Nikki Hepburn took her Toyota to a world record for radial-tired cars with a 6.725 at 203.71 mph during qualifying at the Jamboree at Sydney Dragway. She backed it up during the event with a 6.743 at 212.93 mph.

She will be competing in the USA with three other Aussies and a New Zealander in the Australia vs. United States vs. Puerto Rico event at Orlando Speed World Dragway on Oct. 26-28.  (Jon Van Daal photo)  [03/21/18]

Team Bray Racing will focus all of its efforts on Ben Bray and his Gulf Western Oil ‘Slammer at Adelaide International Raceway this weekend.

Bray’s teammate Frankie Taylor is unable to attend the March 23-24 event due to business and racing commitments in his native US, leaving Ben to fly the flag solo for TBR on-track.

Racing over the 1,000-ft distance, Friday will host two test sessions for the Pro Slammer category with three rounds of racing on Saturday.

While disappointed he won’t be able to attend this weekend, Taylor is quick to confirm he will be back for the Gulf Western Oil sponsored events to round out the season.

“Naturally I am very disappointed to not be racing with TBR this weekend in Adelaide, I am currently third (224 points) on the championship ladder and locked in a battle with Ben (213 points) and Mark Belleri (209 points),” the Texan said.

“While I am not able to be there this weekend, I am 100 percent going to be back for May’s Gulf Western Oil Nitro Thunder and the season ending Gulf Western Oil Winternationals.” [03/21/18]

Gateway Motorsports Park's Dragplex in Madison, IL, will launch its new Sharks of the Strip program on Friday, April 13.

Sharks of the Strip is the newest 1/8-mile outlaw heads-up racing experience for the baddest and fastest street cars in the St Louis region.  At each Midnight Madness powered by NOS, the top full-bodied racers will battle it out for cash, glory and the title "King of the Sharks."

Rules: Any engine combination is allowed; Any transmission allowed; Any transmission controller allowed; Any transmission valve body allowed; Any power adder or combination of power adders allowed; Any tire type and size allowed (slicks or radials only); Any suspension allowed; Any exhaust allowed; Any fuel types allowed; Any carb or fuel injection system allowed; No minimum weight; Tube chassis is permitted (must have steel or OEM roof and quarterpanels); Pro tree; 1/8-mile race; No times displayed on the clocks; and Water burnouts only.

It will be contested on one Friday per month through November with the exception of September: April 13, May 4, June 15, July 13, Aug. 17, Octo. 12, and Nov. 2.

For more information on participating in the Sharks of the Strip program, contact series coordinator Aaron Isom at 901-605-40121 or swampee51@hotmail.com. [03/21/18]

Cory McClenathan got the win at the inaugural Nitro Outlaw Drag Racing Association race at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix on March 17. In a Top Fuel vs. Funny Car final, Cory Mac’s dragster left first and ran 4.08 at 301 mph to Jack Wyatt’s 6.72 at 114 mph.

“This was a great win for the crew and Dexter Tuttle,” McClenathan said. “To win the inaugural NODRA race in a Top Fuel vs. Funny Car final was pretty cool.”

McClenathan got past a tire-shaking Bill Litton in the semis while Wyatt beat Todd Simpson in a pedal fest.

The next race on the NODRA tour will be at Texas Motorplex on Saturday, April 28. The other dates are June 9 at Bandimere Speedway and Oct. 13 back at the Motorplex.  (photos courtesy NODRA)  [03/21/18]

Milan Dragway in Milan, MI, will be looking for new employees this Saturday, March 24, from noon to 3 p.m. Jobs available include race officials, EMT-B, announcers, maintenance, concessions and ticket sales.

Either apply in person at the track located at 10860 Plank Rd., Milan, MI 48160 or online at www.milandragway.com.  [03/21/18]

The numbers are in for the Sunday eliminations for the NHRA from Gainesville, FL. The FS1 show had 420,000 viewers and a 0.29 rating. Last year the event had a 0.29 rating with 439,000 viewers.

In comparison, Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix scored a 2.8 rating and 4.6 million viewers on FOX, down 15% in ratings and viewership from last year (3.3, 5.4M), down 30% and 31% respectively from 2016 (4.0, 6.6M), and the lowest rating and viewership in the history of the race that dates back to 2005.  [03/21/18]

S&W's President, Michael Weney (at left), recently had the pleasure of providing a full facility tour to Automotive Training Center Instructor Al Graeber and his students. Graeber’s father owned and drove the “Tickle Me Pink” Funny Car. Many of S&W's team members shared their experiences and insight, with the future members of the motorsports industry.   [03/21/18]

There were multiple big-bucks winners in the Southwest Showdown held on the eighth mile at Tucson Dragway.

The multi-grid action started Friday with Super Pro where New York racer Peter Biondo collected $5,000 and Pro 64 was won by Justin Lamb from Henderson, NV.

Local favorite Matt Hawk was the Pro winner.  (Brad Baker photo)

On Saturday, Super Pro was won by Travis Theobald from Washington, Utah, before rain ended the racing early. The final eight racers in Pro split the $4,500 prize money.

Sunday’s Super Pro race ran into Monday morning, but Taylor Strange didn’t care when Figspeed presented his $10,000 check. Greg Garrison, Flagstaff, AZ, pocketed $4,500 and Stan Essery from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, was the $20,000 winner.   [03/21/18]