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Krista Baldwin will make her return to NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel competition this weekend at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, bringing with her a heartfelt tribute to one of the sport’s most iconic pioneers – her grandfather, Chris “The Greek” Karamesines. Backed by Red Line Oil, Composite Specialties, and Seefried Ranch, Baldwin returns to the Top Fuel ranks at one of the NHRA tour’s marquee events with a special family celebration at the center of the weekend. Karamesines, a legendary figure in drag racing history and one of the original stars of NHRA Top Fuel competition, will serve as the event’s honorary legend of the weekend. To celebrate his impact on the sport and his family legacy, Baldwin’s Top Fuel dragster will feature a special signature tribute design honoring “The Greek.” The design will be officially unveiled on the starting line during the first qualifying session on Friday. “This weekend means so much to me personally and professionally,” said Baldwin. “To return to Top Fuel competition while also celebrating my grandfather and everything he’s meant to the sport is incredibly special. He paved the way for generations of racers, including me, and I’m proud to honor him on our race car this weekend.” Baldwin’s return also marks the beginning of a new collaboration with crew chief Ron Douglas, who has spent the last several weeks working closely with Baldwin and her team to prepare the car for competition at one of NHRA’s most historic venues. Douglas brings decades of Top Fuel and nitro experience to the operation and has been instrumental in ensuring the team is race-ready heading into Joliet. “Ron has worked tirelessly to help get this program prepared,” Baldwin said. “His experience and leadership have already made a huge impact, and I’m excited to work alongside him this weekend.” The NHRA Route 66 Nationals marks Baldwin’s first Top Fuel appearance of the 2026 season and comes at a venue rich with family history and memorable moments for the Karamesines racing legacy. Qualifying for the NHRA Route 66 Nationals begins Friday at Route 66 Raceway, with eliminations scheduled for Sunday. The post Krista Baldwin Returns to NHRA Top Fuel Competition at Route 66 Nationals With Special Tribute to “The Greek” first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Classic car auctions, hell any car auction, is a good time. Auctions in general are a fun way to maybe get a deal and to have a better time doing it than just walking up and making a purchase. They have a mood, an energy, and there are lots of companies out there having auctions all over the world. Big ones like Mecum and Barrett-Jackson have created an entirely new entertainment industry inside the purchasing of cars and we love them for it. There are a lot of great cars, trucks, and more going up for auction this week at Mecum Indy, so watch the live video feed from the block and let us know what you think is the best deal of the weekend! Video Description: Join us LIVE from Dana Mecum’s 39th Original Spring Classic for Day 7 of Mecum Indy 2026, one of the most anticipated auction events of the year. From May 8th through May 16th, watch more than 2,500 vehicles cross the auction block, spanning every era and category of the automotive world. From historic icons and rare examples to quirky finds and timeless classics, the lineup delivers something for every kind of enthusiast. Tune into the Mecum live auction block cam and experience the action as it happens, with real-time bidding, last-second decisions, and unforgettable auction moments unfolding right before your eyes. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, an active bidder, or simply love great motorcycles, this is the place to be. Online bidding is available throughout the event. Visit mecum.com to register, place your bids, and explore the full auction lineup. Please note this live stream is delayed by up to 30 seconds. Event Details: – Dates: May 8-16, 2026 – Location: Indianapolis, Indiana @ Indiana State Fairgrounds The post Mecum Classic Car Auction Indy Is LIVE Right Here! Watch All The Bidding Action On Your Favorites. appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

A journey that began with a letter in 1965 continues to this day, and should inspire you to never stop riding.View the full article

Elite Motorsports brings its full stable of racers to Route 66 Raceway. Tony Stewart is ready to bring home another Chicago win.View the full article

The Bashan BS1200-G is a Chinese made cruiser with Italian ties and a Harley-Davidson motor, well, sort of.View the full article

We tested alternators, engine driven fans, and other accessories on the dyno years ago and I can tell you that most of the accessories on the front of your engine take very little power to turn under most circumstances. Sure, under extreme loads maybe your alternator takes a bit more power. And under extreme loads maybe your power steering pump uses more power, but in the grand scheme of things, none of those accessories really suck up that much. But what about that engine driven fan? If you have ever had one of those pinwheels on a stick that you got at an amusement park, and have swung them around trying to get the most speed out of them, you know that when you push it through the air fast you can feel the physical load on the stick through your hand and arm. That’s because it takes some force to spin those things, especially at big speed where it will load the fan blades the most. So it should come as no surprise that they do take some horsepower to spin. Some applications claim 10-12 horsepower when converting from an engine driven fan to an electric. But what is reality? And does the kind of mechanical fan matter? Check it out in the dyno video below to see if you can guess how much it really takes. Video Description: Today we dyno test water pump driven mechanical engine cooling fans. How much horsepower do they sacrifice from your engine ? We test stock oem style 4 blade steel fan, plastic flex fan, and a Gorsuch FC-10000 racing fan. Dirt and asphalt circle track racers will want to see this. The post How Much Horsepower Does An Engine Driven Cooling Fan Really Take From Your Engine? appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

BMW just put a powertrain specialist in charge, and that may tell us exactly where motorcycles are headed next. View the full article

Chris King is ready to make his 2026 NHRA debut. The Chicago native is excited to race at Route 66 Raceway in front of his friends and family.View the full article

BMW may have just leaked the biggest, most unhinged cafe racer of the modern era through an Instagram post by none other than Markus Flasch. View the full article

The new "non-running bike" restart rule could incentivize riders to hug a bike as it careered across the track to save precious time during qualifying. But at what cost?View the full article

This Audi R8 was taken to a new level by Cicio Performance. Check out what Cicio did to JR Pines R8 to make it crank out 1,400 horsepower.View the full article

The 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS SE keeps the Z1-inspired look but gains the electronics, throttle refinement and extra polish the retro Zed has long deserved. The post 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS SE Review | Old-school Zed, new-school polish appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Electric off-road bikes do away with engine oil, fuel and plenty of traditional service items, but Stark has confirmed its VARG machines still rely on specific MOTOREX gear oil, coolant and brake fluid. The post Stark VARG still needs oil — just not where you might expect appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

MotoGP heads to Catalunya with Aprilia carrying major momentum after its Le Mans podium lockout, Ducati missing Marc Marquez, and Jorge Martin closing to within a point of Marco Bezzecchi. The post Catalunya next test for Aprilia as Ducati regroups without Marc Marquez appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

KTM’s 2027 XC and XC-F cross-country line-up has been revealed, with the Australia-only 125 XC a surprising but welcome addition to the range. The post KTM sharpens cross-country line-up with 2027 XC and XC-F range appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

After four months on the road, 35 countries, and 25,000 miles connecting three continents, Milestones: Global Expedition is nearing the end of the road. Bozeman, Montana — Phase 1 departure from the X Hangar Before the finale officially releases online, XOVERLAND will host an exclusive early screening during the Overland Expo Film Festival in Flagstaff, Arizona. If you’ve been following the expedition from the beginning, this is your chance to experience the final chapter alongside members of the XOVERLAND team and the overland community before it premieres publicly. Nordkapp, Norway — Phase 2 reaches the northernmost point From the easternmost edge of North America to the southern tip of Africa, Milestones documents the most ambitious expedition we’ve undertaken to date. Along the way, the team navigated remote terrain, unpredictable weather, complex border crossings, mechanical setbacks, and the realities that come with life on the road for months at a time. The finale brings the expedition to its conclusion and reflects on everything the journey demanded from the people behind the wheel. Cape Agulhas, South Africa — 25,000 miles complete Following the screening, select expedition team members will host a live panel Q&A to share behind-the-scenes stories from the road, answer audience questions, and reflect on the experience of completing the expedition. Team members will also be available after the showing to sign exclusive Milestones movie posters. Event Details Event: Overland Expo West Location: Oasis Bar & Food Court | Ft. Tuthill County Park Flagstaff, Arizona Date & Time: Friday evening from 7:00–9:00 PM Screening: Milestones: Global Expedition Finale Early Premiere and Desk to Glory Season 2, Episode 1 of Why We Overland during the Overland Expo Film Festival Includes: Live panel Q&A + movie poster signing with expedition team members Public Release: May 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM MDT on the YouTube channel for XOVERLAND Whether you’ve watched every episode or are just discovering the series, we’d love to have you there for the final stretch of the journey. And if you haven’t grabbed your tickets to Overland Expo West yet, there’s still time. Get Tickets for Overland Expo West Supported By Our Partners We’re incredibly grateful to the partners who helped make this expedition possible: General Tire, Mobil 1, Toyota, Fjallraven, CBI, REDARC, Alu-Cab, OK4WD, Bowen Customs, Equipt Expedition Outfitters, Goose Gear, MaxTrax, Rigid Industries, and Red Oxx Mfg. This expedition pushed both people and equipment to the absolute limit, and their support played a critical role in getting the team safely and successfully around the globe. If you haven’t started the series yet, now’s the perfect time to catch up before the finale premieres publicly on May 21 at 5:00 PM MDT on the XOVERLAND YouTube channel. We’ll see you in Flagstaff. The post Exclusive First Screening of the Milestones Finale at Overland Expo West appeared first on Expedition Overland. View the full article

The 2026 Pro Motocross Championship is loaded with storylines as Jett Lawrence returns from injury, Hunter Lawrence seeks redemption, Haiden Deegan steps into the 450 class, and Kiwi Cole Davies takes his Supercross-winning form outdoors. The post ANZAC attack sharpens for 2026 Pro Motocross opener appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Ducati’s Multistrada V2 has been reinvented around a new 890 cc twin-cylinder engine, lighter chassis package and broader ergonomic adjustment, with the V2 S adding Skyhook electronic suspension. The post Unlock Everyday Adventure with the Ducati Multistrada V2 appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Santa Pod Raceway’s 60th Anniversary season hits the launch button over the next two weekends. First comes this weekend’s THE DOORSLAMMERS, featuring full-bodied cars with working doors, sprung chassis, serious intent and a serious prize purse of £100,000! That’s just the start. Next comes an extended Bank Holiday weekend featuring two race meetings in one. The brand-new Carl Cox Motorsport Series provides the opening salvo on Thursday and Friday. Then, running from Friday to Bank Holiday Monday, The Main Event brings over 300 car and motorcycle teams from 18 countries to contest the first round of the FIA/FIM European Drag Racing Championships. The multi-disciplinary Carl Cox Motorsport stable includes luminaries such as Isle of Man TT hero Michael Dunlop, but drag racing is the superstar DJ and motorsport entrepreneur’s personal enthusiasm. Hardly have Europe’s fastest door cars – Pro Mods – cooled their motors from their DOORSLAMMERS exertions than they are fired up again to chase a £20,000 bounty placed on the line by Cox in the Carl Cox Motorsport Series. Cox himself races regularly in the Pro Mod class in Australia and is introducing an Australian-style format, run to a 5.90-second index, for this competition. For drag racing’s most expensive ‘door car’ class, Cox hopes this new series and prize money will help support and grow the Pro Mod category, particularly for teams operating on more limited budgets. Owing to music commitments, the DJ misses this first contest in the three-race series and a respected substitute will drive his US-built car. However, Cox climbs back behind the wheel in the next two races scheduled for July and September. All manner of cars – door cars, dragsters, altereds, roadsters – and motorcycles too will fill the paddock when The Main Event presents the opening round of 2026’s FIA and FIM European Drag Racing Championships. The entry list currently stands at 305, with 18 countries represented. Machinery ranging from the most powerful two- and four-wheeled vehicles on the planet – Top Fuel Dragsters and Bikes – right down to their miniature Junior Dragster and Dragbike counterparts – drivers and riders starting from age eight – populate a rich and diverse racing programme with an array of entertainment attractions attached. Europe’s two fastest women drivers headline the 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel Dragster show. Sweden’s Susanne Callin (320.20mph) and Switzerland’s Jndia Erbacher (320.15mph) have wrapped up the past two seasons’ FIA European Championships between them. While Erbacher is the quicker of the two over the 1,000-foot course which, for safety reasons, these behemoth cars nowadays run – a career-best 3.817 seconds to Callin’s 3.840 – the fractional differences in elapsed time and terminal speed count for nothing when it’s winning the race to the finish line that matters. Meanwhile, Colin Millar maintains his quest to be Scotland’s fastest driver. The popular Outlaw Anglia racer has burnished his brand name The Flyin’ Fyfer on the flanks of a Top Fuel Dragster in a bid to earn his Top Fuel licence and run with the fast ladies. Pro Modified will be a thrill show throughout Saturday’s and Sunday’s qualifying sessions as 20 entries – saloon cars in silhouette but livid, all-out racing machines beneath the skin – fight their way into 16 available spots in Bank Holiday Monday’s eliminations. The Main Event combines two Pro Mod races in one: round one of the FIA European Pro Mod Championship and round two of the FuelTech Motorsport UK British Drag Racing Championship. Finland’s reigning European champion Jere Rantaniemi seeks a hat trick of FIA crowns. Estonia’s Andres Arnover is the 2025 Motorsport UK British champion as well as Europe’s quickest-ever Pro Mod racer, at 5.695sec over the classic quarter-mile, a mark set at Santa Pod last year. Both have 250mph-plus terminal speeds to their credit – so has Santa Pod-local Jon Webster, Britain’s only Pro Mod star to top that magic barrier. Fields of Top Methanol and Pro Stock cars complete the FIA championship programme. Germany’s past Top Methanol champion, Timo Habermann, makes a notable return after several seasons out. Ground-pounding nitro Funny Cars head the accompanying on-track programme with a range of UK national championship Sportsman classes in support. Jet Cars are an added attraction. On two wheels, the FIM European Championship brings entries in Top Fuel Bike, nitro SuperTwin, Pro Stock and Super Street bikes. Sweden’s Top Fuel Bike star Rikard Gustafsson returns with Europe’s quickest, fastest competition motorcycle, 5.638sec/260.65mph, to defend his European title. That’s 0-260 in 5.6 seconds on two wheels. Round one of the Carl Cox Motorsport Series takes place from Thursday 21st to Friday 22nd May. https://santapod.co.uk/results/carl-cox-motorsport-series/ FIA/FIM The Main Event takes place from Friday 22nd to Monday 25th May. https://santapod.co.uk/main-event.php. Both races take place at Santa Pod Raceway, near Wellingborough NN29 7XA, with a wide range of off-track entertainments complementing the racing action.Book in advance, online at https://santapodtickets.com/ or by telephoning the Box Office at 01234 782828. Paddock access is free for a close-up view of all the pitside action. The post Santa Pod’s 60th Anniversary Season Lifts Off With Two Bumper Race Weekends first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Justin Ashley heads to this weekend’s Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK at Route 66 Raceway feeling good about the path his SCAG Racing team is on. There have been adjustments with new crew chiefs and new team members, but the Top Fuel standout continues to thrive, especially over the past three races. After a slow start to the year, Ashley has picked up steam in his 12,000-horsepower dragster, advancing to two semifinals and a final round in the loaded Top Fuel category. This weekend’s race in Chicago also marks a massive event for the SCAG team, as hundreds of employees will be on hand at Route 66 Raceway. Ashley loves the opportunity to put on a show for them as he seeks his first win of the season and at the fan-favorite facility. “I think we’re on a good path,” Ashley said. “Tommy (Delago, crew chief) and Jason (McCullouch, co-crew chief) have a plan and I love the plan they’re following. It’s like building a new house. It’s a brand new combination and we started everything from scratch. We’re laying that foundation and I think you’ll see more of it start to come to fruition the next few races. “I’m happy with how we’re doing and I know there’s areas where we’ll continue to improve. It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve really enjoyed this whole process through the first five races. We’ve got a championship group and we have a lot of fun together. We enjoy being around each other and it’s a great culture with this team.” Last season, Tony Stewart (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed wins in Chicago. The event will again be broadcast on FS1, with final elimination coverage on Sunday, May 17, beginning at 5 p.m. ET. It is the sixth of 20 races during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season and fans can look forward to a number of highlights in Chicago, including: An appearance from NHRA legend and Chicago native “The Greek,” Chris Karamesines, as NHRA honors his long career and accomplishments. Karamesines will also be featured on the unique commemorative ticket for the race. Fans can scan the on-site signs at the track to purchase the commemorative ticket, which will be distinctive to each event. On Sunday, the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a free, limited-edition NHRA can cooler. A new-look Nitro Mall, special 75th anniversary displays and more. Ashley will also get to take part in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday, taking on reigning world champion Doug Kalitta in a semifinal rematch from the most recent event at South Georgia Motorsports Park. Ashley will try to avenge that defeat and then parlay that into a victory against a field that features a host of standouts, including points leader Shawn Langdon, who won in Georgia and made the fastest run in NHRA history with an incredible blast of 345.00 mph. Others to watch include Leah Pruett, defending event winner Stewart, Gainesville winner Josh Hart, four-time world champion Antron Brown, rookie Maddi Gordon, Clay Millican and Chicago native Tony Schumacher. But this is an important race for Ashley and SCAG Racing, with their headquarters not far from Route 66 Raceway. That means a great deal of their employees will be in attendance, which is something Ashley treasures, especially if he can bring him a victory. “It’s definitely an honor,” Ashley said. “We’re out here representing this company and this is the first real opportunity to express our gratitude. There’s hundreds of employees at Metalcraft of Mayville who work hard and diligently at their jobs, and we’re looking forward to spending time with them.” Funny Car’s Beckman will look for a repeat win against a field that features points leader J.R. Todd, and 2026 winners Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Jordan Vandergriff and Chad Green. Reigning Pro Stock world champion Dallas Glenn has continued his success on track this season with two wins on the season. His KB Titan Racing teammate and six-time world champion Greg Anderson is second after nabbing a win in Pomona. Matt Hartford has wins in Gainesville and Charlotte and is third. Two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Gaige Herrera has yet to lose a round at Route 66 Raceway. Last season, he won his third consecutive race, defeating rival Matt Smith. Herrera won seven races last season, but it was his teammate, Richard Gadson, who earned the world title. Herrera, Gadson and Smith have wins in 2026. The event will also feature competition in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, along with the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown. Race fans in Chicago can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. Fans are also invited to congratulate the event winners at the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere. NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will feature two rounds of qualifying at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 16 at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, May 17. Television coverage includes qualifying action at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday at 11:30 p.m. before eliminations coverage at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday. To purchase tickets to the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK on May 14-17 at Route 66 Raceway, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, including the full 2026 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com. The post Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley Likes Team’s Progress Approaching Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

John Force Racing is ready for the Route 66 Nationals. Here's a breakdown of how each team is approaching the event. View the full article

Jack Beckman and the PEAK SQUAD took a difficult path to victory in last year’s Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK so they’re working toward a much smoother route to winner’s circle in this year’s May 15-17 event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. “The big races to win are typically your hometown race, milestone events, the U.S. Nationals and, and the Pomona races. They’re the legendary races,” Beckman said. “But I also put right up there winning your sponsor’s event because their name goes on the trophy at the end of the day, too. When you win at your sponsor’s event, and your sponsor is a company like PEAK and Old World Industries, where all the employees understand the culture of the product that they’re selling, it’s something special. We had so many PEAK employees show up to the race last year. It wasn’t mandatory. They wanted to be there and they were there at the end of the day with the team in winner’s circle holding that trophy up. It’s really hard to think of many better weekends that I’ve had driving a race car than to do it with that PEAK SQUAD surrounding us.” The PEAK Chevrolet SS was hit with multiple mechanical gremlins in qualifying and traction issues in eliminations during last year’s event. But it all came together in the final round against then-teammate and reigning Funny Car Champion Austin Prock. Beckman won on a holeshot, cutting a .049 light to Prock’s .063, and taking the win a run of 3.935 seconds at 325.77 mph to his teammate’s quicker run of 3.933 seconds at 329.02 mph. It was Beckman’s 37th NHRA Funny Car career victory. “It really looked like it was a scripted weekend for the PEAK SQUAD,” said Beckman. “We qualified number one, we win the race. It’s an absolute storybook description but it misses a lot of the details. It was an unusual event in that the quickest qualifying runs didn’t come on Friday, they came on Saturday. We were sitting mid-pack when we came up for the first Saturday run and we go right to the top with a 3.85. We thought it might even be a little bit quicker for the last qualifying run. We go up to the line and our car won’t start. The crew did a number of quick checks but couldn’t find the issue. We eventually found a broken air fitting that disarmed the ignition system. But the silver lining there is it happening qualifying, not on race day. “Race day comes and the car won’t start in the morning warmup,” Beckman added.” It’s a different issue in the ignition system. We replace the box and now we’ve dodged a couple of bullets. We win 1st round and then smoke the tires in the second round but were still able to win. The car smoked the tires again in the semis but I pedaled it and we got the win. Then we close it with a holeshot win over our teammate, Austin Prock, the defending Funny Car champion and that’s as good as it gets. As a driver, it feels unbelievable to give back to a team that’s given you a fast car all year long because it’s typically the car that wins the race. We bookended qualifying number one and that amazing final round victory with a lot of nail biting.” Beckman currently sits eighth in points, just 30 points behind Spencer Hyde. Two rounds of qualifying will be contested at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, and two more rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 16 at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Eliminations will begin at 11:00 a.m. CT on Sunday, May 17. The post Jack Beckman and the Peak Squad Hope to Reach the Peak Again at NHRA Route 66 Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The 75th anniversary season of the NHRA is underway and this weekend, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will make its annual stop outside of Chicago for the Gerber Collision & Glass Rt. 66 Nationals, May 15-17. Veteran Top Fuel driver TJ Zizzo and his Rust-Oleum sponsored Top Fuel dragster are eager to show off the hard work and dedication they have put into the team throughout the off-season. The past few seasons’ results have shown that the Zizzo Racing operation is a formidable opponent racing on a limited schedule. “We don’t race often, but we are putting in the work year-round to be ready for races like Chicago,” said Zizzo. “Thanks to the support from Rust-Oleum and our other sponsors, we can come out and be very competitive. Our team, led by Mike Kern with input from Hall of Famer Rahn Tobler, will have this Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster set up for success. This sport is so competitive and having the ability to be a No. 1 qualifier is a huge achievement.” Crew chief Mike Kern and the Rust-Oleum team spent over 2,000 hours working diligently over the off-season to make sure Zizzo Racing is again positioned for success when the season starts this weekend. Over the past two seasons, Zizzo and the Zizzo racing team have turned heads scoring No. 1 qualifiers and posting excellent elapsed times. Their career highlight was a runner-up finish during the 2020 season that was delayed due to rain and completed at the historic U.S. Nationals. “I think our fortunes really changed for the positive in 2020 even though we didn’t win the race,” said Zizzo. “We knew at that moment we could compete with the best of the best and we just needed some better equipment. Thanks to the late Don Schumacher, we upgraded across the board and the rest is history. You must have a passion to compete out here and you also need to take risks, in a good way.” The 2024 No. 1 qualifying effort was Zizzo’s best qualifying effort since 2018 when he raced to the No. 5 spot only to be upset in the first round by Scott Palmer. Last year Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum team finished qualifying in the No. 13 spot and drew three-time Top Fuel champion Antron Brown in the first round. Zizzo was first off the starting line but his race car overpowered the track, and the Chicagoan was forced to watch Brown pull away for the first-round win. It was an uncharacteristically unsuccessful run for the team based on their previous runs. “Mike and I talked about what happened,” said Zizzo, following the race. “The idle was a little high and I compounded the situation with my right foot applying a little pressure to the throttle pedal. We are running the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster right on the edge. You must try and get the most out of the tune up and we just tipped it over a little. We can fix that and learn from it.” This year, Zizzo and the team are focused on making the most out of every qualifying session and entertaining the fans. The team will once again host a free pancake social on Saturday morning before qualifying, serving the fan favorite Nitro Cakes to fellow competitors and fans. The annual tradition has become one of the highlight events of the NHRA tour. “Saturday morning serving Nitro Cakes is the best,” said Zizzo. “We haven’t been on tour, so it is a little like the first day of school when all our friends come over. The fans love it and I love to see many of our loyal NHRA fans every year. We have hundreds of people come by and it is just a cool way to thank the fans and have some fun.” Qualifying for the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals will begin on Friday, May 15, with two sessions of the four professional categories. On Saturday, fans will be treated to two more qualifying sessions. The quickest 16 race cars, dragsters and motorcycles will race for the famed Diamond Wally trophy beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The race will be broadcast nationally on FS1 Sunday evening. This story was originally published on May 13, 2026. The post TJ Zizzo Looking to Make a Statement in Front of Hometown Fans at NHRA Route 66 Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service has announced that Funny Car will no longer be part of the MWDRS lineup, ending a run of more than five years for the J&A Service-backed class. Series founder Keith Haney announced the decision in a statement, thanking Jim and Annie Whiteley of J&A Service for their financial support and commitment to giving Funny Car racers a competitive home within the Mid-West Drag Racing Series. “Mid-West Drag Racing Series and I, Keith Haney, want to take a moment to sincerely thank Jim and Annie Whiteley for the past 5 1/2 years of support they have given to the J&A Service Funny Car Class,” Haney said. According to Haney, the Whiteleys invested heavily in the class in an effort to build participation and support a strong purse structure for racers. “These two have poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into trying to create a great place to race and provide a strong purse for the racers,” Haney said. “I can honestly say that Jim, Annie, and the Mid-West Drag Racing Series gave it everything we had. Unfortunately, many who said they would support the class simply did not, and because of that, as of today, Funny Car will no longer be part of the Mid-West Drag Racing Series. That is something that truly saddens me.” Though the Funny Car class is ending, J&A Service will remain closely aligned with the series. Haney emphasized that Jim and Annie Whiteley will continue supporting MWDRS through the Pro Mod class and as presenting sponsor of the series. “I do want everyone to know that Jim and Annie Whiteley are 100% still behind MWDRS,” Haney said. “They will continue supporting the series through the Pro Mod Class and as the Presenting Sponsor of the Mid-West Drag Racing Series.” The announcement comes as MWDRS continues its 10th season with an increased focus on Pro Mod and sportsman-style categories. “Jim and Annie Whiteley, along with Robin & Melody Roberts, Robert Costa, and myself, have also contributed additional money to increase the Pro Mod payouts for the 10th year of our great series,” Haney said. MWDRS is also evaluating possible additions and expanded support for other classes. “As MWDRS continues moving forward, we are actively looking at additional funding and sponsorship opportunities to support and grow the Top Sportsman and Top Dragster classes,” Haney said. “We are also exploring the possibility of expanding the series by adding a 6.0 class or Super Pro class, along with the potential addition of an NT 28 10.5 class. These additions could create more racing opportunities, attract new racers, increase overall event participation, and help strengthen the long-term future of the series.” Haney closed his statement by again recognizing the Whiteleys for their impact on the series and the sport. “Personally, I want to give Jim and Annie Whiteley the recognition they deserve for everything they have done for this sport,” Haney said. “They give so much to so many people, and their generosity never goes unnoticed.” This story was originally published on May 13, 2026. The post MWDRS Discontinues J&A Service Funny Car Class first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series officials and FloRacing announced today that Friday qualifying at the upcoming PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Classic Graphix will stream for free on the FloRacing 24/7 channel. The Mid-Atlantic Showdown, May 21-23, at Virginia Motorsports Park, is the third of seven races on the 2026 PDRA schedule and will include the series’ complete lineup of professional, sportsman, and Jr. Dragster classes. Fans can catch Friday qualifying on FloRacing 24/7 through Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Fubo, and other free video platforms. Saturday eliminations will also be available for FloRacing subscribers. “FloRacing opening the floodgates to the live stream on Friday of the PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown is huge,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director, PDRA. “Not only through their channels, but through the 24/7 channel that puts the PDRA racers, teams, and marketing partners in front of eyes on Amazon Prime, Fubo, Roku, YouTube, and countless other streaming platforms that may have no clue what PDRA or even drag racing is.” The Friday schedule at the Mid-Atlantic Showdown includes three qualifying sessions for the pro classes – Pro Nitrous, Pro Boost, Pro Street, Pro 632, and Super Street – as well as two qualifying sessions for the sportsman and Jr. Dragster divisions. Those sessions will set the fields for Saturday eliminations at VMP. “Friday qualifying is always intense for our competitors, and having that shown for free on FloRacing 24/7 is a big opportunity,” Crossnoe said. “It could bring people to the track on Saturday for eliminations that would have never attended or have them become a lifelong drag racing fan by being introduced to the sport on avenues like Amazon Prime or YouTube.” To find FloRacing’s free streaming coverage of Friday qualifying at the PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown, search “FloRacing 24/7” on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Fubo, Roku, and other video platforms. For a complete event schedule and to purchase tickets, visit www.PDRA660.com. This story was originally published on May 13, 2026. The post Friday Qualifying at PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown to Stream For Free on FloRacing 24/7 first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article