This week’s Gatornationals will be the first outing this season for the Factory Stock class. (And the Pro Mod, Harley-Davidson, and Pro Stock Motorcycle classes.)

Leah Pritchett will be competing in the Factory Stock as well as her usual Top Fuel.

In addition to her customary seat in the Papa John’s/Mopar Dodge Top Fuel dragster, Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver Pritchett will also take the wheel of a supercharged Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak in the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown category. Pritchett used a rare break last week from the NHRA circuit to test and tune her 354-cubic-inch HEMI® engine-powered Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak at the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) event in Bradenton, FL.

Pritchett, with crew chief and new DSR employee Kevin Helms on hand, was able to put valuable track time under her belt at Bradenton before the first of seven NHRA Factory Stock Showdown events in which she will compete this year. Her Drag Pak will carry a unique Mopar and Dodge//SRT-themed livery, designed by motorsports lifestyle brand Hoonigan, all season.

Allen Johnson, who retired from Pro Stock racing last year, will be at the wheel of a Dodge Challenger in Factory Stock.  (photo courtesy FCA US)  [03/15/18]

Brent Jones of Stevensville, MT, was the 2017 Series Champion.

Good Vibrations Motorsports will once again sponsor the DragParts.com Blown Alcohol Thunder Pro Comp Series (http://www.capracing.com/blown_alcohol_thunder.html) in 2018. The series includes stops in most of the major markets in the Northwest and intermountain region of the United States.

Other race dates are:

June 15-16: Firebird Raceway, Boise, ID

June 23-24: Spokane Co. Raceway, Spokane, WA

June 29-30: Renegade Raceway, Yakima, WA

July 6-7: Lost Creek Raceway, Butte, MT

Aug. 17-18: Spokane Co. Raceway

The series is largely modeled after the NHRA Pro Comp class contested in the 1970’s. It is open to all blown alcohol dragsters, funny cars, altereds and even Pro Mods as long as they are blown and injected. Race teams can compete in one or all of the scheduled events. The races are run Chicago style, meaning the two quickest cars closest to the 6.75 index goes to the final round after two qualifying rounds.

In addition, Good Vibrations Motorsports will award the best reaction time at each event a $100 bonus.

Aeromotive announces its new, high performance Phantom Returnless EFI fuel pump and baffle system. The Phantom Returnless has a built-in bypass valve set for 58-PSI of line pressure, eliminating the need for an external regulator and return line from the engine. The all-in-one Phantom fuel system adapts to any fuel tank from 6 to 11 inches in depth and includes the patented Phantom foam and bladder baffle to maintain fuel flow and pressure even when the tank is low on fuel.

The new Phantom Returnless supports up to 600 FWHP naturally aspirated and up to 450 FWHP forced induction on gasoline. The pump assembly features an internal bypass valve providing a stable 55-60 PSI and includes outlet and vent ports, foam baffle and bladder sump, sealing gasket, high flow pre-pump filter, and C-Ring mount. The kit is gasoline and ethanol compatible, and the turbine pumping mechanism can be pulse modulated, making it ideal for late model GM crate engines. The Phantom system fits inside the tank without the need for welding or extensive fabrication. Installation requires minimal hand tools including a simple drill and 3-1/4” hole-saw.   [03/15/18]