Cruz Pedregon was the star on Saturday, but, unfortunately, it was not because of his car’s speed or ET. His Toyota Camry suddenly exploded on his third qualifying run. Asked if he had any warning the car was going to blow, Pedregon answered, “Nope no warning. What you saw was what I saw, just, just… I’ve had a few of these and that was a good one. That ranks right up there with the big ones.

He continued, “Nowadays with the blowers and all the stuff that NHRA has allowed us to, and the crew chief to have their way, it’s made the sport very dangerous. I’m lucky to walk away from that one, these cars are very dangerous, but we all know the risks. But when you choke these cars back like we do, and try to slip the clutch, we have way more power than we need, so the engine is just all goofy in there and it’s building up pressure, so evidentially it didn’t like that.”

Pedregon’s crew worked late into the night getting the car ready for Sunday eliminations. Pedregon eliminated Robert Hight in the first round, 4.254/261.67 to 4.314/233.20, but, after losing a cylinder, lost to John Force in the second where Force’s Camaro ran 4.096/317.64 to Pedregon’s 4.534/196.47.  (Chris Haverly photos) [06/11/18]

(Chris Haverly photo)

It is with a heavy heart that the Agent reports on the passing of drag racing legend Tom “Mongoose” McEwen at age 81. He was found dead at his California home Sunday morning, June 10.

No. 16 on the NHRA list of 50 Greatest Drivers, Mongoose was perhaps best known for his rivalry with Don “Snake” Prudhomme sponsored by Hot Wheels. (DRO file photo)

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. See our InnerView with McEwen, Part 1 at here and Part 2 at here.    [06/11/18]

Mike Janis (far lane) got past Mike Castellana for the win. (Ron Lewis photo)

Mike Janis secured his fifth career victory Sunday during the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by presented by J&A Service portion of the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Janis used a 5.821-second pass at 246.26 mph in his AAP/Mike Janis Superchargers ‘69 Camaro to take down Mike Castellana in the final round. Castellana’s 6.002 pass at 246.93 gave him his first runner-up finish of the season as he now sits fifth in the standings.

“Coming into this race it had been so long since we were in the winner’s circle, but we had a solid car all weekend and we put it all together today,” Janis said. “We feel really good going into Bristol as we start off this three-in-a-row stretch.”

With his victory, Janis moved past Rickie Smith to take over the Pro Mod points lead by two points heading into the half-way race in the 12-event season. The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service continues at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, TN, June 15-17 and then in Norwalk, OH, on June 21-24.     [06/11/18]

NHRA and Virginia Motorsports Park officials announced a sellout crowd for Saturday qualifications at the Virginia NHRA Nationals in Dinwiddie, VA.

NHRA returned to the facility, owned by Tommy and Judy Franklin, for the first time since 2009. Numerous facility upgrades, including a completely new racing surface, drew fans from Richmond and the surrounding areas.

“To be able to host all these dedicated NHRA fans and sellout the facility during our first event shows the growth and popularity of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing,” said Tommy Franklin. “The staff at Virginia Motorsports Park has worked nonstop to get the facility prepared for the event and we are thrilled with the results.”

This is the fifth sellout day of the NHRA 2018 season.  (Ron Lewis photo)   [06/11/18]

Three new winners and two repeats winners topped their respective classes on VIP Night at Lancaster (NY) National Dragway on Friday, June 8.

The race of the night was the final in Top ET as Hitchcock and Mike Swinarski lined up for a heads-up race with identical dial-ins. Hitchcock left the starting line first in his rear engine dragster while Swinarski gave chase. Swinarski was a little too fast in his pursuit as he broke out at top end by just .003 seconds to hand the win to Hitchcock.

Jeff Sobczynski picked up his first win of the year Top 8 Eliminator. Sobczysnki held off Zell Gaymon in the final round as Gaymon could not make up the difference on the starting tree.

The McGard Mod ET final came down to two drivers both looking for their second wins of the year in Dale Eckert and Ryan Ricketson. Eckert got the victory in a double breakout finish.

Hebeler’s Sales Bikes & Sleds had their first snowmobile winner of the season as Angelo Salemi took top honors. Salemi faced Tom Varney in the final pairing, but a red light by Varney gave the win to Salemi’s sled. “Fast Eddie” Semlitsch was in the final round of Tread City Tire Street for the second week in a row. This time he was able to trigger the win light at top end by defeating Wade Schneckenberger. The victory gives Semlitsch two wins overall in 2018 with a win in Mod ET the week before.    [06/11/18]

June 9 was the date for the first Saturday event at the newly opened Onawa Racing and Events Complex (OREC), in Onawa, Iowa. More than 100 entries were on hand for the test-n-tune/fun day that included gamblers races.

Gardner Race Track Consultants and OREC officials were elated with the support of racers and fans as the event was well attended by more than 600 race fans. Additionally, the track surface performed phenomenally as many racers commented how smooth and fast the track was and some racers even mentioned they made their quickest and fastest runs ever. Not too shabby for a brand-new track with a very fresh layer of rubber. Special thanks to Manager Ron Conner for his extensive track prep work.

Racer Lee Sellin had the first perfect triple zero reaction time (.000) to collect a cool $1300 in cash. Special thanks goes to OREC board members, the Onawa Racing and Events Center, and other supporters who provided the funds for this impromptu reaction contest. Congratulations goes to Lee for hitting the perfect trifecta!

OREC will be open next Saturday, June 16, with a Fun Day and open racing for everyone, trophy and gamblers races. Then Sunday, June 17, will be the "Old Time Drags" as a part of the Graffiti Night city-wide activities for street legal cars, trucks and bikes with some old style flag start racing!

The following Saturday and Sunday (June 23-24) will be the first points bracket race events of the season that will include the North Central Super Street Association (NCSSA).   [06/11/18]

Before the national event in Bristol, TN, several NHRA drivers will compete in the Speedway Children’s Charities Trap Shooting competition to raise money for nearly 100 Tri-Cities-based child focused agencies.

Drivers taking part include Clay Millican, Robert Hight, Alex Laughlin and John Gaydosh, along with Top Fuel Harley racers Jay Turner, Tii Tharpe, Rich Vreeland and Chris Smith.

Drivers will be paired with teams that will compete for prizes in the Trap Shooting event that will take place on Thursday, June 14, 2 p.m. at the Kettlefoot Rod & Gun Club, 21101 Kettlefoot Rd., Bristol, VA 24202.    [06/11/18]