On a roll in Vegas
April 14, 2008
(I apologize for sketchy coverage of the NHRA event in Las Vegas this weekend; I was struck down by some heinous virus at the Samsung 500, and any functional moments have found me dealing with the 15 April tax filing deadline.)
A quick summary of the action….
Noteworthy items from Friday and Saturday qualifying include a strong performance by Kenny Koretsky in Pro Stock (his first pole win in 20 years of racing) and Robert Hight’s one thousandth of a second low qualifier win over Tim Wilkerson in Funny Car. John Force did not qualify, and Tony Schumacher was the pole winner in Top Fuel. Read more
‘Hot’ Rod Fuller Unhurt After Personal Car Fire in Las Vegas
April 3, 2008
NHRA Top Fuel driver Rod Fuller was uninjured following a harrowing car fire to his personal vehicle near his home in Las Vegas on March 31. Fuller was traveling less than 45 mph at the time of the incident. Read more
Big Wins, Big Smiles at the Dragstrip
March 30, 2008
Race conditions today were relatively cool and cloudy; much improved from the hot, sunny 1320 that gave drivers and tuners fits yesterday.
A standing room only crowd was 10 deep against the fence at Houston Raceway Park to watch the action.
There were plenty of upsets and excitement.
In Top Fuel, a huge Round One matchup sent Brandon Bernstein to the trailer when Tony Schumacher won, and pole winner Alan Bradshaw was dispatched by the Swiss driver Urs Erbacher. Read more
Sounds of Funny Car
March 30, 2008
If you miss being at the track, I’ve tried to capture some of the sounds for you.
A new service called Utterz allows users to record and upload audio and video files; most conveniently from a cell phone, but other digital files work, too.
Today in Houston at the NHRA Spring Nationals, I used my cell phone to call into Utterz, then hold the phone up and record the sounds of a Round One Funny Car matchup between John Force and “Fast Jack” Beckman.
Once the call was complete, I hung up, went back to my laptop in the press room and found the new audio file in my Utterz profile. I tagged it, titled it and added the photo I used in yesterday’s Spring Nats post.
Click the link below, press the little orange play button and away you go:
Force v. Beckman in NHRA drag racing.
I should have mentioned on the phone that Force won this round. :)
Field is set at Spring Nationals
March 29, 2008
A hot, sunny Texas track made it tough on the 2008 O’Reilly Spring Nationals competitors, but thousands of fans were basking in the good weather at Nitro Alley.
In Top Fuel, Alan Bradshaw is putting together a great season with two low qualifier awards in a row. He followed up a Gainesville pole with Houston’s 4.526 at 323.50 mph.
The guy from Odessa, Texas will face the pride of Arlesheim, Switzerland, Urs Erbacher, in the first round. Read more
Nitro Cowboys Up in Texas
March 28, 2008
It’s great to be back at the track here at Houston Raceway Park for the NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals. Unlike last year’s rain-a-thon Spring Nats, the weather remains dry and relatively cool, with a slight cloud cover.
I hope to bring Fast Machines some short video interviews with Top Fuel’s Tony Schumacher and Funny Car’s rookie Rhode Island representative, Bob Tasca III, later this weekend. Read more
Despite Hard Exterior, Al Hofmann Will Be Missed
March 22, 2008
When you mention the name Al Hofmann around anyone that has spent any time in or around the NHRA, you will likely hear a pretty entertaining story. Hofmann was not without controversy nor his critics and it is sad to report his passing from a heart attack suffered March 20, 2008. Al Hofmann was 60 years old. Love him or hate him, you would be hard pressed to find anyone that would say he did not race hard every time his foot hit the pedal.
Read more
The Big Guys Go Gator-Chomping
March 17, 2008
In March, the Gainesville Raceway is always abuzz with the sights and sounds of the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals.
The popular Gator Nats are the first race of the season for Pro Stock Motorcycle and the first big East Coast national-level competition, plus north central Florida loves to welcome race fans.
Last year’s champions were well-represented in the winner’s circle today. Read more
Second Race of Season Brings Upsets
February 24, 2008
Dixon, Beckman and Gaines win the Wallys at CSK Nationals in Arizona.
Hot Runs for Duel in the Desert
February 23, 2008
Brandon Bernstein, Tim Wilkerson and Allen Johnson are the low qualifiers for the 24th annual Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals at Phoenix’s Firebird International Raceway.