Everything posted by reporter
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Cleetus McFarland Selling His Record-Setting “Eagle” Camaro
Cleetus McFarland is selling the world's fastest radial tire car. You can now own Eagle and be a top-tier small tire racer with this ride.View the full article
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This New Tax Rule In India Could Make 400cc Motorcycles More Expensive Globally
India’s new tax rule is pushing buyers toward 350cc bikes, threatening global pricing for popular 400cc motorcycles. View the full article
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This EV Charger Was Built Fast as Hell, Which Could Make EV Motorcycles More Attractive
Public EV infrastructure remains...terrible for the vast majority of users. And it's one of the biggest issues for EV motorcycles. But these chargers, built by Ionna, might be the answer as they were built quickly and can be scaled incredibly fast. View the full article
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Drill Taps: Are These Self Tapping Drill Bits The Tool You’ve Been Missing? Are These More Useful Than Any Other Drill Bits?
I’m a big fan of a good drill bit, like anyone else who’s having to drill holes. But there are some serious differences in bits, regardless of the price. With all the different coatings, tip designs, and more available it is often hard to decide which ones you need in your tool box. The nicest bits I’ve used in recent years are the stepped tip bits, which power through thinner materials. One thing that I learned many years ago was that the drill bit only needs to be long enough to go through the material you are drilling a hole in. Why have a 6 inch long drill bit when you are trying to drill a hole in 16g sheet metal? If you have a Drill Doctor or other drill bit sharpener, you can take broken or old bits and make nice short bits for your thin material drilling needs. So when I saw these short little bits for the first time, and realized they had a tap built in that would thread the hole you just drilled, all in one operation, I was immediately interested. These drill bits really are something special, because you never have to worry about having the right size drill bit for the tap size you want to use. Since it is already built in, you know you have it right. But as usual, as soon as I saw them I also saw 14 other brands that ranged in price from way too cheap to stupid expensive. So what’s a DIY car guy or gal to do? Like many folks, I ended up not making a decision on which ones to buy and so I don’t have them in my toolbox. But now Project Farm is testing them! In the video below you’ll see testing and reviews on a bunch of different drill tap combos so you know what you are getting for your hard earned money. Check out the video and let us know what you think. Video Description: Klein Tools, Milwaukee, IVY Classic, NEIKO, IDEAL, Greenlee, DeWalt, AUTOTOOLHOME, HighFire, Hercules, Junreox, DKIBBITH, THINKWORK, VALKYNOS, GMTOOLS, HIDOTOL, and OCR were tested for their ability drill through 1/8 Inch Aluminum, for the torque required create threads in 1/8 Inch Aluminum, and for their ability to drill and tap ½ Inch mild steel. I purchased all the Drill and Tap Sets to ensure an unbiased review. The post Drill Taps: Are These Self Tapping Drill Bits The Tool You’ve Been Missing? Are These More Useful Than Any Other Drill Bits? appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article
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Polaris Just Gave a Bunch of Students $20,000 For Scholarships
Minnesota-based Polaris Inc. just handed over $20,000 in scholarship aid to Southeastern Illinois College that'll go directly to students wanting to learn how to become powersport technicians. View the full article
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Vice Grip Garage Interior Rehab: Derek and His Wife Jess Restored Their Darts Interior On A BUDGET! Here’s How
Just because the parts are available doesn’t mean that doing an interior restoration on your favorite project is going to be cheap. With lots of options, from “custom” bolt in replacement options to factory replacements, there are a jillion price points to navigate when getting parts for your ride. And then there is the labor. Regardless of how cheap the parts are, paying someone to rehab your interior will cost a pretty penny. But what if you do it yourself? Can you save real money and actually do a project like this on a budget? In the video below you’ll see Derek Bieri and his wife Jessica working on their cool little Dodge Dart as they do the interior up themselves, and on a budget. Video Description: After painting this 1968 Dodge Dart, I just have to address the interior. While functional, it no longer matches the cars currently status. I’m going to undertake all of the work I can myself, with the help of my wife Jessica. Let’s see if we can make this a going to town rig! The post Vice Grip Garage Interior Rehab: Derek and His Wife Jess Restored Their Darts Interior On A BUDGET! Here’s How appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article
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Sidi Has a Dope-Looking New Adventure Motorcycle Boot Coming
One part Master Chief, two parts round-the-world riding boot, these new Sidi Taurus GTX Adventure motorcycle boots look amazing. View the full article
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Santa Pod Raceway Ready To Host The Festival Of Power
The Festival of Power launches the 60th anniversary season at Santa Pod Raceway. The Easter event features extreme championship drag racing.View the full article
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Anyone Who Bought a LiveWire Before the Ridiculous Price Drop Is Getting Screwed
LiveWire dropped the MSRP of the One by €10,000 in Europe, meaning the resale value of used bikes will take an ungodly hit.View the full article
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Going Off-Road Puts a Lot of Money Back Into the Economy, And Supports Public Lands
Public land users come in all shapes and sizes, and it's important for advocates to remember that "multiple use" helps ensure we still have our public lands, as evidenced by this economic impact report. View the full article
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Power Management Explained: The Keys To Applying Big Power At The Drag Strip
Modern ECUs have changed the face of power management. We take a look at what power management is and why its so important. View the full article
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This Unique ’95 Lincoln Mark VIII Is A Big-Body, Big-Block Ford Bracket Machine
This unique 1995 Lincoln Mark VIII bracket machine with a big-block Ford for power was a memorable father-son project.View the full article
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The Wes Buck Show | Ep. 418 | Spencer Hyde, Brett LaSala, & John Sears
THE WES BUCK SHOW – EPISODE 418 “ROOKIES, ROCKETS, AND CAROLINA CHAOS” SOME GUYS SHOW PROMISE. SOME GUYS SHOW UP AND TAKE OVER. THIS WEEK WE’VE GOT BOTH. This week on The Wes Buck Show, we are locked in with a lineup that is absolutely rollin’ right now. First up, Spencer Hyde. NHRA Rookie of the Year. Number one qualifier at Phoenix. Head Racing hot shoe. Former DI 30 Under 30. Former World Series of Pro Mod winner. And somehow this dude just keeps leveling up. Ever since that 30 Under 30 nod, it feels like he hit the gas and never looked back. We’re gonna talk about the rise, the pressure, and what it’s like being one of the hottest names in the sport right now. Then we bring in Brett LaSala, driver of the Snot Rocket, and yeah, the name fits. This car is violent. Fast. Consistent. And they are on an absolute tear. Wins, records, momentum. These guys are stacking it all up and making noise everywhere they go. We’re gonna dig into what’s working and how long they can keep this heater alive. And to round it out, we’ve got John Sears joining us ahead of Carolina Gold at Shadyside. This one is shaping up to be a straight-up war. Big fields, big money, and a whole lot of Lil Gangsters cars expected to roll in. If you like chaos, this is your kind of race. We’ll talk about what to expect and why this one matters. Three guests. Three storylines. All gas. LET’S GO. Each week on The Wes Buck Show, Wes Buck, JT “Murder T” Hudson, and Mike Carpenter bring their unique insights and analysis to the most electrifying moments and storylines from a packed weekend of drag racing. SUBSCRIBE for the latest in drag racing: @dragillustrated GRAB YOUR MERCH: dragillustrated.store STAY CONNECTED: @thewesbuckshow @dragillustrated RACERS CLUB MERCH: racers.club Wanna sponsor the show? Contact us: wes@dragillustrated.com dragracing #wesbuck #SpencerHyde #BrettLasala #SnotRocket #JohnSears #CarolinaGold #Shadyside #LilGangsters #NHRA #ProMod #WBS #DI #RacersClub This story was originally published on March 24, 2026. The post The Wes Buck Show | Ep. 418 | Spencer Hyde, Brett LaSala, & John Sears first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article
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ASBK confirms summer dates with six-round 2026-27 ASBK calendar
2026-2027 ASBK Championship calendar The Penrite Australian Superbike Championship presented by Pirelli will move to a new summer format for 2026-27, with a six-round schedule set to run from October 2026 through to March 2027. The new calendar opens with a high-profile appearance at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 23-25, […] The post ASBK confirms summer dates with six-round 2026-27 ASBK calendar appeared first on MCNews. View the full article
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VR46 unveils US GP livery in New York as Di Giannantonio brings form to Austin
VR46 in New York Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team has rolled out a special United States Grand Prix look in New York ahead of this weekend’s MotoGP round at Circuit of The Americas, but the more relevant story for Austin is the contrast in form between its two riders across the opening rounds of 2026. […] The post VR46 unveils US GP livery in New York as Di Giannantonio brings form to Austin appeared first on MCNews. View the full article
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MV Agusta Enduro Veloce new $24,995 ride away price
The post MV Agusta Enduro Veloce new $24,995 ride away price appeared first on MCNews. View the full article
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Ride Honda’s LAMS range at Norwell Motorplex on April 18
Honda’s LAMS range available for test rides with HART April 18 is your chance to test ride a fleet of Honda LAMS motorcycles, as part of the Norwell Motorplex Test Ride Day, including the new E-Clutch models in a safe, controlled environment. Plus, they’ll also have controlled road rides on the CRF1100 Africa Twin and […] The post Ride Honda’s LAMS range at Norwell Motorplex on April 18 appeared first on MCNews. View the full article
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McPhillips Jr. Claims IHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Win at Darana Motorsports Park
Rich McPhillips Jr. opened the 2026 IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series season with his first Top Alcohol Dragster victory, taking the Ironman trophy at Motorsports Park – formerly Galot Motorsports Park – in dominant fashion across three elimination rounds on Saturday. McPhillips qualified sixth with a 3.547-second pass at 225.11 mph in Q2 after posting a 3.552 at 223.80 mph in the opening session. On race day, McPhillips ran a 3.459 at 231.04 mph in Round 1 to defeat Joey Severance (3.482, 220.84 mph), a run that established a new elapsed time track record at the facility. He followed with a 3.477 at 228.61 mph in the semifinals over Jackie Fricke (3.676, 222.18 mph) before closing out Jamie Noonan in the final, 3.493 at 229.78 mph to Noonan’s 3.545 at 229.04 mph. The victory marked McPhillips’ third IHRA final-round appearance – the most of any Top Alcohol Dragster competitor in the newly revived series. His two prior finals came in 2025 at Darana Dragway 42 in West Salem, Ohio, and Darana Dragway in Milan, Michigan. The win carries added family significance. Rich McPhillips Sr. was part of an IHRA victory in 1989 as car owner and crew chief for driver Peter Gallen in Alcohol Funny Car at Bristol Dragway, and won his own Ironman from the driver’s seat in Pro Fuel Dragster in 2010 at Grand Bend, Ontario. “You can’t explain what it means to win,” McPhillips Jr. said. ”When the scoreboard lights up, it’s a great feeling. The great thing about running eighth mile is you’re able to see who wins. I have to thank all of my guys – Kenneth, my Pop, Larry, Earl, and Bill. We were short crew guys and they all stepped up. This is a team effort and we raced a great team tonight. It’s been a couple years since I’ve gotten a trophy, so it feels good.” McPhillips Racing’s next outing is a dual-car effort featuring drivers Anthony Troyer and Melanie Johnson at the NHRA Winter Nationals at In-N-Out Burger Dragstrip in Pomona, California. This story was originally published on March 24, 2026. The post McPhillips Jr. Claims IHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Win at Darana Motorsports Park first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article
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Our 2026 NHRA GatorNationals Action Photos Just Keep Coming: Funny Cars, Top Fuel, Door Cars, Pro Mod And More!
Here’s our last blast of photos from David Whealon, but we’ve got more galleries coming still! Use the link below to check out any of the photos you might have missed so far! (Photos by David Whealon) – NHRA Drag Racing at the Gatornationals was off the hook yet again in 2026! The week started with new drivers, crew chiefs, and teams, plus record breaking performances in testing, and ended with big wins and happy fans. This is the start of a whole new year of NHRA Drag Racing and we know this season is going to be something special. We’ve got great action photos from Gainesville thanks to longtime contributor David Whealon. David was in Florida shooting all kinds of fun stuff at the Gatornationals and sent us a whole bunch of his favorites. I’ve raced and announced a fair amount in the state of Florida and can tell you that the fans there are awesome, and they came out in force this past weekend. We’re talking about a completely sold out crowd and packed house. That’s awesome news for drag racing fans. And boy did they get a great show at the 2026 Gators. Everyone that goes always comments on how fun the crowd is there and they aren’t kidding. We hope you enjoy the photos as much as they loved the live action. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GATORNATIONALS The post Our 2026 NHRA GatorNationals Action Photos Just Keep Coming: Funny Cars, Top Fuel, Door Cars, Pro Mod And More! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article
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TX2K26 Day 5 From The Texas Motorplex: The CRAZIEST TX2K ENDING Anyone Has Seen In YEARS! $36,000 To Win This Race
Here’s the Day 5 video from The Texas Motorplex and TX2K26! If you missed any of the previous videos, just click the link below to check them out too. With the sale of Houston Raceway Park three years ago, TX2K was in need of a new home and with only one really big world class drag racing facility left, that meant that TX2K had to move to the Texas Motorplex in Ennis. This is the third year at the Motorplex, and it is carrying on the tradition that was started in Houston. This year’s action was hot and heavy, that is for sure! This track was the first all concrete dragstrip in the world, and also the first to see a 300 mph pass, and we’re sure it will see more new records during TX2K as well. The boys at 1320Video have some great video coming and are saying they have been seeing some of the best cars they have ever seen attend TX2K. CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED THE PREVIOUS TX2K26 VIDEO! The post TX2K26 Day 5 From The Texas Motorplex: The CRAZIEST TX2K ENDING Anyone Has Seen In YEARS! $36,000 To Win This Race appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article
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Konyak: JD Custom's Royal Enfield Hunter 350
When Royal Enfield launched the Hunter 350, it wasn't just releasing a motorcycle; it was providing a gateway into the brand for a younger, urban audience. Built on the 349cc J-platform, the Hunter is a punchy, agile roadster that trades the stately poise of the Classic 350 for a more responsive, st... View the full article
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Justin Lamb Welcomes New Partner LIUNA to NHRA with Arizona Nationals Victory
Six-time Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champion Justin Lamb hasn’t let his foot off the gas since locking down the Super Stock world title last fall. After barreling into 2026 with a final-round at the NHRA Pacific Division opener and a win at the Snyder Sportsman Classic in Pomona, he returned to Phoenix hellbent on keeping the fire stoked. It was mission accomplished on Sunday at Firebird Motorsports Park as Lamb drove his LIUNA Chevrolet COPO Camaro to a hard-fought Stock Eliminator victory and the 35th national event win of his career. Lamb started the day by accepting his 2025 championship jacket and commemorative ring during opening ceremonies for the 41st annual FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals, and he concluded it by hoisting a prestigious NHRA 75th anniversary Diamond Wally. “It was a special day from start to finish, and it was just awesome to be able to bring LIUNA to the winner’s circle so early in our partnership,” said Lamb. “This is our first Wally for LIUNA Local 872, and I don’t plan on it being the last. We’re really excited, and I’m sure they are, too.” A lifelong racer, Lamb has experienced a wide range of paths to victory. While it seems cut and dry – turn on one win light, then another, and another until the field has been conquered – circumstances at each event can and do vary greatly. This year’s rendition of the Arizona Nationals was no exception, from Mother Nature’s fist of fury to surprising twists of fate. In order to navigate blistering temperatures even more extreme than usual in the Valley of the Sun, NHRA moved the start time each day to 7:15 a.m. The hearty Stock Eliminator racers managed the altered schedule, and Lamb proved unfazed. The next obstacle to overcome was a bit trickier: a stunning first-round exit in his Super Stock car sent opponent Jon Irving ahead. The RAD Torque Systems-branded Chevrolet Camaro with the No. 1 on the window was in the trailer, and Lamb was disappointed but determined to rebound. But in the very next round of Stock Eliminator and just a short while later, Irving was waiting for him there as well. A 144-degree Fahrenheit racing surface was anything but welcoming, but Lamb and the LIUNA Chevy maneuvered the track a bit better to claim a ticket to Sunday eliminations. Victory was coming into view, but first, he had to get past good friend and five-time world champion Jimmy DeFrank in the semifinals. Both drivers were eager to race their worthy opponent, but DeFrank left the starting line -.012 too soon and set the red light glowing, allowing Lamb to move ahead to the 53rd final of his career. Successfully defending the Stock title he earned there at last season’s national event, Lamb’s win light over veteran competitor Leo Glasbrenner translated to a sixth national event win at Firebird Motorsports Park. “This was really cool, and to have Dan and Tammy from RAD Torque here, and my wife Jeanine and the kids, my parents, all my friends – it’s just really exciting,” said Lamb. “We’re just out here having fun, doing it as a family and enjoying it. These NHRA 75th anniversary Diamond Wallys and the medallions make it even more special, and if we can get a few more this year, I’d be pretty happy.” Lamb is grateful to race with the support of partners LIUNA Local 872, RAD Torque Systems, Stone Chevrolet, Goodyear Racing Tires, Redback Boots, LIQUI MOLY, Sunoco Race Fuels, Palmer Electric, Moser Engineering, Team Acme, and Lafferty Drilling and Blasting. The next event on the schedule will be the 66th annual NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, April 9-12, 2026. The post Justin Lamb Welcomes New Partner LIUNA to NHRA with Arizona Nationals Victory first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article
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Triple Digit Heat Makes for Difficult Conditions for Green, Alexander at Arizona Nationals
Recent NHRA Gatornationals winner Chad Green was seeking another Funny Car trophy this weekend at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park in triple digit heat with his 12,000-horsepower CGM Bond-Coat Ford Mustang. Racing at the hottest track surface (140-plus degrees) seen in decades, Green and CGM team were ready for the tough conditions when qualifying opened on Friday morning at the racing facility south of Phoenix. Led by crew chiefs Joe Serena and Dean Marinis, the Midland, Tex., driver quickly moved into the top half of the 16-car Funny Car field with a 4.017 clocking and came back on Saturday with a 3.990 for the third starting position. In the first round of Sunday’s competition, Green’s Ford Mustang kept that strong performance against Dylan Winefsky with a 4.011 run at 320.97 miles per hour. Green advanced to the quarterfinals against Paul Lee, but a supercharger issue off the starting line cost Chad a chance for the win. Despite the second-round loss, Green still leads the in the current NHRA Mission Funny Car point standings with the next event set for April 10-12 at the famed NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. Green is a former winner at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds track, winning the In N Out World Finals in 2023. “We were pleased how our race car performed in the heat at Phoenix,” said Green, an Odessa, Tex., businessman when he isn’t driving a nitro-burning Funny Car. “The conditions were extremely difficult for all of the nitro teams all three days. But our team was managing the track surface as well as possible. We had a chance to win the race at Phoenix, just like at Gainesville. But we had a blower issue in the second round, and the car smoked the tires right off the starting line. It’s a shame, because we had a good race car. “We’ll look at the issues and prepare for another strong run at Pomona. We have won there before and we can do it again. I think the temperatures will be much cooler in a few weeks in Southern California than what we dealt with at Phoenix. We were happy to have Blake (Alexander) back in the Pronto car at Phoenix too.” Alexander, the four-time NHRA national event winner from Charlotte, made his NHRA return after a five-month layoff with his popular Pronto Auto Services Dodge Hellcat. Blake is in his second season with CGM team after scoring a runner-up finish and several semifinal appearances in 2025. Unfortunately, Alexander had the difficult task of taking on the No. 1 qualifier, Spencer Hyde, in the opening round of eliminations Sunday at Firebird Motorsports Park. Racing in the right lane proved to be tough with a bump in the pavement at the 300-foot mark, and Blake held a starting reaction margin against Hyde. However, Alexander’s Dodge Hellcat lost traction when it hit the track bump. Despite the early exit, Alexander was pleased with his team’s progress in the heat. “The heat was definitely an issue for us and all of the teams at Phoenix,” said Alexander. “But it felt good to be back in the race car again after the long layoff and working with the CGM crew. It felt a little rusty in the car, but I had some decent (starting line) lights. We were shy on horsepower in the first qualifying run and then we had to make a few clutch adjustments. That was the hottest track temperatures I think I have ever raced on in my career, and the surface was so tricky. I wasn’t sure if the traction would be there with a 12,000-horsepower car. I’m looking forward to better weather and track temperatures in a few weeks at Pomona (April 10-12).” Green and Alexander will return to NHRA national event competition at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, Calif., on April 10-12. Action is set for Friday, April 10, with qualifying rounds at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. PDT. Saturday’s (April 11) qualifying will take place at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. PDT, with final eliminations on Sunday, April 12, at 11 a.m. PDT. Fox Sports 1 will telecast Sunday’seliminations at 3:30 p.m. PDT/6:30 p.m. EDT. The post Triple Digit Heat Makes for Difficult Conditions for Green, Alexander at Arizona Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article
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Dylan Winefsky Makes Most of Hometown Arizona Nationals
Coming into the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park, rising star Dylan Winefsky was looking to continue to improve his driving skills and Funny Car performance. The Arizona-based driver executed masterfully on both fronts, posting career best elapsed times and speeds throughout the race. Winefsky qualified No. 14 and faced a tough first round opponent, Gatornationals winner and points leader Chad Green. Driving the Nitro Moose Funny Car with sponsorship support from Lowe’s Home Improvement, Audio Express, Robert’s Car Care, Bob Jackson Auto Body, and Outlaw Race Engines, Winefsky made a strong run in the first round coming up just short to Green. “We just kept improving with every run this weekend,” said Winefsky. “Even the last run in the first round when the belt broke, we had our best 60-foot and our best 330-foot time. We can carry all this momentum into Pomona and keep everything the same, we should improve even more Pomona, especially with better air.” Through four rounds of qualifying Winefsky and the Nitro Moose Funny Car team tuned by veteran Johnny West improved on the performance side. They capped off their qualifying effort with a 4.159 second, 299.93 mph setting personal best records for Winefsky. “I’m way more comfortable in the car this first race in the year compared to all last year,” said Winefsky. “Each run in the car just keeps getting better. I am getting more comfortable with each run too. I couldn’t do it without all these guys and everyone on this team. It was great weekend. Couldn’t have gone better.” In the first round of eliminations Winefsky and the Nitro Moose Funny Car team knew they would have their hands full with Green. Both 12,000-horsepower Funny Cars executed their burnout and rolled up to the starting line. Both race cars left the starting line together and Green started pulling away as they flew down the track. Winefsky lost power when his blower belt let go and Green cruised to victory with a winning time of 4.011 seconds to Winefsky’s 5.369 seconds. The first-round exit did not diminish the team’s enthusiasm for the start of the season and performing in front of the hometown crowd. “It was cool seeing a bunch of our friends come out and support us,” said Winefsky. “We also had a bunch of local sponsors that we were able to have come out and spend a couple days with us. It’s cool racing in your hometown. I’m having a blast. I’m pretty sure you can ask anyone here, they are all having a blast too. We’re a fun group and without these guys, none of this would be possible.” The team will be heading west in three weeks for the historic NHRA Winternationals, April 9-12, 2026 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. Fans interested in tickets can visit www.nhra.com and for more information on Dylan follow his social media on Facebook and Instagram. This story was originally published on March 24, 2026. The post Dylan Winefsky Makes Most of Hometown Arizona Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article
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Maddi Gordon Adds Another Top Fuel Semifinal Appearance at NHRA Arizona Nationals
A weekend of record high temperatures presented challenges for teams competing at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, but Rookie of the Year contender Maddi Gordon and her Carlyle Tools Top Fuel team adapted well and reached the semifinals for the second consecutive race Sunday afternoon at Firebird Motorsports Park. The Ron Capps Motorsports driver had the quickest car on the property on Friday and ultimately qualified a career-best fourth, setting up a promising race day in the heat. Gordon is now fifth in the Top Fuel points standings after the second of 20 races. With crew chiefs Rob Flynn and Troy Fasching calling the shots, Gordon was the star of the first qualifying session on Friday morning as she fired off the only sub-4-second pass of the session, a 3.844-second E.T. at 329.42 mph. Though she didn’t improve in the second session, she maintained the top spot to end the day as the provisional No. 1 qualifier for the first time as a professional driver. Saturday brought Gordon’s first career Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, a race-within-a-race featuring the semifinalists from the previous event. It was a side-by-side race from stripe to stripe, but Gordon’s 3.806 E.T. came up just a tick short to two-time and reigning world champion Doug Kalitta and his 3.804 E.T. In the challenging final qualifying session, Gordon’s machine lost traction around half-track and coasted to the finish line, ultimately settling into the No. 4 starting position. On Sunday morning, Gordon lined up against newcomer Jaren Mott. Gordon grabbed the starting line advantage and never looked back, powering to a 3.852-second pass at 324.98 mph to move on. Gordon then met up with 2025 regular season champion Tony Stewart in the quarterfinals. Though Stewart moved first, Gordon drove around him with an ultra-consistent 3.851 E.T. at 324.83 mph. In the semifinals, matched up with past world champion Shawn Langdon, Gordon started to lose traction down-track and coasted across the finish line behind Langdon. She did, however, earn a spot in the next Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge with her semifinal appearance. “Rob and Troy have proven they know how to walk it down the hot racetracks,” Gordon said. “It’s not about applying all the power. It’s walking it through there, which can be harder than trying to slam down those fast runs at times. I’m just really, really happy. I was in the car just looking around, thinking, ‘There is nobody else I’d rather drive for than Ron (Capps), Rob and Troy, Chuck (Grospitch), everybody on our team, Carlyle Tools, and Monster Energy. “My reaction times are getting a little bit more consistent in the .080s, and my dad and I worked on that on the practice tree this weekend,” continued Gordon, referencing her father, three-time NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion Doug Gordon. “As much time as the crew chiefs spend in the lounge making the race car go fast, I try to spend the same amount of time making me the best driver I can be. My reaction time on the starting line and my reaction time catching it when it smokes the tires or something like that is what’s going to make me a valuable driver, so that’s what I’m trying to work on.” Gordon’s rookie season behind the wheel of the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster will continue in three weeks at one of her home races on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour, the NHRA Winternationals, April 10-12, at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, California. The post Maddi Gordon Adds Another Top Fuel Semifinal Appearance at NHRA Arizona Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article