Two-time Mello Yello Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith won the 2018 Mickey Thompson Pro Bike Battle at Sonoma.

Smith got the jump off the line and beat 2015 champion Eddie Krawiec, 6.793 to 6.764. Riding his Victory Gunner-bodied V-twin, the win was Smith’s first in the specialty event, which has been held at the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals since 2014.

"To pull this off against a major factory team is amazing," Smith said. "I’m happy for my team and for all the people who support us. I’m out here racing without a sponsor, so this means everything to me. We’re going to put this $25,000 to good use. It will help us a lot. We have a great bike. We have a bike that can win this championship and hopefully I get the funding I need to finish it off."  (photo courtesy Mickey Thompson Tires)  [07/31/18]

Photographer Aaron Anderson and his wife, Aly, welcomed Benjamin Charles Anderson to the world on Monday, July 23.

Ever the dedicated photog, Anderson made it to Woodburn (Oregon) Dragstrip’s Night of Fire on Friday the 27th. We don’t have any info about winners, times or speeds, but you can see some of the great vehicles here.  [07/31/18]

NHRA and Sonoma Raceway officials announced a sellout crowd for Sunday of the 31st annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals in Sonoma, CA. Sunday reserved-seat tickets, as well as weekend camping, were sold out for the wine country event.

“The growth of this event over the last few years has been nothing short of phenomenal, and we are so appreciative of all our fans who come out to join us and enjoy this amazing show,” said Sonoma Raceway President & General Manager Steve Page.

This is the eighth sold-out crowd on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

For a look at the Sonoma pro action, go to here.    [07/31/18]

DeWayne Mills (near lane) and Mark Micke in Radial vs. the World competition in May at South Georgia Motorsports Park.  (Ian Tocher photo)

The St. Louis edition of Street Car Super Nationals returns for its fifth Anarchy at the Arch this weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park. The Premier Street Car Association (PSCA) and the Mid-West Pro Mod Series are teaming up once again with the addition of the Victory Nostalgia Super Stock group and the JEGS Super Quick bracket series.

PSCA President Mel Roth is expecting around 30 Pro Mods on the property, with rumors that NHRA/PDRA champion “Tricky” Rickie Smith might be in attendance. In Radial Vs. The World, DeWayne Mills and Mark Micke headline an extremely quick field, with Limited Drag Radial, X275, and MX235 all on the schedule.   [07/31/18]

The Titan Motorsports team will soon be on their way from Orlando, FL, to Brisbane, Australia, for the Brisbane Jamboree on Aug. 25-26.

Sport compact driver Gary White has been part of the Titan Motorsports team for almost 20 years is perhaps best known these days as the pilot of the quickest sport compact car in history – the 5.72 second/255mph Ebrahim Kanoo Toyota 86. The Huntsville, Alabama, resident says he cannot wait to race the Supra in the J275 class in Australia.

“The fanbase makes Jambo a unique and wonderful event to attend and race at,” said White. “We are excited to bring the Titan Motorsports Toyota Supra to Jamboree and hope to set new records. The crew has rebuilt the car to top standards and this is going to be a very exciting event.”

For Gabriel Rodriguez, the chance to compete in Australia was one he couldn’t pass up.

“We are hoping to run consistent ‘fives’ at Jamboree as we’ve done in the States,” Rodriquez said, “it will be exciting to show what Titan Motorsports has done and continues to do in sport compact racing.”  (file photo by Andrew Meneses/BoostinPhotography)   [07/31/18]