Tom Madigan, an award-winning automotive author and journalist who documented more than 50 years of automobile racing, died peacefully in his Sonora, California, home, March 28. He was 80 years old.

Madigan was also the owner/driver of a fuel dragster in the ’60s before joining Argus Publishing Co. in 1967, where he quickly became the editor of Motorcade magazine. Later in his Argus career, he became the feature editor for Popular Hot Rodding magazine, and then the editor of Off-Road magazine. After nine years, Madigan left Argus to start his own company, Tom Madigan Productions.

Over the last 10 years, Madigan had teamed up with Ed Justice Jr. and ejje Publishing Group to produce three books that contributed to the recorded history of racing and the automotive world. At the same time, he continued to contribute to noted automotive publications. He had authored many definitive books in print for some of the nation’s top racers and performance industry giants: The Loner/The Story of a Drag Racer; Boss/The Bill Stroppe Story; Edelbrock/Made in USA; Fuel & Guts/The Birth of Top Fuel Drag Racing; Snake vs. Mongoose/How a Rivalry Changed Drag Racing Forever; Hurricane/The Bob Hannah Story; The Chrisman Legacy/Always Faster; Follmer/American Wheel Man and Legacy of Justice/An American Family Story. There are several books that were written prior to his death that will be published in the future.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 13, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 127 West Jackson St., Sonora, CA. Private interment will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Sonora.  (photo courtesy SEMA)   [04/05/19]

Johnny Ahten has secured three new sponsors with the signing of Montauk Native Gas, Advanco Fire Protection, and ODYSSEY® Batteries. To celebrate the new partners, Ahten commissioned One 11 Ink to whip up a new wrap for the Ahten Racing A/Fuel dragster. Familiar supporters Island Renovations, DJ Safety, ARP Bolts, NGK Spark Plugs and CleanBoost Oil along with Combust Filters are back with the team.

In the season opener at Pomona, Krista Baldwin was the driver and Ahten the team owner. Last year Cameron Ferre drove the Ahten Racing dragster for several races.

It’s been great having Krista and Cameron driving our cars, but now it’s my time,” Ahten said. “The whole team has been crushing it to prepare for this race and it’s going to be a good one with some strong Vegas runners. We know this track and now we have even more data and a variety of combinations in order to tune from.”

Al Ahten will be in charge along with team partner Howard Katano. Providing support and turning the wrenches will be Bob Ahten and Kevin "Shark" Colvell. [04/05/19]

JEGS high-capacity Transmission Jacks will make your next transmission removal or installation a lot easier. JEGS High-Lift Hydraulic Jacks feature a sturdy steel frame, adjustable load support arms, and swivel casters. JEGS Low-Profile Transmission Jack has all the strength and durability you want in a low-profile design that fits where other jacks will not.   [04/05/19]