This is the situation J.R. Todd has waited for his entire career and the Funny Car standout is determined to make the most of it. Todd has come on strong during the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, advancing to the finals at three of the four playoff races and finds himself just 11 points behind points leader Robert Hight heading to this weekend’s 18th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“This DHL team is a championship-caliber team,” Todd said. “We ran well last year at a certain point and fell off in the Countdown. This year, we turned it around in Indy and when the performance of the car comes around and you can make consistent runs like we have, it makes it more fun and really raises your confidence level as a driver. You don’t have to worry about a lot of other things. Really, it’s all you can ask for and hopefully we can keep it up.”  (Ron Lewis photo)   [10/24/18]

Jeff Jones accepts the “Benjamins” from NHDRO leader Brian Welch. (Tim Hailey photo)

The NHDRO’s twice rain-delayed CC Powersports World Finals finally was held on October 19-21 at Ohio Valley Dragway near Louisville, KY. Fast Times Motorsports’ Jeff Jones took home some NHDRO Big Money for the richest race ever in the world’s quickest two-wheeled index class. See all of the Louisville results and the new champions at here.

The 2019 NHDRO season begins on April 12-14 at Atlanta Dragway.   [10/24/18]

Can Clay Millican overcome Steve Torrence’s point lead?  (Jeff Burk photo)

Steve Torrence is miles ahead of the rest of the Top Fuel field after sweeping the first four of six Countdown to the Championship playoff events and a series-high nine event titles this year. If he leaves Las Vegas this Sunday with a lead of 191 points or more, he will clinch his first career Top Fuel world championship.

But Clay Millican (169 points back), Tony Schumacher (210) and Leah Pritchett (295) are hoping to dash that scenario.

From left: Rick Morris; Eddie Knox, owner of “Problem Child” AAFC; Rookie of the Year, Billy Morris; Legends of Nitro owner Kevin Stith; and ROY finalist, Nancy Matter.  (Darr Hawthorne photo)

During the 2018 racing season, Stith Printing and Legends of Nitro announced the inaugural Rookie of the Year award to recognize up-and-coming nitro drivers and their efforts on and off the drag strip. Finalists for 2018 Rookie of the Year were Nancy Matter, driver of the “Guardian” Trans Am tuned by Dale Pulde, Billy Morris, driver of the Eddie Knox Racing “Problem Child” Camaro, and New Mexico’s Lyle Greenberg in his “Cone Hunter” Corvette, all nitro funny cars.

The 2018 Legends of Nitro Rookie of the Year winner is UNFC member Billy Morris who received his specially designed jacket and $250 cash from owner Kevin Stith during the California Hot Rod Reunion at Bakersfield, CA.

The 2019 Legends of Nitro Rookie of the Year will begin at the Good Vibrations March Meet, next March 7-9.    [10/24/18]

Connect-to-Protect Brand Trailer Harness Plug Protectors enable users to shield the male end of a trailer’s harness plug when it’s not in use. The first-of-its-kind product comes in two configurations that accommodate 95 percent of all light- and medium-duty harness connectors, including 4-way flat, 5-way flat and 7-way round terminal styles. These protectors are designed to help guard a trailer’s electrical system by protecting the integrity of the wiring harness at its most vulnerable location, its connection point. The product’s protective female receptacles effectively seal the trailer’s connectors against damage, shielding the plug, terminals and wiring from moisture, dust, abrasion and the resulting corrosion. Connect-to-Protect Brand Trailer Harness Plug Protectors are manufactured by Hanington Innovations Limited and are available through master distributor, Optronics International. [10/24/18]