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John Force Racing will expand to four teams for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and beyond with the signing of 2014 U.S. Nationals Funny Car winner Alexis DeJoria to a multi-year contract with the 24-time world championship organization. DeJoria is the only female currently competing in the NHRA Funny Car category and was the first woman in Funny Car competition to break the three-second barrier when she posted a 3.997-second elapsed time at the 2014 Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. DeJoria has earned six NHRA Funny Car event victories in 16 final-round appearances and has six top 10 finishes. DeJoria’s team will continue to have primary sponsorship from the gold medal award-winning Bandero Premium Tequila. John Force Racing’s 2026 driver lineup will consist of DeJoria, 2012 Funny Car Champion Jack Beckman, Top Fuel driver Josh Hart, who was signed by the organization to a multi-year contract in October, and a driver to be announced to drive the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car. “Being asked to join John Force Racing is a huge honor and an incredible opportunity to build upon my career,” DeJoria said. “Since day one, my goal has been to become the sport’s first female Funny Car world champion, and that is what I have been working towards for many years. I’ve been fortunate to drive for some of the best teams and team owners out here. To be invited to drive for John Force Racing means so much to me and is another step forward in my career. JFR has a Funny Car program that’s unmatched and the results speak for themselves; all you have to do is look at their track record.” DeJoria’s NHRA career began in 2005 in Super Gas and Super Comp, winning one national event in the latter category. She moved to Top Alcohol Funny Car in 2006, ran her own team from 2009-2011, and became only the second woman to earn a national event victory in the category at the 2011 Northwest Nationals in Seattle. Later that same year, she earned her nitro Funny Car license and moved up to the professional category. The six-time Funny Car No. 1 Qualifier earned the first round-win of her nitro Funny Car career when she defeated John Force in the first round of the 2012 Gatornationals. She captured her first Funny Car event victory at the 2014 Arizona Nationals in Phoenix and beat Force again later that year in the final round of the U.S. Nationals for the biggest win of her career. This will be the fourth time John Force Racing has fielded four teams in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories. The 2008-09 lineup included the Funny Car programs of drivers John Force, Robert Hight, Ashley Force Hood and Mike Neff. John Force, Robert Hight, Courtney Force and Brittany Force made up the foursome from 2013-2018 and, in 2019 and 2022-23, John Force and Hight competed in Funny Car while Brittany Force and Austin Prock competed in Top Fuel. “Alexis is a fierce competitor who has earned her place in the Funny Car ranks and it’s great to have her become the newest member of our team,” said John Force, CEO and 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion. “I’m obviously pretty familiar with the dynamic between father and daughter competing in NHRA drag racing so I respect and admire what Alexis and her father, John Paul, have built together over the years. John Paul is a global success story who understands the importance of both family and business partnerships, which is exactly what John Force Racing has been built on. Our team just earned our 24th World Championship, but I’m already looking forward to getting started on next season.” Further announcements about the program will be made in the coming weeks. This story was originally published on December 2, 2025. The post Alexis DeJoria Joins John Force Racing For 2026 NHRA Season first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

You might recognize the name Michael Burry if you watched The Big ShortIf you follow Wall Street and/or have watched the 2015 Academy Award-winning film The Big Short, the name Michael Burry may ring a bell. If you have never watched the film, it basically depicts the onset of the 2008 financial crisis and how it was triggered by a housing market bubble in the United States from four different investor perspectives. Without spoiling the entire premise of the film, Burry, played by Christian Bale, was one of the first to recognize the impending crisis and arranged with major banks to short, or bet against the market, which put him in the black once the bubble burst and the recession began. Up until earlier this year, Burry managed his hedge fund, Scion Asset Management. However, he has since shuttered and returned money to investors, allowing him to discuss his views on his Substack, in which he disclosed a significant flaw with the AI industry, specifically affecting Nvidia and Tesla. Win McNamee/Getty Images Burry: AI companies like Nvidia and Tesla have a serious problemIn a new post on his “Cassandra Unchained” Substack page titled "Foundations: The Tragic Algebra of Stock-Based Compensation", Burry wrote a plea supporting advanced algebra to explain in-depth how AI leaders like Nvidia and Tesla have used stock-based compensation to obscure the real costs of operating their companies; something he finds problematic for its shareholders and to the health of the companies long-term. Although much of the post focuses squarely on the semiconductor giant Nvidia and its stratospheric growth in recent times, the former hedge fund manager also revealed that he currently holds a short position on Tesla stock. In his post, he argued that most run-of-the-mill investors typically overlook stock-based compensation—the pay packages that CEOs like Elon Musk receive—when calculating earnings, as it appears as a non-cash expense for the company. Jim Spellman/WireImage Namely, tech and EV CEOs like Musk and, more recently, Rivian's RJ Scaringe, have tied themselves to performance-based pay packages, which allow them to purchase company stock at a fixed price when specific goals are met. For Scaringe, specifically, his $4.6 billion (valued) pay package will compensate him in the form of opportunities to buy up to 36.5 million shares of Rivian stock at $15.22 per share when the company hits eleven specific stock price goals over the next decade, as well as new operating income and cash flow targets over the next seven years. However, Burry argues that this form of compensation is a mistake because it permanently dilutes the existing shareholders' stake in the company. With the help of one of his associates, Burry developed a formula that calculates the impact of stock option dilution on companies. He singled out Tesla as a prime offender, as it does not offer buybacks to offset it. "Tesla dilutes its shareholders at about 3.6% per year, with no buybacks," Burry said. For reference, Burry compares that figure to Amazon, which he disclosed as diluting at roughly 1.3%, and Palantir, which has a higher rate of 4.6%. With this digit being as high as this, Burry argues that while Tesla reports added value in its earnings reports, this added value is transferred directly to employees and management through newly created shares, which severely limits the gains that Tesla stockholders can see. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Burry: The "Elon Cult" and pay package are part of the problem.Notably, Burry's analysis comes on the heels of Tesla’s recent $1 trillion pay package for its CEO, Elon Musk. On November 6, over 75% of Tesla shareholders approved a record $1 trillion pay package for CEO Elon Musk. The full amount of Musk's pay package is contingent upon Tesla achieving a combination of operational and valuation milestones over 10 years, including the delivery of 20 million Tesla vehicles, 10 million subscriptions to the Full Self-Driving autonomous driving assistance system, 1 million humanoid robots, and 1 million robotaxis in operation. However, Burry sees this as not a reward for company performance, but as a guarantee that even more share and value dilution will affect its current shareholders. “With recent news of Elon Musk’s $1 trillion dollar pay package, dilution is certain to continue. Tesla’s market capitalization is ridiculously overvalued today and has been for a good long time.” In addition, Burry also hit on the shifting narrative around Tesla, as Musk has previously pinned the makers of the Model Y and Cybertruck as "an AI and Robotics company" during recent earnings calls. He characterizes this as a way of keeping Musk's "cult" invested in the company. “As an aside, the Elon cult was all-in on electric cars until competition showed up, then all-in on autonomous driving until competition showed up, and now is all-in on robots – until competition shows up," he noted. Final thoughtsAs much as I have tremendous respect for Michael Burry, his story and his current insights, it should be deeply stressed that many voices on Wall Street do not share his opinion. According to MarketBeat data, which tracked 44 Wall Street analysts who have issued ratings for Tesla in the last 12 months, 34, or more than three-quarters of the analysts, have given TSLA stock a "Buy" or "Hold" rating. In addition, prominent figures like CNBC personality Jim Cramer stated that the company's pivot to autonomous and robotics has been a net positive for Tesla. "But when Tesla fell from the $400s to the $200s at the beginning of this year, an amazing thing happened," he said. "The stock, not the company, the stock, was always the same company, morphed into a chit in the great game of self-driving and robots. CEO Elon Musk simply changed the narrative, and the Street bought it. That perception has allowed the stock to regain almost all those lost points, even though it’s pretty much the same company it was before the decline in electric vehicle profits." View the full article

Four-Seater V12 Ferrari, Classic Spec, For Sale in MiamiIf you’re someone in the tax bracket of affording a six-figure Ferrari, then this Purosangue should be of interest. Although Maranello has been busy churning out as many of these as they can, these V12s are still in high demand. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Ferrari is fairly picky with who it sells its cars to. Maybe you couldn't secure an allocation, which is pretty common in Ferrari land, so getting access to a lightly-used, mint-condition Purosangue, although not uncommon, is still rare, shall we say. Limited Spec Automotive The spec is classic Ferrari—Rosso Corsa on the outside with a Nero interior piped in red and yellow. It does feature the Scuderia shields on the front three-quarters, although not the obscenely expensive painted items. But honestly, that’s pretty sensible of the original owner. Other details on the outside include the massive forged wheels in stealth spec, 22-inchers up front and 23s at the rear. Hiding behind the wheels are the Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, which the owner decided would look better with the calipers in red. Bold, but maybe not to our taste. Limited Spec Automotive What is tasteful, though, is the inside. It’s clear there’s a stealthy theme going on, but things are nicely broken up with yellow piping all around and the prancing horse embroidered in the same color. Moving down from the headrests reveals what appears to be the comfort seats, draped in high-quality leather with the aforementioned red accents thrown in for added flair. The central driving zone is all carbon, as is the tradition among most Ferrari owners. It features the obligatory shift-up lights, but continues to house the woefully dreaded touch-based controls, which, thankfully, Ferrari is moving away from. Limited Spec Automotive has this 2023 Ferrari Purosangue with just 1,000 miles on the odometer for sale. The quoted price is a hair under $580,000, which is a lot, but it’s an in-demand 715-horsepower four-seater V12 Ferrari. If you fancy a Purosangue and you have the means to do so, head to Limited Spec for more info. View the full article

(Almost) Everyone's Favorite Modern 3 SeriesWhich BMW 3 Series is the best 3 Series? You'll probably hear the second-generation E30 or the fourth-generation E46 as the top answers. It's totally understandable, though, as those two are often regarded as peak models. The E46 3 Series is a proper classic now. It was introduced on November 11, 1997, and reached showrooms in most parts of the world in 1998. Stylistically, it looked like an evolution of the successful E36, but work on the E46 started in the early-'90s — not long after the E36 went on sale. B Design BackgroundThe names you'll often see credited with the design of the E46 are Erik Goplen, Chris Bangle, and Wolfgang Reitzle. Goplen had been a BMW designer since the late '80s, while Bangle was appointed as the brand's design chief in 1992. As for Reitzle, he was the chief of product development. It's worth noting that the E46 was penned in California. It came from the Designworks studio (via BMW Blog), and some proposals came about in 1992. Goplen's name comes up again, along with sketches by Marek Djordjevic. Radical RedesignIf you think BMW designs are polarizing now, the company already had pretty wild ideas over 30 years ago. Given the relatively simple lines of the E36 3 Series, the swoopy and rakish look of these cars had all the potential to alienate BMW loyalists in the '90s. Goplen's proposal featured a split headlight design, a low roofline, and a high beltline. Djordjevic's design had a more cab-forward look, with a more slippery profile. As we all know, the final product looked a lot more toned down. That said, we can see elements of the production E46 in Goplen's sketches from 1993. The bumpers were taking shape, as well as the hood, fenders, and front doors. Later on, Bangle would add further input, as well as Reitzle. A Timeless DesignIt's amazing how far the E46 3 Series has gone from its sketches in 1992 to its rollout in late 1997. It was Bangle and Reitzle who massaged the sedan's design into its final shape, while Goplen would get more credit for the Touring (wagon), coupe, and convertible. No matter the body style, the E46 is still a handsome car. Yes, it's very much a late-'90s/early-'00s design, but its clean and elegant lines make it a looker in most eyes. It looked great in '98, and has been ageing gracefully since. Given the love for this model, we're bound to still see them around being cared for or restored by their owners. BMW Designworks View the 13 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

AB Motorsports crew chief Brian Corradi and team owner/driver Antron Brown will be busy this off-season, splitting their time between the ABM headquarters in Brownsburg, Ind., and Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Fla., where they will participate in the three-race Drag Illustrated Winter Series thanks to a new partnership with Robots Done Right. Brown and Corradi were first introduced to the Winter Series three years ago by Pro Mod racer Manny Buginga, and according to Corradi, have been hooked ever since. Their enthusiasm ultimately led the Matco Tools Top Fuel crew chief to purchase a Pro Mod car, which he will field during the 2025 – 2026 Winter Series with support from Robots Done Right, a leading buyer and seller of previously-owned industrial robots and robotic equipment. The Robots Done Right Pro Modified Camaro will make its debut with multi-time NHRA champion Bo Butner behind the wheel when the series gets underway with this weekend’s Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks, Dec. 5 – 7. “A huge thank you to Robots Done Right for taking an interest in our Pro Mod team and helping us get our drag racing fix during what can sometimes feel like a very long off-season,” said Corradi. “Antron and I have really fallen in love with Pro Mod and radial cars these past few years, and it’s been a lot of fun to race in a different capacity when we’re not running in the Mission Foods Series. Having the support of Robots Done Right will be key in taking our program to the next level.” Robots Done Right helps its customers enhance their manufacturing processes through automation. With products ranging from single robotic arms, to arc welding packages, and complete turnkey cells, the Warren, Ohio-based company can help streamline many factory applications. In addition to backing Brown and Corradi’s Winter Series endeavors, the company will also receive branding on the AB Motorsports Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster when the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins in March. “We’ve always loved drag racing and have been wanting to become involved with a team for some time now,” said John McGill, who co-founded Robots Done Right with his son, Matt. “My family and I owned an Xfinity team for eight years, so being involved in motorsports in an official capacity is nothing new to us. We were introduced to Brian Corradi through a mutual friend, Mike DiDomenico, who also drives a Pro Mod. Matt and I have really enjoyed getting to know Brian, especially since we share that Ohio connection. Through Brian, we met Antron and his world-class AB Motorsports operation. We believe in everything Antron stands for – it’s clear why he’s a fan-favorite and has been so successful in this industry. It quickly became apparent that we wanted to formally align ourselves with Antron and Brian, and through this new partnership, we’re able to support grassroots racers while also gaining major exposure through Antron’s Top Fuel team. We’re looking forward to a great 2026 season with both teams.” This story was originally published on December 2, 2025. The post Brown, Corradi Partner With Robots Done Right For DI Winter Series, 2026 Top Fuel Campaign first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Sedans have become scarce, particularly from American automakers, and at Ford, they're completely extinct. In order to make the Bronco and Maverick happen, the Fusion and Focus had to be sacrificed and their manufacturing plants retooled, said Ford CEO Jim Farley, in an interview with Forrest's Auto Reviews that was recently posted to YouTube (although it was filmed at Monterey Car Week in August). In addition, he said that Ford lost money selling the Mondeo (Fusion) in America because of its European roots, and the only way for the Blue Oval to stay out of the red is to build cars in America. Thus, for a sedan to be offered to the American market, a whole new platform is required, and Farley has some ideas. And since profitability is key, those ideas involve an all-electric platform. Sedan Shape Makes Sense For Skunkworks EV Project Christopher Stevens/Ford When asked if he thinks sedans have a place in Ford's future, Farley said he believes there is still a "huge market" for sedans, before referencing Ford's skunkworks affordable EV project, saying that "the sedan silhouette turns out to be very clean aerodynamically." He then turned to the camera and asked the YouTuber's audience, "Should Ford do a rear-wheel-drive, high-performance, affordable sedan, with a really cool closure system in the back so you can carry a lot of stuff, as an all-electric [vehicle] with incredible performance? That's the way I'm thinking about a sedan." Related: Ford Still Makes a Sedan, But There's No Chance of It Coming to the US This is far from confirmation that such a vehicle is on its way, but automakers and their representatives need to see interest and study the market before greenlighting new projects, and Farley's question shows that Ford has put a considerable amount of thought into the idea. In addition, the above sketch was shown during the reveal of the S650 Mustang coupe, and Ford trademarked the term Mach 4 not long ago. Couple these facts with Farley's suggestion that a new electric sedan could have "a really cool closure system" - which sounds a lot like the tailgate of the B10 Audi A5 sedan, where the rear window opens with the trunk lid - and it seems that Farley is fueling rumors of a Mustang sedan coming to market someday in the not-too-distant future. Farley Dreams Of An Off-Road SupercarWhen asked what his personal "dream" Ford product would be, Farley again talked about an off-road supercar that would have a "partial electric" powertrain and could be described as a "Raptor R without the truck," summarizing it as a World Rally Championship car for four people. Basically, a four-seater version of the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato with Ford flavor. That sounds exciting. Another interesting (albeit unrelated) tidbit is that the Liquid Carbon version of the Mustang GTD is so difficult to produce that it takes "three or four cars worth" of carbon fiber to produce. Why? Because making the weave match throughout is tricky; when the carbon fiber goes into the oven, the strands can move ever so slightly, and that can make one body panel fail to line up with another. All of these comments from Mr. Farley show that Ford is an enthusiast-driven company, and as enthusiasts ourselves, we'd love to see an affordable performance sedan and an off-road supercar happen. Fingers crossed. View the full article

Richard Gadson’s dream has always been to race motorcycles. That dream was realized on a whole new level last year when he joined the storied Vance & Hines team for his rookie season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. A solid rookie year paved the way for something even more special in 2025: a breakout season and, ultimately, a world championship in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks. Gadson’s journey has always been inspirational, but this year turned into a magical ride for the standout performer. In a year full of firsts – from his first victory to his first No. 1 qualifier to his first time in the points lead – Gadson experienced a number of surreal moments. But clutch performances in the Countdown to the Championship, including wins in Charlotte and Dallas, helped take the 2025 campaign to a place he may have realized wasn’t possible. He held off teammate Gaige Herrera, who was seeking his third straight world title, and claimed a championship of his own, an accomplishment that still hasn’t sunk in. “It was a big emotional roller coaster and the journey of it all,” Gadson said. “Last year was a really hard season to get through and this year, still trying to find that groove. Once we found it around Charlotte 1 and then Bristol, you kind of started to feel like you belonged, feeling like you can run at the top of the class. “There’s a lot of tough competitors. My teammate, Gage, you know, I want to take a minute to give him his flowers. You know, I got a lot of respect for him. Gaige has been a dominant figure and I didn’t know who would stop that. He pushes you and I’ve worked my butt off to get here. It’s a pretty crazy thought to be the world champion.” Gadson had several near-misses in his rookie year in 2024, but the turning point came in Bristol this season when he rolled to his first career victory in the category. The elation was evident and it helped take Gadson to an entirely new level. He won again in Sonoma, claiming his first No. 1 qualifier in the process, and took over the points lead in the Countdown to the Championship with his victory at the fall four-wide race in Charlotte. It’s a lead he never relinquished as he and Herrera dueled down the stretch. Gadson advanced to the semifinals in St. Louis and Dallas proved to be the difference. He qualified No. 1 and won the race, building enough of a lead to hold off Herrera, who won in Las Vegas. Gadson finished the season with four wins, six trips to the final round and two No. 1 qualifiers, as the rider and bike reached new levels this season. Gadson credited crew chief Eddie Krawiec for helping him become a better rider and that proved pivotal down the stretch in 2025. “We’re still trying to figure out how to be better. That never stops,” Gadson said. “Eddie and I had a similar mindset this year, and that was to prove a point. Gaige and Andrew have changed our class, and they’ve raised the bar. “Eddie and I both had to dig deep and figure out in what ways we can be better individually, and then how we mix that together and make us better on results. I think we really came a long way this year. I think the performance of the bike and my performance has improved all year, and just racing with that extra chip on your shoulder was that extra motivation we needed.” The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series kicks off its 75th anniversary season in 2026 on March 5-8 with the NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway. This story was originally published on December 2, 2025. The post Richard Gadson’s Long Journey Pays Off With NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Championship first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

For the past two seasons, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip has been a location Pro Stock’s Dallas Glenn will never forget. The 2024 race saw Glenn come up a mere .002-seconds short to his KB Titan Racing teammate and six-time world champ Greg Anderson, but 2025 proved to be the culmination of his redemption story, clinching his first world championship in Pomona after yet another hard-fought battle with Anderson throughout the year. This time, Glenn and his RAD Torque Systems Camaro made certain the championship was headed home to him. He was dominant all season and especially when it counted, earning eight overall wins, with four coming in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs as he kept Anderson at bay and put the finishing touches on a magnificent season. “It’s definitely special, especially after getting so close last year,” said Glenn. “It feels good. I get to race all next season with the number one on my car. I get to take it from Greg and take it off his car and put it on mine. We get to swap numbers. “But looking back on last year to where we are now, I just try to get a little better every season, and I feel like I’ve definitely had the car to back me up this year when I wasn’t the best. I’m going to try to remember everything that I did this season and try to apply it next year to try to be a little bit better next year, and hopefully we can have another year like we did this year.” The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Pro Stock season was dominated by Glenn and Anderson. Collectively, the KB Titan duo won 14 of the 17 Pro Stock events on the season, as they also faced each other eight times in the final round, including the first five races of the year. That made it known immediately that it would be Glenn and Anderson running away with the championship, but Glenn was just a hair better when it counted down the stretch. Glenn kicked off the year with his first NHRA Gatornationals win, knocking off Anderson. It was Anderson who won between the two in Phoenix and again at the NHRA Winternationals. Glenn answered with back-to-back four-wide race wins in Las Vegas and Charlotte. Glenn and Anderson continued to trade wins throughout the year, with only three other drivers winning in 2025. Glenn secured the regular season Pro Stock championship at the famed Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals and carried his points lead into the playoffs, where he really came alive. Glenn made a quick statement with wins in Reading and Charlotte – sweeping all three four-wide races – before falling to Anderson in St. Louis. He rebounded with back-to-back wins in Dallas and Las Vegas. The Vegas race was a shining moment, as Glenn avenged last year’s first-round loss in impressive fashion, rolling to the victory en route to clinching the championship in Pomona. It highlighted spectacular performances across the country for Glenn, who broke the track record in Seattle, advanced to a staggering 13 final rounds en route to an impressive 50-9 record in eliminations in 2025. “Greg and I are both one and two in points, two years in a row,” Glenn said. “It’s definitely a big exclamation point for KB Titan Racing. We have a lot of new things happening next year, a lot of excitement for next year already. We’ll go back to the shop, we’ll be back at it working hard and looking forward to 2026.” Glenn and the rest of the stars of the NHRA will return to racing action next season at the NHRA Gatornationals as NHRA celebrates its 75th anniversary in a year-long celebration. This story was originally published on December 2, 2025. The post Redemption Means First NHRA Pro Stock World Championship For Dallas Glenn first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

After another dominant season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Funny Car star Austin Prock claimed his second consecutive world championship at the conclusion of the 2025 season, somehow figuring out a way to stop 2024’s impressive championship season. Prock and his team won nine events throughout the season, including two events during the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, up from the eight he won last season. After a record-breaking year in 2024, one that included 15 No. 1 qualifiers, Prock and his team somehow found another level, winning more races in only his sophomore year in the class. In two years in the Funny Car class, Prock has powered to 17 victories and 22 No. 1 qualifiers, putting together an epic stretch that ranks highly in most impressive Funny Car runs. “What my family and this team have done in the last two years is something you can’t write up,” said Prock. The team is led by Prock’s father, Jimmy, a long-time nitro tuner in the NHRA ranks, along with his brother Thomas. “Last year, a lot of people told me it’s not going to come as easily next year. The season that you had in 2024 it’s not doable again. And we come in there and we struggled a little bit at the beginning of the season, and then ended up getting one more win throughout the NHRA schedule. I think that says a lot about this race team, says a lot about me as a driver and I’m looking forward to 2026 already.” Prock’s 2025 campaign started at the NHRA Gatornationals at famed Gainesville Raceway with a first-round loss. He suffered another first-round elimination in Pomona but swept the April four-wide races in Las Vegas and Charlotte. The biggest bit of adversity came in June when he suffered back-to-back first-round losses in Epping and Bristol. In true championship fashion, he shrugged those off and answered emphatically with back-to-back wins in Richmond and Norwalk. He collected more wins in Sonoma and Brainerd before heading to the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Indy brought a massive payday for Prock when he secured the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout win, NHRA regular season championship and the race win on Monday, giving him a weekend worth a whopping $330,000. Entering the Countdown to the Championship as the points leader, Prock quickly nabbed wins in Charlotte and Dallas before finishing runner-up to Matt Hagan in Las Vegas. Hagan made a worthy charge late in the season, but Prock’s incredible body of work was hard to ignore and proved to be the difference in the Countdown en route to a second world championship. Prock joined Ron Capps as the only Funny Car drivers since 2002 to win back-to-back world titles, entering elite territory with no signs of slowing down. “It’s awesome to win one world championship. It’s one thing to win one and it’s another thing to win two, but to win them back-to-back puts you in a select group,” Prock said. “I think there are only seven of us who have ever done it. To add my name to that list, I wish my entire team could be added to that list because I get all the praise and the glory from the media, from the fans and the TV aspect of it, but it’s not just me. “I couldn’t accomplish what we’ve done without the people behind me for the past two years. I’m really proud to drive their race car.” Prock and the rest of the stars of the NHRA will return to racing action next season at the NHRA Gatornationals on March 5-8 at legendary Gainesville Raceway as NHRA celebrates its 75th anniversary in a year-long celebration. This story was originally published on December 2, 2025. The post Another Dominant Run Keys Second Straight NHRA Funny Car World Title For Austin Prock first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

NHRA headliners Alexis DeJoria, Cruz Pedregon, Tony Stewart, and Ida Zetterström will help kick off the festivities at the recently revived ‘Rev n Roll’ fundraiser benefiting Riley Children’s Foundation on Dec. 10 from 6 – 9 p.m. The beloved event returns to Western Bowl (6441 W Washington St, Indianapolis) after a six-year hiatus and will once again serve as the unofficial kick off to the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show’s week of activities. The event offers race fans the opportunity to bowl and mingle alongside their favorite drivers while supporting an important community cause. With backing from the Brownsburg-based JCM Racing team, Indianapolis residents and longtime Riley supporters Mike Lewis and Hali Warnick are spearheading the event’s return. Lewis and Warnick aim to raise funds for the nationally ranked children’s hospital foundation through lane sales as well as a silent auction, which will go live on Dec. 1. DeJoria, Pedregon, Stewart, and Zetterström are the first to confirm their participation, with additional drivers expected to be announced. The drivers will throw out the ceremonial “first roll” alongside Riley Kids and their families to officially kick off the evening. “We’re all for supporting anything Riley-related,” said Pedregon, owner of Cruz Pedregon Racing. “So many in our community have personal connections to Riley, and with many NHRA teams based here in Indy, it’s a cause that’s near and dear to us drag racers. We host an Open House at our facility each year ahead of the U.S. Nationals to benefit Riley and always get a huge turnout of drivers, as well as incredible support from the teams. When I heard the Rev n Roll event was coming back, I felt it was important to get involved. I hope to see the place packed with race fans.” Adding to the excitement, thanks to ProThings, the first 200 event registrants will receive a complimentary commemorative bowling shirt designed by renowned motorsports livery artist Dave Marek. Lanes are available for $200 for a group of four, and individual bowlers may register at $50 per person. Registration is now open. All fees benefit Riley Children’s Foundation. Visit give.rileykids.org/revnrollforriley to reserve your lane. This story was originally published on December 2, 2025. The post Star-Studded Driver Lineup Confirmed For Rev n Roll Charity Bowling Event Benefiting Riley Children’s Foundation first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The second annual Laris Motorsports Insurance Mini Million presented by Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels returned to Gainesville Raceway for a multi-day schedule of big-money bracket racing, drawing competitors from across the country to race for major payouts. The event followed the traditional Florida five-day style format, featuring a major race each day along with specialty awards, raffles, and bonuses. Racing kicked off Wednesday with the VP Racing Fuels Warm Up $20K event. Jeff Gatlin was the last remaining No Box racer, laying down a .019 package over Steve Roehers in the final round. With the No Box win, Gatlin moved into the main event. The semifinal round included John Brown, Michael Carpenter, Spencer Massey, and a bye run. The Wednesday final paired Carpenter and Massey, but Carpenter went -.007 red on the tree, giving Massey of Dallas, Texas, the first win of the event. “We’re all out here to have fun and try to turn win lights on and I love it,” Massey said in a post-race interview. “The Million, the Folks, they put on spectacular events and that’s why I drove all the way from Texas to be here in Gainesville, Florida.” On Thursday, Gage Burch of Palmetto, Florida, secured the No Box win, earning a $1,000 bonus and moving into the main event. Burch continued his momentum, advancing to the Abruzzi Racing Transmissions and Converters $40K final round, where he defeated Anson Brown with a .013 light, ran dead on his dial, to secure the victory. Burch swept both the No Box and Box races on Thursday, earning valuable points in the Mark Williams points chase. “It was just an unreal day. It seemed like even when I messed up, the win light still came on so I’m just thankful to be here,” Burch said. On Friday, Burch continued his dominant weekend by claiming his second No Box win and more points before joining the main event. The semifinal round of the Competitive Suspension $40K race featured James Brown, Jayden Lawler, Will Holloman, and a bye run. North Carolina teammates Lawler and Holloman both advanced to the final round and agreed to split the purse rather than race each other, concluding the second $40K event. “We were down to our last gallon of gas, so we made a decision to just stop right now,” Holloman joked in a post-race interview. “It feels great, especially when we can both make a final. It’s definitely a good feeling,” Lawler added. On day four, John Duane picked up the No Box win and joined the main event. The Brodix Cylinder Heads $40K was eventually narrowed to four racers: Scotty Gibson, Jason Lynch, Brendan George, and a bye run. The final round featured Lynch and George, where George from Gainesville, Florida, put together a two-thousandths total package to secure the win and the $40K payout at his home track. George was .001 and dead on 1 his 6.13 dial against Lynch’s .011 and dead on 5.62. “I just wanted to take a minute to thank the Folk and Connolly family,” George said. “They run a great event. I wasn’t going to run many events this winter, but this was the one I wanted to pick, and they just always have a great event.” Sunday wrapped up five days of competition. Lucas Walker of Mayfield, Kentucky, claimed the VP Racing Fuels No Box title and a $1,000 bonus before entering the main event. The final four included Cory Gulitti, Kevin Brannon, Nick Folk, and a bye run. Folk and Brannon advanced to the final, where Folk laid down seven total with a .003 light dead on 4 on his 5.11 dial, to earn the final $40K check of the event. The win also secured Folk second place in the Mark Williams Enterprises points chase, behind Gage Burch, who won the points chase, earning himself a custom-painted EZ-GO golf cart, courtesy of Over Kill Motorsports. In addition to the tight racing and big payouts, the event featured numerous prizes, awards, and special recognitions. Larry Langley of Naples, Florida, won the Folk Race Cars dragster raffle. Multiple $100 Summit Racing Equipment gift cards were awarded for “Trip Zip” accomplishments, along with $500 Drag Race Solutions gift cards for “Ultimate Package,” $500 Stainless Works cards for “Best Losing Package,” and $500 Ultimate Drag Parts cards for “Buy Back Bad Luck.” Amy Farrow was honored with the Moser Engineering “Girls Just Wanna Race” award. Anthony Dagostino earned the “Perfect Light” award and a Tony Morris Carburetors Twin Blade Carburetor. Saturday night featured a Racer Appreciation Dinner with an open bar, and racers enjoyed complimentary coffee and doughnuts in the staging lanes each morning. Adam Bitzanis earned the Digital Delay “Longest Distance Award” after traveling from Montreal, Canada, while Austin Logan won a $50,000 Laris Motorsports Insurance policy giveaway. Once again, Folk Promotions delivered a highly successful Mini Million at Gainesville Raceway, continuing their racer-focused approach and strengthening their reputation as one of the premier big-money bracket racing promoters in the country. For more information on future events, visit www.themilliononline.com or follow their page on social media. This story was originally published on December 2, 2025. The post Folk Promotions Shines Again With Mini Million at Gainesville Raceway first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

For Doug Kalitta, this year’s fall visit to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip for the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals marked a far different feel. There were no tense moments, no chance at heartbreak and not even a need for a thrilling winner-take-all finish. Instead, the championship came on Saturday, summarizing an incredible jaunt through the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. After years of second-place finishes and near-misses, Kalitta won the Top Fuel championship for the second time in three years, continuing a brilliant run with crew chief Alan Johnson. He matched his cousin Scott’s two world championships and added another impressive notch in the Kalitta family legacy. Doing it without any sort of championship drama in Pomona also made it just a bit sweeter as well. Kalitta advanced to the final round at the first four playoff races, winning twice and showcasing consistency that none of his counterparts could match in the second half of the season. Kalitta and his team simply got better as the 2025 NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series rolled on, winning four times, advancing to seven final rounds and claiming yet another world title in his 12,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster for Kalitta Motorsports. “This is definitely a lot easier, I can tell you that,” Kalitta said. “I’ve never had a relaxing Pomona. It’s always seemed to come down to the last race, last day, but we had a nice string of runs throughout the Countdown. Alan [Johnson, crew chief] and my whole team have had my car going down the track. It’s been really nice, and just not doing something stupid on the track and getting good, solid runs. “Alan is always throwing down and always has something up his sleeve. So, I’m just really proud of him and my whole team. It’s a huge relief to be able to win the championship and we’re all just super happy.” Kalitta was a standout in qualifying, taking the No. 1 spot eight times in 2025, but minus a final-round showing early in Phoenix, the team didn’t get rolling until July. They had stayed consistently fourth in points behind Tony Stewart, teammate Shawn Langdon and Justin Ashley, but really turned it on in Sonoma. Kalitta won back-to-back races in Sonoma and Brainerd, entering the playoffs fourth in points. The team’s resolve was tested at the playoff opener in Reading, where, after taking a first-round win over Tony Stewart, Kalitta’s car swerved across the centerline and collided with Stewart’s dragster. Neither driver was injured, and Kalitta’s team continued on with a backup car, reaching the final round. He jumped into the points lead and never looked back, distancing himself from Stewart, Ashley and Langdon with a final-round showing in Charlotte and then wins in St. Louis and Dallas. Kalitta defeated Ida Zetterström in the final round in St. Louis and four-time world champ Steve Torrence in the final round in Dallas to cement his points lead. A semifinal finish in Las Vegas gave Kalitta enough of a points lead to ensure the championship was his. “You have to have guys putting that car together exactly the same each and every run to get the consistency for any of these guys to be able to tune the car, so it’s just huge,” Kalitta said. “It was definitely a tribute to the guys. “We had a lot of confidence in our back-up car (in Reading) and we just hit the ground running once we switched. It’s a heck of an opportunity to drive for Connie. It’s so competitive out here and we all want to win. It’s very cool (to have two titles) and have this opportunity.” Kalitta also put up big numbers this season, including an epic performance in Seattle that included a run of 3.628-seconds at 341.34 mph, which was the second-quickest and third-fastest run in NHRA history at the time. The championship is the sixth for team owner Connie Kalitta and Kalitta Motorsports, and its fourth in Top Fuel. Scott Kalitta won back-to-back Top Fuel crowns in 1994 and ’95 to precede his cousin Doug’s two titles. Del Worsham won Kalitta’s first Funny Car championship in 2015 and J.R. Todd won another in 2018. The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series kicks off its 75th anniversary season in 2026 on March 5-8 with the NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway. This story was originally published on December 2, 2025. The post Doug Kalitta’s Top Fuel Title Run Fueled By Red-Hot Second Half of 2025 Season first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Only three days ago, Toyota teased its new sports car, which will be named GR GT. Now, the Japanese automaker has given us another teaser image and announced that the GR GT will be just one of three new sports cars to be revealed on December 5. Toyota didn't provide any information about the cars, but the images tell us quite a lot. The car in the foreground is the aforementioned GR GT, while the one furthest away from the camera, on the right-hand side of the image, is its racing counterpart; Toyota has promised to develop racing cars first and then adapt them for road applications in order to maximize performance and minimize compromises in handling and performance. Finally, the car to the left of the image appears to be the production version of the gorgeous Lexus Sport Coupe concept, shown back in August. Toyota Teases Polyzygotic Triplets Toyota The non-identical triplets will have similar genes, but different styling and, presumably, different power outputs. The Lexus coupe, with its almost Kia-like taillights, appears to have a shorter hood and a swoopier rear end than the Toyota alongside it, and the door panel has a more angular crease at the shoulder line. Although it's impossible to tell from this single shadowy teaser, the Lexus may also wear a panoramic glass roof, rather than the conventional panel atop the Toyota GR GT. The shark fin on the rear glass of the Lexus was a high-mounted brake light on the concept, and it could be the same here, while the glass it sits upon is also unconventional. We expect an adaptive trunk spoiler like the concept, too. Related: Lexus’ Next Supercar Spotted: Three Versions of the LFA Successor on Track As for the GR GT, which we already know has GR86-esque headlights and a glasshouse not dissimilar from that of the GR Supra, its track-only twin appears to have aggressive louvers above each front fender. Interestingly, it also appears to have a protruding bumper, which is unusual for racing cars - or any modern car, for that matter. We'll have to wait for clearer imagery to see what's really going on. Long Hoods Allow Large Engines Toyota As noted above, the Lexus doesn't appear to have as large an engine bay as the Toyota pair, which is expected to be powered by a hybridized twin-turbo V8 capable of as much as 900 horsepower. This could indicate a different powertrain, but we doubt Toyota would go to the effort of developing such an engine and then restrict it to only the Gazoo Racing products - especially since a V8 is a key part of the identity of the current Lexus LC and the departing RC F. Moreover, anything but a V8 in the six-figure space is a hard sell these days, and there's no doubt that comparisons with the LFA will be made. Sure, this won't have a screaming V10, but a V8 is as close as we can get these days. But enough speculation; we must wait for concrete info, coming at the end of the week. View the full article

The potential 2026 IHRA schedule is packed with some interesting locations. Here's a look at where the IHRA could be headed next year.View the full article

The founder behind Kove Moto returns with a new company and a three cylinder ADV that could shake up the segment. View the full article

The beloved Midwest "Waconia" snowmobile gathering has reclaimed its lakeside character for 2026.View the full article

Between its potent performance, gorgeous lines, and presence in the James Bond film Goldfinger, the Aston Martin DB5 has achieved legendary status. It also paved the way for today's powerful Aston Martin GTs. The grand tourer’s rarity—just 1,022 models were built between 1963 and 1965—is another factor contributing to its desirability, which is why a Welshman named John Williams refused to give up the DB5 he bought in the early 1970s. Now, thanks to Aston Martin Works, Williams’ DB5 has been fully restored, to the point where its value has skyrocketed up to £1 million (around $1.32 million). That’s not bad for a car that was originally purchased for £900. Related: All 25 James Bond movies ranked only by their cars A Dream Car Purchase 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Aston Martin View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Not many of us get to purchase our dream car as a teenager, but John Williams accomplished that with this DB5 in 1973. Aged 19, he was a welder and garage owner, and set a goal the previous year of saving up enough to buy a DB5. The 1965 example he found required an hours-long train ride from North Wales to London, where he handed over the £900 (just short of $1,200) for the GT. Williams used the car as a daily driver for four years, but a new job in the Middle East in 1977 meant it ended up standing on his driveway. Aston Martin “Then… 'life' happened, he said. “I'd had offers to buy her, and times when I could have done with the money, but I resisted and, as Sue [John's wife] said 'you'll never get another one'.” The car’s condition deteriorated over time, not helped by the neighbors’ kids who bounced on the hood and even snapped off the exhaust pipe when they came over to play. Decades later, Williams chose Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell to complete the restoration, a process that started in 2022 and took three years. Related: James Bond Aston Martin V8 with its gadgets headed to auction Returned To Its Former Glory 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Aston Martin View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The completely restored DB5 looks as regal as the day it left the factory. This was much more than an aesthetic refresh—the car was restored right down to the chassis and Superleggera frame. This particular example has a particularly desirable specification. It’s finished in Silver Birch paint, one of only 39 DB5 saloons in this color. It also has the higher-output Vantage 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine, which produces around 325 horsepower. It took the Panel, Paint, Trim, and Heritage Workshops at Aston Martin over 2,500 hours to complete the restoration. “Although the car was in a profoundly run-down condition when it arrived, we always relish a challenge and I knew we have the skills, dedication and expertise to return the car to a better-than-new condition,” said Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works. “I know it has been understandably emotional to see the car that they have owned for more than half a century restored so meticulously, and I know that every member of the team here hopes they can enjoy many years of happy motoring in their 'new' DB5.” 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Aston Martin View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article While Williams spent under $1,200 on the DB5 when he originally purchased it, Spires estimates that the restored GT is valued over $1.3 million, which is some return on one’s investment. “It's probably almost 50 years since I have driven this car, but the experience is phenomenal,” said Williams. “It's just... unbelievable. My girl's back and up and running! Back to her former glory.” A few years ago, Aston Martin announced a run of 25 DB5 Continuation cars, which were track-only reproductions of the DB5 from Goldfinger. The first one was completed in 2020, and all had a starting price of $3.4 million. That project, along with this restoration of John Williams’ 1965 DB5, underlines the passion that still exists for one of the British marque’s greatest cars. View the full article

A SEMA Idea ResurfacesBefore the Mustang GTD era swallowed most of Ford's performance attention, there was another factory-backed monster waiting in the wings. At the 2023 SEMA Show, Ford revealed the original Mustang FP800S concept package, built around the S650 Mustang GT and a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger that pushed the Coyote V8 to 800 horsepower. It was meant to preview a future production upgrade, though after that event, the trail went quiet and no formal follow-up ever came from Dearborn. Well, until recently. A new version called the FP800S Bronze Magneride Package has appeared on the Ford Custom Garage website. Ford has yet to issue any official announcement, and the package is still labeled as a concept. However, with the content on full display on a customer-facing configurator, Ford may be preparing to finally offer the 800-hp upgrade to owners. For those who remember the SEMA car and wondered if it would ever graduate from showpiece to reality, this is the clearest sign so far. Ford Custom Garage What the Package Comes WithThe bones of this new Bronze Magneride Package are familiar. The headline item remains the 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger, backed by an air/oil separator kit, upgraded half shafts, and a "street" lowering kit. A Borla Extreme cat-back exhaust is also present, along with the expected Ford Performance badging. Owners will also get a ProCal tool to recalibrate the speedometer once the hardware goes on properly. What sets the new package apart is the 19-inch R1 forged wheels, which wear bronze accents. That color carries over to the lug nuts, graphics, and the inserts on the front grille. The bodywork gets a few upgrades too, including wheel spats plus front splitter, hood vents, mirror caps, and a carbon fiber Dark Horse spoiler. Recaro seats with Ford Performance logos and an FP800S keychain round out the interior inclusions. Ford Custom Garage How Much, You Ask?As mentioned, the package is still listed as a concept on Ford Custom Garage, and the Blue Oval has not confirmed when customers will actually be able to order it, so that's a mystery at this point. The lack of pricing also leaves a large question mark. Looking at the hardware involved, it is unlikely to be positioned as a casual add-on. Between the supercharger, carbon bits, and chassis upgrades, customers should expect a figure that sits above what Mustang owners typically spend on appearance packs. Ford Custom Garage View the 7 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

This onboard footage of the 2025 Macau Grand Prix might make you think you're watching it at 2x speed, but I promise that you're not.View the full article

The new JOG Electric brings Yamaha into the battery swapping era with a light, friendly city scooter. View the full article

Say hello to the new Harley-Davidson X440T, which refines and reimagines several of the styling cues from the X440 that fans didn't previously like.View the full article

Does this mean that I #bearacer? No. But did I feel like one every time I took this lil guy out on track all weekend? Definitely closer than I thought.View the full article

Safety ConcernsAutomotive lawsuits cover a wide range of issues. They are usually filed for faulty products, missing features, or, worst, for vehicle occupant safety being put on the line. The latter is the most concerning, considering that a bulk of the value sold to a customer is the safety features and safeguards installed in the vehicle. A lawsuit filed against Ford in Arizona belongs in the latter, claiming that a defect in the C-Max Hybrid's design has some very serious, lethal repercussions. Ford Deadly ChemicalsThe lawsuit was brought to light by the Jinks Crow Trial Lawyers and Beasley Allen Law Firm, who are representing the plaintiffs – the family of 60-year-old Abimael Feliciano, a Dothan resident who died after toxic fumes filled the inside of his Ford C-Max Hybrid. According to the law firms, "Feliciano was found unresponsive inside his vehicle at a traffic light in Dothan on August 8, 2023. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences later confirmed that he died from hydrogen sulfide exposure, a toxic gas that can be deadly even in small amounts." During the investigation, apart from confirming hydrogen sulfide exposure, it was also determined that Ford didn't properly install the hybrid system's battery vent tube, leading to toxic fumes leaking into the cabin while the vehicle was being driven under normal conditions. Ford Insufficient Safety Measures and FeaturesThe suit names the Ford Motor Company as the defendant, along with Bill Luke Tempe, Camelback Ford Lincoln, and Sanderson Ford – all Arizona-based dealerships. It claims that the vehicle contained serious defects and that the repairs, warnings, and safety protections intended to protect drivers from toxic gases were insufficient. In other words, the plaintiff and their lawyers argue that there should be more standard safety features for hybrid battery vehicles to prevent this from happening, and they are also seeking to raise awareness of the issue. Historically speaking, lawsuits regarding Hydrogen Sulfide poisoning are brought up by factory workers or residents who were exposed to the harmful toxin by being near industrial sites. The fact that it occurred in a vehicle that is supposedly a finished product raises serious concerns for the plaintiffs. Ford View the full article

The inReach Mini 2 is almost universally beloved by explorers, backcountry athletes, and hunters. But Garmin's new inReach Mini 3 sets the bar even higher.View the full article

When I was a kid in the mid-80’s, my dad worked at a Chevrolet dealership and had a demo car. His was an IROC-Z with the 305 and a 5-speed. The stick wasn’t offered behind the 350, but the 305 still put smiles on faces, so that’s good. I remember lots of speed shifts, clutch dumps, and fun. So when Dylan recently found this abandoned IROC-Z in a score that included some other fun projects, I knew I’d want to follow along on the rescue. Video Description: This Camaro IROC-Z was left abandoned in a storage building since the late 90s. Can we make it run and drive to relive its former glory? Follow along with our restoration process! The post ABANDONED Camaro IROC-Z Rescued After 28 Years! Will Dylan McCool Be Able To Make It Run and Drive? appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article