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CAPPS CARRIES EIGHT-ROUND STREAK INTO BAKERSFIELD, SHRUGS OFF TARGET ON HIS BACK

Bobby Bennett — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:21:41 +0000

Jon Capps didn’t flinch when asked about the weight he’s carrying into this weekend’s Bakersfield March Meet at Famoso Dragstrip. He knew exactly what the question meant.

“What do you mean?” Capps said with a laugh before answering it himself. “Oh, the target on my back?”

Capps returns to Bakersfield riding an eight-round winning streak at Famoso, having swept the prestigious March Meet and the California Hot Rod Reunion in his nitro campaign. The run has made him the man to beat in one of drag racing’s most tradition-rich venues.

“You know what? I haven’t had that problem before,” Capps said of being the hunted instead of the hunter.

The streak is rare in any nitro category, particularly at a facility where veterans such as Bucky Austin and other established names routinely contend. Capps understands the magnitude, even if he refuses to dwell on it.

“Yeah. Yeah. I mean it’s not like… Well, I mean… Shoot. Yeah, I don’t care who it is. It’s impressive,” Capps said.

He insists the bigger story is how close the team came to not completing the sweep last fall. Mechanical attrition nearly ended the run before it began.

“After we won the March Meet, everybody was so kind, and everybody that I’d known for so long and worked with, or driven with or for, were really, really complimentary about what we were able to do,” Capps said. “And coming back into the Hot Rod Heritage race, end of the year, I didn’t expect us to go out there and run as well as we did.”

The car had shown consistency all season, but eliminations at the Reunion tested the team’s depth. “But after the first round of eliminations, we’d hurt the engine, had to replace the block,” Capps said. “And we were down to our last set of cylinder heads.”

The team skipped a qualifying session and entered eliminations with limited data and even fewer spare parts. That reality heightened the tension inside the cockpit.

“And I tell you what? You’ve talked about nervous, I heard every noise in that car,” Capps said. “I had to get out of the throttle and hopefully save the engine for another run if we were so lucky to make it past that round.”

Round by round, the car improved. By the time eliminations reached their later stages, Capps found himself part of a record-setting performance.

“Round after round, it just kept getting… The car getting better in eliminations and broke the national record,” he said. “I mean, are you kidding me?”

Capps said even he didn’t grasp how strong the run was until the time slip was delivered. “[The announcer] kept me strung along a whole little second,” Capps said of the interviewer at the top end. “It seemed like it was 30 minutes, but it was more like three seconds.”

“But I didn’t know it was that good of a run,” he added. “That’s one of the crazy things about a nitro car sometimes is the best runs feel like it was nothing really special.”

Success, however, carries its own consequences. Capps said the atmosphere in the pits shifts as round wins accumulate.

“It’s been away for a long time,” he said. “Even when we were in go-karts, my brother and I both, everybody was more than willing to help us out when we first got there.”

“And then as we started to efficiently kick their ass more and more, they got less and less likely to want to help us out,” he added.

He said the current dynamic is similar. “Everybody’s really nice in the pits for the most part,” Capps said. “But like you’re saying, everybody’s not going to be as quick to lend a helping hand.”

The tone is not bitterness but realism. In a competitive field, information and assistance become guarded once rivals sense a team has found its rhythm.

“I think now they’ve figured out that we got it figured out,” Capps said.

The question now is how to manage expectations heading into another March Meet. Capps said the mental approach is no different than when results were harder to come by.

“Well, a little self-deprecating humor I guess,” Capps said. “So I would think that it would be no different from sucking for the last few years and showing up.”

“If you go into a race and you haven’t won anything in a while, you show up and you still try and smile,” he added. “Even though you know teams get close or whatever it is the reason why you haven’t won, you still haven’t won, right?”

Capps said he has consciously tried to push recent success out of his mind. “The last few days I’ve actually started thinking more and more about the success we’ve had and I’m trying to push that away, and just go about business, and don’t change anything,” he said.

Part of that approach involves racing strategically rather than aggressively. “Man, let’s step it down a bit,” Capps recalled telling his team last season. “We don’t have to go for the throttle every run, you know?”

He said he lifted early in multiple rounds at the March Meet to preserve parts. “Just try and save parts,” Capps said. “Because the car runs so well early in mid-track and we don’t need that last little bit.”

His philosophy is simple. “I just try and race smart and do the best I can and see,” he said. “And hopefully I don’t let the guy down.”

Superstition also plays a role in a driver’s routine, even in nitro racing. Capps admits he has his own rituals.

“Where does it stop?” he said. “There are certain things… certain colored underwear on certain race days, always put your right sock on first. Right shoe on first.”

He laughed when asked about whether his eight-round-win underwear had been washed. “They’re still standing up waiting for me,” Capps said.

Beneath the humor is attention to safety. “I do make sure, that’s one thing I’m pretty particular about is, is rotating through my Nomex because… A lot of guys don’t think about it, but sweat could be a problem if there’s a fire,” he said.

The perspective reflects years in high-horsepower machinery. Capps and his brother grew up immersed in racing, and the opportunity to compete at marquee events remains meaningful.

“It’s been amazing,” Capps said. “Everybody on this team has real jobs, and they have to take time off to go to these races.”

He acknowledged the financial and logistical limitations that prevent a full championship pursuit. “We don’t have the ability to take the time, or mainly the money to have the time to go after a championship, unfortunately,” Capps said.

Still, the competitive fire remains. “I’m still working on trying to get some stuff to go race at the big show,” he said. “It’s a matter trying to make schedules work, trying to make the money work.”

For now, Capps heads back to Famoso with a streak intact and expectations rising. He declined the idea of posing with a broom to commemorate last year’s sweep, viewing it as bad mojo.

“Yeah. It definitely is because that always comes back and bites you in the ass,” Capps said of tempting fate. “I try to stay the same person, positive or negative.”

PAWUK TO DEBUT NEW DODGE CHARGER DRAG PAK AS NHRA GATORNATIONALS LAUNCH 75TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Kevin Michaels — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:35:12 +0000

Two-time NHRA Factory Stock Showdown champion Mark Pawuk will debut the all-new Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak this week at the 56th annual NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.

The purpose-built, race-only Charger makes its official competition debut as NHRA opens its 75th anniversary season.

The 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection is powered by a 354-cubic-inch HEMI V-8 engine and marks the first race-prepared version of the next-generation Charger.

Unveiled last year at the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals, the new Drag Pak represents Dodge’s latest factory-backed entry in Factory Stock Showdown competition.

Only 50 serialized units of the Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak will be produced.

Each of the 50 cars is NHRA-approved for Factory Stock Showdown competition and engineered for grassroots Sportsman racers.

The Drag Pak also signals the return of the Street and Racing Technology Performance division.

The SRT division oversees high-performance models, Direct Connection performance parts and Dodge’s American motorsports initiatives, including NHRA competition and the Ram brand’s return to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026.

Pawuk, of Richfield, Ohio, has long been one of Dodge’s most visible Factory Stock competitors.

He drove his Empaco Equipment Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak to consecutive championships in 2024 and 2025, collecting four victories during that span.

His 2025 title run included wins at Bristol and Norwalk, along with a runner-up finish and three semifinal appearances.

Consistency defined that championship campaign, and Pawuk now turns his focus to developing the new Charger platform.

Testing in Florida provided early data, but Pawuk acknowledged the car will require refinement as the season progresses.

Even so, he said the opportunity to debut the new Charger at the Gatornationals carries personal meaning.

“I began my racing career in the 1970s with Dodge and Plymouth, and I’ll be wrapping up my career with Dodge and their outstanding Drag Pak car in the future,” said Pawuk, a former NHRA Pro Stock racer. “It’s an honor to be debuting the new Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak this year. The car is much different than the race car (Dodge Challenger) that we won two championships within 2024-2025. We see a lot of potential with this new car. It will take some time to develop it, but I am very excited about the car. It’s NHRA’s 75th anniversary this year, and I really want to win one of those special Wally (Parks, NHRA founder) trophies for the 75th season. I think it’s possible with the new Drag Pak.”

Pawuk’s back-to-back championships reshaped the final chapter of a career that began decades ago.

He admitted the first title fulfilled a lifelong ambition, while the second reinforced his competitive drive.

“In 2024, winning my first championship, it was a dream I’ve had all my life. I really can’t believe it happened again in 2025. After the first one, my wife, Bonnie, suggested it might be time to retire. But I said, ‘What do you mean? I have to try for a repeat. Now, I have to go for a three-peat with new HEMI-powered Charger Drag Pak.”

Beyond Pawuk’s debut, Dodge’s presence at Gainesville extends beyond Factory Stock Showdown competition.

The Gatornationals weekend will also feature exhibition “Legends” races in production-based Dodge Charger Scat Pack models.

Four Hall of Fame-caliber drivers — Don Garlits, Joe Amato, Kenny Bernstein and Warren Johnson — are scheduled to compete in special 75th anniversary matchups.

Round one is set for Friday at 2:20 p.m. EST, with the final round scheduled for Saturday at noon EST.

The exhibition cars are 550-horsepower, SIXPACK-powered 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack models.

The appearances celebrate NHRA’s milestone season while highlighting Dodge’s new performance offerings.

Dodge will also introduce Thrill Rides at an NHRA national event for the first time.

Fans will ride in the passenger seat of SIXPACK-powered Charger Scat Pack models driven by professionals on a closed course at the top end of Gainesville Raceway.

The rides will run daily throughout the race weekend.

Participants will experience launches, burnouts and controlled drifts using performance features such as Line Lock, Launch Control and rear-wheel-drive mode capable of sending 100 percent of torque to the rear wheels.

In the NHRA nitro categories, Dodge-backed Tony Stewart Racing will unveil new red, white and blue liveries.

Leah Pruett returns to Top Fuel competition after a two-year layoff, while Matt Hagan begins his pursuit of a fifth NHRA Funny Car championship.

Qualifying for the Gatornationals opens Friday at 2:30 p.m. EST, with final eliminations scheduled for Sunday at 10 a.m. EDT.

For Pawuk, however, the spotlight remains fixed on the Charger Drag Pak’s first official laps under race conditions.

He sees the debut as both a continuation and a new beginning.

Now chasing a third consecutive title, Pawuk believes the new platform can carry him forward.

“I have to go for a three-peat with new HEMI-powered Charger Drag Pak.”

RUMOR MILL: IS IHRA SNIFFING AROUND NEW JERSEY?

Bobby Bennett — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:03:22 +0000

The expansion chatter surrounding the IHRA isn’t slowing down.

Following its recent acquisition of Atlanta Dragway and Virginia Motorsports Park, there’s growing industry talk that the sanctioning body could be eyeing another strategic move.

This time, the whispers are pointing north.

Multiple sources suggest IHRA officials have at least explored conversations tied to New Jersey — a market with deep drag racing roots and a passionate fan base. Whether that means acquisition, partnership, or something more exploratory remains unclear.

Nothing confirmed. Nothing announced.

But when expansion momentum starts building, it rarely stops at two, five, ten, or whatever the number is at now.

Stay tuned.

STANFIELD TURNS PRO STOCK PRECISION INTO $150,000 WORLD SERIES OF PRO MOD TRIUMPH

Bobby Bennett — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:24:17 +0000

This is what happens when you put a Pro Stock racer in a Pro Mod and turn him loose: Aaron Stanfield wins $150,000 in one of the closest finals in World Series of Pro Mod history.

Stanfield edged Peter Norton by .003 seconds Saturday night at Bradenton Motorsports Park, adding a doorslammer crown to an already decorated NHRA résumé.

The winning pass — 3.576 seconds at 210.83 mph — was enough to hold off Norton’s 3.585 at 210.57 in a side-by-side sprint decided by inches. It capped the third and final race of the 2025-2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series.

“All these racers are great racers – they are some of the baddest racers our sport has to offer,” Stanfield said. “It’s been cool to mix it up with them, and it’s unbelievable we’re gonna park it in the winner’s circle.”

Stanfield entered the weekend having never before qualified for a Winter Series event. He left with the richest victory of his career and a defining moment in Pro Mod competition.

The win adds to a résumé that already includes NHRA national event victories in five different professional and sportsman categories and three Factory Stock Showdown world championships. It also reinforces the growing crossover between NHRA Pro Stock talent and the Winter Series’ high-stakes Pro Mod stage.

Stanfield qualified No. 8 in the 32-car field, marking his first successful entry into a Winter Series race. From there, his Pro Stock-honed starting-line discipline became the constant.

He opened eliminations against Snowbird Outlaw Nationals runner-up Sidnei Frigo and left first, posting a 3.879 at 200.98 to defeat Frigo’s 4.044. It was a clean, controlled start to what would become a methodical march.

In the second round, Stanfield again cut the better light and improved to a 3.651 at 209.43 to stop Greg Blevins Jr., who slowed to a 4.405. The incremental gains reflected growing comfort in a car he had only recently begun racing.

The quarterfinals presented past PDRA Pro Boost world champion Tommy D’Aprile. Stanfield pedaled to a 4.033 at 193.65 and held off D’Aprile’s 4.335 to advance.

“It was definitely a roller coaster of emotions,” Stanfield said. “I feel like I did a decent enough job to win. It was pretty wild. Today was literally the first day I’ve ever pedaled a Pro Mod car. We were able to do it good enough to turn on two win lights doing it. Hats off to the whole Scott Tidwell camp and all these guys working on this car – Spencer, Travis, and a big shout out to Chris Terry. He did a heck of a job this weekend.”

The semifinal round effectively became a solo run when 2024 No Prep Kings champion Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington lost oil pressure after the burnout and shut off. Stanfield rolled to a 3.614 at 210.37 to secure lane choice for the final.

The championship round was decided at the stripe. Stanfield left second for the first time all day by six thousandths, yet drove through Norton before the finish line and caught the win light.

“In heads-up racing, I don’t look over, but I could see him in my peripheral vision,” Stanfield said. “I could tell it was extremely close, but my eyes went straight for the win light and it came on. I don’t get excited in the car too much, but I was pretty pumped up that time.”

Stanfield credited team owner Richard Freeman and a collaborative effort between Elite Motorsports, Scott Tidwell Racing, and Modern Racing for the opportunity. He drove a Harts Charger-boosted ’69 Camaro after campaigning a screw-blown Elite Camaro in the first two Winter Series events.

“It absolutely goes up towards the top of the list,” Stanfield said. “I’ve never raced Pro Mod. This is the first event I’ve ever qualified for, and it’s incredible. Number one, it’s incredible that Richard Freeman let me drive a Pro Mod knowing that I’ve never raced one before. But Drag Illustrated and Wes Buck have done such a great job of making this ‘the’ event. I remember watching Erica [Enders] at this race last year, and I was like, ‘Man, I would really like to do that.’ It’s cool to have the opportunity and people to be able to do it. I’m just very blessed.”

While Stanfield claimed the event title, Norton secured the 2025-2026 Winter Series points championship one round earlier. His winner-take-all victory over Randy Weatherford clinched the title and a $25,000 bonus.

Norton used a .011 reaction time and a 3.608-second pass to outrun Weatherford, who got loose and slowed to a 4.877. The performance vaulted Norton from 10th in points entering the weekend to series champion.

“It’s surreal,” Norton said of the experience. “You look down here, you look at all these fans. I mean, you come through here burning the tires off and people standing around you. It’s the stuff you watch on TV. It’s the stuff you dream about as any motorsport you want to do.”

A veteran tractor-pull competitor who purchased his Pro Mod from Jeff Rudolf last November, Norton was considered among the least experienced Pro Mod drivers in the field. He steadily improved through the Winter Series and earned Rookie of the Year honors during the weekend.

“I just wanted to come in and race, have a good time, and get some experience in the car,” said Norton. “I knew all these people that I’ve seen all over the internet, YouTube, watching drag racing. Some of these people have become my friends. It’s just a family environment. I really enjoy it. I didn’t know what to expect and it’s obviously exceeded any expectation I could have.”

Norton acknowledged that attrition among top contenders opened the door. Several points leaders fell early in eliminations, shifting the championship landscape round by round.

“There was excitement and nervousness both,” Norton admitted. “As we were going rounds, I just needed to do my job. I knew the team was going to do their job. I knew (tuner) Rickie [Jones] was going to give me a good tune to get the car down the track. I knew the car was good. I needed to make sure Peter Norton did his job and crushed the tree.”

In the Outlaw Light Beer Wild Card Shootout, reigning WSOPM champion Steve King rebounded after failing to qualify for the 32-car field. He advanced through the five-round second-chance race and claimed the $15,000 prize.

King defeated Bo Butner, Frank Falter IV, and Robert Costa before a semifinal red light was negated when opponent Luis de Leon bypassed the scales. He then left first in the final against Melanie Salemi and ran a 3.611 at 207.27 while Salemi slowed to a 4.336.

“We’re happy with the win,” said King. “Jon [Salemi] gave us a great car all weekend. Came up a little short on the A-feature to get into the main race, and those guys are lucky we didn’t get in there because we made some good runs today in the heat. During the night time sessions we’re not picking up like we need to, but during the day this car can run with any car here. A little semifinal round action there – I kind of feel a little bit down on that episode – I did red light but he bypassed the scales. I mean, how often do you get a buy-back round in Pro Mod racing?

“We had to run our teammate in the finals, and those guys were over here in the semis thrashing – all their guys, all my guys, we had the motor tore apart in a million pieces. We want both team cars in the final, which we ended up with.”

Fletcher Cox captured both the Pro 10.5 Winter Series championship and the $25,000 WSOPM event win, running 3.928 at 190.78 to defeat Joel Wensley Jr.’s 3.973 at 192.85. Russell Stone earned the $40,000 True 10.5 victory when opponent Bill Lutz was shut off on the starting line due to a fluid leak.

“I went up to stage and they were pointing at me,” Stone said. “I didn’t know if they were telling me I was broke or he was broke. I didn’t know what was going on. I killed the car and I told them I would wait on him, but apparently he had oil everywhere and got out of the car, so that was the end of it. But I was going to do the right thing and give him time if he needed time. I don’t like winning like that.”

Additional winners included Chris Scarlata in Lil Gangstas, Mitch Kalitta in Super Pro, Mark Horton in 6.50 Index, Dean Thompson in 7.50 Index, Rashad Jones in 4.60 Bikes, and Cameron Rich in Jr. Dragster, completing a week that once again placed the Winter Series at the center of high-stakes Pro Mod competition.

OEHLER, DAVIS FORM TWO-BIKE PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE TEAM FOR 2026 NHRA SEASON

Bobby Bennett — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 11:30:39 +0000

Ryan Oehler is expanding his Pro Stock Motorcycle program to two bikes for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, adding rookie standout Brayden Davis in a move aimed at strengthening both riders’ championship prospects.

The veteran known as “Flyin’ Ryan” will field his own entry alongside Davis on a Flyin’ Ryan Racing/B&K Cylinder Heads Buell, forming a two-rider operation ahead of the season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

Davis, a third-generation motorcycle drag racer, entered the offseason without a confirmed ride after an impressive rookie campaign. Oehler saw the opportunity and moved quickly.

“Ryan saw potential in me and knew I did not have a ride lined up for this season and was willing to help me get back out there,” said Davis. “I am thankful for the opportunity and the belief they have shown in me.”

The pairing was tested recently at Gainesville Raceway, where Davis made his first passes aboard a large cubic-inch V-Twin Buell.

“We tested this past weekend at Gainesville Raceway, and it was my first time ever riding a Buell,” said Davis. “I can honestly say it was some of the most fun I have had in a long time. The torque these bikes make is unreal, and every shift wants to carry the front tire. It definitely got my attention in a good way.”

“The bike was lifting the front wheel and spinning downtrack,” agreed Oehler. “He was fighting it, and it was fighting him.” Fighting all the way to a stout 6.81 at 198.93 on Davis’ first full pass.

“We ran some really strong numbers and mile per hour for a first outing, testing with Ryan and his team,” continued Davis. “That gives us a lot of confidence heading into the opener, and I could not be more excited about where we are as the season kicks off.”

Oehler was marginally quicker during the test, opening with a 6.78 at 199 mph using the same combination he ended last season with. That baseline allowed the team to validate gains from a new engine program developed over the winter.

“Bad Brad [Oehler’s father, Brad] works seven days a week, 12 hours a day making horsepower,” said Oehler. “We picked up big power on the dyno with our new motor. A ton of torque and a ton of horsepower. The highest accelerating motor we’ve ever had.”

With weather threatening the second day of testing, Oehler installed the new engine late on day one and responded with a 6.75 at 200.8 mph.

“The point was to validate the gains we’ve seen on the engine dyno.” Point made.

Oehler believes Davis will quickly extract even more performance as he gains seat time.

“He’s a prodigy,” noted Oehler. “First time I’ve had a teammate that’s probably a higher caliber rider than I am. We want to see him win as badly as I want to win. In theory, he should be quicker than I am by several hundredths.”

Oehler broke through for his first Pro Stock Motorcycle victory in 2020 at Indianapolis and added another in 2021 at the Denso 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. Since then, he acknowledged that the team endured inconsistent results while transitioning to its Gen2 motor program.

“Our team has stuck together through four years of struggles since we switched to the Gen2 motor program, looking for more durability,” said Oehler. “We’ve managed to keep El Bandido Yankee Tequila on board through all of this.

“We’ve cracked some eggs and now we should be a major threat. The development continues; this just affirms the direction we’ve taken. And S&S is helping us with parts and development. They have deep resources there in Viola.”

Adding Davis brings not only riding talent but additional data and feedback.

“Brayden and his dad remind me of the relationship I have with my dad. I really want Travis to be a part of this,” said Oehler. “I want to see what we can all do together. I love Harleys, and to race them is unique and something I want to share.”

Funding will ultimately determine how many events the two-bike team can contest in 2026.

“Right now, we are looking for marketing partners to help us run the full 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season,” said Davis. “As of today, Powertrain Inc. has stepped up for Gainesville, Charlotte, and Adel [South Georgia Motorsports Park]. I’m super blessed and grateful to have them back onboard and will hopefully get them a win that they very much deserve within these three races. We are working hard to put the full program together and make the most of this opportunity. I want to thank them and Ryan Oehler Racing, Mike Mullaney, and Brad Mccoy with Mccoy Motorsports for all their help with this transition.”

Oehler described his operation as one of the class’s true privateer efforts.

“We are probably the most underfunded team in the class,” said Oehler.

He closed by acknowledging the partners and family support that keep the program intact.

“Huge shout out to Scott Hamilton, Brad Mccoy, Mike Mullaney, Bill Anderson, Brayden Davis, Donny Philpott, and Jay Regan,” said Oehler. “There are so many great people who support this team, and I can’t thank them enough. El Bandido Yankee Tequila, Burromax, Worldwide Bearings, High Performance Lubricants, Limelite Graphics, NGK Spark Plugs, CP-Carrillo, S&S Cycle, Fast Lane Classic Cars, Silver Star Painting, MRE, Manley performance, Jesel Valve Train, Nut Scentz, AirTec, Redline Motorsports, McCoy Motorsports, Mullaney Cycle Works, Bates Leathers, Liberty’s Gears, Morris Packaging, Powertrain Inc, Fire Suppression Solutions, Wanna Parlay, The Detail Specialist, High Performance Marketing, Johnstone Supply, Capitol Group, Martin One Source, Mission Foods, and NHRA. They have made all this possible, and I am very fortunate to have their support.

“And last, but not least, my beautiful wife, Laura. Thank you for being the heart of our family. I’m beyond blessed to have you by my side.”

NHRA GATORNATIONALS FANFEST RETURNS TO BURNYZZ SPEED SHOP TO LAUNCH 75TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Bobby Bennett — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 11:28:51 +0000

The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals FanFest will return to Burnyzz Speed Shop on March 4, opening race week ahead of the 2026 NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

Hosted by Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Josh Hart and his wife Brittanie Hart, the free event will run from 6-9 p.m. and serve as the public kickoff to NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.

The annual FanFest has evolved into a key prelude to one of drag racing’s most historic events. By bringing together current stars, past champions and fans in an informal setting, it bridges the gap between preseason anticipation and race-day reality.

Hart, the 2021 Gatornationals Top Fuel winner and current John Force Racing driver, again opens his Ocala-based performance shop to the public. The evening will include a large car show, live music, food trucks and a driver autograph session scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m.

“Every year Brittanie (Hart, Josh’s wife) and our Burnyzz Speed Shop team do a great job organizing the FanFest and I love showing off Burnyzz Speed Shop,” said Hart. “The Gatornationals is one of the most historic motorsports events in the country and we are excited to have it in our backyard. I am looking forward to showing our shop to some of my new John Force Racing teammates and getting that second Gatornationals win. I want to thank everyone at Burnyzz Speed Shop for supporting this great event.”

The appearance list reflects both NHRA’s history and its current competitive landscape. Hall of Fame legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits is scheduled to attend alongside Hart and his John Force Racing teammates Jack Beckman, Jordan Vandergriff and Alexis DeJoria.

Top Fuel contenders Justin Ashley, Tony Schumacher and Jasmine Salinas are also expected, along with Tony Stewart and 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year Spencer Hyde. Pro Stock Motorcycle reigning world champion Richard Gadson is among the two-wheel representatives slated to appear.

Former Gatornationals winners Darrell Gwynn, David Grubnic, Frank Hawley and Jim Yates are part of the lineup, offering fans direct access to drivers tied closely to the event’s legacy. Additional Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competitors will round out the autograph session.

The full roster of scheduled appearances includes Frank Hawley, Don Garlits, Darrell Gwynn, David Grubnic, Jim Yates, Josh Hart, Justin Ashley, Doug Foley, Jasmine Salinas, Shawn Reed, Tony Schumacher, Tony Stewart, Ida Zetterstrom, Will Smith, Scott Farley, Joe Morrison, Jack Beckman, Jordan Vandergriff, Buddy Hull, Alexis DeJoria, Spencer Hyde, Chad Green, Hunter Green, Chris King, Dan Wilkerson, Paul Lee, Dave Richards, Stephen Bell, Eric Latino and Ryan Oehler.

NHRA will also display specialty Gatornationals trophies during the event. Organizers have planned ticket giveaways for car show participants and fans in attendance.

The FanFest has grown steadily since its inception, drawing large crowds to Burnyzz Speed Shop in the days leading into competition at Gainesville Raceway. Its timing allows teams to connect with supporters before qualifying begins and championship points are at stake.

For Hart, the event carries both promotional and competitive significance. As a past Gatornationals winner now aligned with John Force Racing, he views the FanFest as an opportunity to energize local fans while setting his sights on another title in Gainesville.

The 2026 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will take place March 5-8 at Gainesville Raceway, marking the opening event of the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the start of NHRA’s 75th anniversary campaign.

ERIC GUSTAFSON CLAIMS $10,000 LOW QUALIFIER BONUS, LOCKS DOWN NO. 1 AT WORLD SERIES OF PRO MOD

Bobby Bennett — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 16:24:44 +0000

Eric Gustafson secured the $10,000 Low Qualifier Bonus and 32 critical championship points Friday night by earning the No. 1 qualifying position at the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil.

Gustafson’s 3.553-second pass at 211.16 mph in the opening Friday qualifying session at Bradenton Motorsports Park led the second-quickest 32-car field in eighth-mile Pro Mod history.

The run placed the Winter Series championship contender firmly in control entering Saturday eliminations. It also reinforced his consistency across the Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service.

Gustafson entered the finale ranked third in points following late-round finishes at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals and the U.S. Street Nationals. His ProCharged Coast Packing Company “Lard Machine” ’69 Camaro carried a weight penalty after the previous race, forcing the team to adjust its combination.

Tuner and teammate Jason Lee responded alongside the crew, refining the setup despite the handicap. The result was a No. 1 qualifier effort against one of the deepest Pro Mod fields assembled this winter.

Gustafson’s performance earned the Jerry Bickel Race Cars Low Qualifier Bonus and positioned him at the top of the ladder before a random chip draw assigned him the No. 16 chip. That draw places him in the final pair of Saturday’s opening round against Travis “The Carolina Kid” Harvey.

“You never know when you’ll be No. 1 in anything ever again,” said Gustafson, the 2020 NMCA Xtreme Pro Mod champion. “For me, it’s important. I wanted to recognize my team as well, and had Jason [Lee] and Cam [Hensley] come up for that picture. They’re the guys who help make this thing run. I’m just lucky enough to let go of a button and have a good time.”

Winter Series points leader Jason Harris qualified second for the second consecutive race in his Harts Charger-boosted “Party Time” ’69 Camaro. Harris posted a 3.555 at 211.26 mph, missing the top spot by two thousandths.

Harris, who qualified No. 1 and won the Snowbirds earlier in the series, will face Pro Mod newcomer Greg Blevins Jr. in the first round. The margin between first and second underscored the tight competition throughout the 32-car field.

“We definitely have a fast car; I think we proved that point in the first and second race,” Harris said. “And losing No. 1 by four thousandths – two thou this race, two thou last race – it’s just part of the way this game goes. I think right now the chip draw throws it all out the window. Once you’re in, you’re in, and all these guys can win. You’ve just got to do the best you can. Tomorrow the weather might change and change your tune-up. But I’m pretty confident going in. I know nobody here wants to draw me, so that gives me a little confidence going in.”

Spencer Hyde, the 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year, qualified third in the screw-blown Tidwell Nesloney Racing ’69 Camaro with a 3.560 at 205.16 mph. Hyde previously won the 2023 edition of the event before transitioning to nitro racing and a full 2025 NHRA Funny Car campaign.

Hyde did not compete at the Snowbirds but returned after reigning Winter Series champion Ken Quartuccio stepped aside from driving duties. Hyde will face fellow Canadian Kenny Lang in the opening round.

“Making it down all five runs is definitely something that you can take into race day with some confidence in the car, and my lights were pretty decent all five runs,” said Hyde, who will take on fellow Canadian Kenny Lang in the opening round. “Going in there, driving well, and having a good hot rod is a good recipe for race day.

“To think that I wasn’t even going to race this (Winter Series) starting off, I missed the first race. When Ken Q and Scott Tidwell called me and said, ‘Hey, we want you to fill,’ I jumped at it right away. It’s pretty exciting to jump into the car that won [the championship] last year. Any time you can jump into a high-level car like that’s got Steve Petty on the keyboard, you’re in good hands. You’ve just got to show up and do your job. It does add some extra pressure, because you’re expected to be as good as they are, and they’re the best.”

Johnny Camp, the 2023 World Series of Pro Mod No. 1 qualifier, returned to form with a 3.566 at 210.73 mph to secure the fourth position in his ProCharged “Hells Bells” ’69 Camaro. Stevie “Fast” Jackson qualified fifth in Dave and Jeff Pierce’s screw-blown M&M Transmission/Motion Raceworks “Purple Heart” ’68 Firebird.

Past No Prep Kings winner Robin Roberts rounded out the 32-car field with a 3.602 at 211.00 mph. The qualifying effort illustrated the narrow separation between the top and bottom of the ladder.

The Winter Series also presented several special awards during the event. Peter Norton earned Rookie of the Year honors, while Derek Menholt’s PRC-built ’19 Corvette received Best Engineered Car recognition.

Jason Harris’s “Party Time” Harold Denton tribute ’69 Camaro won Best Appearing Car, and Kallee Mills’ team captured Best Appearing Crew honors. Teams that did not qualify for the main event will compete in the Outlaw Light Beer Wild Card Shootout, a five-round race paying $15,000 to win.

First-round Pro Mod pairings include Rian Hayward vs. Joey Martin, Adriano Kayayan vs. Kye Kelley, Spencer Hyde vs. Kenny Lang, Victor Alvarez vs. Jacob McNeal, Mike Decker Jr. vs. Robin Roberts, Kallee Mills vs. Billy Banaka, Randy Weatherford vs. Mike Bowman, Aaron Stanfield vs. Sidnei Frigo, Johnny Camp vs. Tommy D’Aprile, Ned Dunphy vs. Jason Lee, Lyle Barnett vs. Peter Norton, Ryan Martin vs. Shawn Ellington, Steve Jackson vs. Raymond Matos, Jason Harris vs. Greg Blevins Jr., Derek Menholt vs. Ethan Steding, and Eric Gustafson vs. Travis Harvey.

In Pro 10.5, Super Bowl champion Fletcher Cox recorded the low elapsed time of the first round with a 3.906 at 190.14 mph in his nitrous-fed “Training Day” ’69 Camaro, defeating J.R. Webb’s 4.072 at 182.72. Nick Agostino, Steve Halprin, Tim Partin, Ty Kasper, Joel Wensley, Bill Riddle and Chris Tuten also advanced.

True 10.5 completed its first round as well, with Bill Lutz and Russell Stone dipping into the 3.90s to advance. Larry Larson, Brad Eglian, Scott Taylor, Jason Terrell, James Daniels, Kyle Canion, Ryan Martin and Greg Chandler moved on to the second round.

Eliminations at the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil begin Saturday at 10 a.m., starting with Pro Mod.

AS NHRA CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF PRO MOD, CLASS EXHIBITION ROOTS TRACE BACK TO TWO MEMORABLE DEBUTS

Bobby Bennett — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 15:40:20 +0000

As NHRA celebrates the 25th season of its Pro Mod Drag Racing Series in 2026, the milestone invites a closer look at how the doorslammer category was introduced at the national level. The anniversary, spotlighted in a recent NHRA announcement, traces directly to a rain-delayed exhibition in 2001 — but the class’ foundation was shaped by two sanctioning bodies and two very different debuts.

While NHRA and IHRA operated under separate rulebooks and philosophies, both launched Pro Modified through exhibition events that became defining moments in drag racing history. Those introductions, 12 years apart, unfolded under dramatically different circumstances yet helped establish one of the sport’s most resilient doorslammer divisions.

NHRA’s first Pro Modified exhibition took place in March 2001, marking its formal step toward integrating the class into national competition. Sixteen cars entered, competing for eight qualifying spots.

The bump spot belonged to Troy Critchley at 6.372 seconds. The field split evenly between four supercharged and four nitrous-injected entries.

Only two qualifying sessions were completed before rain washed out the weekend. The exhibition was rescheduled for the following weekend, placing it directly on top of the IHRA season opener in Darlington.

The scheduling conflict thinned the field, as most teams honored their Darlington commitments. Only four of the original entries returned for the rescheduled NHRA exhibition.

When eliminations were finally contested, Rickie Smith, driving a nitrous-injected Dodge Viper, defeated Kirk Kuhns to claim the inaugural NHRA Pro Modified exhibition title. The victory provided early validation for a class still carving out its place within the NHRA structure.

One of the most memorable moments of that debut came during qualifying.

Paul Athey, driving Johnny Rocca’s 1949 Mercury, lost control during his burnout, crossed the centerline and sideswiped Ronnie Hood’s 1963 Corvette. Both drivers backed up and staged despite the contact.

Athey aborted his run early, while Hood posted a 6.322-second pass at 224.25 mph to take the provisional pole.

There were a score of onlookers watching the exhibition, including 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force. The moment became part of Pro Mod lore not because of the contact, but because of who was paying attention.

Alcohol Funny Car standout Jay Payne stood alongside his father-in-law, Top Alcohol icon Brad Anderson. After seeing Rocca — dressed in full Indian garb — back the car up and then witnessing the contact and continuation of the run, legend has it Payne turned to Anderson and said, “They have Indians, they crash into each other and still race, ‘we gotta have one of those.”

Shortly thereafter, they fielded a supercharged Camaro Pro Modified, adding to the growing momentum behind the category.

That 2001 exhibition laid the groundwork for expansion. The class evolved into a regional presence before becoming an official NHRA national championship category in 2010.

Now, as NHRA celebrates its 25th Pro Mod season as part of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the class competes at 11 national events across the country. To commemorate the milestone, NHRA is streaming one round of qualifying each day and the opening round of eliminations live and free on its YouTube page at every Pro Mod event in 2026.

“NHRA Pro Mod being streamed live on YouTube isn’t just exposure — it’s proof of our evolution,” NHRA Pro Mod driver and Team Shelton Motorsports owner Stan Shelton said. “We’re a self-managed class with a clear identity, and this growth reflects the power of that model within the NHRA. We’re excited to celebrate the 25th year of Pro Mod in NHRA and we’re looking forward to a great season.”

NHRA Senior Vice President Evan Jonat said the anniversary reflects the category’s competitive depth and staying power.

“The 2026 season is a milestone moment for NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, which continues to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable categories in drag racing,” Jonat said. “We’re proud to celebrate this anniversary across all 11 events this year and offer fans free coverage on the NHRA YouTube page. With a bigger spotlight, it’s a great opportunity for these talented drivers to showcase their skills and what makes this class so enjoyable to watch.”

More than a decade before NHRA staged its exhibition, IHRA introduced Pro Modified in October 1989 at Atco Dragway. The 16-car exhibition carried no points and offered a $4,000 winner’s purse along with the right to display the No. 1 designation for the inaugural season.

The class had been formally named only days earlier in Drag Review, and event flyers listed it simply as “Pro 16.” National coverage was minimal, and the IHRA media guide made little mention of the debut.

Much of the recollection of that weekend comes from interviews conducted in 2005 with those who were present.

“Ever since I came on the scene in 1987 and watched Kuhlmann run the 200, I fell into this whole excitement and as a west coast guy, we always had a lot of racing excitement out there,” Don Gillespie said in a 2005 interview. “But, seeing this whole thing unfold and the excitement on the faces of those people in an area that didn’t experience a lot of that was priceless. It was really big on a race-to-race basis. This was the center of the drag racing universe for this period of time.”

“When the race started, there was a very positive feeling throughout the place,” Ted Jones said in 2005. “Everybody was up and excited about the event. We felt like we were on the cusp of something really big.”

That optimism changed during eliminations.

Walter Henry lost control of his Corvette when a tire entered the grass recovery area between the racing surface and the retaining wall. The car crossed lanes, went airborne and struck a scoreboard beam, killing him instantly from massive internal injuries.

Lane Green, in the opposite lane, had lifted early after tire shake. Had he remained alongside Henry, the accident might have involved both cars.

Henry had planned to retire after the event and turn driving duties over to his son Gary, who was preparing to begin licensing.

In a 2005 interview, Bill Kuhlmann reflected on leaving the track after winning the event.

“I had mixed emotions about leaving that place when I pulled out and saw Walter’s rig sitting over there like a ghost,” Kuhlmann said. “It was really emotional. You get to win the first race and a friend gets killed. All of my circuits were overloaded that day.”

“There was an eerie feeling about that whole weekend and the experience,” Gillespie said in 2005. “It was just before Halloween and all of the houses and everywhere were decorated with skeletons and various things associated with death. That whole thing made it eerie. Knowing that a good friend has just died violently and seeing all of those images just made me sick to my stomach.”

CANCER-FREE AND FULL THROTTLE: WILL SMITH’S ROAD TO A FULL-TIME TOP FUEL RIDE

Bobby Bennett — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:33:22 +0000

Most drivers remember the moment their opportunity arrives. For newly christened full-time Top Fuel driver Will Smith, that moment came between operating rooms and pathology reports.

Shortly before he was offered the Bluebird Top Fuel dragster for the full season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Smith was diagnosed with Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans, or DFSP, a rare soft tissue sarcoma. As the public announcement of his hiring was made, he was on an operating table in Alabama, beginning the first of six surgeries in five weeks.

The timing was jarring. The contract he had chased for years arrived just as doctors were mapping out how far and how deep they would have to cut.

“Well, last November, when I was actually out West crewing for the Samsel’s, in their A/Fuel car in Vegas and Pomona, I got the call that I was diagnosed with Dermatophibrosis sarcoma Fertuberins,” Smith said. “It’s DFSP cancer, and I had one tiny little bump show up on the side of my face, around my cheekbone and had been there for a while. Never hurt, never went away, didn’t think nothing about it. And I decided one day I was going to go to the dermatologist, have it checked out. And long story short, it came back as DFSP cancer, and you get that numb feeling of wow, wasn’t expecting that. What is this process going to look like? And I had to best doctors and caretakers out there. Went to UAB in Birmingham, had my first surgery January the 8th, and they went in, we had a game plan of what they were going to do to remove. And what DFSP is, actually technically a skin cancer, but it’s actually a soft tissue sarcoma.”

His voice cracked at times recounting the sequence. The early optimism faded when pathology reports returned.

“It typically will show up in a bump on the skin, but it’s really what’s happening down below, and it’s extremely rare. One to four people out of a million have it. And they went in, they did the surgery, the wide excision procedure, and the MRI showed them where it was at, or where they thought it was… Showed them everything they thought they needed. And they went around their perimeters with a certain margin to make sure they got it all. And unfortunately, when they went in after the first time, the pathology results came back and showed it was still positive.”

A second surgery followed. Doctors went wider and deeper, only to discover the tumor had extended beyond what imaging suggested.

“About a week and a half later, I go back in for another round of surgery and they do the same thing, except they go wider and deeper. And what they realized when they got in there, the MRI showed one thing and then what they saw when they got in there was actually a whole other thing.”

He said the experience tested and strengthened his faith. Emotion surfaced again as he reflected on perspective.

“100%. I’m sorry,” Smith said, voice cracking with emotion. “I’ve been a very devout Christian my whole life and we as humans, we are all sinners and we all fall short. And I know I do, and I haven’t been the best example at times that I should have been, but I’ve always had the faith there. But as I grew older, I grew stronger, and told some people that this was a test, and I’d love to say I made an A+ through it. But the reality is I feel like I passed it, but it was like a C plus.”

He did not hesitate when asked who stood beside him. The gratitude came in a rush.

“I’m not sure what all I said, but here’s who I would like to thank during this whole deal, if you don’t mind: God, My family, Krystle Bos, My SCAG Racing family, my bluebird turf team, my PDRA family, and a ton of friends who all never left my side and did so much for me!

And of course my doctors and nurses:

Dr. Arora, Dr Juang, and Dr Le”

He informed team leadership about the diagnosis before finalizing his deal. Their response reinforced his belief he was in the right place.

“I did tell him that I had this going on before he hired me, because it wasn’t right for me to not tell him. And then two days later have a surgery, and what if he got complications or whatever? And he told me, he said, ‘Your health is most important, and we’re hiring you to do the job because we feel you’re the right guy for the job. And you just focus on your health and get better, and we’ll basically play the hand we’re dealt and we will get through it.’”

The scars on his face do not trouble him. He said they represent a fight, not a flaw.

“Shown me the power of God. That part doesn’t bother me. It’s just another chapter, and it just shows that all the sacrifices that I’ve personally made along throughout the years to try to position myself, to get an opportunity like this, everything he’s done for me, it’s all been a blessing from above.”

Years of internal scars preceded the visible ones. He said those sacrifices shaped him long before any diagnosis.

“Way too many. There’re plenty of them, but I wear them proudly even though they’re internally, they helped make me who I am. A lot of people, most people wouldn’t have made all the sacrifices I have along the way to do what I’ve done along the way. People would’ve complained about sleeping on a couch for years, and this and that, but I did it because I wanted to go racing.”

When he warmed up the Bluebird Top Fuel car in Gainesville testing, the reality began to settle in. This time, the car was his for the full season.

“The feeling is still unreal. To sit here and tell you it feels a certain way, it still seems unreal. It hasn’t quite set in yet, but as I sat in that car and warmed it up, that thought come across my mind. I’m like, I’m going to be doing this week in, week out. This car is did it for me. The guy said, ‘If you don’t like something, we change it. This is your car.’”

The first qualifying session will bring noise, fire and vibration. Smith expects another sound to rise above it inside the cockpit.

“Me screaming in joy 100%.”

FTI RUMOR MILL: LUCAS OIL WORLD CHAMPION EYEING TAILOR-MADE BLOWN-ALCOHOL PROGRAM?

Bobby Bennett — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:48:18 +0000

There’s legitimate noise rolling through the sportsman pits.

Multiple sources indicate a longtime NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world champion is preparing to step away from carburetors and gasoline in favor of a supercharged, alcohol-burning combination.

This isn’t a hand-me-down deal, either.

Word is the car will be tailor-made specifically for the veteran — built around his preferences, driving style, and decades of experience. That alone suggests this isn’t a curiosity move. It’s a calculated one.

The bigger question now: does the body lift, or stay planted on a doorslammer-style chassis?

No official confirmation yet. But when folks start whispering at the same time, something’s usually coming together.

Stay tuned.