“Stevie Fast” Jackson powered to his first career NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series win Sunday at the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

The final was a rematch from the event in Atlanta and marked the third consecutive final round appearance for Mike Castellana. Jackson, who has had ample success in the eighth-mile radial tire world, had a better reaction time and was able to hold off Castellana for the win. Jackson posted a winning time of 5.794 seconds at 248.48 mph to the trailing time of 5.857 at 250.64.

This was the second final round for Jackson who made his NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series debut in Gainesville.

"It's just as special as I thought it'd be,” Jackson said. “I honestly didn't think it'd come this quickly. The guys we were racing were an awesome team. We've got good funding and really good support behind me. Sheik Abdula is an absolute dream boss to race for. In the good times and bad times he's with us. Everybody that's over there in Bahrain, I told you we were gonna get 'em.”

Castellana maintains his lead in the points, 498 to 320 for second-place Steven Whiteley.  (Marvin T. Smith photo) [05/22/17]

Shawn Cowie and John Lombardo Jr. (shown) raced to victory at the 29th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties at Heartland Park Topeka.

Cowie, Surrey, B.C., collected his 8th career national event win and his second of the 2017 season in defeating second generation driver Rachel Meyer, Springhill, Kan., in the Top Alcohol Dragster final. Cowie saved his best pass of eliminations posting a 5.214 second 277.54 mph lap as Meyer lost traction and could not recover as she watched Cowie power to the win. Cowie qualified number one with a career best 5.214, 275.90.

Lombardo, Brea, Calif., faced off with Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., in the Top Alcohol Funny Car Final with both drivers losing traction at the start. Lombardo peddled his ’16 Napa Auto Parks Camaro and recovered to post a 6.261 at 263.05 for the win and the 8th of his career. Like Cowie, Lombardo posted his quickest and fastest career pass in his second-round win over Doug Gordon at 5.395, 274.16, just the third 5.30 run in history.

Austin Williams continued his winning ways at Heartland Park taking home the NHRA Wally trophy for the fifth year in a row. Williams posted a .016 package to end James Repka’s day in Super Comp. Williams also won in Super Comp last year and in Stock the three previous.

In Top Fuel Harley action it was Mike Scott out running Jay Turner for the win. Scott covered the quarter-mile in 6.318 seconds at 223.54 mph to Turner’s 6.339, 221.38.

SUPER STOCK: Jason DeForrest, Chevy Cavalier, 9.164, 144.57 def. Pete Peery, Pontiac Sunfire, 9.461, 141.68.

STOCK ELIMINATOR: Jeff Lopez, Chevy Camaro, 9.200, 147.34 def. Randi Lyn Shipp, Pontiac Firebird, 10.519, 120.91.

SUPER GAS: Roger Warren, Chevy Corvette, 9.901, 162.22 def. Jim Repka, Chevy Camaro, 9.882, 162.55.

TOP DRAGSTER: Afton Swanson, 6.202, 219.08 def. Larry Piper, 6.399, 211.00.  [05/22/17]

We’ll soon have a more in-depth look at the Eagle Field Drags over the weekend, but here’s something to give you the feel of this California event that is very popular with racers and fans.  (Tim Marshall photo) [05/22/17]

Earl’s Black Flame Guard Insulation protects hose, cables, wiring, and even hard lines from extreme under-hood temperatures. Still offered in traditional brick red, this non-asbestos slide-on sleeving helps provide a true stealth look for hot rods, racecars, and show cars. Flame Guard Insulation's silicone-impregnated fiberglass cloth can withstand temperature spikes up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and is effective for extended periods in operating temperature from 65 degrees below zero all the way up to 500 degrees. It's available in diameters from 3/8-inch to 1.5-inch and sold in bulk by the foot or in prepackaged 3-foot and 10-foot lengths.  [05/22/17]

Former 2009-10 DRO AA/FC Challenge champion Paul Romine got the first win of the year as the series returned for its eighth season at San Antonio Raceway.

Both cars had trouble off the line in the final round, but Romine’s “Man O’ War” ’79 Mustang recovered first against John Hale’s “One Bad Texan” ’69 Camaro. Romine ran 5.803 at 233.40 mph while Hale clicked the car off early.  (J.M. Hallas photo) [05/22/17]

Past European Pro Mod champion Mattias Wulcan earned the Pro Extreme win at the Darlington PDRA event -- just his third race in the United States. The Swedish driver made strides at the earlier Valdosta and Benson races, then managed to string together three quick passes during Saturday’s eliminations at Darlington Dragway.

Two-time and defending Top Sportsman world champion Dan Ferguson lit up the scoreboards in a big way with his No. 1 qualifying effort. His 3.834 at 199.03 not only gave Ferguson the top spot, but also both ends of the national record.

We’ll have all the Darlington results tomorrow.

The 2017 PDRA Tour continues at the PDRA North-South Shootout, June 1-3, at Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, MD. (Joe McHugh photos) [05/22/17]