville. Last season, Mike won his first start at the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona and went on to post a fourth-place finish in the national rankings in the highly competitive class.

Mike will be driving the same Dan Page-built Top Dragster that he raced last season. The car is equipped with a ProCharger and has run in the five-second zone at speeds of more than 230 mph, making it one of the fastest cars in the class. Mike's crew consists of Greg Cody and Tony Collier.

Troy Jr.  (photo courtesy JEGS)

Troy Jr. will make his Top Alcohol Dragster debut with Rich McPhillips Racing at this weekend's race. The son of three-time Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin, Troy Jr. has experience in Junior Dragster, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Dragster, Pro Mod and Top Fuel.

Troy Jr. is a five-time NHRA national event winner and also is well regarded as an E.T. bracket racer. He has accumulated several major victories including a $25,000 payday at the Atco Dragway Superbucks event and a $10,000 win the Spring Buck Blast at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

Recently retired three-time Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin will be on hand to receive his champion's ring and jacket during Sunday's prerace ceremonies. The Gainesville event is the kick off for the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod series.

The Coughlin family plans to participate in Sunday's track walk, which will benefit the Darrell Gwynn Foundation and its mission to find a cure for paralysis.   [03/14/18]

Don Garlits’ International Drag Racing Hall of Fame will induct new racers at their banquet on Thursday evening, March 15, at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville (FL).

This year’s class consists of Jeb Allen, Kelly Brown, Gary Densham, Roy Fjastad, Jim Oddy, Oliver (Ollie) Riley (deceased), and Greg Sharp.

The Founder’s Award will be presented to Herb Fishel, who started as an engineer in Chevrolet’s famous “Skunk Works” and was later named to lead the Chevrolet Racing division. He retired from GM in 2003.   [03/14/18]

Team Meziere from Fremd High School in Palatine, IL, was the first place winning team, finishing with an amazing time of 20 minutes, 18 seconds.

The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge’s 10th Anniversary Season kicked off at the 11th Annual Race & Performance Expo in Schaumburg, IL, February 24-25. Hot Rodders of Tomorrow and RP Expo have a long history together as RP Expo was home to the first ever HROT in 2008.

Twenty-five teams competed at the RP Expo, and four will advance to the Dual National Championship held later this year at the SEMA and PRI shows.

To qualify for the Dual National Championship, a team must finish disassembling and reassembling a small-block Chevrolet engine in less than 33 minutes, including penalties.

In second place with a time of 20:45 was Team Canton from Lakeshore High School in Stevensville, MI; third with a time of 30:27 was Team Fragola from Lockport High School in Lockport, IL; and fourth was Team ARP from McHenry Community High School, McHenry, IL, with a qualifying time of 32:02.

To see more of the action at the Race & Performance Expo, see Chicago Jon’s column, The Nitro Joint.   [03/14/18]