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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

MotoGP 2026 Round Two – Brazil The recent MotoGP calendar reshuffle, prompted by the postponement of Qatar until November, changes the rhythm of the opening phase of the championship. Instead of building towards Lusail in April, the paddock now heads to Goiânia for round two before Austin, with the early pecking order set to be […] The post MotoGP returns to Brazil with Goiânia set to test 2026 pecking order appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

I’ve heard about counterfeit tools a lot in the last few years. Stuff that looks like DeWalt or Milwaukee, but that is just a cheap fake. And some that even say the brand name on them! Hell, I’ve seen folks share pics online that look legit but then you pay attention and there is a letter missing in the name or a logo that isn’t quite right. And I’ve heard of folks getting auto parts in a box that says a brand name on it, but that ends up with some generic part in the box instead of the real thing. But what about spark plugs? Have you heard of counterfeit spark plugs? I’ve never heard such a thing, but it sure does make me wonder since I’ve heard more and more folks in recent years talk about getting new spark plugs only to have some not work right out of the box. But 1/3 no good? In this video from the Torque Test Channel, they buy $500 in spark plugs and find that fully 1/3 of them are counterfeit. Wow. Video Description: If you’re buying spark plugs online, you should probably be told about what we came to learn though testing over $500 worth of NGK Laser Iridium Champion Iridium and Denso spark plugs – and that’s around 1/3 of them out there seems to be just fake. We go through how to spot that and what you might be able to test to determine if what you receive is legit. We do not accept any tools shown on the channel from any brand, nor do we take any sponsorships, partnerships, discounts, product placement deals, pre-market brand samples, money, items or compensation of any kind from brands, tool makers or otherwise in the planning or creation of these videos. The post Buyer Beware! 1/3 Of The $500 Worth Of Spark Plugs Tested Were Counterfeit! Order Your Plugs From Someone Legit! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

While we still wish we were livestreaming the March Meet at Famoso, we are super grateful that the Monday Morning Racer was on hand to shoot all the action so we can still check it out and share it. In the video below, you are going to get to watch all the Nitro burning Top Fuel action that was going on during the March Meet, and boy was there a lot. IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF THE SHOW, CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO CHECK IT ALL OUT. CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE FUNNY CAR ACTION FROM THE MARCH MEET The post NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL DRAGSTER ELIMINATIONS FROM THE 2026 MARCH MEET! FRONT ENGINE DRAGSTER GREATNESS! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

When Ducati first pulled the silk off the Diavel in 2010, the motorcycling world didn’t quite know where to file it. It was a 162-hp brute that combined the long wheelbase of a cruiser with the rake and trail of a superbike, wrapped in bodywork that looked like a muscular middle linebacker in a tail... View the full article

We’ve got our final gallery to share from the Weekend of Wheels show in Grand Island Nebraska, thanks to Scott Liggett. Scott’s got more photos coming, so stay tuned, and if you missed any of the previous photos you can use the link below to check those out too! (Words and Photos by Scott Liggett) It’s been a while since we added to our small town car show series here at Bang Shift. But, after attending the Weekend Of Wheels this past Saturday, we felt we needed to share the amazing cars we saw there. This year marked the 53rd running of this show in Grand Island, NE. The first 50 years, the Tri-City Street Rods car club ran the show. When they decided 50 years was enough, one of their members took over. Danni Oberg of Knucklehead Garage took on the task and he has been doing an amazing job. If you thought a car show in a small town wouldn’t have much to see, you would be so wrong. Over 200 cars showed up, filling up the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center with some amazing, high quality builds. Check out the galleries to see what those in the middle part of Nebraska have in their collections. Check out our fourth, and final, gallery below! CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED ANY OF OUR PREVIOUS GALLERIES The post Small Town Car Show Photo Wrap Up: Hot Rods, Customs, Trucks, And More From The 53rd Weekend of Wheels In Grand Island Nebraska appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series officially debuts at zMAX Dragway. This crossover brings television racing icons to the NHRA stage.View the full article

Top Fuel driver Travis Shumake steps into a Nostalgia Funny Car. This historic hometown race honors his father at the Arizona Nationals.View the full article

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 26-28 and the Texas Motorplex, April 9-11, this is the first time in series history that the magical 32-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 standing 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 of our Chaos racers and despite all the things going on in the drag racing world and in our great country itself, seeing 32-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 Keith 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 21-23 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. This story was originally published on March 16, 2026. The post Funny Car Chaos Set to Kick Off 2026 with Back-to-Back 32-Car Showcases first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

A new chapter is coming to one of the Midwest’s most storied drag racing facilities. During the championship awards banquet on Saturday, March 7, Eddyville Raceway Park owner Gerald Kramer announced that the Oskaloosa, Iowa-based dragstrip will transition to new ownership in 2027, with Craig Fawcett, co-owner of Dig’s Rod Shop in Oskaloosa, set to assume control of the facility. Kramer said Fawcett’s passion for the track, combined with his vision for the future, made him the right person to carry Eddyville Raceway Park forward. “We are truly excited that Craig will assume ownership of Eddyville Raceway Park, as he has demonstrated a vision that encompasses the best of what ERP is about while bringing energy and enthusiasm of new ideas that will ensure an incredible future for the facility,” said Kramer. Fawcett is no stranger to Eddyville Raceway Park. Over the years, he has been involved with the facility as a racer, starter, and announcer, giving him a unique understanding of the track’s history, culture, and place within the racing community. Combined with his business experience and the strong social media presence he has built through Dig’s Rod Shop, Fawcett brings a wide-ranging skill set to the role. “I’m looking forward to expanding operations at the facility utilizing the park atmosphere as the backdrop,” said Fawcett. “I remember many of the early days of the track, and I’m super excited to keep the historical aspect alive of 60-plus years of operation with a vision of event expansion.” Operations for the 2026 season are already in place, and Gerald Kramer will continue to oversee the facility throughout the year. Looking beyond 2026, both Gerald and Kyle Kramer have agreed to remain involved to help support the transition and assist Fawcett as he works to bring his long-term vision for Eddyville Raceway Park to life. Eddyville Raceway Park is scheduled to open its 2026 season on Saturday, April 18. The track’s 2026 schedule is set to include a slate of major events, including the Quick Performance Door Car Shootout, the Musco Lighting Night of Fire, the Twisted Shifterz and 360-Steel Funny Car Fuel Altered Nationals, and more. Located near Eddyville, Iowa, the facility first opened in 1965 on the Rempe family farm and has grown into one of the region’s most respected racing venues. In 2026, Eddyville Raceway Park is expected to host more than 60 race-day events ranging from grassroots sportsman competition to large-scale national event-style programs. The facility is sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association. Dig’s Rod Shop, based in Oskaloosa, Iowa, has built a strong reputation as a destination for vintage and hot rod enthusiasts. Known for its craftsmanship and attention to detail, the shop specializes in restoration, fabrication, bodywork, custom paint, and upholstery. With the 2026 season still ahead and a new era now officially on the horizon, Eddyville Raceway Park appears poised to honor its past while building toward its future. This story was originally published on March 16, 2026. The post Craig Fawcett to Assume Ownership of Eddyville Raceway Park in 2027 first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Mark Viso's 1969 Chevelle is a dream project car that's stood the test of time. The classic Chevy is powered by one nasty big block. View the full article

Texas Motorplex, the state-of-the-art motorsports and entertainment facility located 30 minutes south of Dallas, today announced that Bariay 1492 cigars will have a significant presence at multiple locations across the facility. The most significant enhancement for Texas Motorplex fans will be the creation of the Bariay 1492 Pavilion, an open-air pavilion on the pit side food court, creating a relaxed, shaded atmosphere for fans to enjoy their cigars along with many other smoking areas throughout the venue. Bariay 1492 cigars will also be available for purchase from humidors at multiple bar locations throughout the property starting at the TX2K event, this weekend, including the Margarita Bar, Jack Daniel’s Bar, and Champions Club Bar. “We are excited to be able to add Bariay 1492 cigars as another unique fan and participant amenity for all our events,” said Texas Motorplex co-owner Christie Meyer Johnson. “We have been familiar with their cigars since the Texas Fall Nationals, and we jumped on the chance to create an official relationship. Turning our pit side pavilion into the Bariay 1492 Pavilion so fans can have a cool place to enjoy Bariay 1492 cigars will be a great addition to so many of our events.” Bariay 1492 is new to the Texas market, having launched in October 2025 but they are not new to NHRA Drag Racing. One of their key brand ambassadors is eight-time Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher. Last year, Schumacher brought the Bariay 1492 team to the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals. “As a Texas-based company, there is nothing more rewarding than working with partners who call this state home,” said Alan Kirchhoff, Bariay 1492. “We are humbled and excited to officially partner with the Texas Motorplex. By merging our boutique cigar tradition with their world-class racing venue, we are creating a unique experience that honors our shared Texas roots. It’s a proud moment for all of us at Bariay 1492.” Throughout the 2026 season, fans and participants attending Texas Motorplex events will be able to purchase and enjoy several Bariay 1492 offerings at the track. The two blends available at multiple locations will be Bariay 1492 Red, which is a smooth Old Cubano style, and Bariay 1492 Black, which is more robust with fuller notes and complexity. The cigars will also be featured at the annual Champions’ Dinner on Wednesday night before the 41st NHRA Texas Fall Nationals.For more information on Bariay 1492 cigars, visit www.bariay1492cigar.com, and for more information on Texas Motorplex events, visit www.texasmotorplex.com. This story was originally published on March 16, 2026. The post Texas Motorplex and Bariay 1492 Cigars Set to Light Up 2026 first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

This weekend marked the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, here in the DFW area, and it was the talk of the town. If it wasn’t for the windy conditions on Sunday, the weekend would have picture perfect weather, and according to the drivers the race course was great fun. This is a street circuit, much like the Long Beach Grand Prix, that goes around major landmarks like AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, and the Choctaw Stadium. With Arlington already set to handle huge crowds of people during Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers games, there are plenty of options for food, parking, transportation, etc. Arlington loves big events, and we hope the local businesses were able to take advantage. The race was great, but if you missed any of the action on tv we’ve got Race 1 and 2 of the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Cup and highlights from the Indy Car race as well. Check them all out below. The post INDYCAR NTT SERIES: Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Highlights, Toyota Gazoo Racing North America GR Cup 2026, And More! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Ryan Rudrick has grown up around racing. Rudrick now pilots his family's 1970 Duster in NHRA's Stock class at events across the country.View the full article