“Stevie Fast” Jackson (left) shares the spotlight of his two wins with Bahrain1 teammate Khalid al Balooshi.  (Chris Haverly photo)

“Stevie Fast” Jackson claimed the world championship in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service and the event win at zMAX Dragway Monday during the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals.

A round win in the semi-finals clinched the first Pro Mod championship for Jackson when his pass of 5.734-seconds at 251.20 mph defeated Michael Biehle II. However, he only had a quick moment to celebrate before getting back to the pits to prepare for the final round of the event where he would face Steven Whiteley, who was in the final round for the first time this year.

“There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team,’ and we never give up,” said Jackson. “This championship started when I was lying in a hospital bed, looking up at the ceiling after crashing here (in April 2018), and I told these guys we were going to get it. It’s awesome to tie a bow on the season here.”

Jackson punctuated his winning weekend just minutes later when he defeated Whiteley (near lane) in his Bahrain1 Racing Camaro with a pass of 5.731 at 252.10 in the final round on Monday, his sixth of the season. (Chris Haverly photo)

Pro Modified Points: 1. Steve Jackson, 899; 2. Todd Tutterow, 708; 3. Mike Janis, 652; 4. Rickie Smith, 580; 5. Mike Castellana, 540; 6. Jose Gonzalez, 527; 7. Sidnei Frigo, 517; 8. Khalid alBalooshi, 481; 9. Brandon Snider, 473; 10. Chad Green, 362.

The final event for the Pro Mod will be in Las Vegas at the Dodge NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil at The Strip At Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Oct. 31-Nov. 3.    [10/16/19]

Terry Earwood at the 1971 U.S. Nationals.  (photo courtesy Steve Earwood)

The NHRA’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series also features a number of veteran drivers and several will be in competition for this week’s double-header at Rockingham Dragway.

Among those will be Terry Earwood, older brother of Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood, who will be driving a 1980 Dodge Aspen in Super Stock. He was the 1971 Division Super Stock champion. After a career in road racing, he is back on the “straight-and-narrow.”

Also racing at Rockingham will be Roy Hill, who will be inducted into the International Drag Racing hall of Fame next March.

Friday will see time trials and qualifying and the Moser Sportsman Shootout. Single elimination racing Saturday on The Rock’s quarter mile track will crown Lucas Series champions in Top Dragster, Top Sportsman, Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. Many of the same competitors will return to competition Sunday when the focus shifts to the eighth-mile course and the final Southeast Division race in the NHRA National Open Series. [10/16/19]

The NHRA has announced the candidates for the Auto Club Road to the Future Award:  Cristian Cuadra, Pro Stock; Fernando Cuadra Jr., Pro Stock; Cameron Ferre, Top Fuel; Lex Joon, Top Fuel; Austin Prock, Top Fuel; Jianna Salinas, Pro Stock Motorcycle; and Jordan Vandergriff, Top Fuel.  [10/16/19]

During the second round of qualifying on Friday, the chutes on Alan Prusiensky’s Dodge Pro Stock didn’t open properly as he crossed the line. His car went left crossing in front of the car driven by Chris McGaha. Prusiensky’s car hit the left guardwall and then flipped before landing on all four wheels while a brief fireball put itself out. Prusiensky exited the car under his own power and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. The car however... (Chris Haverly photo)   [10/16/19]

A new motorsports facility has been announced for the Hawaiian island of Oahu. To be named Circuit Hawaii, the complex will have an eighth-mile drag strip, a 1.5-mile FIA road course, and a quarter-mile dirt track. It will also include a clubhouse, race control, pits, garages, and event space. It is expected to be completed by 2022.  [10/16/19]

Ideal for race and street applications, JEGS Steering U-Joints are CNC-machined steel for superior strength with a nickel-plated, chrome, or black finish. Operating at up to a 30-degree angle, these U-joints use needle bearing for longevity. A variety of fitment are available    [10/16/19]