DRO’s Motorcycle Editor, Tom McCarthy, says that although Angelle Sampey was originally signed for four races with Vance & Hines Racing, she has now inked a deal for the entire 2019 Mello Yello series. She heads into Houston sitting 12th in the point standings.

See all the rest of the two-wheel news in McCarthy’s Motorcycle Memos.  (Adam Cranmer photo)   [04/11/19]

Gone is the purple and instead it will be yellow at Houston Raceway Park as Pennzoil has become the track sponsor this year. It marks a special event for the Pennzoil-sponsored teams of Don Schumacher Racing.

“The transition of partners for the track and transformation of colors everywhere immediately created a sense of home turf,” said Leah Pritchett. “That’s a feeling few get to experience, and I am incredibly thankful to be a part of that equation to represent Pennzoil in such a historic year. Pennzoil has consistently proven to be such an active partner in DSR's on-track success that performing on a track coated in their colors is just the next step of being a part of the Pennzoil nation. My sole focus in Houston is to bring home the Wally gold for our golden Pennzoil partners. I cannot wait to give this Pennzoil takeover everything we've got!"

“I can’t wait to get to Houston,” said Matt Hagan. “It’s a Pennzoil sponsored track, a MOPAR sponsored race, I’m going to be back in the Pennzoil chrome car. To have those two brands as partners and to be able to run the Pennzoil brand in their backyard is going to be huge. I cannot wait to hit the gas on this new yellow race track.”  (Ron Lewis photo)   [04/11/19]

Jordan Vandergriff (left) and Shawn Reed.

Shawn Reed will make his 2019 debut this weekend at the NHRA SpringNationals driving the Bob Vandergriff Racing Top Fuel dragster. It will be the first race of the season with two BVR cars in the competition.

“I’m excited to get back in the driver’s seat; it’s been a long time. My last race was in Pomona 2018,” Reed said. “At these past few races with Jordan (Vandergriff) driving I’ve been taking in everything around me, learning to do more jobs on the car and working with the crew chiefs.”

Reed will be driving a dragster specially designed by Morgan Lucas race shop.

The BVR race team skipped the NHRA 4-Wides in Las Vegas and spent that time preparing to bring out two Top Fuel Dragsters for the first time this year. Ron Douglas will be crew chief on Jordan Vandergriff’s dragster, and Joe Barlam will be calling the shots on Reed’s dragster. [04/11/19]

Rookie Jasmine Salinas, daughter of Mike Salinas (Top Fuel winner at the event), made it to the Top Alcohol Dragster semifinal round at Vegas where she was defeated by Joey Severance, the defending champ. Severance went on to finish runner-up to Jackie Fricke. See all the Sportsman results here.  (Rick Shute photo) [04/11/19]

We’re catching up on the ratings for the NHRA elimination show broadcasts for the season so far. Because the Winternationals final was postponed by weather to Monday, the ratings were too low to make it into the listings against other regular Monday shows.

The other races were finished on Sunday and the results are: Phoenix - 71,000 viewers and 0.30 rating; Gainesville - 73,000 viewers and 0.24 rating; and Las Vegas - 127,000 viewers and 0.45 rating. [04/11/19]

Strange C-Clip axles are significantly stronger than the typical OEM axles. The S-Series axles are forged from SAE 1550 Modified Steel and when combined with a deeper heat treat that increases torsional strength, the axles can reliably handle the power and torque of your application. Both GM and Ford (shown) axles are available.    [04/11/19]