reporter

Some tracks just belong to certain people. For Fletcher Cox, Darana Motorsports Park in Benson, North Carolina, is shaping up to be that track. It was here that the former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle claimed his first-ever Pro Street victory when the rain-delayed PDRA event at Bristol Dragway was completed in Benson. And it was at the same strip this past weekend, at another weather-delayed race (this time the PDRA Carolina Nationals), that Cox went back and did it again. The win was no fluke. Cox came into the weekend riding serious momentum, having already captured the Drag Illustrated Winter Series Pro Street championship and the World Series of Pro Mod victory in Pro Street. Cox is no longer sneaking up on the competition, yet he and his team continue to deliver. “My first career win here in Pro Street, obviously – my second one here,” Cox said after the final. “PDRA is the best, by the way. We can’t thank them enough. But man, my team is the greatest. Everybody worked their butt off all week.” The weekend wasn’t without its challenges. Cox noted the team was shorthanded while trying to complete two events in one weekend, an obstacle to overcome that showed exactly what kind of culture he’s building around his operation. “We’re short a guy, and we’ve all been busting balls, including myself, but it’s been fun,” Cox said. “The mojo is just keep going.” That mojo doesn’t come from nowhere. It’s the byproduct of a program Cox has stacked with real talent, starting at the top. Veteran tuner and current NHRA Funny Car crew chief Phil Shuler is the leader for Killin’ Time Racing’s tuning program behind Cox’s “Training Day” ‘69 Camaro, proving just how seriously Cox is taking this second career. “I just can’t be proud enough for this team,” Cox said. “We just keep going at it, keep going at it, and just taking this momentum on and hopefully carrying it to what we have next.” And what comes next is significant. Cox confirmed after the win that the Carolina Nationals was likely his last time behind the wheel of “Training Day,” at least for now. He turned over the driving duties to longtime grudge racer Andy Mac, who made it to the final round in his debut at the PDRA East Coast Nationals, and who will continue to run for a PDRA Pro Street championship this season. Cox won’t be leaving the driver’s seat, however – he’s simply stepping up to the next level. “I believe today was my last day driving ‘Training Day,’” said Cox. “I say my last day, but who knows. I may wheel it down the road. But for now, I’m handing the wheel to Andy and giving him a chance to run for a championship.” Cox’s next challenge will be the world of PDRA Pro Boost with his screw-blown ’69 Camaro named “Fixed Income.” Cox, Shuler, and the KTR team are targeting a debut at the upcoming PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown at Virginia Motorsports Park, with plans to test the new car in the weeks leading up to it. The move is a natural escalation for a competitor who’s proven he can win at every level he’s entered. “With me moving into Pro Mod and Pro Boost, we should debut the car in Virginia,” Cox said. “Me, Phil, and the whole KTR team, we’re trying to put a plan together so we can come out running up front.” The world of Pro Boost is about as hard as it gets in drag racing today, where Cox will line up against names like Jason Harris, Melanie Salemi, Ty Tutterow, and Steve King. That’s exactly the kind of environment where Fletcher Cox tends to thrive. And with Phil Shuler in his corner, he’s walking into that environment with a fighting chance. The post Fletcher Cox Turns PDRA Pro Street Exit Into a Victory Lap first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Fresh off a historic championship season, reigning NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Champion Richard Gadson is continuing to make an impact far beyond the racetrack. The rider of the RevZilla/Mission/Vance & Hines Suzuki is once again partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), welcoming groups of “Bigs” and “Littles” to six NHRA national events throughout the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. This marks the third consecutive year of Gadson’s initiative, which provides BBBS participants with behind-the-scenes access to professional drag racing while reinforcing the power of mentorship and perseverance. The six races included in this year’s program are: NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, Charlotte, NC, April 25 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK, Chicago, IL, May 16 Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis, IN, September 5 NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, St. Louis, MO, October 3 Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, Dallas, TX, October 17 NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, Las Vegas, NV, October 31 Gadson’s connection to BBBS is deeply personal. As a former “Little,” he credits the organization with helping to shape his path. He first launched this trackside initiative at his home race, the 2024 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania, the closest event to the BBBS Independence chapter that supported him growing up.In 2025, that same chapter honored Gadson with its prestigious Little Achievement Award, recognizing a former Little who has gone on to accomplish extraordinary success while continuing to give back. Just days later, Gadson etched his name in history by winning his first NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship, becoming the first Black rider to do so. This weekend’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte will mark Gadson’s first in-person interaction with a BBBS group since securing that milestone title. “Having Big Brothers Big Sisters back at the track means everything to me,” said Gadson. “This program isn’t just something I do, it’s part of who I am. I was in their shoes once, so being able to share this experience with them now, especially as a world champion, is really special.” Gadson noted that his message to the group has evolved alongside his career. “Before, I was talking to them about chasing their dreams and what could be possible,” said Gadson. “Now I get to show them what that looks like in real life. It’s gone from aspirational to inspirational, and that’s a responsibility I take seriously.” The Charlotte event also brings a bit of added excitement. With his victory at the season-opening AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, Gadson has qualified for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, set for Saturday, April 25, when the BBBS group will be in attendance. “They’ve definitely been a good luck charm for me,” said Gadson. “Every time they’re at the track, something good seems to happen, especially in the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. So I’m really looking forward to having them there on Saturday. Hopefully we can keep that streak alive.” One element of the program that is becoming more formalized this year is other drivers stepping up to participate. Funny Car driver Daniel Wilkerson, Top Fuel driver Jasmine Salinas and fellow Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Jianna Evaristo have also volunteered to talk to the BBBS guests and give them a peek inside of their pits. “I’m thankful to Daniel, Jasmine and Jianna for wanting to get involved,” said Gadson. “The more we can show these kids, the better. Daniel came to me about halfway through last season wanting to get involved, and I jumped at the chance to let the groups see a Funny Car team up close. Over the off-season, Jasmine and Jianna also reached out. It’s been great to see this grow in a really organic way.” As Gadson continues to defend his championship title in 2026, his commitment to mentorship and community remains just as strong as his drive to win, proving that his legacy is being built both on and off the track. For additional information on Richard Gadson follow him on Instagram (@rg5racing) and Facebook (Richard Gadson) and for more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters click here. The post Richard Gadson Launches Year Three of Big Brothers Big Sisters Track Program at 4-Wide Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

I know that some of you are screaming already, but the reality is that it’s not like you can’t replace the Chevy with a Ford in this F100 if you buy it and want to “save” it from a fate worse than Chevrolet. It never ceases to amaze me that people think an engine or wheels and tires can completely ruin a vehicle FOREVER. It’s weird that someone put a small block Chevrolet in it, but whatever. Derek at Vice Grip Garage is going to dive into this one and get it out of the field and into the shop. Then he’s doing some upgrades to the small block Chevrolet. Check it out. Video Description: A guy needs to build a unique truck to auction for charity… so in comes this beautiful 71 ford powered by a Circle Track 355 Chevrolet motor! Let’s tear it down and build it back better! Want to be part of a WORLD RECORD PARADE? Join me at the Capitol Cruise in Tulsa! Info and registration at capitalofroute66.com! The post Is This Thing An ABOMINATION or GREATNESS? This Is A Small Block Chevy Powered Ford F100! Installing a HUGE Cam and Engine Refresh With Derek. appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Jr. Dragster racers are always looking for that extra edge. Harmonic dampers have reduced engine vibration and increased consistency. View the full article

The British Auto Racing Club is in full swing for the 2026 racing season as weather in the UK is getting nice. They put on races all over the UK and feature a ton of variety when it comes to race cars and trucks. Yes I said trucks. They race everything from big rigs to minis at these BARC races, so you’re always in for some fun. Check out the racing action from last weekend’s Cadwell Park race as we welcome all kinds of fun machines to the race track again. Video Description: The British Automobile Racing Club makes a triumphant return to Cadwell Park this weekend. Renowned for producing thrilling action, the Lincolnshire venue will see Caterham Motorsport kick-start its 2026 season while the likes of the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and Junior Saloon Car Championship will also be in action. The post British Auto Racing Club Action From Cadwell Park Means Some Cool British Machines Racing Wheel To Wheel and Door to Door! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Dubbin Motorsports heads to zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, the second stop on their 2026 campaign. Making their third appearance at the 4-wide format, the Minnesota-based A/Fuel Dragster team arrives with unfinished business after a razor-thin .005-second first-round loss at the Gatornationals. That losing margin – 30 times less than the blink of an eye – has Kirk Wolf and the Dubbin crew focused and looking for a win at Charlotte. “We just got behind at Gainesville,” said team owner Dean Dubbin. “We lost a couple of runs with a wheelie bar problem in Q1 and smoking the tires in the second session. The car was really aggressive. Clay, and Chase, and the guys made some big changes to get it settled down. It made a good run in round one, but we just came out on the wrong side of a really good drag race. I like where the car is, and I like where the whole team is. Everyone is doing a great job, and we are looking for good things at Charlotte.” The 4-wide format at zMAX Dragway is frowned upon by some drivers, but Kirk Wolf has always enjoyed the strategy-driven part of the race. “We’ve always done well here, and I’ve always enjoyed the 4-wide format,” said Wolf. “The 4-wide format actually works in our favor. As well as this car runs, if I do my job on the starting line, I only need to outrun two of the three other cars to advance – and I like those odds. But you have to be consistent, and other than a few strange occurrences, we have been consistent and fast here.” Team owner Dean Dubbin agreed, “We’ve had a few ‘What the heck was that?’ moments at Charlotte, but for the most part we’ve made good runs. Where you can get into trouble is that this track changes very fast, and you have to keep up with it. It seems to be very temperature sensitive, where it gets good fast, and it goes away fast, so you have to keep a close eye on it throughout the day. It is a challenge that has bitten us a couple of times. We don’t plan on letting it happen this year.” The Dubbin Motorsports A/Fuel Dragster has delivered strong performances at zMAX Dragway over the past two seasons, with Wolf securing competitive qualifying positions while consistently running in the low‑5.20 range. There is no doubt that Kirk Wolf and the Dubbin team are hungry and motivated to have a breakout weekend at the Charlotte 4-wide. “We have a great car, and everyone is performing at a very high level. It’s time to turn that into a win this weekend,” said Wolf. The post Kirk Wolf and Dubbin Motorsports Arrive at zMAX Dragway Motivated and Confident Heading Into the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

While EVs for a while got the most attention, with many still skeptical of the powertrain technology, Polaris seems to be splitting the difference with this hybrid side-by-side patent. View the full article

Today’s feature is a striking custom café racer built on the iconic BMW R100 platform, reimagined by the renowned Spanish workshop Cafe Racer Dreams as part of its celebrated CRD series. Known as the CRD111, this bespoke machine blends classic BMW engineering with modern craftsmanship and minimalist styling. At its core lies a naturally aspirated 980cc air-cooled flat-twin engine, fed by twin carburetors and paired with a manual transmission and shaft-drive system. The bike reportedly underwent a full strip-down and […] The post Bike of the Day: 1980 BMW R100 – Custom Cafe Racer appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

Honda's "Bonus Bucks" act as instant rebates and reveal which motorcycles are being pushed hardest right now. View the full article

From the outside, the beef between Brian Deegan and Travis Pastrana went deep in the early days of Freestyle Motocross. But in hearing them talk about their past to one another, there was more respect. View the full article

Using what's obviously a Can-Am Maverick as its input, a Chinese company called ZZSSV is claiming it will produce a three-row side-by-side with this AI-generated image. It's slop. View the full article

Now offered for sale on Collecting Cars is this exceptional 2020 Ducati Diavel 1260 S, extensively reworked by Kikas Design into a striking, Lamborghini-inspired one-off. This high-performance power cruiser is driven by a 1,262cc V-twin engine, paired with a five-speed manual transmission delivering power to the rear wheel. First registered in March 2020, the bike has been in the care of its current owner since November 2021 and is believed to have covered approximately 3,500 miles. As the range-topping Diavel […] The post FOR SALE: 2020 Ducati Diavel 1260 S – Kikas Design Custom appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

30 actual people forked over $150,000 for Aprilia's limited edition X 250th RSV4 superbike, designed to celebrate America's 250th birthday. View the full article

This race-winning BMW S 1000 RR from the Isle of Man TT is heading to auction with a surprisingly reasonable estimate. View the full article

Just over a month ago, there was a mass exodus from the troubled EV motorcycle-cum-technology company, Damon Motorcycles. Did the other shoe just drop?View the full article

A 2500 km real-world test over a couple of days, including a 1200 km rain-soaked first day, gave the new SIDI Taurus GTX little chance to hide any weaknesses. The post SIDI Taurus GTX Tested | VERY WET 2500 km in a couple of days Touring Review appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Moto2 has produced a leader, but not a ruler. Here’s how the class shapes up before the championship resumes at Jerez. The post Moto2 2026 season so far – Tight title fight heads to Jerez after early pause appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Two-time PDRA Pro Boost world champion Jason Harris overcame a 50-pound weight penalty on the centrifugal supercharger combination after the season-opening Carolina Nationals to win in front of his home crowd Saturday night at the Summit Racing Equipment East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech at Darana Motorsports Park, formerly known as GALOT Motorsports Park. Driving the Harts Charger-boosted Southern Diamond Company “Party Time” ’69 Camaro, Harris moved first in the final round ahead of No. 1 qualifier Melanie Salemi and held the lead despite a dropped cylinder, winning with a 3.643 at 200.47. Salemi also ran into issues and slowed to a 3.723 at 168.53. “I’ve raced here a lot. I really haven’t won a lot here, but it’s special when you can win at home and you’ve got all your fans – I mean I have tons of fans here – and we’re selling t-shirts and everything we can,” said Harris, who thanked Southern Diamond Company, Harts Charger, Pro Line Racing, TKM Performance, Hoosier Tire, and LAT Oil. “It’s amazing to win when you have the support that we have in the sport. It’s just amazing to do what we’ve done. I think this is my 19th PDRA victory. I’ve won some championships over here. My heart’s over here, but right now, I’m just so happy to be in the winner’s circle, and finally not screw up.” Harris qualified second and raced to a 3.637 at 210.37 over Joel Wensley Sr., who slowed to a 6.068, in the first round. He then won a side-by-side race over two-time and reigning Pro Street world champion Ethan Steding, with Harris posting a 3.639 at 209.62 to Steding’s 3.647. The notoriously quick-leaving Harris left on his opponents in the first two rounds, but he saved his best reaction time – a .004 – for the semifinals against Darlington winner Johnny Camp. He paired that with a 3.612 at 209.20 to defeat Camp and his 3.627 at 208.88. Harris and his Party Time Racing team were some of the more vocal critics of the 50-pound weight penalty added to the centrifugally supercharged combinations between races. The rule changes were still very much on his mind in the winner’s circle, though he joked in his top-end interview with FloRacing’s Kayla Morton, “I can’t really bitch about the weight anymore.” “I really wasn’t happy about the rule change,” Harris said. “I definitely think something needed to be done. I didn’t want to run away with it. Nobody wants to win like that. I feel like as a whole, as a group, we’re all friends here, and we want to make it as fair as possible, and I think we’re getting closer. I think maybe these knee-jerk reactions need to be talked about before they’re done, but obviously they had to do something for this race.” The East Coast Nationals marked the end of a grueling stretch for the 2025 Snowbird Outlaw Nationals winner and his Party Time team. It started in mid-March at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series season opener at Darana Motorsports Park – Benson, NC and continued a week later at the PDRA season opener, the Carolina Nationals, at Darlington Dragway. After a weekend off for Easter, Harris went to the final round at the next IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series stop at Virginia Motorsports Park, losing to Tony Wilson. Harris didn’t think this final was going to go his way either, but it did, rewarding him and his team at just the right time. “We just work hard. We’re a hardworking team,” Harris said. “My car is awesome. I think my car is probably one of the best cars on the planet right now. We’ve had some bad luck. I’ve had TPSs go bad in the other final. I went brain dead here and then I had a hole out then. [Salemi] should have beat me. She really should have. I’d already accepted the racing gods’ fates about half track and then she just went away. But Mel’s a hell of a competitor. Everybody in this class is awesome. “We had our struggles,” Harris continued. “We put motors together. We did everything we could to not be in the finals. It just worked out.” This story was originally published on April 20, 2026. The post Worth The Weight: Jason Harris, ‘Party Time’ Team Win Pro Boost at PDRA East Coast Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Jed Beaton made it two from two in MX1 at Canberra’s second Penrite ProMX round, while Kayd Kingsford claimed his first MX2 overall, Hayden Draper swept MX3 and Blake Bohannon tightened his grip on MX85. The post Beaton stays perfect as Kingsford breaks through at Canberra ProMX appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Harry Payne and Kevin Rousseau made the ideal start to the 2026 FIM Sidecar World Championship with a double victory at Le Mans, while Australian Corey Turner and Luca Schmidt overcame a difficult lead-up to bank two solid finishes just outside the top ten. The post Payne and Rousseau dominate Sidecar World Championship opener at Le Mans appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

The 200-mph excitement of Pro Stock Motorcycles will return to action this weekend at the NHRA 4-WIDE Nationals at spectacular zMAX Dragway. Steve Johnson will be competing in the second of 14 races for the two-wheeled contingent on the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour, the first of back-to-back race weekends for the class. The veteran Suzuki Hayabusa pilot began his historic 40th season with a pair of holeshot victories in Gainesville last month to earn the 51st semifinal finish of his lengthy career. Reaching the final four at the Gatornationals also earned Johnson a spot in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge during qualifying on Saturday at the zMAX Dragway. The Alabama-based racer will have an opportunity to earn some cash, along with valuable bonus points towards his championship quest. “It’s the same routine after every race,” offered Johnson during preparation for Charlotte. “We go over the ‘to do’ from the last race and it’s all hands-on deck to get it finished. When racing throws you an opportunity, you better cash in on it, and that’s what we did in Gainesville. Opportunities are what we encourage young people to look for when I present information about BATman scholarships. “After 40 years of racing the outcome of the first race can be a jinx or a confidence booster,” said Johnson with a laugh. “We’ve won and we’ve also been disqualified and then reinstated. I can promise you I remember them both vividly and I’d much rather start the season out like we did this year because of the confidence it gives you going into the next race. At this point in my career, I feel like I can do well at any racetrack, it just comes down to the proper preparation, and that’s the part I find difficult at times. Ordering and receiving parts from the manufacturer and then making the required changes, all of those things are so important because our resources are so limited. What really gives you confidence, is when the motorcycle’s prepared and ready. “We are coming off one of the biggest breaks of the year, so I feel like we’re prepared enough by the end of this week to go racing, a week ahead of time, and that’s not always the case,” explained Johnson. “Sometimes we’re taking the bike off the dyno less than 48 hours before a race start.” Johnson has enjoyed plenty of success at zMax Dragway during his 40 years of competition on the NHRA tour. He rode his Suzuki Hayabusa to back-to-back 4-Wide national event victories in 2021 and 2022 and scored a runner-up finish at the Fall event in 2014. Johnson has also qualified No.1 twice at zMAX, in 2019 and 2021. During Saturday’s qualifying he could also add a Mission #2Fast2Tasty title to his winning Charlotte résumé.“It is always awesome to race at a Bruton Smith family facility because you know the fans are being treated great. It would be nice to win the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge,” said Johnson. “The points are great, but especially for the money.” The post Preparation the Key for Steve Johnson Racing Headed Into NHRA 4-Wide Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Elite Motorsports is continuing its expansion in NHRA Championship Drag Racing announcing Sportsman racer Mike Lomas as the newest addition to its multi-category program. Lomas joins an Elite lineup that competes across Top Fuel, Pro Stock, Pro Mod and Sportsman categories. Following a successful 2025 season where he picked up his first NHRA victory, Lomas will make his Elite Motorsports debut at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway just outside of Charlotte joining Royce Lee Freeman in the Competition Eliminator category. Lomas, who won Super Gas at the NHRA Canadian National Open in September 2025, will drive a 2008 Chevy Cobalt Comp entry featuring one of his companies, The Financial Guys, as primary sponsor for the 2026 Lucas Oil NHRA Drag Racing Series season. “Following a milestone season marked by my first NHRA Super Gas victory, stepping into Competition Eliminator with Elite Motorsports is a calculated next move. As President of The Financial Guys LLC, I’ve built a career on precision, disciplined risk management, and results under pressure—principles that translate directly to the racetrack,” Lomas said. “Joining the Elite family allows us to combine that mindset with world-class engineering. We’re not just here to compete; we’re here to raise the standard in Comp Eliminator.” “Elite Motorsports was built on Sportsman racing, that’s where we started. We’ve grown, expanded and become one of the most successful teams in the sport. But we don’t forget where we come from which is why we’re excited to bring Mike on board,” said Richard Freeman, owner and President of Elite Motorsports. “The Sportsman series are the grassroots and backbone of the sport. We can’t do what we do without sportsman racers. We support quite a few in some different ways but bringing Mike Lomas with The Financial Guys fully under the Elite banner is exciting for us. They’ll be racing with my brother Royce Lee in Comp as teammates so I’m looking forward to seeing them work together.” The NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, Lomas’ first of 10 events on his 2026 schedule, takes place April 23-26 at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, just outside of Charlotte. Lomas will be competing alongside not only Royce Lee in Competition Eliminator but Elite’s Pro Mod program with driver Mason Wright, their six Pro Stock entries including winningest female driver in motorsports history Erica Enders and five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. and their new Top Fuel dragster program that just picked up its first win at the Winternationals with motorsports icon Tony Stewart behind the wheel. The post Mike Lomas to Make NHRA Lucas Oil Series Debut with Elite Motorsports at zMAX Dragway first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Mike Beland’s annual “Cash Days” race at Shelby, North Carolina’s Shadyside Dragway is THE hot date on the gasoline-burning, Harley-Davidson, motorcycle drag racing calendar. Now in its fourth year as the focus of the trash-talking Bagger drag racing community, Cash Days 4 will once again put $25,000 in the hands of winning racers. Classes include Pro Bagger, Street Bagger, True Street Bagger, Non-Bagger, and ET bracket racing. Note: all makes of motorcycles are welcome to bracket race. Big time Bagger Braggarts “Burnout Bruce” Emmanual (who won all three Bagger classes last year), Jason Broski, Jeremy Justice. Jeremy Williamson, Rick Hunnicutt Dwayne Gee, Chuck Ragan, Keith Evans, Khole Sellers, Chaz Kennedy and more are all expected to hustle their badass grocery getters at Shadyside. Hardened Sportsman, bagless, and ET racers such as Bryce Creek, Chad Trayner, Chris Ussery, Clayton Danford, Joe Perry, Casey Smith, Brad Barnes, Chris Edwards and many, many more are expected to roll in and race. Also added to Cash Days 4 are the rat rod, wild-style events of the Old Town Revival (OTR) Spring Fling: Minibike Misfits races, Hippy’s Minibike Hillclimb, Rebel Spirit Burnout Pit, WIFMIX Freestyle Stunt Shows, Hot Rod Row, Run What You Brung, and live music on Saturday night. Cash Days 4 turns the good times volume to 12. “There’s a class for everyone, from first-timer to pro,” said Beland. “Don’t want to race? Twenty dollars gets you in the stands with full pit access to the fastest street Harleys in the world and lots and lots of fun.” The high-wheelieing Baggers are still the real stars, especially the turbo Pro Baggers pumping out up to 450 horsepower with massive V-Twin torque working their sticky street legal rubber to extreme limits of grip n’ spin. “Cash Days is the biggest and richest Harley race in the world and gets better every year!” finished Beland. So come to nostalgic Shadyside Dragway on April 24-25 for today’s cutting edge of motorcycle drag racing and the BIG fun that is a huge part of the Cash Days experience. Test and tune starts on Thursday, with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. and the track hot at 6:00 p.m. Gates open at noon on Friday with the track hot at 5:00 p.m. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. Saturday with the track hot at noon. Mike Beland and A1 Cycles thank S&S Cycle, Star Racing, Death Metal Racing, Maxx ECU, Super Duper Motorcycles, Snipes Machine, Cal Tire, Murray Performance, All American Cycle, All Harley World Shootout, G-Force Racing, GRC, T-Man Performance, Jet Hot Coatings, Drag V Twin, High Voltage Harley Davidson, Infrastructure Utilities and Management, C&S Machine Works, and Impact Wiring Solutions. This story was originally published on April 20, 2026. The post Cash Days 4 Bagger Race Brings Grudge Atmosphere This Weekend first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

When a timing system malfunction potentially affected the outcome of the semifinal match between multi-time Mid-West Drag Racing Series Pro Mod champion Keith Haney and 2020 PDRA Elite Top Sportsman world champion Buddy Perkinson Saturday night at the PDRA East Coast Nationals, Perkinson faced a tough decision. He could either accept PDRA officials’ ruling to rerun the race or decline the offer, accepting his loss to Haney. In a move that didn’t surprise anyone who knows the humble young driver from Virginia, he declined the rerun with a simple reasoning: “We lost that round and he won.” The issue occurred during the staging process under the lights at Darana Motorsports Park – Benson, NC. Haney and Perkinson sat in the pre-stage beams for a few moments, then Haney rolled in to stage. Right after, Perkinson’s top bulbs went out, followed by the stage bulbs illuminating. The three ambers dropped and both drivers left, with Haney’s .053 reaction time leading Perkinson’s .100. Haney, who made the last-minute trip to Darana when the MWDRS season opener was rained out, won with a 3.664 at 206.48 to Perkinson’s 3.691 at 204.79. PDRA officials, led by Series Director Tyler Crossnoe, put racing on hold as they reviewed footage and went to work identifying and fixing the problem. It was determined the timing system and the tree did malfunction, so officials told Haney and Perkinson they would rerun the race. Perkinson, however, declined the opportunity, allowing Haney to focus on his final-round matchup against eventual winner Tommy Franklin. On Monday morning, Perkinson took to social media to explain his side of the situation. “In drag racing, we are not supposed to have second chances,” Perkinson said. “Yes, the lights messed up my focus for sure. But [they] also very well could have messed up Keith Haney. If I would have went red and assumed I was deep staged or something of that matter, then I would have rerun, but I confirmed with Tyler that the tree dropped correctly for both of us and I was not actually deep staged, and the truth is we both missed the tree and he beat me. “If I would have won that round on a holeshot, I would have not felt right to rerun,” Perkinson continued. “There are plenty of times where a rerun is the correct thing to do. But for me, my feeling was that this is a heads-up race and the tree dropped and he was the better car that round and beat me to the finish line. “If we would have rerun and we won the round, much less the race, I wouldn’t have felt in my heart I won,” Perkinson added. “Everyone will have a different opinion and that’s OK, but for me, I let the button go late and I watched out the window Haney cross the finish line in front of me. We lost that round and he won.” This story was originally published on April 20, 2026. The post Buddy Perkinson Explains Decision to Decline Rerun in Pro Nitrous Semifinals at PDRA East Coast Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

In the pantheon of postmodern motorcycling, Deus Ex Machina occupies a space somewhere between a workshop and a cathedral. Since roaring out of Sydney in 2006, the ‘God from the Machine’ has preached a gospel of inclusiveness and run-what-you-brung resourcefulness. They’ve customized everything from... View the full article