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Moto News Weekly Wrap March 18, 2026 What’s New: MA seeks volunteer marshals for MXGP of Australia 2026 Club rider applications open for ISDE 2026 Stark launches Stark OxMoto EnduroGP Team Tai Woffinden bows out of SGP 2026 X-Trial Lisbon cancelled 2026 FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar teams revealed Fox Racing renews MX85 Cup AusProMX support […] The post Moto News | SGP | X-Trial | MX | Rally-Raid | Ice Speedway appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

2026 Triumph Daytona 660 Updates The 2026 Triumph Daytona 660 has arrived in Australian dealers with a few choice tweaks to improve the popular sportsbike, which continues to be available in both a 42 kW LAMS version, and full berries and torque option – at 70 kW and adding a bit more top-ish end torque. […] The post New up-spec Daytona 660 arrives for 2026 at $15,500 ride-away appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

When six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders rolls into Phoenix this weekend for the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals, she’ll be pulling double duty, competing in both Pro Stock and Pro Mod. Fresh off her second appearance at the Drag Illustrated Winter Series, Enders will pilot the signature red Rick Jones/Modern Racing-built screw-blown Camaro for Elite Motorsports. “I’m excited to see where Pro Mod’s going, and as attractive as the big purses are, we’re trophy racers,” admitted Enders. “We go for the Wally, right? Winning an NHRA national event and being awarded a Wally, that’s the pinnacle of the sport, so I’m excited to have a second shot at it this weekend in addition to Pro Stock.” It will be the first time Enders has competed in quarter-mile Pro Mod since suffering a horrific season-ending fire at Norwalk in 2019. While not a fond memory, Enders says she has moved past the incident through her time in the Winter Series, and with the improvements in safety and technology, is excited about jumping back into quarter-mile action. “We’ve had a lot of rules changed since then, and I’m a firm believer that it’s our job as current racers to make it safer than for the next people that jump in any sort of race car,” Enders said. “When you’re going 250-plus miles per hour in a short wheel-based race car, it’s not exactly safe, but I’m confident in our equipment, our team, and my driving capabilities. I’m excited about our program that we put together with Justin Elkes and Modern, and I’m going to focus on the excitement of getting to drive another really badass race car.” Enders is no stranger to pulling double duty throughout the course of her career. She’s driven in multiple classes at countless NHRA national events, whether in Pro Stock and Pro Mod, Pro Stock and Mountain Motor Pro Stock, or Pro Stock and Competition Eliminator. Her strict procedure in the cockpit remains the same regardless of the car, so she doesn’t see it as an issue. The only potential problem in her mind is simply one thing: time. “Pro Mod immediately follows Pro Stock on Saturday and Sunday,” said Enders. “We’re in the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge since we made it to the semi’s in Gainesville, so I’ll be at the back of Pro Stock. Since I haven’t competed in NHRA Pro Mod (this year), I’ll be closer to the front of the pack, so the switchover is going to be the challenge as far as me switching from my 15 to my 20 suit, and the different shoes and helmet. I’m just gonna have to swap my equipment as fast as I can so I don’t hold anybody up.” On the Pro Stock side of things, Enders is feeling confident after a much better start to the season than a year ago. Despite KB Titan Racing rivals Matt Hartford and Greg Anderson making it to the final round, Enders has already seen a vast improvement in performance with the Elite cars, which will only get better as the season progresses. “We’re in the realm of things this year, whereas last year, it was just crazy to show up at a track and be that far behind,” Enders said. “It’s not something we’ve been used to at Elite. But that’s part of the cycle of Pro Stock. There are years when KB’s on top, and then there are times when we won four out of five world titles consecutively. It’s just peaks and valleys, and we’ve gone to work on our program from a lot of different aspects. “I don’t want to make excuses, but we had a pretty tough year at Elite last year – not just performance-wise, but with a lot of our key players’ health,” Enders continued. “We’re super, super blessed that they’re still with us, and they’re getting better and healthier, and we have the whole band back together. I think that that is a big part of why we’re headed in the right direction.” With nearly everything – and everyone – back in place, the Elite Motorsports camp was busy testing their brand-new race package prior to the season starting, and while Enders says there’s still a lot of work to be done, they have everything in place to succeed. The best equipment, the best crew, and a roster filled with NHRA national champions and even the most recent World Series of Pro Mod champion in Aaron Stanfield. “Before the World Series of Pro Mod, we spent a week in Gainesville with all six of our Pro Stock cars,” said Enders. “We made 25 passes per car times six cars, so we’re accumulating data. It’s just gonna take time for us to perfect this package we’re working on. With the way the Countdown to the Championship is structured, we’re okay. We’re going to continue to get better and make sure we position ourselves to have a chance to go after the world title this year. “I feel like with the talent we have under the Elite Motorsports awning, the sky is the limit,” Enders added. “We have a great group of people with a huge talent pool – whether you’re talking crew chiefs, tuners, or drivers. From the Coughlin legacy with two Coughlins under our tent, to the Stanfield legacy with Greg and Aaron racing with us, to what we’ve built with me and Elite, to Stephen Bell and all the drivers. It’s pretty cool if you just step back and get a bird’s eye view of it, how much talent is actually there, and I’m excited to be a small part of it.” This story was originally published on March 17, 2026. The post Erica Enders Ready to Pull Double Duty in Arizona, Competing in NHRA Pro Mod for First Time Since 2019 first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Bagger World Cup Australia will have just one rider on the grid when the inaugural FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup roars into life at Circuit of The Americas later this month, with young Archie McDonald carrying the local hopes into a championship still taking shape alarmingly close to its first race weekend. McDonald is the […] The post Archie McDonald flies the Aussie flag as Bagger World Cup grid takes shape appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

FuelTech officially sponsors the 2026 Motorsport UK British Drag Racing Championship. This partnership elevates the Pro Modified class.View the full article

Freiburger loves a road trip. I’ve been fortunate enough to be on several with him over the years, and he’s the king of a side trip and of just following wherever the trip takes you. He loves Americana and historic places, and on this video here you are going to get a good taste of some great abandoned spots and Americana. Of course the fact that he’s doing this trip behind the wheel of an iconic American machine only makes it better. His 1968 Ford Galaxie is a great road trip machine, with lots of room for collecting goodies on the road, and a back seat you can actually sleep in. Check out the video below and let us know what sites are your favorites. Video Description: In this D/F video I’m road tripping and adventuring in my new to me 1968 Ford Galaxie 500 four-door sedan! It’s the nicest boring car ever! I used it to drive 1,700 miles through Arizona, New Mexico, and Text to see abandoned Americana including ghost towns, old gas stations, vintage theaters, 1940s garages, and lots more! Come along for this ride, it’s so worth it. The post ROAD TRIP GOLD! Freiburger Highlights Abandoned Places and Americana From His 1968 Ford Galaxie Road Trip! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Even as they grieve the very recent loss of one of their own, the Nitro Harley racers of the American Motorcycle Racing Association (AMRA) all-Harley drag racing series prepare to kick off their 2026 season at Belle Rose, Louisiana’s No Problem Raceway this weekend, March 20-22. Attempting to step up in class from her Pro Fuel bike, Hayley Caulk lost her life while testing a Nitro Funnybike this past Sunday in Texas. The very personable and popular racer was widely mourned on social media and will be greatly missed in Louisiana as her fellow competitors race in her honor. The thundering Johnny Mancuso’s Circle M Ranch Top Fuel bikes will do battle for the first time since Rockingham in October. Chris Stewart Racing’s Jordan Peterson is expected to be joined by Finland’s Samu Kemppainen—if his mount is fully repaired from his vicious Rockingham crash. 2024 winner Rickey “Sharkey” House is expected, as is 2025 rookie sensation Paul Anderson. Bad Apple Racing’s Jimmy “Mac” McMillan and Cameron “Flash” Gunter will race while team boss Tracy Kile focusses on tuning and turning wrenches. The Armon Furr Nitro Funnybikes of former champ Jim Doyle and class newcomer Ken “Stubby” Hultman will do battle with anyone who comes to race. Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel features the largest nitro field, with “Bad Apple Mary” Dangrow on hand to defend her championship. Hot Rod Carlisle expects to challenge on Harriet Ann and Michael Blair’s bike, and former champ Sam White wants his crown back. Al Balice, Curt Sexton, Jim “Bad Influence” Martin, Loren Potter, John Jenkins, Jay Beasley, Kyle Rogers, Walter Halonski and more will all be on hand. Gas Harleys will fill the lanes to race Zipper’s Performance Pro Bagger, Thundermax Street Bagger, Pro Outlaw, Axtell Cylinders Hot Street, Zipper’s Performance Modified, Top Eliminator 9.30, Huffman Performance Super Gas 9.90, BK Electric Super Pro 10.30, Thundermax Street Eliminator 11.50, Pro Eliminator 10.90, and Baker Drivetrain Eliminator. Everyone will be racing with heavy hearts. Join us as we honor one of our own. Test and tune is Friday from 5:00 to 10:00 pm. Qualifying starts at noon on Saturday, with eliminations at noon on Sunday. Can’t make it to the track? Watch the race LIVE on https://motormaniatv.com/ The track website is https://www.racenpr.com/ The AMRA website is https://amralive.com/ This story was originally published on March 17, 2026. The post Nitro Harleys Open ’26 Season at No Problem Raceway first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

(Photos by Kim Fuller) • The 53rd Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Boise Roadster Show is Idaho’s premier indoor custom car event, with a long-standing tradition dating back to the inception in 1973. It’s often described as the state’s largest motorsports gathering, featuring an impressive display of vehicles from across Idaho and Pacific Northwest. The show is produced in association with Firebird Raceway by the New Family and held annually spanning three days in March, filling three buildings with hundreds of exhibits. The top honor, the coveted Goldmark Award (Best of Show/Best Custom), went to Charlie & Alanna Butts from Loomis, California, for their stunning 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible. Built by Roseville Rods & Customs, this show stopper took home $2,000 cash, the iconic Goldmark Eagle statue, widely regarded as the pinnacle achievement at the Boise Roadster Show. With many fine Rod & Custom shops in the area, this Chevy K10 was built by Kenny’s Rod Shop, debuting at the show The oldest Drag Racing event on the Firebird Raceway schedule is the 55th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener set for May 14-17, featuring AA/Nitro Funny Cars at Idaho’s first of two major NHRA Heritage Series stops this season. CHECK OUT OUR FIRST OF TWO GALLERIES FROM BOISE! The post 53rd Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Boise Roadster Show – Idaho’s Biggest! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

In the early 1970s, the Triumph Trident T150 was a machine caught between two worlds. With its 741cc transverse triple producing  58 bhp and a top speed north of 115 mph, it had the heart of a champion. Yet, it struggled to maintain its footing against the "Superbike" onslaught from Japan. By 1... View the full article

Martino Race Engines is stepping up as a sponsor for Small Tire Pro Stock, a racing series for cars with naturally aspirated combinations capable of running mid-7’s to low-8’s in the quarter mile. Martino Race Engines, which opened nearly 25 years ago, is located in Farmingdale, New Jersey. It is owned by Tom Martino, who successfully raced in NHRA Pro Stock in the 1990’s and 2000’s with engines he built. He secured several wins in that time. Inside of a 5,000 square-foot facility, Martino Race Engines designs, builds, tunes and maintains a variety of engines, with the majority of them being Chevrolet and Ford engines. “We do everything from street rod engines to circle track engines, Open-Wheel Modified engines, race marine engines, drag race engines and more,” said Martino. Martino Race Engines is highly regarded in the motorsports industry, and customers come from all over to have their high-horsepower engines built and dialed-in, including Joe Clemente, who is a standout racer in Small Tire Pro Stock and earned a championship in the former NMCA Dart NA 10.5 class. “As a former NHRA Pro Stock racer, I appreciate what Small Tire Pro Stock racers and their teams are doing,” said Martino. “It is in my blood to make naturally aspirated cars go as quick and fast as they can, and to want to see naturally aspirated cars go as quick and fast as they can, so I support what Small Tire Pro Stock racers and their teams are doing.” Upcoming Small Tire Pro Stock races will take place May 22-23 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Illinois, as part of Nostalgia Drag Racing League Route 66 Rockabilly Reunion; July 10-11 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indiana, as part of Nostalgia Drag Racing League Hot Rod Nationals presented by Ray Skillman Automotive Group; August 8-9 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, as part of Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series NHRA North Central Division 3 Divisional Race; September 11-12 at Darana Raceway in Ohio, as part of Nostalgia Drag Racing League World Nostalgia Drags and October 23-25 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, as part of NHRA North Central Divisional Division 3 Fall Classic. For information about Martino Race Engines, call 732-919-0024 or visit Facebook.com/MartinoRaceEngines. For information about Small Tire Pro Stock, email smalltireprostock@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/SmallTireProStock. This story was originally published on March 17, 2026. The post Martino Race Engines Joins Small Tire Pro Stock as Sponsor first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

That’s right folks, American Powertrain just dropped their New Body Style GMT800 stick shift swap kits! Available with a 5-speed Tremec TKX or a 6-speed Tremec Magnum, these kits make your Silverado or Sierra a riot to drive again. Everyone knows that a car or truck with a stick shift feels faster, more fun, and cooler, plus chicks dig it. If you want to join the Save The Stick revolution, check out the video below for more information, and use the link to start your order. ProFit MAGNUM Installation Kit for 1999-06 Chevy NBS/GMT800 Trucks Standard Kit includes: TREMEC Magnum 6-Speed Double Overdrive with 700 ft/lbs of torque capacity and 8000 rpm shifting! White Lightning Mid-Shift – Original shift position Driveshaft Slip Yoke – Cryogenically hardened steel Transmission Mount – Polyurethane Bolt in Adjustable Crossmember All in One Wiring Harness White Shifter Knob Hardware, Instructions, Warranty Requires 6-speed bell housing. See options below If you do not know what parts you need click here to get a quick quote or call our sales dept at 931-646-4836 Optional Parts: Hydramax Hydraulic Clutch Bell housing Flywheel Shifter Handle The post Check Out The NEW GMT800/NBS GM Truck 5&6 Speed Manual TransmissioConversions From American Powertrain! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Doug Kalitta is feeling confident heading into Phoenix this weekend for the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs, the second stop in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Kalitta was the runner up at the NHRA Gatornationals two weeks ago missing the race win when the Mac Tools dragster dropped a cylinder almost immediately. It was Kalitta’s fourth final round in Gainesville, Fla., but the first time he did not win the race after reaching the final. “We definitely feel confident going into Phoenix after the first race of the year,” said Kalitta. “The Mac Tools car was running really well all day. For some crazy reason, it dropped that cylinder in the final, but that was a good start for us; obviously, any time you can go rounds, it’s a good thing. My guys are looking pretty good; we should be in good shape for Phoenix this weekend. When Kalitta advanced to the semifinals two weeks ago in Gainesville, he earned a spot in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge this weekend. During Saturday’s qualifying sessions, the drivers who reached the semifinals in Gainesville will re-run the semifinals and final earning additional purse and championship bonus points. “It’s nice to be back in the Mission Foods event,” Kalitta said. “It’s fun racing on Saturday; it kind of gets you a little more ready for Sunday. I think it’s something the fans enjoy, and I think the racers do as well. When Mission Foods started this thing, I have to admit, I thought it was a great idea and certainly appreciated by our team and anybody else I’ve ever talked to about it.” Kalitta has one win and five runner-up finishes along with seven No. 1 qualifiers at Firebird Motorsports Park. One year ago, he was the No. 1 qualifier and lost to his teammate, Shawn Langdon in the final round. With this weekend’s Phoenix weather forecast featuring record-high temperatures, the race weekend schedule moved earlier in anticipation of the extreme desert heat. Qualifying will begin at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and Sunday’s elimination rounds will also begin at 10 a.m. “It should be interesting with the heat this weekend; it supposed to be in the 70s in the morning, so it’ll be a big temperature swing during the day,” said Kalitta. “With the new times we’re running, the conditions might not be too bad. Maybe on Sunday, it might be a little different, but everybody will have a couple days on the track to see what we need to do to keep the thing hooked up. “I look forward to it. It’s just another element to what we’re doing. Really, I think, between the guys that work on my car and Alan and Mac (Crew Chief Alan Johnson and Assistant Crew Chief Mac Savage), the guys that tune the thing, are just incredible. I think they’re more than capable of having a very competitive car under any conditions. I’m very fortunate that when I look up, Alan is the guy adjusting my clutch controller – it doesn’t get much better than that.” Kalitta’s 59 race wins place him fourth all-time in Top Fuel wins and 12th overall. His 66 career No. 1 qualifiers place him tied with Kenny Bernstein for seventh all-time. He is also seventh all-time in round wins. This story was originally published on March 17, 2026. The post Doug Kalitta Primed for Desert Heat at Second Race of NHRA Season first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The all-electric powersports company Taiga was recently resurrected, and it's already back building new electric snowmobiles and even expanding its lineup.View the full article

Monster was always more my energy drink jam, and I'm a firm Ferrari and Aprilia supporter, but hot damn does HJC's new Red Bull Ring-liveried RPHA 60 motorcycle helmet look dope. View the full article

We’ve got big news coming out of the Funny Car Chaos camp as they are kicking off the 2026 season with TWO big Funny Car shows you won’t want to miss. With 32 cars battling it out at BOTH of the first two events of the season, you know it is going to be a good time. And at two of our favorite dragstrips no less! Tulsa Raceway Park and The Texas Motorplex will both host these huge races, just two weeks apart. Check out all the info from Funny Car Chaos below, and use the links to get tickets and come hang out with us! Funny Car Chaos Set To Kick Off 2026 With Back-to-Back 32 Car Showcases In its ninth season of competition, the Funny Car Chaos Championship Drag Racing Series is gearing up for two huge outlaw funny car shows to kick off the 2026 season. With thirty-two plus teams from across the country pre-entered for both Osage Casino Tulsa Raceway Park, March 26-28th and the Texas Motorplex, April 9-11th, this is the first time in series history that the magical thirty two car fields will be contested back-to-back to open a season. Most had thought numbers like this would never be seen again in modern drag racing after being commonplace decades ago, but the Chaos has proven time and time again that funny cars are stating the test of time as a fan favorite. The Chaos race format continues to successfully appeal to all teams, who get in where they fit in, without having to strain their budgets beyond their limits. Flip top floppers of all kinds from across the United States are preparing for two lane combat in the first and second of seven points races on tour this year. In 2025, the FCC action was rained out not once, but twice at Tulsa Raceway Park. The series has yet to actually contest a burnout at the facility. Racers and fans alike are amped for the long awaited debut of FCC in the state of Oklahoma. Two weeks later, the one and only Funny Car Chaos Classic takes over the historic Texas Motorplex in a ‘chaos double-down’ weekend also featuring the DMP Awnings Nitro Chaos series. This sixth annual edition of the unrivaled event will be jam packed with action which will also include the Dirty South Gassers and Texas Drag Racing Association. “It seems like we are in a state of the wild wild west in drag racing right now,” says series owner Chris Graves. “We are very thankful for the continued support our Chaos racers and despite all the things going on in the drag racing world and in our great country itself, seeing thirty-two plus funny cars pre-entered for our first two events of 2026 is nothing short of awesome!” Nebraska’s Justin Herbst will come into the event as the defending series champion and will look to continue his strong performances in the Wulff Pumps ‘C’ Field to kick off his title defense. Last season’s second place points finisher Kieth Zimmerer of Texas has posted very strong numbers in pre-season testing and looks to be a top contender in the Rodak’s Coffee ‘A’ Field competition. 2025 Rookie of the Year Brian Lewis has his eyes on the prize and former series Champion Kirk Williams will certainly be one to keep an eye on. A wild mix of nitro burning, blown alcohol, new school and old school funny cars will be ready to strut their stuff in Oklahoma and Texas. All the cars have names, all the drivers have autograph cards, there’s no red tape or scheduled autograph sessions at the Chaos. The drivers are eager to meet and interact with the fans and kiddos all day long. The back up girls and ready to do their thing out on the track. The CHAOS delivers a one-of-a-kind family friendly drag racing experience with only one rule, having fun! Tickets are on sale now at www.tulsaracewaypark.com and www.texasmotorplex.com. For those unable to attend in person, the event at Tulsa Raceway Park will be live streaming on the FCC YouTube channel and the Texas Motorplex event will be streamed through www.FloRacing.com. Funny Car Chaos will ride this early season momentum into the highly anticipated series debut at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio on May 21-23rd in another ‘chaos double-down’ including the Nitro Chaos series. From there stops are scheduled at Great Lakes Dragaway, Byron Dragway and Mo-Kan Dragway before the Chaos crowns its Champions in September at Cordova Dragway. Exhibition events are also slated for Penwell Knights Raceway and Eddyville Raceway Park this season. Get caught up with all the action, schedules and more at www.funnycarchaos.com The post Funny Car Chaos Set To Kick Off 2026 Season With Back-to-Back 32 Car Showcases! It’s A Funny Car Extravaganza! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Retired helmets can help firefighters and paramedics practice safe removal techniques during crash-response training, so long as you donate them and not throw them out.View the full article

The FIM's 'She Leads Mentorship Programme' aims at connecting experienced leaders with aspiring professionals to help strengthen career pathways across motorcycling.View the full article

Watch Honda's 2027 850cc prototype MotoGP bike roar down the Sepang International Circuit during a secret test.View the full article

The Flying Flea C6 has been spotted testing again in India as Royal Enfield continues development of its retro-styled electric motorcycle.View the full article

A tiny EV scooter with radar, connectivity, and 90 miles of range sounds wild. But could it actually make sense in US cities?View the full article

We’ve shared three of Joe’s great photo galleries so far, but we’ve got the final one left right here! If you missed the previous galleries, use the link below to check them all out too. And as always, a big thank you to Joe for sending in such great stuff to share! You’ll dig this! (Words and Photos by Joe Grippo) Here in the northeast section of the country we are in the deep freeze so most of the fun stuff moves indoors. We took a break from off season race car upgrades and maintenance, and made trip to Lebanon, Pennsylvania to check out the DragFest Indoor Drag Racing Showcase. It’s a great static gathering of drag cars, show cars and more. A few area dragstrips were in attendance handing out 2026 schedules along with a few of the cars that are regulars at their facilities. Numidia Raceway and South Mountain Dragway were set up loud and proud. A bunch of racing clubs displayed member cars and promoted their upcoming appearances. Back Seat Drivers a group of vintage style front engine dragsters and the Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Drag Racing Association (MANDA) each dominated a few of the rooms at the Lebanon Convention Center. This year’s show had some amazing survivors and barn find type stuff. Check out the 1957 Ford with twin carbed Y-Block and Paxton Supercharger, the killer tunnel rammed big block chevy powered ’68 Camaro resplendent in B/MP trim, complete with a quarte window full of Atco Dragway kill stickers! Killer stuff. My favorite machine in show was the Survivor 1971 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler street machine; you can’t miss it in the gallery! A real deal time capsule from the early ‘70’s, this is one of only 353 Spoilers built in 1971, which is special enough, but the wild custom paint job and body work applied in ’73 is mind-blowing. The colors, design layout, and murals kept me coming back to it all day. And don’t sleep on the extra-stuffed diamond tufted custom interior with that crazy console! Dig into the photos for much more! CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED THE PREVIOUS DRAG FEST PHOTOS WE POSTED! The gang at Motorama Productions put this and other shows on throughout the year. I’ll be hitting a few more soon. The post Here’s Our Final Gallery From The Drag Racing Showcase at the I-24 Lebanon Dragfest 2026 appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Arizona native Dylan Winefsky tackles the NHRA Arizona Nationals. He pilots the Nitro Moose Funny Car in scorching desert heat.View the full article

Rachel Meyer, now known as Rachel Meyer-Curl, is finally returning to the driver’s seat. After stepping away from full-time national competition at the end of the 2021 season, the former NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion will make her return to championship-level racing in the new IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series, where she plans to pursue the Top Alcohol Dragster world title. For Meyer-Curl, the comeback is less about unfinished business and more about a renewed passion for the sport that has shaped her entire life. Born into the legendary Randy Meyer Racing family, Rachel grew up immersed in drag racing. Over the years she built an impressive résumé in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster category, highlighted by winning multiple Central Region championships and, of course, her unforgettable 2021 NHRA World Championship season. That year Meyer dominated the class, capturing seven victories in sixteen events and recording a personal best speed of 285.5 mph—cementing her reputation as one of the fastest and most consistent drivers in the sport. But after the championship season, Meyer-Curl made the decision to step back from the national tour to focus on growing her family, honing her skills at bracket racing, and taking on a larger role with her dad and the crew of the Randy Meyer Racing team. In the years since, Meyer-Curl has remained deeply involved in the sport, continuing to race occasionally. Even with a reduced schedule, Meyer-Curl has proven she hasn’t lost her edge behind the wheel. In 2023 she returned to competition for the Mo-Kan Nitro Chaos event and drove to victory. She followed that performance by capturing the IHRA Ironman at Darana Dragway 42 in 2025, reminding fans and competitors alike that she remains a force when given the opportunity. Now, with the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series continuing to grow and showcase some of the quickest cars in drag racing, Meyer sees the perfect opportunity to return to a championship chase. “This will be my first year running for an IHRA championship, and I look forward to coming out of the gates swinging,” said Meyer-Curl. “I am very excited to be back on the road racing with my parents again, and I know it’s going to be a fun time. It will be interesting racing to the eighth-mile, but I will do my best job as a driver and being the clutch mechanic between runs.” Meyer-Curl’s return will be supported by Hedinger’s Equipment, a company specializing in tow trucks, wreckers, and towing equipment sales in the Indianapolis area. The partnership carries special meaning for the Meyer family, as Hedinger’s represents the same industry that Randy and Mary Meyer built their business around for decades with Meyer Truck Center before selling the company in 2023. “Hedinger’s Equipment is proud to sponsor and support Rachel as she makes her comeback chasing the IHRA Championship, returning stronger, faster, and more determined than ever,” said Tim Hedinger, Founder of Hedinger’s Equipment. The program will also be supported by long-time partner of Randy Meyer Racing, NGK Spark Plugs, with a focus on promoting the performance advantage of pairing NGK spark plugs with NGK ignition coils – a combination referred to as the “Dynamic Duo” for maximizing engine performance and reliability in high-horsepower applications. “There’s no sport quite like drag racing; raw, unforgiving, and built for those who refuse to back down. Rachel is exactly that kind of competitor, and we’re proud to support her return,” said Jackie Donahue, Group Marketing Manager – Aftermarket at Niterra North America, Inc. “We’ll be cheering her on every step of the way as she chases a championship this season.” With Randy Meyer Racing continuing to field championship-caliber Top Alcohol Dragsters in the NHRA and a new opportunity emerging within the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series, Meyer-Curl’s return signals an exciting new chapter for both the driver and the team. Fans will once again see Rachel Meyer-Curl strapped into a nitro-burning dragster, chasing win lights and pursuing another championship, while carrying forward the legacy of one of drag racing’s most successful families. And this time, the goal is clear; the IHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world championship. The post Rachel Meyer Returns to Competition, Set to Chase IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series Championship first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

After an encouraging debut on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series last season Funny Car driver Dylan Winefsky is eager to tackle the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals this weekend at Firebird Motorsports Park. The Arizona-based driver made positive strides throughout last season highlighted by a strong qualifying effort in Seattle at the NHRA Northwest Nationals. This year he is backed by several regional sponsors as he looks to build on that strong foundation and continue his drive to on-track success. “We feel really good heading into the Arizona Nationals,” said Winefsky. “We have a lot of support, and I am ready to get back into this Nitro Moose Funny Car. Last year I learned so much and now I want to build on that. The Nitro Funny Car class has gotten even tougher, but I feel good about our chances.” Prior to the NHRA Arizona Nationals Winefsky made a promotional appearance for Lowe’s Home Improvement. The young driver talked with customers and even spent some time on the register. Lowe’s will be highlighted on his 12,000 horsepower Funny Car along with Audio Express, Robert’s Car Care, Outlaw Race Engines and Bob Jackson Body Repair. Queen Creek BBQ Company will be feeding Winefsky’s team this weekend. The support from these companies is appreciated by Winefsky, especially the budding Lowe’s Home Improvement relationship.“We are a single car, family-run team so every dollar matters and we really appreciate all the support we get,” said Winefsky. “Getting involved with Lowe’s even on a small scale was huge. When we went to Lowe’s in Maricopa it was cool to talk with the customers and sign a few autographs. I am hoping to grow that relationship as well as everyone else on our race car.” Over the off-season Winefsky and his father Robert continued to make improvements to his Funny Car in preparation for the 2026 season. Heading into the NHRA Arizona Nationals, the Nitro Moose Funny Car team feels prepared and ready to get the season started. Two weeks ago, Winefsky was part of NHRA legend Johnny West’s Fuel Altered team at the historic March Meet at Famoso Dragstrip. Winefsky drove and worked on the race car which raced to the final round. “I think a Fuel Altered is about as close to a Funny Car as you can get when you are talking about manhandling a race car,” said Winefsky. “Racing at the March Meet is cool and it is always good to get some seat time. Working around Johnny is the best too because you are always learning whether it is how the car goes together or how to drive it. The weekend at the March Meet definitely got me even more excited to get to Firebird Motorsports Park.” Winefsky will be part of a stacked Funny Car field that will be racing in brutally hot conditions this weekend. The NHRA adjusted the schedule to accommodate for the temperatures that are predicted to soar over 100 degrees. The Funny Car teams will get two qualifying runs on Friday, March 20, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. followed by two qualifying sessions on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The quickest 16 Funny Cars will begin eliminations on Sunday, March 22 at 10 a.m. Fans interested in tickets can visit www.nhra.com and for more information on Dylan follow his social media on Facebook and Instagram. The post Funny Car Rising Star Dylan Winefsky Eager for Phoenix Debut first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Bonus racing is back starting this weekend at Firebird Motorsports Park, as the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge returns as part of this weekend’s 41st annual FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs. The unique challenge again brings competitive racing to Saturday qualifying, offering the semifinalists from the previous race – the season-opening Gatornationals, in this instance – the chance at a rematch, a bonus purse and bonus points for the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Now in its fourth year, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge starts in Phoenix and takes place at 13 regular-season events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. It adds a thrilling layer to both rounds of qualifying on Saturday. This weekend’s Challenge will see a pair of drivers making their debut in the bonus race, as Top Fuel rookie Maddi Gordon advanced to the semifinals in her first race, while Jordan Vandergriff did the same in his Funny Car debut for John Force Racing. Coming off a standout performance and win in Gainesville in his first race with John Force Racing, Top Fuel points leader Josh Hart will try to win this bonus race for the first time in his career. The rest of the field in all three classes (Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock) is loaded with talent who have enjoyed plenty of Saturday success in recent seasons. Hart will take on Right Trailer Top Fuel All-Star Callout winner Antron Brown in a Saturday rematch, while Gordon gets reigning world champion and Gainesville runner-up Doug Kalitta, who was lethal during the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge a year ago. He won the overall title and picked up five wins in the bonus race. In Funny Car, Chad Green will look to keep rolling after his second straight Gatornationals win, squaring off with Vandergriff in a semifinal rematch from the opener. The other matchup features a pair of drivers who have won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Phoenix, as J.R. Todd, who took the bonus race in 2024, will race against John Force Racing’s Alexis DeJoria, who won the first-ever Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in 2023 in Phoenix. The Pro Stock trio of reigning world champ Dallas Glenn, Greg Anderson and Matt Hartford combined for eight bonus wins a year ago, including in Phoenix, where area native Hartford beat Anderson in the finals on Saturday. All three are back in the specialty event on Saturday, but six-time world champ Erica Enders has plans of her own. She’ll face off with Anderson in yet another rematch of one of the sport’s biggest rivalries, while Hartford and Glenn will also tussle, as Hartford looks to keep rolling after winning in Gainesville for the first time to open 2026. The “Duel in the Desert” will feature earlier start times this year due to the pending heat, but the action will remain memorable as all the stars look to shine during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season. A 75th anniversary Diamond Wally trophy is on the line this weekend in Phoenix, while fans can expect multiple highlights at Firebird Motorsports Park, including: An appearance from NHRA legend and four-time world champion Don Prudhomme, as well as Charlie Allen and Jon Lundberg. Prudhomme’s iconic career and legacy in NHRA Drag Racing will be celebrated throughout the weekend as the race’s historic moment, a theme that will take place at all races in 2026. Prudhomme will be featured on the unique commemorative ticket for the race. Fans can scan the onsite signs at the track to purchase the commemorative ticket, which will be available for purchase online all season and will be distinctive to each event. On Friday, a free, limited-edition rally towel will be given to the first 3,000 fans in attendance to take in two rounds of pro qualifying. A new-look Nitro Mall and special 75th anniversary displays. Last season, Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Paul Lee (Funny Car), and Anderson (Pro Stock) each earned wins in Phoenix. This year’s race will be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 22. Friday qualifying will begin at 9:30 a.m. local time on Friday with Pro Stock, followed by Funny Car and Top Fuel. The second session is slated to start at 12 p.m. On Saturday, Top Fuel will open the day at 10 a.m., followed by Funny Car and Pro Stock. The final qualifying session is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. with Top Fuel. Sunday eliminations will be bumped an hour earlier as well, with the first round of eliminations slated for 10 a.m. local time. Gates will open at 7 a.m. Friday through Sunday, with action in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series to begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. on Sunday. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10 p.m. ET. on Friday and 12 p.m. on Sunday, leading into eliminations at 6:30 p.m. ET. To purchase tickets to the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com. This story was originally published on March 16, 2026. The post First Mission #2Fast2Tasty Matchups of 2026 Set for NHRA’s Return to Firebird Motorsports Park first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article