Word was received by DRO Motorcycle Editor Tom McCarthy that today (Oct. 2) Team Vesco’s “Turbinator II” streamliner has made a 493.5-mph run on the Salt Flats with an exit speed of 503 mph. Congratulations to the Don Vesco team and driver David Spangler.  (file photo)   [10/02/18]

The Clardy family sure LUVs its drag racing. Driving matching Chevy LUV pickup trucks, father William Clardy (shown) and son Bill, both of Loris, SC, swept the Footbrake titles to highlight the drag racing portion of the Original Super Chevy Show completed Sunday at Rockingham Dragway.

Bill Clardy scored on Saturday when he drove his Chevy-powered 1974 LUV truck to a final round win over Travis Hinson of Elgin, SC. Not to be outdone, dad William took his Pontiac-powered ’74 LUV to the final on Sunday where he forced Wilmington, NC’s Bobby Merritt into a breakout foul in his ’67 Chevy Nova.

While track owner Steve Earwood admitted that father-son victories on consecutive days is a rarity, it almost happened in Top ET as well before Raeford, NC’s Cody Strickland fouled out in the final round on Sunday after his dad, Tommy, had won on Saturday.

Tommy Strickland (shown) benefited from a final round foul start by Terry Hersey of Bladenboro, NC. His son was guilty of a foul start on Sunday against David Lowe of Rowlands, NC.

Terry Rosberg dominated the professional portion of the program by pushing jet-powered “American Thunder” dragster through the quarter mile in 5.479 seconds at a finish line speed of 291.49 miles per hour.

Terry Adams won three straight over Harold Robinson in the Nostalgia Pro Stock Match, with a best time of 4.532 at 154.25 in the Frankie Iaconio Olds over the Monte Carlo of Robinson.

DOT: Thurman Warren Jr., Dunn NC, .035, 10.342 on a 10.320, 65.54 mph, def. Ronnie Locklear, Rowland NC, 2001 Buick, .088, 10.124 breakout on a 10.130, 71.33 mph.

Trophy: Scottie 2 Hottie, Pembroke NC, .047, 11.335 on an 11.360, 61.96 mph, def. Thurman Warren Jr., Dunn NC, foul.  [10/02/18]

Clouds and rain in the area gave way to clear skies allowing the Southwest Heritage Racing Association to hold the Bee Godwin Memorial Nostalgia Nationals at Wichita Raceway Park in Wichita Falls, TX.

In NE1, racing on a 4.60 index at this event, defending class champion Tommy Drozd was the No. 1 qualifier. He faced Steve Matthews in the final and won, now trailing Matthews by 27 points going into the final event on Oct. 13 at Xtreme Raceway Park, Ferris, TX. Drozd had an RT of .038 and ran 4.945/126.16 to a .044 RT for Matthews and 5.105/143.36.  (Chris Graves/Max Cackle Photos)

Kevin Wendland has been leading the NE2 points for the past few races, but went out in the first round at Wichita. Bruce Dodson took the No. 1 qualifying spot and was runner-up to Dusty Rose in this final. Wendland now leads Dodson by one point! The class raced on a 5.00 index at this event.

In NE3, running on a 5.50 index, former class champ Doug Morrison was ousted by No. 1 qualifier Josh Moseley in the semifinal. Moseley took the final-round win over a red-lighting Keith Darrow. Morrison takes a 19-point lead into the final event.

Gary Powers took his second consecutive win at the Bee Godwin event, taking the Nostalgia Super Stock win over his son-in-law, Jacob Starr, who was making his first SHRA appearance. Vic Corlett leads Doug Watkins by 13 points for the championship.

In only his second event of the year, Mickey Frey took the Old School No Electronics win over Sammy Mathis. Jim Baughan took over the points lead from Michael Rhea. Rhea, who lost in the first round, falls to third in points.

Brad Chartier was the Old School Electronics class winner over James Brooke. Jim Bien holds the top spot in the championship points.  [10/02/18]

Like many of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers, the Force sisters will go pink for October in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month. They’ll be sporting pink Advance Auto Parts hot rods at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals and the NHRA Carolina Nationals. Unlike the other drivers, their hot rods will feature TrueTimber’s Sassy B pink camo making a statement while expressing support of breast cancer awareness.

“Fall racing is in full swing, and we’re excited to team up with Courtney and Brittany Force to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month on the track,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “During the October NHRA drag races in Dallas and Charlotte, race-goers will see both drivers’ cars and crews decked out in pink in our TrueTimber Sassy B camouflage pattern. It’s an honor for the TrueTimber brand and family to help drive awareness in this way.”

Brittany Force’s Advance Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster will be supporting Brakes for Breasts, an organization compiled of more than 100 independent auto repair shops across the U.S. supporting the research of a vaccine to cure breast cancer. For every brake service performed at one of the shops, customers will receive their brake pads for free and only pay for the labor. Each shop will then donate 10% of that brake service to The Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund.

Courtney Force’s Advance Auto Parts Funny Car will once again bring awareness to the Young Survivors Coalition, an organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women under the age of 40 who are diagnosed with breast cancer. YSC is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.  [10/02/18]

Holley/MSD has released Single Plane Split-Design Race Intake Manifolds, which have been developed specifically for high-performance and race Gen III LS engines with cathedral port heads and 4150-style square-bore flanged carburetors or throttle bodies. Their special two-piece split configuration allows easy disassembly for direct access to internal plenum and port surfaces and makes custom porting and matching a snap – a feature usually found only on the most expensive race intakes. Lighter and less than half the price of other split race manifolds, Holley Single Plane Split-Design Race Intake Manifolds are ideal for 5.3L to 6.2L+ displacement applications and rock-solid up to 7,000 rpm. The single-plane design provides extra hood clearance and optimal performance across the entire RPM band, and captured O-ring seals at the split and all eight head ports make reassembly simple and precise.   [10/02/18]