Here are the classes and cars left to compete:

• Super Stock: 7 cars left

• Stock: 7 cars left

• Super Comp: 15 cars left

• Super Gas: 14 cars left

• Top Dragster: 16 cars left (round partially completed)

• Top Sportsman: 10 cars left

• Competition eliminator (9 cars) will conclude on April 12, after the second qualifying session at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Top Alcohol Funny Car (4 cars) will conclude at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals on April 13 during qualifying sessions three and four. Don’t miss out on the action at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway!

In the meantime, we present a Gallery of Kim Fuller’s Sportsman Photos from the starting line at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip!

The post The Rain-Delayed NHRA Winternationals Sportsman Will Finish In Vegas • We’ve Got The Pomona Gallery! appeared first on BangShift.com.

In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher and defending event winner Justin Ashley both advanced to the final round on Sunday. Ashley, aiming for his third straight win at the Winternationals, reached the finals thanks to victories against Shawn Reed, Steve Torrence, and No. 1 qualifier Brittany Force. On the other hand, Funny Car’s John Force and reigning world champion Matt Hagan powered to the championship round at the second of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

Defending world champion Erica Enders and No. 1 qualifier Dallas Glenn will meet up in the finals in Pro Stock in Phoenix.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action on April 5-7 with the 39th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park in Phoenix.

Check out our first Gallery from the Pomona Winternationals

The post Mother Nature Is The Ultimate Winner At 64th NHRA Winternationals • On To Phoenix! appeared first on BangShift.com.

A huge shout out to all the members of the staff and crew at Famoso Dragstrip, while we chased rain showers, they had a safe, championship track ready for all the competitors… and got all on Sunday finished on Sunday evening!

However, going into the week prior to running the March Meet, Lee was still hunting for a supercharger and they just about pulled the plug on competing, at this event. They didn’t back into anything as evidenced by their first round victory over a red-lighting Matt Melendez, when Lee launched the “Pedaler” with the throttle stop still in place, to a 10.297 elapsed time.

Veteran funny car tuner Chuck Worsham was working every part of the engine alongside multi-time Heritage Series Champion Jason Rupert.

Lee went on to defeat Drew Austin and Cameron Ferre, meeting Jeff Arend in the final round. Lee cranked off a stout 5.658 at 260.01 miles per hour for the victory. The Pedaler had already set Top Speed for funny cars at 260.36 MPH in Round 2. Arend had difficulties, carding a 5.829 ET at 236.92 MPH after windowing a block in the previous round racing multi-time March Meet winner Bobby Cottrell.

This was Cory Lee’s first National Event win having raced on a limited basis with Turner since 2019. Lee tuned the Pedaler as well, hurting only a couple of pistons and a wrist pin during eliminations. Owner Turner is no stranger to Heritage-type funny car racing having won the Goodguys Championship in 2006 with driver Kris Krabill, racing undefeated that year with crew chief Donnie Couch.

Congratulations to Cory Lee, Gary Turner and Crew on your well-deserved victory!

Geoff Monise in the “Quarter Pounder” Pontiac was running solid with his number 2 qualifier 5.620 at 259.11 MPH, Bob Devour has come onboard to help co-owner Keith Clark, who celebrates his 50th year racing funny cars.

In the Top Fuel category it’s Tyler Hester!

Tyler Hester, driving the classic “Overtime Special” Top Fuel Dragster, had a day to remember as he won his first Bakersfield March Meet by clinching the Top Fuel title, beating Shawn Bowen in his “Violator”dragster in the process. After the win, Hester and his team were ecstatic in the darkness on the Famoso Dragstrip top end.

Michigan’s Shawn Bowen (above) was runner-up to Tyler Hester in Top Fuel.

The victory was a long time coming for Hester and owners Tedford & McGee, who’d been chasing a March Meet title for years. The day started with Hester taking out defending Heritage Series Champion Tyler Hilton and then defeating Pete Wittenberg in a close race, 5.725 ET at 261.67 MPH to Wittenberg’s 5.728 at 250.78 MPH as the two racers were neck-and-neck to the finish line.

Congratulations to Tyler Hester on his impressive victory and an unforgettable day at the Bakersfield race.

Newcomer Michael Anderson (above) showed determination in his Top Fuel Dragster, making his first pass in the 5’s at the wheel of his Donovan-powered dragster.

Pete Kaiser (above) now owns the Top Fueler he tuned and sometimes drove under Dan Horan, he qualified the gorgeous new entry into second in the 8-car field with a 5.735 at 255.82 MPH.

In the Fuel Altered final round, Lyle Greenberg’s “Cone Hunter” AA/FA faced Keith Wilson impressive “Witch Doctor” who he had beaten in the 2022 Bakersfield March Meet. Although Wilson crossed the finish line first, however, his 5.777 time was way too quick for the 6.00 index, giving New Mexico racer Greenberg the win. Greenberg defeated Johnny West in the first round and Ron Capps in the Burkholder Brothers Fiat in the Semis.

Keith Wilson’s “Witch Doctor” AA/Fuel Altered (above).

Wayne Ramay won the A/Fuel Class over Kin Bates Sr. in a final round battle, once again. Ramay won with a 6.057/217.00 charge.

Jr. Fuel was won by Oceansides’s Brad Woodard from the number 1 slot over Mathew Baldonado from Camarillo.

Jason Vanderpool won the 7.0 PRO Class on a single in the Final.

In Nostalgia Eliminator 1 Steve Schoenfeld from Murray, Utah, ran 7.677/153.44 to defeat Garden Grove’s Kenny Upton with his 7.895/175.09.

Nostalgia Eliminator 2 Modesto, CA Eddie Lucas in his ’48 Topolino ran 8.624/144.94 defeating Troy Moyle from Carson City, Nev. who ran 8.659/144.50.

In Nostalgia Eliminator 3 Ed De Staute’s ’62 Corvette from Rosemead, Calif. ran a 11.410/81.49 over a red-lighting Eric Harmon from Gold Run, Calif.

A/Gas was Bakersfield’s Kenzer Small’s Corvette running a 7.589/181.18 to defeat Tom Fowler from Paso Robles who ran a 7.575/177.04.

In B/Gas Bill Anderson from Copperopolis, Calif. in his ’68 Camaro, ran 8.642/148.48  defeating San Jose’s Rich Zondervan ’66 Chevelle, 8.716/146.88.

C/Gas was won by Stockton’s Michael Corradi in his ’70 Nova SS with a 9.864/123.66 over Crazy Connie Wold from Buena Park in her ’72 Vega 10.416/104.14.

In D/Gas Doug Fournier from Campbell, Calif in his ’48 Anglia ran 10.596/125.30 to defeat Oregon’s Steve Canton in his ’38 Austin, 10.525, 124.59.

Hot Rod Eliminator was won by Redding’s Joy Tucker in a ’66 MOPAR 10.780/120.52 downed Dale Hicks from Goodyear, Ariz., ’68 9.397/139.59.

Check out the first of our 2024 March Meet Galleries Below!

The post Cory Lee, Tyler Hester And Lyle Greenberg Take Top Nitro Spots At Rain Soaked Good Vibrations March Meet! appeared first on BangShift.com.

If there’s going to be a triumphant pass of the day it was Geoff Monise, driving the Quarter Pounder Firebird, who nailed a booming 5.632 ET at 254.09 miles per hour late in the day. As one of his excited crewmen said on the Top End, “So I guess we won testing?” Co-owner Keith Clark is celebrating his 50th year in drag racing, this year with some help from veteran tuner Bob Devour.

During qualifying over the weekend, a special event will be contested between the ’23 Heritage Series Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car Champions.  On a single qualifying pass, two-time Top Fuel Champ Tyler Hilton and six-time Nitro Funny Car Champ Bobby Cottrell will decide who’s the “Real Kings of the Sport”, racing each other for a set of Sander Wheels and a pile of contingency sponsor prizes.

Tyler Hilton in the Great Expectations Top Fuel Dragster will race Bobby Cottrell in the “Northwest Hitter” Nitro Funny Car (below).

Past March Meet Fuel Altered Champion and NAPA Funny Car owner/pilot Ron Capps is getting comfortable in the Burkholder Brothers Fiat Topolino, making his first pass in the Altered prior to Friday’s first qualifier.

There are over 350 racecars who already started Gasser and Nostalgia Eliminator qualifying on Thursday as well. Those galleries and elimination photos will show up here over the upcoming days.

Enjoy this first Gallery from the 63rd March Meet from Bakersfield, California. There’s more to come!

The post The March Meet • Day One Is Testing For Fuel Cars appeared first on BangShift.com.

Over time, the event expanded to include Heritage Series Drag Racing in addition to the Cacklefest, featuring both original machines and reproductions, along with more storytelling. When Steve Gibbs left his position at the NHRA, the need to celebrate the Golden Era of drag racing persisted. Gibbs, along with his daughter Cindy have continued to organize and evolve this Nitro Revival event, and on Irwindale’s 1/8th mile track has became a significant part of drag racing’s legacy.

The new format of the Nitro Revival has de-emphasized the drag racing competition aspect while maintaining a focus on fostering connections among old friends and enthusiasts. The event has become a venue for showcasing a diverse range of static-displayed nitro burners, gassers, coupes, and sedans, creating a more intimate setting for fans to interact with the heroes of the Golden Years. Attendees can not only witness and photograph the impressive machines but also engage in storytelling sessions, obtain autographs, and actively participate in celebrating the history and camaraderie of drag racing.

So Cal Outlaw Gassers provided the drag racing show as dozens of nitro drag cars fired up their engines all over the Irwindale pits. Nitro Revival 6 was a three-day party, still about the drags, but emphasizing the people. With last month’s Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals finished, it was clear the Reunion-type format is much better done by Gibbs and his friends at Irwindale Dragstrip.

Here’s a Gallery of a few of the cars, the engines and most of all the people of that real Golden Era.

The post We’ve Got Photos of Nitro Revival 6, An Awesome Party Of Friends And Fans! appeared first on BangShift.com.

Bob Tasca III, who entered the weekend second in points, went 3.853 at 335.73 to go to second, while points leader Matt Hagan is right behind after a 3.871 at 322.58. Hagan has won the last two playoff races.

Hight powered to a run of 3.851-seconds at 327.51 in his 11,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS to take the top spot. If it holds, the multi-time world champion would earn his sixth No. 1 qualifier this season and 83rd in his career.

In Top Fuel, Mike Salinas rocketed to the top thanks to his run of 3.699 at 332.75 in his 11,000-horsepower Valley Services/Scrappers Racing dragster. He’s seeking his fourth No. 1 spot this season and the 15th in his career and is also after a strong finish to his season. Salinas, who started the weekend sixth in points and 131 points out of first, started the year with a victory in Gainesville and would love a second victory in 2023.

Austin Prock went to second with his run of 3.701 at 329.99 and points leader Leah Pruett is right behind thanks to her run of 3.707 at 331.53.

Nobody has more wins at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway than defending Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders and her success continued on Friday, securing the No. 1 spot in her Johnson’s Horsepower Garage/Melling Performance Chevrolet Camaro with a 6.595 at 207.66 during opening session. Her second qualifying run on Friday was disallowed due to a technical violation.

Kyle Koretsky’s 6.603 at 206.07 put him in the second spot and Matt Hartford took third after his run of 6.608 at 206.26.

On a weekend where he has a chance to clinch his first NHRA world championship, Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera got off to a flying start on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, shattering the track record with a run of 6.760 at 199.82. The points leader entered the weekend with a 156-point lead over teammate Eddie Krawiec and he opened the event by making the quickest run in each of the first two sessions.

After two qualifying rounds in Legends Nostalgia Funny Car presented by Modern Warriors at the 23rd annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, Bobby Cottrell’s 4.740 in the Northwest Hitter Camaro carded the #1 slot and will race Tim Boychuk in Eliminations on Saturday.

Qualifying continues at 12:00 p.m. PT on Saturday at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Take a look at our first Gallery of Qualifying for the 23rd annual NHRA Nevada Nationals!

The post PHOTO COVERAGE: Robert Hight, Mike Salinas, Erica Enders & Gaige Herrera #1 Qualifiers After Two Rounds at NHRA Nevada Nationals! appeared first on BangShift.com.

This season-ending event for West Coast NHRA Heritage Series racing celebrates events at Famoso Dragstrip, Sacramento raceway, Firebird Raceway and Beech Bend Park in Kentucky. Formerly known for three decades as the California Hot Rod Reunion, now dubbed the Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals since there is nothing left that can be considered a Reunion here any longer.

Nitro Funny Car Eliminations started with upsets as #16 Qualifier Jim Maroney beat #1 Qualifier Jerry Espeseth and #2 Qualifier Billy Morris in Eddie Knox’s “Problem Child” was put on the trailer by #15 Hawaiian Derrick Moreira.

2023 was another banner year for Bobby Cottrell and the “Northwest Hitter” Funny Car as he once again dominated the class in the big green Bardahl Camaro. While Cottrell qualified third, confidently the team elected to sit out the second and third qualifying sessions, defeating Drew Austin in Round One with a 5.640/260.31 charge.

Cottrell, in Round Two, beat Tim Boychuk with a 5.647/261.02, then won over Derreck Moreira in Round Three with a 5.652/258.81 and in the Final Round against Brad Thompson with a 5.660/260.46 mph run to Thompson’s 10.01 ET.

At this event Top Fuel dragster driver Pete Wittenberg’s (below) resolve and veteran crew had their eye on the Famoso Winners Circle. He may have fallen short in the final round of the rain-delayed March Meet competition against Jim Murphy on Saturday, but he bounced back with an impressive performance on Sunday. Murphy (below) won his sixth March Meet title, breaking a long-running tie with Don Garlits

Winning this season-ending race and securing the victory, Wittenberg’s (below) consistent low 5.70 ETs in eliminations, defeated Frank McBee Jr in that Final.  Whittenberg’s 5.717 ET at 252.80 MPH stopped McBee Jr’s 6.237.

Eliminations ran smoothly, traditionally the Top Fuel class would be responsible for multiple oil downs, however the maturity of this class, crews and performance level is great news for all spectators.

Tyler Hilton (above) secured the Heritage Series Top Fuel title for the second consecutive year, but it wasn’t a sure thing by any means, Jim Murphy was still mathematically in the race for the Championship. After Murphy defeated Hilton in Round one in the rain-delayed March Meet eliminations the Championship race was still within reach. On Sunday, Tyler Hilton would win over Adam Sorokin in the Champion Speed Shop dragster, but Jim Murphy would finish at the hand of eventual runner-up Frank McBee Jr.

Top Speed of the meet was carded by Tyler Hilton Championship winning dragster with his 262.85 MPH, but Low ET of the meet was Funny Car driver Jerry’s Espeseth’s 5.595 ET in his Atlas Testing Camaro.

It is difficult to understand why the 6.0 ET Fuel Altered contingent is not an open field at this event. In the past as today, Fuel Altered has been an “invitation only” field, although the Spring March Meet and Nightfires at Firebird in Boise is an open filed for any car, long wheelbase or short on the Index.

By Sunday’s Eliminations only four AA/FA racecars remained. Ultimately the winner was nineteen-year-old Dylan Winefsky from Arizona, in their family’s ’32 Bantam. Winefsky, the 2022 Legends of Nitro Rookie of the Year, singled when Mark Whynaught broke on the burnout.

I must also give some credit to NHRA’s Cliff Ricci who took on multiple jobs as Tech Director, Race Director and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer. He stood or knelt on the starting line for virtually every elimination round of the Fuel Cars. Mike Rice, who usually oversees the Reunion as Competition Director, has his new job on the Camping World Show now and that’s his primary job.

If you were at Famoso Dragstrip this past weekend, no doubt you noticed the open rows in the top end of the pits, beyond the swap meet and, unlike the March Meet, a light crowd on Saturday. Many of the vendors noticed that too. In my opinion, this Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals will not return to the greatness it once had as early California Hot Rod Reunions did. It is now time to re-vamp this event into a Heritage Series World Finals, celebrating those who have worked so hard over the year and forever lose the “nostalgia” moniker.

Nostalgia will never bridge the generations. this is modern day drag racing with age-appropriate bodies and drivers behind the engine. Many of those who watched or raced in the ‘60s or ‘70s are no longer with us, it is the next generation who’ll be carrying the torch for future decades to come. We need younger racers and spectators who will join in. Nostalgia is NHRA’s word, it’s Grandpa’s word.

In other class action, Bret Williamson’s 5.917 at 253.28 MPH won Pro Mod from the #1 qualifying position in his ’63, defeating Andy Kouerinis’ Camaro

The A/Fuel Class Final paired #1 Qualifier Kin Bates and #2 Qualifier Wayne Ramay. In a tight match, Ramay’s 6.065 got him to the stripe first, over Bates’ 6.079

In Junior Fuel eliminations, Brad Woodard 6.929 beat Idaho’s Dustin Lee on a double break-out.

In 7.0 Pro, Bakersfield’s Kevin Rapozo defeated Tony Trimp’s Chey-powered Mustang in a tight finish, a 7.031 for Rapozo to Trimp’s 7.032.

Nostalgia Eliminator 1 was won by Daniel Engle over Utah’s Steve Schoenfeld, who broke out.

Nostalgia Eliminator 2 found Nevada’s Troy Moyle defeated California’s Wes Anderson.

Nostalgia Eliminator 3 was won by Oregon’s Neil Schindler’s ’27 Roadster, who qualified #1 with a perfect 9.600 ET – over Ron Anzalone ’23 T-Ford.

In A/Gas Cliff Boyles, in his ’53 Studebaker defeated Austin Frye’s ’57 Chevy.

The B/Gas trophy was won by Mike Rabener in his Camaro

C/Gas was won by Gary Lynch in his ’58 Austin from the 30^th Qualifying position.

D/Gas was the ’62 Chevy II of Bakersfield’s Steve Barta over Dan Schrokosch, who lost on a holeshot.

Dan Mount won the Hot Rod Trophy in his ’38 Chevy.

Steve Whitemore won in A/FX class eliminations in his ’67 Mustang over Todd Hoffman’s ’63 Vette.

In AA/Super eliminations, Oregon’s Mike O’Connor in his ’57 Chevy defeated Chuck Moore’s ’63 Vette.

It was announced that a special event will take place during qualifying for the upcoming Good Vibrations March Meet March 1-3, 2024. During Friday Nitro qualifying, Hot Rod Heritage Series Top Fuel Champion Tyler Hilton will race Heritage Series Funny Car Champion Bobby Cottrell on March 1, 2024, to decide who is the Real Kings of the Sport. One run will decide it.

Here’s the first of our Galleries from the Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals, with more this week.

The post Whittenberg, Cottrell & Winefsky Take NHRA Nostalgia Nationals Titles • Murphy Wins March Meet T/F • Series Champs Crowned! appeared first on BangShift.com.

1/8^th mile drag racing is open to pre-1959 Cars, Trucks, Gassers and Motorcycles, including Whizzers. The annual car show is open to pre-1974 Vehicles and Motorcycles, with a focus on traditional Hot Rods and Kustom Kars.

The Antique Nationals carries on a rich history and is a must-visit for anyone passionate about vintage cars and motorcycles so everyone can enjoy the nostalgia and beauty of these classic Hot Rods and 4-bangers.

CHECK OUT OUR GALLERY FROM THE ANTIQUE NATIONALS:

The post Cars, Trucks, Gassers, Motorcycles and Whizzers At SoCal’s Antique Nationals! appeared first on BangShift.com.

One of the most prestigious awards, the “World’s Most Beautiful Truck Award,” was given to Greg Tidwell for his outstanding 1940 Ford pickup. Built by South City Rod & Custom, it boasts a vintage-styled 450-horsepower stroker 383 Chevy engine with custom sheet metal work, including a 1.5-inch chop, louvered hood and bed panels, sectioned front fenders, reshaped rear fenders, and raised bed wood. The exterior is finished with a stunning coat of Glasurit Ornament Green. Tidwell outshone 17 other custom trucks, spanning from early Fords to late-model Chevys, to claim the $12,500 prize and a custom trophy presented by ARP Fasteners.

In addition to the awards and recognitions, Bob and Kent Matranga from the Matranga Collection received the inaugural “Truck Trend Setter Award” for their significant contributions to the custom truck hobby. Some of the vehicles from their collection were on display throughout the weekend.

The event also featured an outdoor “Truck-In,” which saw more than 200 trucks cruising in on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend showcased over 20 custom vans, with many originating from the 1970s and ’80s, adding to the variety and excitement of the show.

Check out today’s First Galleries, with more to come!

IF YOU MISSED OUR OTHER PHOTO GALLERIES, CLICK HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT TOO!

The post The Inaugural Grand National Truck Show With Epic Haulers! We’ve Got The Photos! appeared first on BangShift.com.

Cruisin’ for a Cure has grown to become the west coast’s largest one-day charity car show, featuring thousands of vehicles on display and over 150 vendors and exhibitors. Hot Rod owners can either drive their cars through the Orange County Fair & Event Center for a 1.5-mile cruise or simply park them for display.

One of the main objectives of the event is to offer free prostate screenings to men aged 40 plus, screenings include a simple blood test and an exam. These screenings have helped identify cancer in many men who might not have otherwise known about their condition.

The proceeds from the event go directly towards prostate cancer research at the KSK Cancer Center of Irvine, with the aim of contributing to finding a cure for the disease.

Here’s the first gallery of the Cruisers at this year’s Cruisin’ for a Cure!

The post 24th Cruisin’ For A Cure Is An Epic Car Show and Cause! Check Out All Our Photos! appeared first on BangShift.com.