drag illustrated magazine. january 2011

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January 2011 Issue 49 >> $4.95 dragillustrated.com

NHRA FINALS

High Drama & Heartbreak

ORLANDO OR BUST

World Street Nationals Remains Crown Jewel of Street Legal Scene

SIX-SECOND ROAD TRIPS

Larry Larson Has the Baddest Street Car on the Planet

JEG COUGHLIN JR.One of Pro Stocks Best Ever Hanging it Up

SPECIAL ISSUE

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DI49ALL THE TRACK WILL HOLD

All About Bobn an interview at Indy, the man known as one of the best drivers the sport of drag racing has ever seen, Bob Glidden, discusses the state of Pro Stock, looks back on his own career, and what it feels like to be back in competition after a thirteen year absence, starting on page 80. By Wes Buck

I

Photograph by Steve Embling

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F E AT U R ES 91 | The Hot OnesThe hottest women racers in drag racing arent defined by their looks, but by their abilities behind the wheel. From two wheels to four, from nitro to nostalgia, the female sex is well represented on the quarter- and eighth-mile. By Ian Tocher

91

102 | Daily DriverHes driven it down the street to the drive-thru, filled it up at the local gas station, even taken it on a thousand-mile road trip, stopping to make 200mph passes every day. Larry Larson has nothing left to prove when it comes to having the Fastest Street Car in America. By Wes Buck

116 | D.I. Drop-In: 710 DragwaySteeped in legend and a bit of a bad reputation, this Southeastern strip isnt nearly as lawless as folklore would have you believe. By Van Abernethy

120 | When the Smoke ClearedHaving weathered a nearly year-long storm, the quickest and fastest doorslammers on Earth, as well as the men and women who drive them, converged at the Texas Motorplex to put a period on the American Drag Racing Leagues 2010 season. Champions were crowned and lives forever changed in the sports most significant Quick-8 shootout. By Wes Buck

H A R DC OR E

106 | The One & Only

120 106worldmags

Having provided the blueprint for street races across the nation, the one and only World Street Nationals in Orlando remains the crown jewel of street legal drag racing more nearly two decades. Its not about the money, its not about the numbers, its just that nobody does it better. By Ian Tocher

D EPART M EN T S

26 | Without the Yellow & BlackPro Stock survived the departure of Jeg Coughlin, Jr. once before, but thoroughly enjoyed his championship return in 2007. Having announced that he will once again step away, Pro Stock fans will surely miss the presence of one of the class toughest competitors. His fellow racers, however, might breathe a sigh of relief.

THE DI RT

68 | Ask SmootheOperating behind the scenes for some five years at DI, but saved the arrival of his words to the pages of the publication until now. Both random and racing, our own Bubba Smoothe answers your questions, any and all. Feedback...........................12 Q&A...................................46 Movers & Shakers...........52 Racing Reviews..............165 Top 8................................169

CO LUMNI STS

O N TH E C O VER Bob Glidden as photographed by Mark J. Rebilas in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 4th, 2010.I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1


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UP ON THE TIRE

I

always have mixed emotions as we approach the race seasons end. I think every one in the industry does. Sure as I get excited about the annually race-packed month of October, and the championship deciding races therein, as well as November and the sure-to-be-exciting NHRA Finals, its over. Settling in for what is sure to be another harsh winter in the Midwest, not even YouTube.com and a stack of old Diamond P tapes will ease the pain. Ill be jonesin for a hit of tire smoke by the time the first snow falls. As we put a bow on this latest issue of Drag Illustrated, our attention is turned to a few last hurrahs for the 2010 season. Even though they wont take us out to some state-of-theart motorsports complex, or through the backwoods to an obscure eighth-mile drag strip, well likely find a lot of what brings us back to the track every weekend the people we see when were there. If there has ever been proof of our people-first approach, other than the success and mainstream popularity of NASCAR (insert sarcasm), itd have to these trade shows that virtually all of us find a way to attend. While we have more than one option, now for the second year running in Indianapolis, the yearly tradition for us has been a pilgrimage to Orlando for the Performance Racing Industry trade show. Generally an impressive, sprawling display of an almost infinite number of go-fast parts, many of which never-seen-before, its hard to argue with the real reason racers, business owners and industry members make the trek which for most is not only long, but expensive and thats simply to see one another. By the time early December rolls around weve officially broken the habit (at least for this year) of finding a drag strip and getting our asses to it every weekend. So while its interesting and enjoyable to fondle all the latest, greatest parts and pieces for our race cars the fun and excitement is 100-percent generated by the people in attendance. As youll read a few pages back in DI 49, trade shows and conventions like PRI or IMIS are well-attended by the automotive high performance industrys decision makers, but if your trip to either revolves solely around pitching your race program to a potential sponsor, please dont be disappointed when you head home and the 6x12 U-Haul cargo trailer you rented isnt full of free crap from all your new sponsors. Dont get me wrong, you can wheel and deal and do business, but you may need to temper your expectations and refocus your efforts. Spend the whole time walking aisles, peddling your custom-made sponsorship portfolio, complete with bronze, silver and gold investment opportunities, and youll likely fail to take advantage of the years biggest networking and relationship-building exercise. Like it or lump it (Thanks, Rickie), the age-old adage that says, its not what you know, its who you know is true. Think about it. Think about the friends youve made over the years, racing-related or not. Now think about how many of those relationships you would have made if the first thing you asked that person, who may now be your best friend, your wife, or your crew chief, was if theyd be interested in helping you re-shingle your house in mid-July, cooking you dinner for the next 50 years, or driving all-night without sleep after thrashing for a week to get you to the race track so you can red-light in the first round. Maybe youre a better pitchman than me, but itd be hard to imagine any of those scenarios playing out well, definitely not becoming anything meaningful, valuable, or lasting. Far more often than not, we can get a lot further in life by putting the needs of others in front of our own. While thats a nice, heartwarming sentiment that tempts me to carry on about a life of selfishness thats really not what my goal here is. The truth is, we can get what we want a lot quicker and easier if we not only take into consideration the other persons point of view, but also their own needs and wants. At first sight, that may appear to be manipulative. It doesnt work, however, if its not genuine.

Wesley R. BuckEditor in ChiEf [email protected]

Dave HaldinChiEf ExECutivE offiCEr [email protected]

Wyatt HaldinFor each of the marketing or sponsorship guys you have on your PRI hit list, keep in mind that by the time you reach them, they may well have been swimming in shark infested waters for almost three days straight. When you finally get the opportunity to meet that person youre after, someone who may well hold the key to a lifetime of free tires or a couple spare parts, remember to see things from his or her perspective. Would you really expect to meet someone for the first time, have them show you some pretty pictures of their operation or a drawing of what it would look like if they had the money, and make any sort of substantial investment to be a part of it right there on the spot? Doubtful. Instead of pouring over your sponsorship proposal for hours correcting grammatical errors and verbiage, invest some time in your people skills and leave a lasting impact with a handshake and a few minutes of conversation. Sure, youre out to make something happen, to get what you want, but arent we all? The problem, however, is that no one else is, as theyre in the same boat as you wrapped up in getting what they want. Its not nearly as difficult, oftentimes no challenge at all, to get a friend, be them old or new, to throw you a bone and help with a little tow money. Especially if you first make them want to help you. Everyone wants to feel good, and helping a friend or colleague in need is a sure way to a warm heart. Its almost impossible to resist an offer that you not only want to accept, but will also be of benefit to you or your business. The fact is that theres a lot of hype out there. A whole lot of promising up-and-comers with the next big idea or the next best opportunity going from door to door hoping to stumble across a sucker, operating with disregard to what anyone other than themselves might want. Entire books have been written on the subject, like the one soon to be mentioned, but a few guidelines resonate through them all. Be sincere and dont promise anything you cannot deliver. Forget about what you have to gain and focus on the benefits to the other person or business. Be honest with yourself and consider the value that person will receive from doing what you suggest. In his book Influencing Human Behavior, Harry A. Overstreet said, Action springs out of what we fundamentally desire and the best piece of advice which can be given to would-be persuaders, whether in business, in the home, in the school, in politics is: First, arouse in the other person an eager want. He who can do this has the whole world with him. He who cannot walks a lonely way. Enjoy the holiday season, as well as the trade show season, and put the highest value on your family and developing meaningful relationships while you do. Both investments will pay dividends.PrEsidEnt

[email protected]

Trent SalterPublishEr

[email protected]

Scott DormandirECtor of salEs

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Mike CarpenterdirECtor of art & dEsign

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CounterweightFeedback, Friendly Notes, & Hate Mail

SHAKEDOWNDecember 2010 Issue 48 >> $4.95 dragillustrated.com

AT E-TOWN DELIVERS!

SPECIAL ISSUE

Shameless Self-PromotionI just wanted to let you know that I think you are doing a fantastic job with the magazine. I remember when you first started and in just a few short years Drag Illustrated is the only magazine I will read. After IHRA dismembered and dumped Pro Stock and Pro Mod like a bad habit, I didnt renew because there was nothing to follow, and the National Dragster just isnt what it used to be. Keep up the great work, and hopefully someday, I will figure out how to plaster my face on the cover or the pages of Drag Illustrated once again. Tony Gillig, Illinois I just had to drop you a note to tell you how great your publication is. Its great to see a high quality drag racing publication in our sport and I wanted to congratulate you on your efforts. Ive been in this sport for close to 50 years and Ive learned to appreciate good journalism. Lex Dudas, Vice President, Maple Grove Raceway

Man of FaithI just read Van Abernethys article about Edward Wilson [What Dreams May Come, DI 48]. It about made me shed a tear when he told about praising God and giving Him the glory. I knew Van had written the article before I could find the credit. Some of these racers are a hard bunch, but I believe that the way you introduce stories of faith to them will give some of the racers something to think about. Also interesting was Abernethys article on Brewers Speedway. It makes me want to hang out there on some Friday night. I would certainly feel safe know that the owner is packing heat. Rick Heath, via the Internet

MICK SNYDER MANHANDLES ADRL PRO EXTREME

MAKING THE MOVE

EDWARD WILSONS GLORIOUS COMEBACK ADRL OHIO DRAGS IVByron Dragways Power Wheelstanding Championships

REACH FOR THE SKY HOWARD MOON The DI Interview

The performances out of these outlaw guys always blow my mind and as a fan and a racer, Im nothing but impressed, but I wont deny that I feel its way out of control.

Shakedown Still PoppinIm unfortunately privy to the struggle that David Hance endured to procure the necessary financial backing for his annual Shakedown at E-Town event, and Im so glad to see it was such a success again in 2010. Thanks for the great coverage of one of the events that I look forward to the most every year. It was also nice to read the back story behind the event in Daves Pro-Motor column. Barry Jordan, via the Internet Thank you so much for the coverage of our Shakedown at E-Town event! The pictures are very nice and really show the atmosphere. I have to say that Im a little biased, but I loved the Pro-Moters story by Dave Hance. Its great to see him get recognition for all he does to make this event possible, as well as the support he shows for other races across the country. Michelle Marchese Old Bridge Township Raceway Park The last thing I would want to do is ensue some sort of rule-writing riot, but has anyone taken into consideration just how fast this Tim Lynch is going in Outlaw 10.5? I mean, seriously. 230 miles per hour? Sub 6.50s? And all at over 3,000 pounds. How can that possibly be safe, and I have to ask: where does it end? The performances out of these outlaw guys at the Shakedown always blow my mind and as a fan and a racer, Im nothing but impressed, but I wont deny that I feel its way out of control. Dont even get me started on these non-wheelie-bar-havin radial cars thatd outrun almost every single one of our local Pro Mods. Eric Goldberg, Iowa 12 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d |

Females of FuelAshley Force-Hood has surely impressed everyone at this point, right? Winning races, walking away from some hairy wrecks, and showing the tenacity of her father, shes earned my respect. That said, I sure hope Alexis DeJoria does indeed go Fuel Coupe racing in 2011, and I wouldnt mind seeing that Leah Pruett in a nitro flopper, either. Ron Elder, Seattle

Making the MoveConsidering the success spoken of, despite some struggles along the way, in the Mick Snyder cover story [Making the Move, DI 49], I have to wonder how long it will take for some of the other big name and successful Top Alcohol teams make the switch to ADRL Pro Extreme, or even NHRA Pro Mod now that its an official class. It has to be a huge change of pace for someone like Mick who always had to play second fiddle to the fuel cars to be the star of the show. Rob Hogan, Kingston, Ontario While I dont know them personally, Ive always been a fan of the Top Alcohol Funny Cars because of how hard they are to drive and the journeymen racers who run them, so I was glad to see Mick Snyder on the cover of DI 48 last month. Good to see good people getting some ink. That said, what happens when all the hard-working and hard-running racers in Top Alcohol show up in door cars? Im not worried about the sanctioning body or the wellbeing of sportsman racing, Im worried about all the outlaw Pro Mod guys who will likely get their doors blown off by the best blown alcohol racers in the world. Top Alcohol racers dont get the credit they deserve. Look at what the Ace Frank Manzo has done for Al-Anabi Racing and he has no prior experience with door cars. Andy Jennings, via Facebook

Well?Looking at that image of Jason Scruggs 63 Corvette in last months issue [The Stripe/Photo of the Month, DI 49], the one with all the clutch dust pouring out from under the car, I have to wonder how hes liking the switch to a torque converter. It seems like sacrilege, but I guess its no secret. If you cant beat em, join em. Either way, Scruggs wont go long without that No. 1 on his window. Count on it. Chris Mills, via the Internet

Force HuntingThanks for printing that photo of Mike Dunn and Paul Page in the Movers & Shakers section last month [DI 48]. I laughed for 5 minutes straight. They werent riding around merely looking for a story, they were riding around looking for the ONLY story ESPN, and the NHRA for that matter, want to tell that of John or Ashley Force. Glen B., via the Internet

Contact UsLETTERS to DRAG ILLUSTRATED, P.O. Box P, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Letters become the property of DRAG ILLUSTRATED and may be edited for publication. E-MAIL [email protected] SUBSCRIBER SERVICES Go to dragillustrated.com Subscribe Renew Cancel Missing Issues Give a Gift Pay Bill Change of Address

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COMFORTABLY NUMBThe Long Arm of the Lawegulation is strangling this country. When the new congress is seated next year, some are already wringing their hands about the gridlock that will result. In my world, every day that the masterminds in Washington arent cramming new rules down our throats is a good day. I looked on Al Gores amazing internet the other day and came up with some real gems when it comes to questionable legislation that has been foisted upon the people of this country. Strange can only describe some of the edicts that have come down the mount from the ruling class. The politicos are certain that the citiI see states instituting anti-bullying laws to protect the zenry of this nation are a bunch of mouth breathing morons children. Do these people really think that they can legiswho dont know enough to come in out of the rain. Without late mean kids out of existence? As is usually the case in their nanny state laws, why, whatever would we do? situations like this, government is stepping into an arena Here are some laws on the books in the great State of that they dont belong in. From banning cell phones while Iowa: Horses are forbidden from eating fire hydrants, One driving to limiting sugary soft drinks in schools, do politiarmed piano players must perform for free, and a man with cians really think this is a good use of their time? It would a moustache may never kiss a woman in public. Just in seem to me that there are more pressing issues facing all from Chicago: People are forbidden to fish while sitting on levels of government than to routinely becoming entangled a giraffes neck and eating in a building that is on fire is not in the minutia of our daily lives. Most of the time it goes cool. Not to be outdone, New York City and State offer up back to this we know best attitude that permeates governthese important rules. The penalty for jumping off a build- ment today. ing is death (seriously?). Women may go topless in public I can draw some quick parallels between my anti-reguprovided its not for business purposes. latory stance and the drag racing world. Im convinced that A few more examples of legal prudence from around the part of what makes the American Drag Racing League so atcountry: Its agin the law to fish for whales (Nebraska), no tractive to both racers and fans alike is the almost complete vehicle, without a driver, can exceed 60 mph (California), lack of rules. Of course, there are safety concerns that have and nobody is allowed to ride a bike in a swimming pool to be adhered to, but beyond these, its wide open as to what (California). Ive got to give credit where credit is due. I can or cannot be done. It gets complicated real fast when found these examples on the website dumblaws.com. If you the NHRA sets out to slow down one of the fuel classes bewant to spend a knee-slapping hour looking at hundreds of cause the top end speeds are becoming scary. When new stoooopid laws from all across the country, this is the place limitations are placed on race teams, they invariably have for you. unintended consequences never dreamed of when the new I chose this topic this month because I am a big fan of rules are announced. entrepreneurs and small business people. The drag racing I guess Im just a fan of less is more when it comes to community is made up of untold hundreds and thousands of government and organizations herding us all around like a individuals who have taken the risks and opened the doors bunch of cattle. This attitude of mine can probably be traced of their own shops. The people who fit this description back to me sitting in the principals office in grade school know all about the roadblocks and burdens of complying and being told Mr. Haldin, I believe you have a problem with local, state, and federal laws. Im not an anarchist and with authority. This whole nation has had a problem with understand that there have to be standards of safety and fair unreasonable authority going back to the Boston Tea Party play, but the heavy hand of government has practically ex- and stretching right up to the present day with the results of tinguished the flame of innovation and free market princi- the 2010 midterm elections. We, as Americans, instinctively pals that have made this country great. The phrase the road know when someone is abusing the power bestowed upon to hell is paved with good intentions comes to mind when them and thank God we have the ability to peacefully resolve looking at the hoops businesses have to jump through just the problem when it arises. to open their doors and hope customers show up to spend We all know that there have to be a certain number of money with them. Who in their right mind would have op- laws and regulations, if for no other reason than to maintain posed the Occupational Safety and Health Act when it was order and preserve the civil society, but its apparent that we proposed? Workers have the right to be safe in their work- are about to be buried under an avalanche of legal tentacles place, right? The reality of the situation is that if an OSHA that have worked their way into every aspect of our lives. Ill inspector shows up at your business, they are going to find leave you with an incident that happened this summer in something wrong and youre going to pay. The dirty little se- Venice, California. Armed federal agents raided a health cret is that OSHA is self-funded through the levying of fines. food co-op and confiscated the illicit product that promptWhat about the Americans with Disabilities act? Who ed the visit in the first place. The culprit? Raw, unpasteurwould deny a person in a wheelchair access to schools, ized milk. A pretty clear indication that weve lost our way. businesses, and churches? Again, the reality is the small church congregation down the street that now has to install a quarter of a million dollar elevator to reach the second floor. These laws are called unfunded mandates and the federal government, in particular, is very good at creating them without regard to how they will be paid for. We see this regulation expanding into every area of our lives and all Wyatt Haldin of us are beholden to bureaucrats who dont really seem to President have our best interests in mind. [email protected]

R

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READ IT ONLINE NOW FOR FREEEOW AT E-T IV N DELSPECIAL

TUNING UP

All the Track Will Hold: The Year in Review

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SHAKE

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December 2010 $4.95 Issue 48 >> ted.com dragillustra

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MAKING T H E M OV E

HANDLES MICK SNYDER MANE ADRL PRO EXTREM

ittle Jimmy Dickens once said that if you see a turtle sitting on a fence post, he had some help getting up there. As we reflect on the past year, we here at Drag Illustrated realize that we could not aspire to sit on the fence post without the help of all of you. Our intrinsically driven, passionate and loyal community of readers and advertisers. We simply could not do this with out you, without your constant support and encouragement. For this, we are very grateful. It truly provides the daily motivation for the staff at DI to strive for consistent and meaningful improvement. Just like this past year in drag racing, it has been an incredibly exciting, challenging ,at times tragic, yet rewarding year for DI. It certainly has not been easy and continuing to connect the dots can be an onerous task, but it is the only one way that I have discovered over the past 25 years in media to arrive at the big end under power, and in one piece. Since coming on board as part of the Drag Illustrated crew as acting Publisher in May, just like a winning race team, I realized immediately that I had a unique opportunity to tap ership experience. The launch of the DI digital publication into a very talented and motivated group of individuals. No has created a larger and more diversified readership audidifferent than an engine builder using a dyno to fine tune his ence. A primary objective of our new 4-Wide Multimedia program, weve been using every tool available to us to see Model is to expose and celebrate the incredible sport of drag racing to a worldwide audience of new and passionate drag just how much horsepower we could wring out of this racing enthusiasts. If we can play Drag Illustrated engine. our part in acJust like a winning race team, the first step was STICK SHIFTERS , SUPER STOCKE RS, BATTLE FOR complishing this, to establish a crew chief to assist and lead in THE BELTS & MO RE we can all drink the process of tuning ISSUE champagne in the IAL the car to maximum W SPEC MA SHO 2010 SE winners circle. speed and efficiency. 2011 promises to Just like a winning be a pinnacle year race team, the unifor Drag Illustratfied direction of the ed. We are embracT-E-A-M is the key ing the challenge. ingredient that will The recent launch determine whether THROWDOWN! of the new DragIlyou get the white or lustrated.com web the yellow ticket at vs. portal will hopefully the end of a run. Along provide a one-stop those same lines, Im a WHO WILL BE shop to satisfy even firm believer that creatPR O ST OC K PE RS EV ER IN G the most demanding a unified direction is of ing gearhead. The crucial to positive prognew portal will creress. I also believe that OLLY ate a host of multiDAVE CONN S it starts with establishNHRA RETURN LS U.S. NATIONA media experiences for ing a culture one that our viewers, allowing empowers and supports them to get closer to the action than ever betalented individuals, profore. To choose from a plethora of content sharing capabilividing the incentives and motivation to raise their personal expectations to the next ties to spread the word, draft the latest players and share the level. As is the case with any of the championship-winning incredible passion that literally brought us to the race in the teams on the pages of this months issue, we understand that first place. Just like a winning race team, sharing the experiit is imperative to lead by example, from the driver to the ence is really what it is all about. Ho, Ho, Ho, Headbangers, guy putting air in the tires, the chain is only as strong as the and Happy Holidays to all of you. weakest link that the sum of parts inevitably creates the Nuff Sed, whole. It all sounds simple, but we all know that it is much more difficult in execution. All of us here at Drag Illustrated believe we have what it takes to be a winning race team and we are proud of the positive progress we have experienced this past year. We also realize that we have a long ways to go to make it to the finish line. In our eyes, were just past the 60-foot cones. With Trent Salter your continued support, we can get there together. We have Publisher relentlessly invested in creating a more mature and credible [email protected] product that we hope has significantly improved your readOctober 2010 Issue 46 >> $4.95 dragillustrated.co mNovember 2010 Issue 47 >> $4.95 com dragillustrated.

SCHUMACHER DIXON THE KING GREG ANDERSON T& JASON LINE OP FUEL?RETURNS THE PRODIGYERS SEAT TO THE DRIV NES AT THE BEHIND THE SCE THEM ALL OF GRANDDADDY

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ISSUE

HOWARD MOON The DI Interview

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The XFI Fuel Injection System by FAST provides the industrys most advanced EFI tuning technology in a compact, racer friendly package. The trusted choice of countless professional race tuners, XFI offers the processing horsepower and features to optimize even the most exotic race engine combinations. Forced induction, nitrous, alternative fuels XFI can tune just about anything you can throw at it for maximum performance. Once you compare the race specic features, tuning exibility and unmatched product support provided by the FAST tech support team and large user community, it becomes clear why XFI is the choice of more top engine builders, tuners and drag racers. And by purchasing a FAST product, you can feel 100% condent that were going to be around to stand behind the product, today and tomorrow.

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Staging LanesPRESENTED BY

www.eharwood.com

HEART OF A CHAMPIONIn his dominating performance en route to the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock world championship, Mike Edwards rarely took any credit for his successes in arguably the toughest category in all of drag racing. From start to finish, despite establishing such an obvious performance advantage throughout the course of the season, Edwards never lost sight of his strong faith and morals. Following a holeshot loss to Greg Stanfield at this years biggest event, the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Edwards expressed his thankfulness for being able to do race for a living, and uttered the powerful words, He [Stanfield] deserves something like this, hes been around a long time. When on-track rival Greg Anderson clinched the 2010 championship at the conclusion of qualifying at the NHRA World Finals in Pomona on November 11th, even though he wont be able to wear the No. 1 next season, still displayed the heart of a champion. Photograph by

Mark J. RebilasOReilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis Brownsburg, Indiana September 6 th, 2010

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MAKING MOVESJim Halsey and Greg Godwin, a pair of Pro Nitrous cowboys, wrestle their respective mounts down the eighth-mile at the Texas Motorplex, home of the ADRLs annual championshipdeciding event each October. Halsey, well known as one of the best in the world of nitrous racing, has struggled to regain form throughout 2010 with a potent new 867 cubic inch engine from Gene Fulton, of course equipped with four stages of nitrous. His performances have illustrated tremendous potential, however, so Halsey is still on his competitors radar. Photograph by

Mark J. RebilasTexas Motorplex Ennis, Texas October 22 nd, 2010

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EVERYONE IS WAITINGFollowing an otherworldly 6.57-second, 227.38mph (1.156 to 60-feet, 4.40/178mph at the eighth-mile), David Wolfe had everyones attention at the recently completed Import vs. Domestic World Cup Finals at Maryland International Raceway. Considering Wolfes Fox Body Mustang retains its stock appearance and has a rolling weight of well over 3,000 pounds, displaying the quickness of a Pro Stocker and the speed of a Pro Mod on 315-series drag radials without wheelie bars is borderline unbelievable. Photograph by

Van AbernethyMaryland International Raceway Budds Creek, Maryland November 6 th, 2010

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the rbox ate WPRESENTED BY

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HEADLIGHTS THROUGH THE HAZEPHOTOGRAPH BY MARK J. REBILAS TEXAS MOTORPLEX ENNIS, TEXAS OCTOBER 22ND, 2010Jimmy Blackmon brings the 33x10.5W Mickey Thompsons on the back of his 1968 Pontiac Firebird to a boil as he streaks across the starting line of Billy Meyer-owned Texas Motorplex outside Dallas during the Friday night qualifying session for Extreme 10.5 during the season-ending LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VII. Blackmon, a chassis builder based out of Rockmart, Georgia, has made the transition from traditional 3,000-pound Outlaw 10.5 racing to the no-holds-barred ADRL version with his new car and has shown tremendous promise with the alcohol-burning twinturbocharged big block Chevrolet between the frame rails.

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ADRL MINUS NOWLING Pg.76 CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION 2010 Pg.146

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Jeg Coughlin Jr. to Step Away from Pro Stock Class in 2011By Scott Woody Woodruff ive-time world champion drag racer Jeg Coughlin Jr. has announced he will not return to Pro Stock in 2011. One of the most prolific drivers in NHRA history, Coughlin is planning a less hectic schedule of Sportsman events in a variety of race cars in 2011, forgoing the time demands of the 22race professional circuit. We took most of 2006 off just to kind of have a break from it all, the 40-year-old Coughlin said. We did a lot of high-dollar bracket races and select Lucas Oil Sportsman Series events here and there with no particular schedule in mind. We kind of just raced when we wanted to and it was a lot of fun. That is the direction I am heading now. When the chance to get back into Pro Stock presented itself towards the end of 06 we sat down and thought about the goals we could go for if we did return. We knew we wanted to pass the 50-win mark. We accomplished that. We wanted to be in position to contend for the championship each year, and we won two more since we returned. And we really wanted to salute our dad and family business on the 50th anniversary of JEGS, which happened throughout this season. My career has turned out better than I would have ever imagined. I feel so fortunate to have raced with the people Ive raced with and to26 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d |

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have won the races and championships weve won for the yellow and black. Its just been a phenomenal ride, and its not over by any means. I have been going Mach II with my hair on fire since the early 90s and I kind of want to take a breath. To date, Coughlin has collected four Pro Stock titles (2000, 2002, 2007, and 2008) and 52 national event Pro Stock trophies to go with one Super Gas world championship (1992) and 14 more national event Sportsman victories. Aside from his own future racing endeavors, Coughlin plans to serve as a crewman for his fianc Samantha Kenny and his nephew Troy Coughlin Jr., who both run Super Comp. He also plans to support the racing efforts of brothers John, Troy, Mike and their families. Im also very excited about having the time to go to more of my son Jeggies golf tournaments. Hes so passionate about the sport and hes turning into quite the golfer. I look forward to watching his development continue. I also want to make it clear that Im not done racing at the pro level. I have been approached and am considering some of the opportunities. I have no idea what the future will hold. I just know that for right now I want to take a step back and relax a little bit.

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DirtSprint Cup Champ to Dabble in Pro StockBy Robert Salter

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Ken Black Returns to Drag Strip in Vegas; Serves as Grand Marshal of EventBy Wes Buck

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ne of the most beloved members of the professional drag racing community, Ken Black, owner of the KB Racing Pro Stock team comprised of champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line, was finally able to return to his quartermile haven for the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals in late October. Black, who suffered a debilitating stroke in December of 2009, had been kept away from the drag strip ever since as he recuperated from the incident. Prior to the event, Black said, I am really looking forward to getting back to the track this weekend. The response from the drag racing community throughout my recovery has been nothing short of tremendous, and it will be great to see everyone and thank them for keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. Im honored that the folks at The Strip have chosen me to severe as grand marshall. Most of all, I cant wait to be out there with Greg, Jason, and all my guys on the KB Racing crew. Im so proud of what theyve done this year, and even though weve been in constant contact, theres nothing like being out on the track with them. I had a little taste of it last weekend during

our test session, and cant wait for this weekend to get here. Im ready to go racing. Fittingly, Black was on hand Sunday to oversee the opening festivities and witness one of his two cars win the final round later that afternoon when Anderson and Line met for all the marbles. Without a doubt, this is the best day I have ever had at a racetrack, said Anderson, who bested his running mate with a 6.65 at 207.43mph. I am just about speechless, which sounds odd for me. It was truly unbelievable how this Summit Racing team won today. Everything I wished and prayed for came true. The competition in this category is so tough and after

qualifying, I obviously didnt have an advantage on anybody. I didnt have lane choice all day and wasnt making particularly good runs, but somebody was just guiding my car to the finish line ahead of the other guy. I couldnt have drawn this weekend up any better than it turned out, and the best part is how its going to impact Ken Black. We were thrilled to have him back at the track with us, and hope our performance today goes a mile towards his recovery. It was just a great team effort, and it starts at the top with Ken Black. I love the man, his family and my entire race team, and feel lucky to be associated with them.

ts not likely that the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion will abandon the sport that has earned him better than $60 million in his eleven years making laps, but it has been confirmed that Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, will test his abilities behind the wheel of a legit NHRA Pro Stock car in 2011. After securing his Pro Stock license at Roy Hills Drag Racing School in early November at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina, Busch told CompetitionPlus.com that he would make his second drag racing debut at the NHRA Gatornationals next spring, if they were ready. If were ready, said Busch, We plan on renting a car from Allen Johnson, with the blessing of Mopar, and attempt to make the field in Gainesville. All things considered, this is a fantastic development that will result in even greater media interest than Buschs original debut in the sportsman ranks of NHRA drag racing earlier in 2010. Busch, however, readily acknowledged that his participation in the Gatornationals would be contingent on not only whether he was prepared as a driver, but if his team was prepared to maintain the car. There is a big difference between 7.5 seconds and what you need to run to make a Pro Stock field, said Busch. This isnt as easy as I thought it would be, but were getting there and the past three days havent been all about me learning the race car. This has been about my crew learning what it takes to prepare one of these cars to race. Having enjoyed great success in stock car racing, its not likely that Busch would make a full-time switch to drag racing with each series demanding schedule. Having the charismatic driver on hand for even a few races each season, though, especially in a Pro Stocker, will be great for the sport of drag racing. Speaking as to the differences of the motorsports disciplines, Busch said, Driving one of these cars is a two-minute high, said Busch. Its a 10 for the two minutes it takes to complete a run. Driving a Cup car is a four hour session which has its highs and lows, but is a seven for almost the entire time. I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1

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Angie Smith Dismounts Pro Stock Cycle, Set to Enter Door WarsBy Wes Buckhough virtually all of her racing experience has come on two wheels, first on a no-wheelie bar, seven-second street bike leading up to an impressive run at NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle, Angie McBride-Smith recently made it known that she would be moving into the NHRA Pro Stock category in 201 1. The rough and tumble world of factory hot rod will admittedly be a massive change of pace for Smith, but she appears to be ready for what lies ahead. Its going to be a lot different, but Im up for the challenge. Im beyond excited about the opportunity, said McBride, moments after a photograph of her strapped into a doorslammer appeared on her personal Facebook page. Were just adding two wheels. Im nervous, but Im excited at the same time. I really want to do well, and Im aware of the fact that Im facing a really big learning curve. Like Ive said, unlike the bike, I cant move a Pro Stock car where I want it to go Ill be strapped in it. According to the standout bike rider, who is married to former NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith, son of legendary Pro Stock and Pro Modified racer, Rickie Smith, she will make her debut passes following the completion of the NHRA season behind the wheel of a Bob Yonke-owned Pro Stock Pontiac GXP. While an engine builder has yet to be named, she will test with a Yonke/Stanfield engine between the frame rails.

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Call 586.792.6620 or visit: www.diamondracing.networldmags I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1dragillustrated.com | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d |

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Cory Mac Released by DSR; Exploring 2011 OptionsBy Judy Stropus, Robert Salterory McClenathan will be released from Don Schumacher Racing, following the conclusion of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, announced team owner Don Schumacher on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010. McClenathan, who has been racing the FRAM Top Fuel dragster for DSR since 2008 and has been sponsored by Honeywell brands FRAM, Prestone and Autolite since 2006, had been in the midst of a tight Top Fuel championship battle that included him, Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher throughout the NHRAs playoff program, the Countdown to the Championship. This was a tough decision to make, said Schumacher. Cory has done such an outstanding job for DSR and Honeywell and he has been an important member of the DSR family. He is a remarkable race car driver, and clearly a champion in the making. I have invited Cory to stay on with the team until he finds another ride. I have also asked him to be available if we were in need of a test driver or if we were to introduce another team in the future. A replacement driver will reportedly be named following the conclusion of the 2010 NHRA season. I am not retiring, said McClenathan, 47. I have had a wonderful relationship with Don Schumacher, both personal and professional. I am grateful to him and to Honeywell for all they have done for me. Right now I have to focus on trying to win the 2010 championship, which I want to do for DSR, for Fram, Prestone and Autolite and, of course, for myself. After this season is over, I will pursue other opportunities to continue racing in the NHRA Full Throttle Series. Since McClenathan joined DSR in 2008, he has won five national events in 15 final rounds to date, and was No. 1 qualifier eight times. He set the quickest elapsed time in NHRA history (racing to 1000 feet) of 3.752 seconds in 2010. In his 20-year career, he has won 34 national events in 65 final rounds to date and qualified No. 1 38 times. He was the championship runner-up four times. According to sources deeply entwined in the drag racing industry, McClena-

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thans replacement will be either Steve Torrence or Spencer Massey, who formerly drove for legendary team owner Don Prudhomme in NHRA Top Fuel competition. This scenario seems likely considering McClenathans admittance on Bobby Bennetts CompetitionPlus.com that the team, primarily the FRAM brand, was seeking a younger driver that would better fit their target demographic. I think anytime you face something like this, its hard, McClenathan said shortly after the official announcement was made. Its hard for me because of my relationship with Don and with FRAM. But when I look at the reasons for it, I certainly understand it. It wasnt because of something I was doing wrong behind the wheel. It wasnt something I was doing wrong as a spokesperson. It was simply put out to me that they were looking for a younger market. Now that its out there, I am hoping some of them will call me, said McClenathan of his newfound free agent status. I can do some of these teams good as a driver and can even save some of them money that a rookie couldnt do. Theres always a learning curve and these cars havent gotten easier to drive. The experience Ive had has come in handy lately.

Amalie Oil to McMillen: We Want Two More YearsBy Bobby Bennettt was one of the more positive news items which slipped under the radar on Saturday afternoon during the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals. But for first year full-time NHRA Top Fuel racer Terry McMillen the moment was front and center. McMillen could only smile when executives of the Amalie Oil company announced to his team huddled within their hauler their intentions to extend his contract two more years. Terry and his team have always exceeded our expectations, confirmed Denny Madden, Sr. Vice President, Amalie Oil. This year they raised the bar to a whole new level and Amalie is excited to partner with Terry through the 2012 season. Were proud of our 12 year relationship with them and look forward to many more. According to a source within the team, the extension also includes further activation of the brand with about ten extra major hospitality events taking place in 2011. For McMillen, it seems as if it were yesterday, that he rolled his first Amalie Oil-sponsored Top Alcohol Funny Car out of the trailer. In motorsports marketing, you tend 32 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d |dragillustrated.com

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to see sponsors come and go during a three year period, McMillen said. To be entering our 12th year with Amalie Oil is truly amazing. I look forward to continuing this program for years to come. McMillen will always been remembered as Amalie Oils first full-time foray into the rough and tumble world of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series. Drag racing has been extremely good for Amalie Oil, said McMillen. We came over here [NHRA Top Fuel] not knowing what to really expect. We always knew that Amalie Oil delivered a great product. The relationship between Andrew Bornstein and Denny Madden has been tremendous as well. Every year, we find ways to grow the business to keep impacting the bottom line. Its been a win-win situation for all of us. Coming over to the NHRA has been awesome because this is clearly the best of the best. This is where you find out what kind of a team you have at the end of the day. McMillen concluded his first season just outside of the Countdown to 1 but remains ready to try and accomplish the feat for 2011.

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DirtWith low car counts and short fields being the talk of town for a majority of the regular NHRA season, it will be difficult to start penalizing a number of the teams that may wind up as regular participants in 2011. Not to mention the fact that a late game rule change such as this could have had serious implications in the championship scenario. Fortunately, that wasnt the case in Pomona. It will, however, be interesting to see if this is a rule that carries over into 2011. Force agreed that the oil downs were a problem, but had a different opinion as to how teams should be penalized for infractions. Weve got to do something, he said. All that down time is bad for our TV. Its bad for the racers. I dont think they should take away points. I think they should charge you money. The NHRA did attach a monetary fine to their policy; the first violation will come with a $2,500 fine, the second double that amount. Given the strict curfews that must be adhered to in Pomona, and the fact that championships need to be decided, it would be impossible to finish the event in a timely fashion if the delays due to oil were to continue at the same rate they have the last several races, said Light, in a prepared statement prior to the NHRA World Finals. We wanted to create a strong policy that would ensure the teams make every effort to contain oil, while not significantly impacting the outcome of the championships. According to their initial press release, this program only pertained to the final race of the 2010 season, but NHRA officials would develop a comprehensive policy for the 2011 season.

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Apologies Abound Following Las Vegas Nats; NHRA Announces Oil-Down PenaltyBy Wes Buck

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espite one of the largest crowds in the history of the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, one of two national events held yearly at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the NHRA management team, especially its most public figure, Graham Light, struggled to deem the weekend a success. While the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series came one step closer to climax and fans did witness some great racing, the event was plagued by lengthy clean ups the result of almost innumerable oil downs, wrecks and fires. Saturday served as the host for a majority of the delays as nearly eight hours, a full workday in most peoples eyes, was spent cleaning the racing surface. Considering professional qualifying was scheduled to conclude at 3:30 p.m. and the final pair of cars cleared the top end of the track thirty minutes till 10 p.m., it isnt hard to understand the frustrations of NHRA execs and race fans. Speaking in an interview with CompetitionPlus.com, Light, who serves as Vice President of Operations for the NHRA, said, I want to apologize for the quality of the show. This oil down issue is becoming more of a problem and a problem we have to resolve with the teams. We will resolve it. This is unacceptable. NHRA, along with their track owners, recognize they are competing for fans entertainment dollar and cant expect them to weather such long-lasting storms especially when a single drop of rain hadnt fallen from the sky. John Force, the newly crowned 2010 NHRA Full Throttle world champion in Nitro Funny Car, was quick to point out that the influx of oil downs, while surely not welcome, was merely the result of an influx of cars. Remember, you had a lot of cars here, he said. You had guys who hadnt run all year. You had guys testing for Pomona and learning how to run their cars. Some of them did a pretty good job. Within days of the completion of the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals an oil down penalty was announced for the upcoming event in Pomona for the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories. In Pomona, teams depositing oil on the track during any qualifying or elimination round will result in loss of the elapsed time and speed for that run. In qualifying, the time will be voided for all purposes. On Sunday, the time would be voided for purposes of lane choice, run sequence, and national records. Should the violating team win the round, it will advance in the bracket, be deemed the round winner and maintain points earned.

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Dirtpionship prize when he took the tree in the opening round of eliminations, and having qualified in the No. 6 spot with a 5.982-second, 243.06 mph blast, was surely in the hunt to win the event. Despite leaving with the starting line advantage over Jay Payne in the quarterfinals, tire shake brought the 2010 season to a close a bit prematurely for the Barwa Racing team, but they still left the property with the world championship. Per the Pro Modified categorys newfound official status, Von Smith and the Barwa Racing team will be attending the upcoming NHRA Full Throttle Awards Ceremony following the completion of the NHRA season this coming weekend in Pomona. Its exciting to have the opportunity to be a part of such a grand event, says Smith of the invitation-only black-tie event in Los Angeles, California. Having been a part of the Pro Modified category for quite some time now, I couldnt be more excited to see our class recognized at this level and be able to perform on the grandest stage in all of drag racing in the NHRA.

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Smith & Company Score Inaugural Pro Mod Crown; Set to Attend NHRA Championship BanquetBy Wes Buck

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riving ace Von Smith and crew chief Howard Moon are no strangers to success in drag racing, both having secured multiple world championships in years passed, yet both will readily admit that securing the inaugural Get Screened America NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series title is as monumental of an achievement as either have to their credit. Just being the first one, that sums it all up, says Smith, checking in from the teams race shop in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I think its safe to say everyone will always remember who won the first championship with Pro Modified as an official pro category in the NHRA, and we couldnt be more proud to have been the ones to do it. That said, were as much honored to have had the opportunity in the first place, as we are anything. The competition in 2010 was as fierce as weve ever seen it and I believe the class, in terms of both professionalism and performance, is at an all-time high. I have to give credit where its due, and from start to finish this Barwa Rac-

ing team has given me an incredible race car, continues Smith. We had a few trials and tribulations to deal with throughout the season, but this teams commitment never waivered. We couldnt be happier that we were able to deliver a world championship to Sheikh Khalid for Al-Anabi Racing, the people of Qatar, and Barwa. We couldnt do this without them. Their place in history was cemented by merely qualifying for the recently completed NHRA Las Vegas Nation-

als, though as Smith will attest, it wasnt something that could be taken for granted. Going into Vegas, our goal wasnt simply to qualify, clinch the championship and then just take it easy, says Smith. We wanted to leave an impression, make our mark and win the race winning the championship in the process. Honestly, we would have liked to had sealed the deal in Charlotte, but it wasnt meant to be. Smith claimed the $50,000 cham-

Danny Rowe Takes Second in Pro Mod Points; Set to Return in 2011 with Sterling BridgeBy Wes Buck

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n the heels of yet another incredible season behind the wheel of the Sterling Bridge 67 Camaro Pro Modified, Danny Rowe is already looking forward to 2011 with high expectations. Perhaps even more exciting is that Sterling Bridge, a loyal supporter of Danny Rowe Racing, is equally enthusiastic about 2011 and will continue their marketing partnership with DRR through next years racing season. Considering Rowe closed out the 2010 Get Screened America NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season as No. 2 in the world, both parties are optimistic as to what the future holds for the team. Coming into the final race of the season in Las Vegas, we knew we had a slim chance of getting around Von [Smith] in the points, says Rowe, who receives additional support from Competition Products. We just wanted to do our job and finish out the season as number two in the world. Youd like to win them all, and we surely wanted to win this first championship with the class as an official touring pro category, but were all very satisfied and proud to have finished

second especially at this level. Having cemented their status as perennial front runners and championship contenders, qualifying in the Top 5 at six of ten events this season, winning the OReilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston, as well as amassing numerous round wins, Danny Rowe and company are looking to build on their success in 2010, and are excited to have Sterling Bridge on board. Were honored to receive the support we have over the years from all of our sponsors and manufacturers, says Rowe, a five-time winner in NHRA Pro Modified competition. To have Sterling Bridge back in 2011 is a great privilege and were looking forward to carrying over all that we learned this season and contending for the championship again next year. I believe we saw Pro Modified at its absolute best here in the Get Screened America NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series this year, Rowe continued. The quality of the cars and teams is unparalleled and were looking forward to an even better 2011. I think we had a great season, earned a win in Houston early

in the year, and Im really proud of my crew and crew chief Jimmy Rector. Hes given me a consistently fast race car throughout the year and our team chemistry has never been better, weve just got to come back next year and get right back after it. NHRA officials recently announced the 10-race 2011 Get Screened America NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series schedule with the addition of the 12th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas next April, along with the tours regular stops in Houston, Atlanta, Englishtown, Bristol,

Norwalk, Indianapolis and Charlotte. The touring series will make a second stop at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the season-ending event in October. Danny Rowe and the Sterling Bridge Pro Modified team will be doing battle with as many as 26 of the 250-mph doorslammers next season, though, as the NHRA increased the number of entries at each event due to the ever-increasing popularity of the class. With a total purse reaching nearly a half-million dollars, 2011 promises to be another phenomenal year of growth for Pro Modified drag racing.I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1

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DirtSEMA 2010: Optimism High Among Buyers & ExhibitorsBy Peter MacGillivrayhe vibe from the 2010 SEMA Show was overwhelmingly positive, with more than 100,000 industry professionals gathering last week in Las Vegas. The enthusiasm and attitude was huge, said Tony Napoli Jr., owner of American Speed Center of York, Pennsylvania. As a SEMA Board member, Napoli went into the 2010 event knowing that industry participation would be up from the previous year. Still, he was overwhelmed and impressed with what he saw. [The 2010 SEMA Show] was as good, if not better, than any Show in recent years. Theres a fair amount of new products that Im seriously looking to add to my inventory in the coming year, and I had an opportunity to deal with some new vendors that Ive never dealt with before. Feedback like Napolis is what Show organizers ultimately rely on to gauge the success of the event. Our customers speak louder than the numbers, said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. Based on what were hearing, the 2010 SEMA Show was a very positive bounce for the industry. SEMA presented Mike Spagnola, founder and president of Street Scene Equipment and long-time SEMA member, with the 2010 Person of the Year Award at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Ive long considered myself lucky to work in an industry I love and serve as an advocate for issues that have such a tremendous impact on the future of the automotive aftermarket, said Mike Spagnola. Being recognized by my peers, many of whom I respect and feel fortunate to have worked with, is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive. Spagnola has been involved in the specialty-equipment industry for more than 30 years, having worked in both manufacturing and distribution. He is known for his understanding of the importance of collaboration within the specialty-equipment industry based on his willingness to assist magazines and others in the industry build project cars. Spagnola is currently serving his second term on the SEMA Board of Directors. He also served as the chairman of the SEMA Scholarship Committee for several years and is passionate about ensuring that the association gives back to the community by helping to bring the next generation of students successfully into the industry. In addition to volunteering his time to numerous SEMA events, Spagnola is credited with creating SEMAs Annual Pinewood Drag Race and Show N Shine Car Show for charity, which coincide with SEMAs annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. These events have helped raise more than $500,000 for two childrens charities. Created in 1969, the Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals for their distinguished service to the trade association and the specialty-equipment industry. One of SEMAs most prestigious honors, the Person of the Year Award is presented in front of thousands of industry leaders and professionals during the annual Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show.

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DirtGateway Closes its DoorsBy Robert Salter Following an announcement late in the season that neither NHRA nor NASCAR would stage events at Gateway International Raceway in 2011, longstanding scuttlebutt that the facility would cease operations was growing difficult to deny. On November 3rd, Dover Motorsports Inc., the publicly traded company that owns the facility, announced that it would be closing down the multipurpose facility. Gateway is a tremendous racing facility in a great racing community, but we are simply unable to operate it with an acceptable return, said Denis McGlynn, President and CEO of Dover Motorsports. We truly appreciate the many years of dedication shown by our Gateway employees and their efforts to make Gateway such a great destination for all those passionate about our sport from racing fans to drivers to sponsors, team owners and sanctioning bodies. According to a statement posted on the facilitys website, the majority of the track is leased from third parties. The company owns approximately 150 acres of the facility and has been in discussions with several interested purchasers. The land for the strip was first prepared for drag racing as early as 1967 and ran under the American Hot Rod Association sanction during the 1970s and into the 1980s. The track then switched to the IHRA sanction and contested races into the 1990s. Chris Pook purchased the facility in 1994 and revealed a development plan to upgrade the facility. The track contested its first NHRA event during the 1997 season and hosted its final NHRA national event in May 2010. Reportedly, the facilitys massive debt stemming from a $21.5 million loan from the state of Illinois to construct the complex, which was based on the securing of an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series events that never came to fruition, not surprisingly, make profiting virtually impossible. Take into consideration the yearly property taxes said to be over $2.5 million yearly (also based on presumed NASCAR dates), and its hard to believe the facility operated for as long as it did needing nearly five-million-dollars to even open the gates each season.I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1

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Two Car Team Coming for MoyerBy Ian Tocher

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urbo Todd Moyer is going to have a little help in the ADRL Extreme 10.5 (XTF) wars next season. Longtime Outlaw 10.5 driver and past NHRA Pro Stock pilot Lamar Swindoll Jr. will take over the wheel of Moyers race-winning, twin-turbocharged 04 Cavalier, while Moyer will steer a brandnew 63 Corvette thats presently under construction at Terry Murphy Race Cars in Blue Springs, Missouri. Were going to have a two-car team in 2011, Moyer confirmed. In addition to our new car were also having a new trailer built by Competition Trailers in Tyler, Texas. Itll have two awnings, one for each side so you can work on a car from the right side or the left side of the trailer whenever you want to. Murphy said Moyer approached him about building a new car after inspecting the 63 Vette that Eric Stubbs drove in XTF trim for Randy Whitman this year. That used to be my personal car. Its the same one I drove to one of the first three-second laps in Pro Nitrous back in 2007 at Dallas, Murphy said. That car is pretty light, too; its under 2,200 pounds with the driver in it and this new one were hoping will be even lighter. But Eric runs a small-block with a single turbo and Todd of course runs a bigblock with two turbos, but from what weve been trying to do in changing a few things around here and therealthough not as far as chassis configurationit oughta be just as light. Its the first full-tube-chassis race car Moyers ever built from the ground up and an all-new, Jeff Naiser-built, twinturboed, 5.3-inch bore space motor boasting about 660 cubic inches also will be part of mix. Im looking forward to it, Moyer said. It will be a little lighter, maybe 150, 200 pounds lighter and itll have a longer wheelbase. My current car is an ex-Pro Stock car based on a 105-inch wheelbase and the new car will have a 112inch wheelbase. Itll be double frame rails, just like (Chuck) Ulsch is running, (Dan) Millen; thats all that they have that we dont have currently, a betterworking car with more room for chassis tuning. Also at Moyers request, the new car will retain classic Corvette dimensions, even foregoing the huge wings with tall, vertical spill plates that are becoming so common in the class. Were just going to use a regular-type winga little bigger than whats on my Cavalierbut not much because I dont think a big wing on a 10-inch-tire car is that critical, he said. Murphy added that although small driving lights would be fitted down low on the front end as required headlights

for the XTF class, real 63 Corvette taillights would be used out back to further promote the cars authenticity. Moyers crew chief, Chad Rogers, said hes looking forward to gaining whatever extra data he can from having two cars on the track at each ADRL national event. He explained that hell remain focused on Moyers efforts with the new ride, but also will serve in a consulting role to Swindoll on the Cavalier. I realize the cars are pretty different, but any time you can see exactly whats happening with a car on the track its going to help, Rogers said. Lamar knows his stuff and he and I work really well together, too, so I think well be able to help each other out quite a lot.

Rogers said Swindoll will be making his first test laps in the Cavalier later this month and hes currently with Murphy at his shop making final measurements and fitting the engine and turbochargers into the Vette before it goes in for white paint with silver ghost flames by Ken Billings of Liquid & Powdercoat Finishes in Kansas City. Weve got a lot of new stuff planned for next season. New car, new trailer, new motor combination; if everything goes right well be testing it sometime in December; maybe January at the latest, but hopefully December by the looks of it, Moyer said. Were excited; next year cant start soon enough as far as were concerned.

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New Car Coming for Original Outlaw Bil ClantonBy Ian Tocheril Clanton is following in his fathers tire tracks with the construction of a 69 Camaro Pro Mod. Back in the 70s, Ralph Clanton and his similarly-bodied Big Money ride ruled the roost at outlaw eighth-milers scattered throughout the Southeast before a devastating rollover accident at Winston County Dragstrip in Alabama put a premature end to his racing career. But son Bil (theres no second L), kept the Big Money moniker alive, most recently on the familiar, fan-favorite 53 Studebaker hes campaigned the last eight years or so from his Rome, Georgia, base. The Studebaker is for sale, Clanton declared less than a week after winning an outlaw Pro Mod race with it Nov. 6, at Emerald Coast Dragway in Holt, Florida. Its time for a change. We just need something lighter and a little more aerodynamic. A brand-new Hairy Glass body was delivered to Clantons race shop just last week and he plans to start bending and welding pipe very soon in order to have the new car ready for next spring. He cautions not to expect a titanium-filled featherweight, however. I may do some small parts like the pedals, but I cant afford a lot of that stuff. Well just do the best we can. A three-time winner in the ADRLs Pro Extreme class, Clanton said, if we can get it light and fast enough, he plans to enter the new Camaro in two or three ADRL events next year. We definitely wont run the whole circuit, just the races that arent too far away that we dont have to fly in and can drive to, he said. Other than that well run that

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Southern Outlaw Tour deal and whatever other outlaw races they have here in the South. As far as replicating the Studes distinctive look, all Clanton could confirm is that the new car would be similar in appearance, giving longtime fans something familiar to look forward to. Were working on the design now. I know itll be red, white and blue, and have the bird on it somewhere, he said. And itll still be Big Money, we cant ever get rid of that. And you never know, we may go back to the Studebaker later on. Ive got a spare body here that I can cut up and do some work on to design a different car. Ive just got to get this new one built first.

ADRL PXM Standout Owens Recovering from Crashit easy for a few days. Owens was racing Thompson in the finals of the Pro Mod Showdown at the Haunted Halloween Blowout. Owens, the winningest PXM driver in ADRL history, ended up setting a track record to earn the win, but the front end of his bike came up in the air right at the finish line. Owens lunged forward to try to bring the bike down, but it was too late to keep the bike from colliding with Thompson. I tried to look for him, but I couldnt see him and the bike just went out from under me, Owens said. When I tried to get my helmet off, I really thought both arms were broken for a minute. Only the left arm suffered any broken bones, but luckily both Thompson and Owens avoided further injury in a crash that could have easily caused even more damage to both riders. Owens said it was his first significant crash since 2002 and the lessons he learned from that should help this rehabilitation process. Owens also predicted he would be ready for the start of the 2011 ADRL season. Ive had broken bones before, but the last time I was in a bigger hurry to get back. Im not going to do that this time, Owens said. Now, Ill just see how I feel, but Ive got a few months off to re-group. Im not sure what well do with the bike, if well build a new one or what. Ill have to talk to (team owner) Paul (Gast) about that. But Im sure when the first race rolls around Ill be ready to go. My plans wont change. Ill still be there. In an interview following the wreck, Gast, the owner of the Fast by Gast team Owens races for, indicated he was more than ready to roll with Owens in 2011. If he wants to continue next year, you better believe Im behind him all the way, Gast said. Hes absolutely the most talented rider Ive ever seen. This guy is the best there is in my opinion. That was backed up all year during Owens magnificent season, including a stretch where he won an ADRL-record five straight races. Owens had also planned to race overseas in the Arabian Drag Racing League for the first time in his career, but those plans are obviously put on hold. The bike was demolished in the crash and Owens and Gast will soon find out what - if anything - can be saved on it. Still, Owens said a potential racing visit to Qatar in early 2011 might be possible should he heal in time. I havent ruled out anything yet, Owens said. I was really looking forward to going over there and I still might make it over there. I appreciate all the calls from everyone. Thats been great and it means a lot to me. There have been a lot of people asking if I need anything and thats just a good feeling.I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1

By Josh Hachatf Ashley Owens can rehabilitate like he can race, the Pro Extreme Motorcycle standout should be back to top form in no time. As it is right now, those close to him and those who are fans of the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) standouts are simply glad he is on the road to recovery after a horrific crash at Huntsville Dragway in Huntsville, Alabama in late October. After something broke on the bike near the finish line during a race against Mantez Thompson, Owens bike darted hard into Thompsons lane. Thompson T-boned Owens motorcycle 42 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d |

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in a dreadful collision, and both riders left the track with multiple bruises. Owens, who won a PXM-record eight ADRL races in 2010, also broke both bones in his left forearm and had a plate and screws inserted during a surgical procedure at Huntsville Hospital on Sunday. Im in a pretty good bit of pain right now. The first couple of days are always rough, Owens said. Next week it will get better. Everything is just sore right now. Theres a lot of bruises and stuff like that. Im just sitting around and taking

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ENGINE BUILDERS TALKED.

WE LISTENED.

REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN FEATURES, UNMATCHED STRENGTH - ELITE RACE SOLID ROLLER LIFTERS SET NEW STANDARDSIn todays high rpm race engines, lifters face grueling punishment with every revolution. If youre looking for the ultimate lifter to withstand even the harshest conditions, look no further. The new Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters include a host of innovative features, including a CNC-machined and REM-nished alloy steel body, precision-ground steel wheels and micro-sorted bearing steel needles. The exclusive body design doesnt have an oil band, which maximizes rigidity and reduces bushing wear. The lifters are also lightweight, with each weighing less than 100 grams. The axles are 25 percent larger than those in competing lifters and are dual-pinned, making it a stressed member of the body & keeping the lifter body ears from exing. Pressure-fed oil ows through the center and top of the axle directly to the needles. For maximum control at high rpm, the captured link bars and modular design allow the pushrod insert to be swapped out for centered, left or right offsets. And with patent-pending oil control through the pushrod inse

drag illustrated magazine. january 2011

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