Holley/MSD is pleased to announce the release of Holley EFI Pro Dashes, which feature a huge 12.3-inch viewing area and a full-color low-glare/high-brightness/high-contrast capacitive touchscreen for easy viewing even in broad daylight. Completely customizable for use in countless motorsports applications, they offer plug-and-play functionality with all Holley EFI systems and real-time ECU tuning that makes it easy to make quick tune-up adjustment without the hassle of hooking up a laptop.

Capable of monitoring up to 238 real-time values such as RPM, TPS, and boost, the Pro Dash’s huge assortment of inputs and outputs greatly expands the functionality of Holley EFI systems, including a 34-pin connector with 13 multi-configurable inputs for Holley EFI sensors such as pressure and temperature. (The inputs are totally configurable, so it’s just as simple to use non-Holley sensor scaling calibrations.) Two dedicated speed inputs are available for RPM, driveshaft speed, or any other Hall Effect input, and four ground-switched outputs can be used with the switch-panel feature to quickly turn on auxiliary accessories such as a master nitrous switch or an electric water pump.

The Holley EFI Pro Dash’s 1280×480-resolution touchscreen has built-in GPS with an odometer function (the antenna is included), onscreen data-log playback, and expandable storage via USB. Sixteen background skins are preloaded (you also can import custom layouts), and you can quickly swipe between multiple active screens – tune, warm-up, race, drive, etc. – instead of having to resort to an external toggle switch.

Measuring 13.44 inches wide, 5.81 inches tall, and a compact 1.25 inches deep, the Holley EFI Pro Dash features user-defined channel alarms and warnings for any input, USB keyboard and mouse functionality to setup new layouts, on-screen data-log playback to review vital run information, and manual or auto-brightness settings, all in a weather-resistant aluminum housing with flexible mounting options. Everything required for installation is included, and the entire system is upgradable with future software enhancements.

For complete product details for 12.3″ Pro Series Digital Dashes, click here.

Leah Pritchett lit the candles on her Top Fuel dragster Friday evening and piloted to the top of the category for both qualifying sessions at the 54th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also preliminary qualifiers in their respective categories at the final event of the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Southern California native Pritchett raced to the top of the Top Fuel class with her 3.649-second pass at 329.34 mph in her Mopar Dodge dragster during the second session. She is seeking to secure her fourth No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 11th of her career.

“When you have this horsepower weather and this time of day you can just feel the energy,” Pritchett stated. “The reason why there’s a smile on our faces is that we were able to execute what we wanted to do. Tomorrow we’re not going to have these same conditions so that’s why we’re excited we were able to capitalize on it tonight.”

Clay Millican is qualified second with his pass of 3.702 at 327.19 in his Great Clips / Parts Plus dragster and three-time world champion Antron Brown is third with his run of 3.704 at 329.50. 2018 Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence is qualified fourth as he seeks to make history by sweeping the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship events.

Two-time defending event champion Johnson Jr.’s second qualifying run of 3.881 at 328.54 in his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T locked-in the top spot. He is seeking to secure his fourth consecutive No. 1 qualifying position this season.

“It’s incredible they have had such a handle on the car,” said Johnson. “I wish we could get
that handle on Sunday but we are pretty close. I’m disappointed we didn’t get it done quick enough in the Countdown but at the same time I’m excited because it is such a good car now. If we can carry that on to next year I would love it.”

Teammate Jack Beckman is in the second spot with his pass of 3.901 at 323.35 while reigning Funny Car world champion Robert Hight sits in the third position. Current points leader J.R. Todd is in the No. 11 spot.

Coughlin Jr., who is currently No. 2 in the Pro Stock points standings, raced his JEGS.com/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.527 pass at 211.39 in the second round of qualifying.

“We made two really nice runs today,” Coughlin Jr. stated. “After Q1 we were on the poll and seeing some of our competitors bettering that mark ahead of us during the last three pair of Pro Stock were lower in the boom. I was concerned with the right lane because a lot of cars were getting loose out there and thought it was going to be tough to improve. When I let the clutch out the car just went singing down the track and it felt great.”

Teammate Erica Enders is currently in the second spot after racing a 6.530 at 211.39 in her Melling Performance/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro. Championship points leader Tanner Gray is currently qualified fourth.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Smith rode to a track record speed at 200.65 at 6.774 to lead the field on his Elite Motorsports DENSO Auto Parts EBR. Smith was the quickest in both qualifying sessions. Smith is the current category points leader and seeking to extend his lead.

“All in all, it was a good day for us,” Smith said. “We made two passes and were No. 1 for both runs. I got eight bonus points. We just have to go and win the race now and win the championship; no matter what anybody else tell us.”

Hector Arana Jr. qualified second with his pass of 6.824 at 198.96 on his Lucas Oil TV EBR and LE Tonglet is third with his run of 6.828 at 196.39.

Qualifying at the 54th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals continues Saturday at 12:00 p.m.

J.R. Todd clinched his first career NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car world championship title during the first round of eliminations Sunday at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Matt Smith also won his third Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship at the final 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event during eliminations on Sunday.

The race winners at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona were Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Todd (Funny Car), Tanner Gray (Pro Stock) and M. Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For the first time in NHRA history, all of the event winners were also the world champions in their respective categories.

Robert Hight, the defending category champion, was second in points in the category and smoked the tires against Bob Tasca III during the opening round of eliminations which guaranteed the title crown to Todd.

“People kept asking, ‘what do you need to do to clinch?’,” Todd stated. “I’m like, we need to win the race. We need to not worry about what we need to clinch it. Seeing Robert smoke the tires first round was instant relief. My crew was racing smart and the Yella Fellas do an awesome job preparing the thing today. They stayed focused all day long because there were a lot of distractions around our pit area and they did their job. The other teams at Kalitta Motorsports came over to help and I can’t thank them enough. It’s a huge family over there and we’ve all got each other’s backs and it’s awesome to have that kind of support.”

Todd went on to dominate the season ending event with a run of 3.872 at 329.10 taking down the defending two-time event champion Tommy Johnson Jr.’s Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T. He finishes the season with six race wins, the first coming at the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. Todd also won the prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals for the second year in a row and three events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, two runner-up finishes and a solo No. 1 qualifier.

M. Smith secured his third NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship in the final round of eliminations. He powered his Elite Motorsports DENSO Auto Parts EBR to a 6.765 at 201.22 national speed record pass to defeat defending world champion Eddie Krawiec, who was the nearest championship contender. M. Smith defeated Angie Smith, Hector Arana and LE Tonglet en route to the finals to secure the championship and event title. This is his first world championship title since 2013.

“Man, we went through a lot today,” M. Smith said. “With the airline breaking in the first round and in the second round the transmission broke on us going through the lights. My guys did their job and we fixed all of the stuff that broke and ended up putting up three 200 mph runs today. We are having the time of our life right now though.”

M. Smith’s championship season had four race victories with three wins during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. He secured five No. 1 qualifiers and had a single runner-up finish.

In Top Fuel, Torrence made NHRA history by sweeping all six playoff races during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. He raced his Capco Contractors/Torrence Racing dragster to a holeshot win of 3.702 at 330.07 against NHRA’s winningest Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher’s run of 3.700 at 331.61 in the final round. This Torrence’s 11th win of the season, 27th of his career and first at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

“It has truly been unbelievable,” Torrence stated. “To go out and do what those Capco Boys have accomplished is solely by the grace of the good Lord. We’ve won some rounds that we probably should not have won. We are truly blessed to be able to do what we’re doing. We’re going to be in the history books. Nobody can beat us; they can only tie us. That’s a pretty cool stat to put behind your name.”

Torrence’s path to victory included wins Cameron Ferre, teammate and father Billy Torrence and 2017 world champion Brittany Force. Schumacher took out Scott Palmer, Bill Litton and Blake Alexander before falling to Torrence in the finals.

Gray won the Pro Stock portion of the race in his Gray Motorsports Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro with a run of 6.519 at 211.86 to defeat Drew Skillman’s pass of 6.524 at 211.03. The 2018 world champion notched his eighth victory of the season, 13th of his two-year career and first at the Auto Club NHRA Finals.

“This was probably the most relaxed Sunday I’ve had ever,” Gray said. “For me, I just wanted to enjoy the moment. That was the last time I was going to race with a lot of those guys. We wrapped up the championship during qualifying and I just wanted to enjoy it. We had already won seven races and that’s really good and obviously I wanted to win more but at the same time I wanted to enjoy the time I had with the guys and make the most out of it.”

Gray drove past his father Shane Gray, Erica Enders and Jason Line before entering his second consecutive final round appearance at the event. Skillman defeated Alan Prusiensky, veteran Greg Anderson and No. 1 qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. before falling in the finals.

The 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season will kick off with the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Feb. 7-10 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

With a brilliant come-from-behind drive, Jonas Aleshire scored his second Frankenstein Engine Dynamics Mid-West Pro Mod Series (MWPMS) win of the year Nov. 2, while simultaneously wrapping up the MWPMS championship at the series’ 2018 World Finals in Ennis, TX.

“We just did what we had to do and kept going rounds and ended up with the championship win and ultimately won the race while doing so, which was a real big bonus,” Aleshire said. “It’s a really big deal for us, especially after finishing second last year. I really can’t thank everyone on our team enough for making this a reality.”

Before being pressed into service for the 2016 racing season, Aleshire’s bright blue Z06 Corvette spent nearly a decade in a customer’s showroom after being built by Chris Duncan Race Cars (CDRC) in 2006 at Chandlerville, IL. The car carries a 526 c.i. Brad Anderson Hemi prepared by Adam Flamholc at HRE (Hameetman Racing Engines) in Cape Coral, FL, and a CDRC-built Lenco CS2 transmission outfitted with a Neal Chance torque converter.

Heading into the MWPMS World Finals (postponed to the Texas Motorplex after being rained out a few weeks earlier in Tulsa, OK), Aleshire trailed Jim Sackuvich and Ron Muenks atop the Pro Mod points list, with fourth-place Aaron Wells also mathematically in contention for the series title. However, when Sackuvich’s 2017 Camaro lost ignition at the end of its burnout and the ’68 Camaro of Muenks fell to Rickie Smith in round one of racing, the door swung wide open for Aleshire and his screw-blown ’06 Corvette to step through.

After qualifying 10th on the Motorplex eighth mile, crew chief Duncan tuned Aleshire to a stout 3.68 at 207.30 to beat Eddie Rogers and set low E.T. for the round before turning up the wick to 3.66 and eliminating Wells from the championship scenario in round two. Meanwhile, despite being unable to contest the opening session against Brandon Lewis, Sackuvich remained in the championship hunt thanks to the Mid-West Series’ unique second-chance “Slammers” race that continues to pay out a reduced percentage of championship points.

It meant Aleshire’s semi-final match against Randy Merick–who would go on to win the $50,000 Elite 16 final the next day–would determine the series champion based on three possible outcomes. A win over Merick would secure the title for Aleshire regardless of what Sackuvich managed on the Slammers ladder; a loss to Merick and a loss by Sackuvich still would favor Aleshire; or a loss to Merick and a win by Sackuvich would narrowly tip the championship to Sackuvich.

It was all over, then, after Aleshire posted a 3.64 to Merick’s 3.66 to cement his first MWPMS championship with one round left in the season-ending event. Official MWPMS results placed Sackuvich as runner-up, Meunks third, and Wells fourth with Todd Martin rounding out the top five in Pro Mod points.

“I couldn’t be happier for Jonas and Chris and the entire Chris Duncan Race Cars team for winning the Mid-West Series championship,” MWPMS owner, promoter, and 2017 Pro Mod champion Keith Haney stated. “I know what it means to hold this title for a year and I know Jonas is going to be a great representative as our new, reigning Pro Mod world champion.”

With the season title in the bag it didn’t get any easier for the CDRC team, however, as number-one qualifier Jason Hamstra was waiting in the wings after outrunning Wayne Roberts, Martin and Taylor Lastor to reach the final round.

“Jason Hamstra is extremely tough,” Aleshire said. “When we go up there against him and his guys we’re not going to leave anything on the table–and neither are they–but he’s an extremely good racer, a good sportsman, so I like racing them.”

The final pairing was decided on the starting line as Aleshire left with an impressive .029 reaction time before posting a career-best 3.62 elapsed time at 208.84 mph to punctuate his championship in winning fashion. Hamstra was late on the tree before the blown Hemi in his ’69 Camaro dropped a valve just past halfway through the run, effectively ending his weekend.

“I could definitely tell it was truckin'” Aleshire exclaimed later. “I was a little surprised at how fast we were running, but only because we started the season at 2,650 pounds, then it moved to 2,675 late in the (MWPMS) season, but it was moved again to 2,700 for the finals and Elite 16 race and the car actually weighed 2,710 or 2,715 at the scales each time. So to run that quick at that weight was pretty amazing.

“You know, I’ve been driving this car now for three years and this was by far our biggest weekend together. I couldn’t thank Chris enough; he gave me one of the baddest, most consistent race cars to drive, we didn’t tear anything up, and it all added up to just a great, consistent weekend. It was just absolutely wonderful.”

In terms of NHRA finales, you’re going to have a hard time topping Sunday’s Auto Club Finals from Pomona.

Sure, there was “The Run” from Tony Schumacher and obviously a bevy of other memorable races in Pomona to close out a previous year, but there was some incredible history this past Sunday as well.

Never have all four world champions won the final race together, something Steve Torrence, J.R. Todd, Tanner Gray and Matt Smith did this weekend.

I’m not here to declare it the best race in Pomona of all time, but it I’m also not here to say it wasn’t.

You had a winner-take-all race going down to the final round.

You had the youngest champion in NHRA history claiming a title in his final NHRA race.

You had the most dominant run in Countdown to the Championship – and dare I say, NHRA – history on the line.

You had another thrilling title chase come down to Sunday.

It made for great theater, great racing and a great send-off to what has been, well, a great 2018 NHRA season.

For all the “world is falling” talk and discussion about what’s not working, Sunday in Pomona emphasized that there is still so much to enjoy in the sport.

It was a joy to watch Top Fuel’s Steve Torrence claim a championship belt – maybe they got the idea from the World Series of Pro Mod belt – after winning his sixth – SIXTH – straight race in the playoffs.

It was a joy watching J.R. Todd celebrate in his car in the staging lanes as Robert Hight smoked the tires, giving him the Funny Car championship in just his second year in the class.

It was a joy – and a little bittersweet – watching Tanner Gray win a Pro Stock championship before he’s even entered the 20s, something no other driver can claim in NHRA history.

And it was certainly a joy watching Matt Smith go 200 mph five times this weekend, setting the world speed record in Pro Stock Motorcycle in a dramatic final-round win against defending champion Eddie Krawiec.

That is a lot of history and it was all taking place during one morning and afternoon.

It was a season full of action, drama and excitement condensed into five pretty darn cool hours of racing and hopefully it helps continue the solid momentum the NHRA built in 2018. There’s plenty more time for talk about that (and we’ll do so later this week), but first let’s celebrate the weekend.

To me, watching Todd pump his fists in the seat of his Funny Car with his helmet on was the coolest moment of the weekend for me. You could practically see the smile on his face through his helmet. There was complete joy, relief and perhaps even disbelief as Todd claimed his first championship.

He clinched it when Hight lost, yet he somehow got refocused moments later to win that round, giving a heartfelt interview in the championship circle.

Of course, he then got refocused three more times on Sunday to claim his sixth victory of the season. If not for Torrence’s perfect run in the Countdown, we would be talking more about how great Todd has been this postseason. He went 20-3 in the Countdown (out of 24 possible rounds), won three races and raced in five finals. That’s rising to the occasion, just like he did in the final round on Sunday when a killer 3.872 showed up on the scoreboard.

“This is what you live your whole life for when you start racing Junior Dragsters at 10 years old,” Todd said. “You hope that you can get to this point in your life and your career, but you never really think it is going to happen. There were definitely some tough times when I got my start with Top Fuel, and I didn’t know that I would ever be back at this point. I have so many people to think, especially the Kalitta group as a whole, they have your back no matter what. We are going to go try and win a race and have two trophies at the end of the weekend.”

Todd’s raw, tell-it-like-it-is personality is good for the sport, the moment was good for the sport and was a major part of why Sunday was so great.

CAN’T-MISS NEWS

TORRENCE NEVER FALTERS: I’ve harped on the job Torrence did this postseason for weeks and deservedly so. After all, the man hasn’t lost a round of racing since Labor Day. That’s incredible.

My only hope is this gets the play this deserves. Winning six straight races in this day and age is phenomenal, and something that probably shouldn’t be possible, especially during the Countdown to the Championship. Yet, Torrence and his team have done it and looked incredible in Pomona even having already wrapped up the championship. But they dipped into the 3.60s over the weekend, Torrence beat Tony Schumacher in his U.S. Army swan song in the final round on a holeshot and broke out the double-guns salute one last time in 2018.

This is ESPYs-type stuff. Give the man his due, sports world. Torrence has earned it.

“To do what we’ve done, we’re the first ones to ever do it,” Torrence said. “We’re going to be in the history books. We wanted to come here and do this, we wanted to set that precedent and we have. It’s all because of the hard work those guys have put in. Nobody can beat us, they can only tie us now. That’s a pretty cool stat to put behind your name.”

A BIRTHDAY NEVER FELT THIS GOOD FOR SMITH: Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Matt Smith probably shouldn’t have been in this position after the start of his year. He didn’t qualify for the season-opening race in Gainesville, and then had his partner slip away in the middle of the night at the next race in Charlotte, leaving Smith high and dry in what was one of the strangest – and that’s putting it lightly – moments of the season.

Yet, Smith turned into a force this summer, winning the $25,000 Pro Bike Battle in Sonoma and getting hot right before the Countdown. From there, he navigated the crazy points carousel in the class to open the Countdown, finally taking the points lead for good after his win in Charlotte.

He said it would take three wins in the Countdown to win a championship and Smith did just that, winning his third playoff race in Pomona to claim his third world title. This one came down to the wire, as Krawiec made him work. But Smith was on a 200-mph mission, eclipsing the mark for the first time during the weekend and then going 200-plus over the final three rounds in an impressive display.

The final wasn’t that close, as Smith went a blistering 6.765 at 201.22 to fly past Krawiec’s 6.812, but the build-up to it was awesome between the two veterans. Smith was icy cool all day, which shouldn’t be surprising after the way his year started.

“Man, we went through a lot (Sunday),” Matt Smith said. “With the air line breaking in the first round and in the second round the transmission broke on us going through the lights. My guys did their job and we fixed all of the stuff that broke and ended up putting up three 200 mph runs today. We are having the time of our life right now though.”

GRAY GOES OUT ON TOP: Tanner Gray’s two-year run in Pro Stock surely wasn’t boring. It was also incredibly successful, as he won 13 races the past two years, the NHRA’s rookie of the year in 2017 and a world championship in 2018.

He clinched it by qualifying and then finished it off with a win in Pomona, displaying his driving talents, poise and skill one last time.

Gray is headed to NASCAR in 2019, but here’s hoping the talented driver will find his way back to drag racing at some point in his undoubtedly bright future.

“This was probably the most relaxed Sunday I’ve had ever,” Gray said. “For me, I just wanted to enjoy the moment. That was the last time I was going to race with a lot of those guys. We wrapped up the championship during qualifying and I just wanted to enjoy it. We had already won seven races and that’s really good and obviously I wanted to win more but at the same time I wanted to enjoy the time I had with the guys and make the most out of it.”

FURTHER VIEWING

ICYMI: The NHRA Pro Mod class finished its season in Vegas with Mike Janis earning the championship and Mike Janis Jr. being named crew chief of the year. Jeremy Ray was named the top rookie in the class, capping off an awesome year for the class. If you’re having withdrawals, here’s the NHRA Pro Mod award ceremony to help, at least for an hour.

STEVIE FAST TAKES ORLANDO: Stevie “Fast” Jackson wasn’t done racing in 2018 and had a great weekend at Orlando Speed World Dragway, knocking off Melanie Salemi in the final round of the 25th annual World Street Nationals.

It was a loaded field of standout Pro Mod drivers, but Jackson proved once again he has a penchant for winning these types of races.

DRAG ILLUSTRATED LIVE
Make sure you check out the latest episode of DI Live with Wes Buck! He talks to Mike Janis Jr. and Mel Roth so you know this is a good one.

NITRO MARGARITAS
There are no words for this, which occurred after Todd’s FC world championship. Just sit back and enjoy.

pic.twitter.com/n80Hh6VWe1

— Slugger Labbe (@SluggerLabbe) November 12, 2018

CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENTS
I could watch videos like this for hours. So cool.

Wow. What a birthday!!
46 is off to the best start.
Can’t thank everyone enough for their support!@EliteMotorsLLC @DENSOAutoParts @LucasOil @NHRA #NHRA #NHRACountdown #NHRAFinals #3xWorldChamp pic.twitter.com/PDDoLAKlel

— Matt Smith (@MattSmithRacing) November 12, 2018

MY HOMETOWN
Toyota Racing paid a visit to Lawrenceburg, Ind. with J.R. Todd. This was a cool piece that showed where Todd started in his run to a championship.

ON SOCIAL

CONGRATS WORLD CHAMPS (AND POMONA WINNERS)!

How about dem CAPCO Boys?!? pic.twitter.com/uXbEhzhNBc

— Steve Torrence (@SteveTorrence) November 12, 2018

Holy pic.twitter.com/yluRScz1L3

— J.R. Todd (@JRTodd373) November 12, 2018

Congratulations to @chevrolet on capturing the 2018 @NHRA Manufacturers Championship for a record-extending 23rd time! pic.twitter.com/8NUJLoet5K

— Team Chevy (@TeamChevy) November 13, 2018

Wow. What a birthday!!
46 is off to the best start.
Can’t thank everyone enough for their support!@EliteMotorsLLC @DENSOAutoParts @LucasOil @NHRA #NHRA #NHRACountdown #NHRAFinals #3xWorldChamp pic.twitter.com/PDDoLAKlel

— Matt Smith (@MattSmithRacing) November 12, 2018

FROM ONE CHAMP TO ANOTHER

Congrats @JRTodd373 on winning 2018 #nhra Funny Car Championship
My goal was to hand the crown off better than it was handed to me & to take @nhra to new places.We’ve had a long list of gr8 past #FunnyCar champs & I think we’re in really good hands the next 364 days pic.twitter.com/POKz7GKLTM

— Ron Capps (@RonCapps28) November 13, 2018

RIP

We are deeply saddened by the passing of @BIRrace owner Jed Copham. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kristi and the entire Copham family during this difficult time.

More: https://t.co/Cdp2aOeIJ1. pic.twitter.com/zy2VTm3G2W

— #NHRA (@NHRA) November 12, 2018

BIG DADDY!

The legendary “Big Daddy” Don Garlits is honored with the NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award. #MelloYelloAwards pic.twitter.com/Ixv3bcMdIg

— #NHRA (@NHRA) November 13, 2018

PROPS TO THE SPORTSMAN CHAMPIONS AS WELL

Congratulations to all the NHRA Sportsman Champions. Thank you to Lucas Oil for allowing us to celebrate our Champion Leah Pritchett with your Champions. #fsxx #factorystockshowdown @FactoryStockSho @LeahPritchettTF @NHRA @OfficialMOPAR @shoeracing @Lucas_Oil pic.twitter.com/LdKftDFxfL

— Factory Stock Showdown (@FactoryStockSho) November 13, 2018

THE ICEMAN AND HUNTINGTON BEACH BAD BOY APPEAR IN POMONA
MMA legends Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz are fighting for a third time this month, making the rounds at Pomona this weekend.

#NHRAFinals ICEMAN @ChuckLiddell met the worlds fastest drivers! @RonCapps28, @FastJackBeckman and legand @JohnForce_FC. @NHRA #liddellortiz3 Nov 24 on PPV @theforum https://t.co/XBoh8PX7K5 pic.twitter.com/NOStwpT8ul

— Golden Boy Boxing (@GoldenBoyBoxing) November 12, 2018

330 MPH of RAW POWER! @titoortiz met some of the fastest drivers on earth today. #NHRAFinals @SteveTorrence @MattHagan_FC @CruzPedregon @NHRA #LiddellOrtiz3 Nov 24 on PPV @theforum pic.twitter.com/EfFYSCL3XK

— Golden Boy Boxing (@GoldenBoyBoxing) November 11, 2018

2018 SEASON HEADS INTO THE SUNSET

.⁦@TommyJohnson_Jr⁩ walks out of the sand trap after being defeated by ⁦@JRTodd373⁩ @nhra 54th #NHRAFinals in Pomona pic.twitter.com/JyvACW7pmA

— Will Lester (@WillLesterPhoto) November 12, 2018

FINAL WORD

The Return Road will be back and better than ever in 2019. We’ll be back in Pomona in eight short weeks and life will be good again. Enjoy the holiday season and I hope you’ve made a few memories at the drag strip this year. There have been plenty of chances to have an incredible time for this season.

Over the course of this year, my DI column has discussed various tuning topics. As we’re less than a month away from the upcoming Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Indianapolis, I wanted to give racers a “tune-up” of what to do and what not to do at the show.

While not as big as the SEMA show, the PRI show is a very big show showcasing a wide variety of parts, services and machinery. While some of the same companies might be at both shows, at SEMA, they are there primarily to discuss automotive business and at the PRI show they are there to talk racing business. If you have something to write with, circle that word: business.

I started going to the PRI show back in 2004. The late Shelly Howard had really been on me that I needed to start going. I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into and I made the same mistakes I see so many racers make when they decide they are going to go to PRI. That is carrying a briefcase full of sponsor proposals hoping to land some product deals and/or money. At that time, “product” deals were a bit more commonplace. Getting an oil deal, maybe plugs and some other consumables wasn’t that hard to do. Most of those ships sailed in the various economic slowdowns of the mid-to-late 2000s and have never returned. The industry has changed, and a decal on a car is not the marketing tool it once was.

So why should a racer go?

There are still business deals to be made. First and foremost, you can make a face-to-face interaction with representatives and decision makers for various companies. If you have ever sold anything, you know that having and building a relationship is a big step. PRI allows you to build and develop a relationship with the decision makers.

Here are some pointers to helping you do more business at PRI:

Dress to impress. Look professional. A suit and tie may be a bit overboard, but business casual is definitely a good idea. Perception is reality. Do you look more like Don Schumacher Racing or a small timer? Your appearance is going to reflect on your racing operation appearance. 

Have a nice business card to give people. If your business card looks hokey, you’re not putting your best foot forward. Collect business cards from the representatives you talk to. This will be key to the follow-up part of the process.

Have a plan. The PRI website has an app and a show planner you can use. I list the companies I need to talk to in an Excel spreadsheet. I sort the list by booth number, then color-coat by priority. The floor is so big; having a plan helps you hit the booths you need to talk to while you are on that side of the floor. I haven’t relied on the app, but I’m sure it has a similar feature. Have a plan.

It’s key to prioritize important booths you want to visit. First, the person you need to talk to may or may not be there the first time you stop by, and secondly, it’s a busy show. You definitely want to get your essential business done by Friday. Everybody is hung over, wore out, burned out and “whistle bit” by Saturday. If you have people you just want to stop by and say hi and shoot the shit with, Saturday is the day. 

The bars stay open until 3 a.m. in downtown Indy, so it’s real easy to have a “leftover” after your first night in town. Get your important meetings out of the way on the first day. 

As I have stressed several times, the theme of this show is business. If you want a company to do business with your team, have a plan on how you will bring them business, and try not to rely on the “exposure” word too much. 

Have your social media ducks in a row. How much of a following do you have? Have you been showcasing any sponsors’ products on social media?

You need to be able to demonstrate how an investment in your team is going to turn into sales for them. If you have the means, you may be able to sell their product, and maybe come up with an incentive program after x amount of sales.

The Monday after the show, be sure to send a follow-up email to anyone with whom you had a meaningful discussion. I will often send an “it was a pleasure meeting you” email to everyone who gave me a card, even if we didn’t really discuss anything substantial. I think it’s important to do this ASAP after the show to remember what was discussed. Then, follow up in January because it’s pretty much a blur from the show to Christmas and New Year’s. 

Many companies offer good discounts on orders placed at the show. If you are going to make a big purchase (aren’t they all), this may be worth the price of the trip.

Another great reason to go to the PRI show is a lot of new products get unveiled there, or at least you can see the newer ones in person. Sometimes companies are looking for teams to try new products, so this may be an opportunity.

Last but not least, there’s the DRAG ILLUSTRATED After Hours party, which is always the place to be Thursday night.

If you go to PRI hoping to come home with a bunch of sponsorship deals, you’re probably not going to come home happy. If you go there to do business, you will be successful.

Will Hanna is a championship-caliber tuner with experience in Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, outlaw Pro Modified, No-Prep and more. His column, Tuned Up, appears monthly in DRAG ILLUSTRATED.

Stroud Safety has just released a new video featuring their seat belt styles and installation. The video presents the types of seat belts or safety harnesses that Stroud makes, the common applications of the various styles, and helpful installation procedures and tips.

The Stroud Safety YouTube channel also features instructional videos on: How to Pack a Drag Chute, Remove and Install a Drag Chute Launcher Bag, Remove and Install a Pilot Chute and Deployment Bag, How to Replace a Release Loop Kit, and How to Measure for a Window, Door, or Wheelie Bar Net.

Stroud Safety has been supplying competitive drivers with Drag Chutes and Launchers, Seat Belts, Window Nets, Ballistic Blankets and Diapers, Fire Suits, Safety Apparel, Fire Suppression Kits, and more for over 28 years! Stroud re-certifies all their SFI-rated products and specializes in custom design applications for many of their products.

Call 405-632-2022 for more information and free catalog, visit the website at www.stroudsafety.comand follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stroudsafety.

Safer. Stronger. Faster. Strange Engineering has built its reputation by developing the most reliable and innovative driveline components in the industry. With the evolution of power in the Pro Mod and Alcohol car ranks, Strange Engineering has responded with the introduction of its new and improved full floater kits.

Improvements include scalloped hubs & drive plates, stronger chrome moly spindles, redesigned wheel studs, and now comes standard with the proven 2-piece floating rotor design, which was created by Strange to dramatically enhance rotor life and response. Less rotating weight combined with increased strength and reliability will give the racer confidence that their car will be safe and perform every time. Floater kits are available in 4 ¾”, 5” and 5 ½” bolt patterns.

Contact Strange Engineering at (847) 663-1701 or visit Strange on the web at www.strangeeng.net

It’s been less than a week since Steve Torrence wrapped up his six-race domination of the Countdown to the Championship.

Emotions can run high in the moments after witnessing the conclusion of a run like this, but my thoughts remain the same as they did on Sunday when Torrence ran out of hands in Pomona as the Wally and trophies and medals and championship belts piled up.

Torrence just completed the greatest performance in Top Fuel history.

You don’t have to agree and that’s fine, but even the most ardent opposition would have a tough time arguing.

This isn’t discounting the year Tony Schumacher won 15 races – including seven straight – or anything the legends in the class have done in their incredible careers.

But what Torrence did over these six races has never been topped in Top Fuel history.

Save your Indy wins (a singular event) or record-breaking runs (a singular trip down the track). Winning 24 straight rounds in playoff, crunch-time atmosphere against elite competition is the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen in Top Fuel. Ask me again in a week and I might change it to NHRA history.

Again, this isn’t taking away anything from what anybody has done over the last 60-plus year, but damn, this was something special. Please, let us celebrate this amazing accomplishment and recognize it for being that.

I have no problems saying something we’re witnessing now is the greatest ever. It’s not always about the good ole’ days, especially when the best days are actually right now. Pro Mod racing has never been greater than the NHRA Pro Mod class right now and nobody has put together a greater stretch than Torrence just did in Top Fuel. That’s two examples and I know there’s plenty more.

You should be excited about this, too, just as you should be thrilled about J.R. Todd winning the Funny Car championship.

It’s two elite drivers finally breaking through for their first world championships and it bodes well for the future of the sport.

Both are young, both are insanely talented, both shoot from the hip and both aren’t afraid to speak their mind. It’s a major win-win for the sport and it has a chance to really pave the way for future growth in drag racing.

But it’s for that exact reason that I’m also a little worried.

You see, it’s been almost a week and my concerns are centered on Torrence not getting his due for what he just accomplished.

If we’re living in a just motorsports world – and that can probably be heavily debated – Torrence sweeps all of the postseason awards from any possible racing publication. Racer of the Year. Driver of the Year. Cowboy Hat of the Year. Double-Gun Salute of the Year. Whatever it is, if it’s a prestigious racing award, Torrence’s name should be at the top.

I’ve given up hope on winning a possible ESPY – which is nowhere near a just or credible motorsports award. As longtime National Dragster writer Kevin McKenna stated on Twitter, “What credibility? If (Schumacher) didn’t win it the year he won 15 Top Fuel races it’s probably not going to happen. Sadly.”

What credibility? If @TheSargeTF didn’t win it the year he won 15 Top Fuel races it’s probably not going to happen. Sadly. https://t.co/K840YTUNac

— Kevin McKenna (@ThatguyKMac) November 13, 2018

Then again, I just declared Torrence’s accomplishment as an even greater accomplishment, so maybe there is hope yet.

In reality, though, it’s an easy choice. Torrence won 11 races this year, going a perfect 11-0 in final rounds as he went 58-13 overall. That’s like a Golden State Warriors basketball record – one that swept the playoffs, mind you – not a drag racing W-L record. He was the points leader for the final 23 races of the season and won the world title by 304 freaking points. That’s after the points are reset before the Countdown. He gained a 274-point advantage on eight-time world champ Schumacher in six races. He beat 10th-place Scott Palmer by almost 700 points. I’m not knocking Scott Palmer, but that’s an incredible amount in six races.

Let’s take it a step further. In two years Torrence has qualified outside the top half of the field ONCE. He’s lost in the first round four times in 48 races in a loaded class that’s tougher than it’s ever been. That’s not me talking, that’s everyone in the class – from Schumacher to Antron Brown – talking.

His record in two years is 114-29. He has 19 wins in his past 43 races and, oh yeah, he won the final six of the 2018 season in the most pressure-packed moments of the season.

Sweeping the Countdown is something that’s never happened before and now Torrence is the first. He won every way possible, an incredible display of skill by Torrence and his team.

Again, it’s absolutely unmatched in motorsports in 2018. Forget anyone in NASCAR and whoever managed to win eight times in their 57-race season. Nobody swept their playoffs. Not even close.

Don’t get me started on F1. The number of drivers who can viably race for a championship there each year can be counted by giving the peace sign.

It should be an open and shut case. Nobody topped what Torrence did this season. In my view, it would take winning Indy and then sweeping the Countdown to do it in the future.

I believe it’s the greatest accomplishment in Top Fuel history. Even if you don’t, it’s a spectacular moment and one that shouldn’t be forgotten. Not now. Not in three months. Not ever.

It’s been a great 2018 drag racing season. Let’s make sure fully recognizing history-making accomplishments like Torrence’s this year help make 2019 even better.

Keystone Automotive Operations (KAO) has entered into a master distribution agreement with Hot Wheels Americana Series Car Care. KAO will sell, stock and provide customer service for the initial line of five professional-grade Hot Wheels appearance and detailing products.

This deal opens up new distribution avenues for Hot Wheels Car Care products through restyling, performance, and restoration shops along with retail outlets and detailers in the US, Canada and Mexico.

“Being affiliated with the Hot Wheels brand is really special,” said Joe Rutledge, Category Director at Keystone Automotive Operations. “The high consumer brand recognition coupled with a suite of high quality car care products is a formula for success. We are looking forward to helping bring these new products to market and know our distribution, sales, marketing and customer support capabilities will make it easy for jobbers, retailers and detailers across North America to get the product when they need it.”

“Hot Wheels is thrilled to partner with Americana Pro to deliver a collection of quality car care products for fans to enhance and protect their own collection of life-size cars,” said Ricardo Briceno, Hot Wheels Director of Global Marketing. “The Hot Wheels Americana Pro Car Care Products pay tribute to the brand’s iconic heritage in car culture and gives fans a new way to interact with the popular toy brand.”

“Hot Wheels Car Care has experienced blurring fast growth over the past year. We’re excited to work with Keystone to accelerate that growth exponentially,” said Dan Pikarsky, Founder and President of Americana Pro Detailing Products maker of Hot Wheels Care Care. “Keystone understands how our professional “Car Culture Approved” products connect with automotive enthusiasts. And they have the distribution expertise and experience to bring Hot Wheels Car Care products to the next level.”

The initial 5 products of Hot Wheels Americana Series Car Care are:

• Wash & Wax – Biodegradable, pH balanced, soap quickly dissolves dirt and road grime while the soft, high-lubricity Brazilian carnauba wax shines and protects in one easy application.
• Epic Shine– Synthetic polymer-based Nano-Hydrophobic spray detailer provides an unparalleled quick and easy hand shine. It creates an intense depth and deep gloss on any clear coated or chrome surface.
• All Wheel Cleaner– Foam-activated spray dissolves brake dust, grease, dirt and road grime. Its non-acidic formulation is safe for stainless, chrome, aluminum, painted and coated wheels and rims.
• Pro Tire Cleaner– Bleach-free formula safely “Breaks Down The Brown” returning tires to a like-new rubber surface. It rids tires of old dressing and road grime while making black walls black and white letters white.
• Pro Tire Finish– Silicone based tire detail spray creates a crisp, dark, long-lasting showroom finish. The dual action formula “Dials In Your Shine,” either Satin Sheen or Ultra Shine, based on layers applied.

The highly anticipated “Black Friday Sale” is back at Quarter-Max Chassis & Racing Components! Take advantage of our biggest sale of the year!

Shop online at quartermax.com and use promo code (BLACK18) during checkout to get 5% OFF your entire order + FREE shipping on orders over $99!*. Online sale begins Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22nd and ends Monday, November 26th.

You can SAVE 10% OFF on all Quarter-Max brand products on Friday, November 23rd when you call 309-343-7575 (phone orders only). This means you get an even bigger discount on anti-roll bars, 4-link kits, carbon fiber items, brakeline kits, rear suspension kits, steering components, and so much more!

Need a quote? Simply email our staff at sales@rjracecars.com and they will get you set up for Black Friday.

From everyone at Quarter-Max & RJ Race Cars, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Special promotions exclude chassis, fabrication, ProJacks, gift certificates, car builds, car bodies, clearance items, and used items. Also excludes any sale items or other special deals we may be offering. Other exclusions may apply, please speak with a sales person for details. If you purchase an exclusion online, you will be contacted by a sales person to pay the difference. Quarter-Max® is a registered trademark of RJ Race Cars, Inc.®

With the sun down and the temps growing cooler, Rick Hord continued his march to the Precision Turbo Pro Mod top qualifier Friday at the Nitrous Outlet Street Car Super Nationals 14 Presented by FuelTech. The Florida native used his last pass to drop a lap of 5.587 seconds at 263.25 mph. Nipping at his heels at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is Ed Thornton, whose 5.613-second run put him solidly in second, but it was his 270.10 mph speed providing fair warning to Hord that starting P1 Sunday isn’t a given.
 
Hord has an ace in his pocket, however, one he showed Thursday night. First up in the Pro Mod Shootout, an exhibition race featuring a $1,000 payday and an incredible trophy designed and built by Chad Reynolds of Bangshift.com, Hord destroyed the field with a 5.524-second lap. From there, it was a matter of watching the rest of the pack fail to come near his ET.
 
The highlight of Friday’s on-track action was a 4-Wide grudge match with two radial cars and two big-tire cars. Ten large was on the line in a contest between Giuseppe Gentile, Mark Woodruff, Eric Kvilhaug, and Jay Boddie. With the scoreboards dark, all four launched into SCSN history, Gentile earning bragging rights and $10,000. There will be more on this story this weekend at DragIllustrated.com. 
 
“It’s been another wild day at the Street Car Super Nationals,” said event promoter Mel Roth. “We’ve experienced a couple slowdowns, but thanks to having the other two lanes prepped for the next class, we’ve been able to speed things along. We have so many fast cars on the property right now and a lot of drivers just waiting for their chance. We’ve seen before that the driver leading the class the whole weekend may not even make the finals.
 
“The weather is awesome and as always, the track has given us a spectacular track.”
 
Top qualifiers in other categories include:
 
MagnaFuel Outlaw 10.5: Mark Woodruff, 3.963 seconds, 204.73 mph
Vortech Outlaw 8.5: Brad Medlock, 4.626 seconds, 160.06 mph
MagnaFuel XDR: Johnny Coleman, 4.254 seconds, 179.56 mph
Mickey Thompson 275 Radial: John Urist, 4.428 seconds, 164.57 mph
Ross Pistons 235 Unlimited: Dan Dagata, 5.327 seconds, 133.98 mph
Extreme Triple Index: Craig Schell, 10.602 seconds, 10.60 Index
Edelbrock Super Index: Sheldon Root, 7.614, 760 Index
MMR Open Comp: Dennis Sato
Calvert Non-Electronics: Rob Coddens
Accufab Mustang Maddness: Josh Gagnon
 
Qualifying resumes Saturday at 8 a.m. PST. Even if you can’t be here in person, you won’t miss a single pass if you head to Bangshift.com.

In his first-ever appearance at the Nitrous Outlet Street Car Super Nationals Presented by FuelTech, Arkansas native Brad Medlock drove his 2013 Mustang to the top of the ladder in the Vortech Outlaw 8.5 class Saturday with a pass of 4.593 seconds at 162.22 mph. In Round 1 of eliminations Saturday night at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Medlock slowly meandered down the track thanks to a single-car pass made when his opponent was unable to make the call.
 
“Come out working pretty good and just switched over to alcohol, trying to keep things under wrap with that and try not to get too aggressive, too quick,” Medlock said. “Especially with the air change here, it’s so much different than what we’re used to running. So far, so good.”
 
Rick Hord continued his tear through the Precision Turbo Pro Mod class, beating his already impressive ET with a pass of 5.587 seconds in the final round of qualifying in his 2016 Corvette. His hot streak continued after his E1 opponent, Jay Boddie, was also unable to stage with Hord taking a single-car run to the win light.
 
For full results from today’s action at The Strip, visit Facebook.com/StreetCarSuperNationals.
 
Promoter Mel Roth continued his praise of the track staff after another day of a near-perfect racing surface. “Jeff Foster’s crew is amazing,” he said. “Year after year, they continue to raise the bar and I can’t thank them or our SCSN staff enough. We have a record car count of 493 this year and things have gone as smoothly as they have on our end because of these great folks.”
 
Eliminations continue Sunday morning at 8 a.m. PST. If you’re unable to be at the track, you won’t have to miss a single pass thanks to the live and free streaming from our friends at Bangshift.com.

In its 14th year, the Street Car Super Nationals has become a legendary bucket list drag racing event. Not for the weak of heart, whether you be fan or you be racer. It starts Tuesday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with testing and finishes Sunday night in the Winners Circle. Cars are broken, drivers are tested, records are shattered.

And now, there are two more lanes.

Promoter Mel Roth wasn’t going to let that go to waste.

Jay Boddie, Giuseppe Gentile, Mark Woodruff and Eric Kvilhaug (near to far)

Friday night, four racers— Jay Boddie, Giuseppe Gentile, Eric Kvilhaug, and Mark Woodruff—lined up side by side by side by side to race into SCSN history. A true grudge match, each driver anted up $2,500 each, the winner taking home ten large.

Gentile earned the victory and the cash after crossing the finish line first in the no-time race. About 24 hours after the win, he wasn’t very forthcoming about where the money was spent.

“I don’t want to say because my wife might read the interview!” he said, laughing.

Despite knowing his actual ET, he wasn’t real forthcoming about that, either.

“We got a time slip, they rolled one out for us,” he said. “It ran good. It ran really good.”

The primary complaint about 4-Wide racing, especially from the participating drivers’ doorslammer cousins in NHRA Pro Stock, is the staging process. Focusing on four bulbs instead of two can be challenging, especially when you’ve never done it.

But Gentile was a bit of a ringer. He had raced 4-Wide here already, you see. And won.

“I actually did the National event, a 4-Wide grudge race here and I won that, in eight-car (field),” he said. “It was good. I already had an idea on that, so I had a little advantage there.”

Twenty-five hundred bucks isn’t just petty cash for most race teams. The four teams involved Friday are no exception. All understood the rules and the stakes. First to the stripe wins it all. Period.

All four launched simultaneously, but Gentile, one by one by one, was able to outgas and outlast his competitors. After the race, all four were stoked about what they had just done.

“We all talked, it was pretty cool and everybody was just pumped up,” Gentile said. “Everybody was excited, obviously I was excited because we won, but everybody was pumped up about the 4-Wide and it was just a cool, cool deal.”

Long before Friday, Roth knew he wanted to take advantage of the new layout. He also knew there would be added expense, the need for added personnel, and the fact when something new is introduced, anything can happen.

As it turned out, Kvilhaug would call Roth to introduce the idea: A 4-Wide grudge race featuring two Big Tire cars and two Radial vs. The World cars, winner take all.

“I said it sounds great, but I didn’t think we could do it because it takes extra staffing, so I said I would ask (Director of Drag Racing Operations) Jeff Foster,” Roth said. “I asked Jeff Foster, he said he would think about it. Couple days later, he called and said let’s do it. He knew it was going to be a big deal, so Jeff made it happen and history was made.”

This being Vegas and Street Car Super Nationals being a destination weekend for racers and fans the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, it was crucial for it to be a legitimate grudge race. Not a situation where a sponsor puts up the money and no one is out anything if they lose.

It’s a little more real when it’s your money, you know?

“There’s so many of these races where these guys say they’re racing for ten grand or whatever and they really don’t,” Roth said. “I told them they all have to put (the money) up, they have to get locked in so we can go ahead and try to promote it as best we can and winner take all.

“They knew they were on the big stage and the world was watching.”

Next year?

“I don’t know,” he said with a grin. “Maybe try something different, but who knows. We’ll get together with the team here at Las Vegas and I’m sure we’ll come up with something crazy and exciting and try to pull it off.”

Standing next to his lime green 2013 Mustang in the staging lanes, Brad Medlock cuts an interesting image. A fireplug of a man whose calloused paws swallowed mine when we shook hands, his soft Arkansas drawl sometimes gets lost in the sounds of an active drag race.

It’s his first time at the Nitrous Outlet Street Car Super Nationals Presented by FuelTech. The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is very different than what Medlock is used to. Having made his bones in street racing in his Corvette before he had ever seen a drag strip, racing at Bruton Smith’s desert oasis of speed has made an impression.

“It’s just an awesome event that I’ve always wanted to come to, a bucket list deal,” he said under partly cloudy skies with near-perfect conditions. “The scenery, the back drop, the downtown life, the air shows, it’s the whole combination. Plus, all the different cars from the West Coast that we don’t typically get to see and just come mix it up with them all.”

Medlock is no rookie. He arrived here, immediately making his mark with a pass of 4.626 seconds at 159.06, good enough for top qualifier going into Round 1 of eliminations later Saturday.

While not necessarily where he thought he would be earlier in the week, he didn’t come here to mess around at the bottom of the ladder.

“Of course, with anything, that was the plan, but there’s a lot of variables to get there,” said Medlock. “And we may not stay there long, either; there’s a lot of fast cars here. (Running well) was what I told (SCSN Promoter) Mel (Roth) that I was coming to do.”

Formerly a regular at Prescott (Ark.) Raceway, he now races at Memphis International Raceway, a track currently sanctioned by IHRA that hosted the NHRA Mid-South Nationals until 2009 when the property was closed by its then-owners, Dover Motorsports.

His car runs a 5.4 mod motor with turbo and the 8.5 tires, of course, with a best-ever ET of 4.50 and a personal record pass of 163 mph. Medlock said the car has run smoothly, given the extreme change in weather conditions compared to running in the Midwest and South.

“Come out working pretty good and just switched over to alcohol, trying to keep things under wrap with that and try not to get too aggressive, too quick. Especially with the air change here, it’s so much different than what we’re used to running. So far, so good.”

There are quicker and faster classes in drag racing, but the 8.5 class fits Medlock’s personality well.

“It’s just a little bit more of a challenge, obviously, getting off the line and you have to set your car up totally different, with the weight transfer and weight ratios,” he said. “We had a lot of races around my area. It has a big following here in the West Coast. I don’t know, I like the smaller tire and try to get it done with less.”

Showing up at SCSN for the first time facing racers from all over the nation, as well as Canada, Medlock is at something of a disadvantage. But he’s quick to point out many of the racers here aren’t used to a specifically-prepped radial track, thanks to The Strip’s new 4-Wide layout. The left two lanes are set up for slick tires with the right two prepped for radial.

“This is the first time that they’ve prepped a radial prep at this race, so a lot of these racers haven’t had the opportunity to show what they have and I think it shows that they’ve all picked up some, too,” he said. “It’s kind of a learning curve for everybody. Me, being the air is so much different, and them, a track they’ve never had to run on before. They’re getting to apply some power they haven’t done before, so everything’s really close.”

Street Car Super Nationals 14 is the season-ending race for Medlock and his team. His offseason includes pulling the motor and getting his parts freshened up. He’s planning to run X275 at Donald “Duck” Long’s Lights Out 10 Feb. 14-17, 2019 to kick off the year.

As for this weekend, he’s focused on going rounds and going fast. Plus, at least for now, here is better than there.

“Just enjoying it. It’s snowing back home!”

Safety has been the backbone of organized drag racing since the 1950s and that notion is very much part of the NMRA/NMCA, the leaders in street-legal drag racing. Proving the sanctioning body’s commitment to safety has been through its actions by bringing safety response in-house with its own Safety Team.

TNT Rescue has been named the Official Safety Equipment of NMRA/NMCA with exclusive use of its extraction and heavy-duty tools. “We are thrilled to partner with TNT Rescue for our dedicated NMRA/NMCA Safety truck. I have an extensive background in motorsports safety and have worked with their equipment in emergency situations. Our racers can feel safe knowing that we have the equipment and trained personnel to deal with any emergency situation,” says Rollie Miller, National Event Director and General Manager of ProMedia Events and Publishing.

The NMRA/NMCA Safety truck—a Ford F-350 Super Duty—is equipped with an extensive amount of gear for motorsport-specific fire and rescue operations. The trained safety crew will utilize TNT Recuse hydraulic tools—a cutter, a ram, and a spreader that are powered by a TNT power unit along with a battery-operated combi tool. The safety company also outfitted the Safety Truck with an assortment of other products and tools. Additionally, the truck is equipped with fire suppression tank, hose and reel from Total Venue Concepts, designed for motorsport use by Rollie Miller.

“Special thanks to Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series racer Bryan Williams, who works for TNT Rescue, for everything he’s done to help us equip the new Safety Team. We are also working with TNT Rescue to launch a new line of high-end battery operated rescue tools that will be released in early 2019,” reveals Miller as safety continues to be a priority for NMRA/NMCA to help further separate it from other organizations and events.

The NMRA/NMCA Safety truck will be ready for action beginning with the season openers at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Break Shootout is February 28 through March 3 and the following weekend, March 7 through March 10 is the NMCA Muscle Car Mayhem season opener. For more information about TNT Rescue products, visit www.TNTrescue.com

The S&W Performance Group’s new 60″ race car push bar kit will allow race teams to safely navigate their car through crowded pit lanes. It’s made of 1″ x .065″ wall mild steel tubing with welded tube ends. All mounting hardware is included; (1) quick pin, (2) 1/2″ rod ends, (2) bolts with nuts, (2) half moons, (1) weld on u-bracket for the push vehicle and (1) weld on u-bracket for the race car. All components are shipped bare; ready for the owners preferred finish.

“We’ve all seen the damage that can occur to people and equipment, while towing to the staging lanes and returning to your pit space. Our push bar will give team owners and team members added confidence and control,” stated S&W’s Marketing Director, Jill Fazekas.

P/N 75-811
Low Introductory Price: $99.95
Regular Price: $129.95

For additional information and detailed specifications, please call Toll Free 1-800-532-3353 and/or visit S&W at www.swracecars.com 

Jim Jacob, a loving husband, father, grandfather, businessman and motorsports aficionado, died suddenly November 15, 2018 at the age of 69.

He was a no-nonsense type of guy with a signature smile and deep, raspy voice that one knew could only be him. He had a way of telling you that you were doing something wrong in no uncertain terms, and then take what you were working on in his own hands, take over the project and show you the right way to do it. He would lend money, tools and parts on a handshake, and sometimes that would be the last time he would see those assets, but it didn’t stop him from doing it again. Yes, Jim was guilty to a fault. More admirable was the time and expertise he would lend to friends, relatives and even strangers when they were in need.

Jim was a successful businessman running Jacob Pattern Works, as well as Knopp’s Performance, a shop that put Pottstown, Pennsylvania, on the horsepower road map long before the advent of a GPS. He was a tireless worker in support of his family and his passion for competitive motorsports. He had locally at his disposal some of the best in the business. He tasked Doug Kline and Jimmy Carl at Precision Chassis to build and modify his cars, Todd Kulp and Carlos Lopez in the paint booth and Doug Meyers, who provided the foundation for his high-horsepower heroics.

Jim was always pushing the envelope as any driven racer would. From nitrous to turbos, he melted pistons, exploded transmissions, blew off hood scoops, caught on fire and scraped walls, but he always came back with a passion to compete and win. His office walls are a cross between a museum and a time capsule. They are decorated with pictures and magazine articles from a time when the printed page was the medium of choice. Inclusion into such periodicals was earned and an honor!

Jim dabbled in drag racing early on then tried his hand on the dirt track, turning left locally at Grandview Speedway. His career turning corners garnered him several trips to the Winner’s Circle. One such evening was punctuated on his birthday, several hours after his daughter Kelly was born, when he won the heat race, the feature event and even a scale model contest!

He jumped back into drag racing shortly thereafter and never left again. His last victory was once again on his birthday, October 6, 2018, at Cecil County Dragway in the ultra-competitive 10.0 Index class in his 1998 Chevy S-10.

In the ‘90s, Jim was campaigning a 1959 Corvette nicknamed Old Faithful in local bracket races and some Super Chevy events. In the late ‘90s, his attention turned to a 1966 Chevy II that he purchased. It had an S&W back-half and it came with a marginally unstable Mustang II front suspension. Jimmy Carl at Precision Chassis quickly replaced that with a new strut front suspension and framework from the crossmember forward. The little Deuce went through some engines over the years and it was always exciting to watch.

Jim then set his sights on a 1994 Chevy S-10 somewhere around 2000 and procured a Jerry Bickel prefabricated chassis. It was the same kind that was the foundation of many NHRA Pro Stock trucks of that era. Countless hours were spent handcrafting the metal panels inside and outside the truck. The truck used a 707-cubic-inch motor for early motivation. Small by today’s standards, it was huge back then. That was put in the shelf for a more reliable 632 with three stages of nitrous for extra motivation. The 707 was then sold and a 414-cubic-inch small-block, twin-turbo combination found its way between the frame rails.

The S-10 never showed the true capability of the power under the hood because of the weight it was carrying. Jim had his eye on a 1963 Corvette that was originally built by Kline and Carl at Precision that met an untimely demise on its roof one day at Atco Raceway. Jim put a plan in motion to acquire it. Originally it had a Hairy Glass carbon fiber body with a Jerry Bickel 4-link and Strange struts. The Vette was super light and boasted twin-turbo power as well, but it was a handful to say the least, and it too was eventually parted with.

Eventually Jim decided to reel things in a bit a few years ago and was racing the aforementioned ‘98 S-10 in 10.0 Index until the end of the 2018 season. Early in the year he also drove down to Tennessee after seeing his old ‘94 Pro Stock truck for sale. Jim brought it back home with a plan to return it to the track in Top Sportsman trim with a naturally aspirated 632, just when you thought he was slowing down.

Jim raced at hallowed racing venues like Memphis Motorsports Park and Orlando Speed World Dragway. He raced down 1320’ of concrete and asphalt with traveling series’ named NMCA, NOPI, Super Chevy, Power Festival and Popular Hot Rodding Super Street Shootout. His cars were always clean and show quality even in race trim.

The pride he took in his cars was only surpassed by the pride he had in his family. His family included his supportive and loving wife, Georgeen, beautiful daughters, Stacey, Kelly and Jamie, and his grandchildren, who were his most prized possessions. He was proud of them all, from Jayden excelling on the field to Brendan in the hockey rink. Some of his proudest moments were when the boys began Jr. drag racing and started turning on win lights of their own. One of the most significant was when Brendan won an NHRA Wally in 2017 in a dragster painted in Jim’s trademark yellow, purple and orange paint scheme. “Poppy” had passed the torch!

There are many so-called “larger than life” people that some acquaint themselves with. They might know their name and see them around town or at a race track, but their lives aren’t really affected by them. Then there are those few people who go about their daily lives in a humble blue-collar manner and have the ability to personally impact and touch the lives of scores more. Jim Jacob was in that elite category and his passing leaves a gaping hole in everyone that he touched, but we are all better humans for knowing him.

Story by Marc Schankweiler
Photographs by Tara Bowker