The American Motorcycle Racing Association, the nation’s premier all-American motorcycle drag racing organization, is bringing their high-speed, two-wheeled, V-twin action to the Orlando Speed World Nationals on May 18-19.

Headlining the event are the Top Fuel Harley bikes that have taken NHRA national events by storm, including former champ Jay Turner’s incredible ProCharged “Lagertha,” (shown) which ran 6.18 at nearly 236 mph last time out in Houston.

“I’m looking forward to going back to a Harley race and getting back to where we came from,” said Turner, whose most recent AMRA event was the Jim McClure Nationals last fall at Rockingham Dragway.

Turner will have to face the likes of teammate Randal Andras, Bad Apple Racing’s Tracy Kile, Jake Stordeur, Don Becker on one of Don “DJ” Johnson’s bikes, and more.

Other classes include Nitro Funnybike, Pro Drag, Dressers, Hot Street, Super Street and Outlaw Street. Wheelie bar bikes will compete in Pro Modified, Modified, Top Eliminator 9.30 Index, Super Comp, Pro Gas, Super Gas 9.90, Super Pro 10.30, Pro Eliminator 10.90 Index, Street Eliminator 11.50 and Thundermax Eliminator.  (Tim Hailey photo)   [05/15/19]

The NHRA has just released the national event race schedule for next season (and it’s not even June!), again consisting of 24 events. Several stops will be changing dates from this year.

The organization says it will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pro Stock cars throughout the season, but makes no mention if the class will return to all events or stay at the 18 where they will compete this year. The dates for the class will be released this summer.

“Fans will experience special treats and features along the tour to commemorate this important category and honor its history,” according to the NHRA press release.    [05/15/19]

The Inaugural Funny Car Frenzy took place at Renegade on Saturday, May 11, at Renegade Raceway in Wapato, WA. Presented by Yakama Nation Networks, the race featured eight BB/FCs, one A/FC and one AA/FC, and was presided over by Grand Marshal, Jim “The Kahuna” Moore.

Before a packed house, Elaine Sellers (“Lady Elaine” BB/FC) of Spokane, WA, defeated Cal Tebb (“The Judge” BB/FC) of Spruce Grove, AB, in the final. Sellers ran an elapsed time of 4.292 at 158.25 mph in the eighth mile to best Tebb’s 4.500 at 156.41 mph. Tebb and team were named Best Appearing Crew.  Mike Cavalieri’s Hemi Parts King was one of the contingency sponsors of the event.

Best Appearing Car was awarded to Hal Westerlund, owner of the Kahuna tribute AA/FC driven by Derek Snelson.  (Sara Cullen photos)

Long-time Funny Car drivers and contributors to the sport were also honored. Along with Jim Moore, honorees included Bob Verstag (West Richland, WA), Dale Harsin (Boise, ID), Larry Van Unen (Priest River, ID), Todd Miekle (Yakima, WA), Jeff Kritenbrink (Anchorage, AK) and Jerry Ruth (Seattle, WA).

In addition to funny cars, fans were treated to a full field of 30 Northwest Nostalgia Tour dragsters, gassers and altereds, as well as Box, No Box and Jr. Dragster racing. Fans who also attended on Friday night had the opportunity to see the EFX Tomahawk Jet Funny Car in action, with driver Derek Snelson, running a 6.26 at 253.66 mph in the quarter.   [05/15/19]

Schneider will continue to drive John Troxel’s “Brutus” Funny Car and says he hopes to also compete in the Victory NSS series next year.  (Scott Bessee photo)

The Agent is sorry to see Schneider leave as he did an incredible job getting the Midwest series up and running and continuing to grow. Keeping racers, track managers, and sponsors all happy is quite an accomplishment. Someone is going to have some very large shoes to fill. A job well done, sir.   [05/15/19]

Although the weather didn’t cooperate very much, at the May 10-11 Nostalgia Rendezvous at World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway), the Victory NSS Series started their season. Thirty-four of the classic Super Stock racers braved the weather forecast and made the trek to St. Louis.

With incredible air and a sticky track on Friday night, the Victory Cars were flying high as they made two qualifying passes. Unfortunately, Saturday brought rain with no on-track action. The decision was made to move the race to Sunday, but Mother Nature won the battle on Mother's Day, forcing the decision to call the race a rain-out.

The Victory crew looks forward to race #2 of the Victory NSS Series at the Nitro Nostalgia Nationals at Cordova Raceway on May 31-June 1.  (Dennis Mothershed photo)    [05/15/19]

The Hawaii House and Senate companion resolutions (H.C.R. 42 and S.C.R. 108) advocating for the construction of a new race track facility on the island of Oahu failed to pass before Hawaii’s legislature adjourned for 2019.

The resolutions recognized that the Hawaiian racing community on Oahu has been without a motorsports facility for more than a decade. Maybe next year?   [05/15/19]

Mike Mittler, owner of the Mittler Brothers company and a longtime team owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, died on Friday, May 10, of cancer. He was 67.

Visitation is Monday, May 20, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Pitman Funeral Home, 1545 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville, MO 63385; and Tuesday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, New Melle, MO, in Father Weber Hall.

The funeral will be Tuesday, May 21, 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in New Melle, MO.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: St. Vincent DePaul Society at Immaculate Heart of Mary; St. Louis Zoo; Humane Society of choice; or National Tooling and Machine Association, c/o Pitman Funeral Home, P. O. Box 248, Wentzville, MO 63385.   [05/15/19]

AEM Performance Electronics has released DashDesign 2.0 editing software for its CD Carbon Digital Dash Displays. This is not an update—it is a completely new interface that makes everything easier! From identifying and creating channels, custom designs and managing layouts and templates to setting alarms, logging rates and lap times, DashDesign 2.0 is organized to make both the setup and creative process quick, easy and fun. It even includes a new Simulator that allows you to see your layouts in action before you upload them. DashDesign is free to download. [05/15/19]