Since the start of the season, first-year standout Austin Prock has been exciting to watch. From building his rookie resume with competitive passes in the .70s and .80s while taking out veteran racers along the way, to getting his first NHRA victory at the Northwest Nationals and being the only rookie to clinch a spot in the Countdown to the Championship, Prock has shown he has a bright future ahead.

“I’m just proud of how far this Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team has come and how we’ve been doing lately. You know, we changed up crew chiefs earlier this year and had to learn and figure out what worked for us, but Mike Green and Ronnie Thompson, they’ve done one hell of a job,” said Prock.

Austin is the son of JFR tuner Jimmy Prock (left). Don “the Snake” Prudhomme has been a part of the team’s progress this season.  (Ron Lewis photos)

A front-runner for this year’s Auto Club Road to the Future Award, Austin enters this year’s NHRA Finals competing to be the seventh John Force Racing driver to win at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and the sixth at the Finals event. Teammates John Force, Robert Hight and Brittany Force have all raced to the winner’s circle as well as past JFR drivers Courtney Force, Tony Pedregon and Mike Neff.   [11/13/19]

Doug Gordon's Top Alcohol Funny Car will be backed by Beta Motorcycles for the next two seasons. Gordon, who has driven to 30-plus final round appearances in national competition, dozens of divisional and regional event titles, and numerous division championships in the team's trademark green, will have a whole new look for 2020 and 2021.

"It would take a lot for us to change from the color our cars have been for 25 years, but this isn't just anybody we're teaming up with," said Gordon of his alliance with Beta's Tim Pilg. "It had to be for the right type of company and the right kind of people, and Beta Motorcycles and Tim are the right kind of people. After meeting him and checking out the company, we're thrilled to represent them and have their colors on our car."

"What really appeals to me is NHRA's TV package," said Pilg, whose Paso Robles, California-based company has been manufacturing high-end off-road competition motorcycles for more than a century. "I've watched Doug for years on TV, and NHRA looks like a great place for us to be. It's simple, really: 'car guys' ride dirt bikes. Not everybody has heard of Beta Motorcycles, we want to get our name out there more, and the Gordon race team is a great way to do it."

During the second round of qualifying at the Dodge NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil in Las Vegas, Gordon’s 2018 Chevrolet Camaro crossed the centerline then made contact with the wall and rolled before coming to a rest. Gordon exited the car under his own power.  [11/13/19]

Moon Equipment Company will wrap its popular yellow MOONEYES graphics on the Jim Dunn Racing Nitro Funny Car driven by Jim Campbell for this year’s NHRA Finals in Pomona. The sponsor and team have been partners for many years and have shared tremendous success on and off the drag strip.   [11/13/19]

The Middle Eastern country of Bahrain sponsors Pro Mod racers 2019 NHRA champion “Stevie Fast” Jackson (shown), Rickie Smith and Khalid al Balooshi.  (Chris Haverly photo)

The Bahrain International Circuit, which currently boasts a vibrant drag racing community and numerous events, has extended their NHRA Worldwide Network agreement. NHRA Worldwide Network is designed to enable drag racing facilities around the world to conduct events under the NHRA banner. The worldwide rules adopted by FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) for drag racing originate from NHRA’s Rulebook.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with NHRA. We have been part of the International Network since 2011 and during that time it has been an instrumental support in the growth of the sport in Bahrain, whilst helping us to professionalize further our operations. As a circuit, we are able to attract world class teams which are competitive at the highest level, globally. With the imminent start of the 15th season of our local BDRC season, we are looking to continue the growth of Drag Racing in the region,” said Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain International Circuit.   [11/13/19]

Hooker BlackHeart continues to expand their lineup of LS/LT swap mounts and crossmembers by offering their latest swap system for 1967-1972 C10 pickups. Featuring frame stools that adapt to a 4th gen F-Body engine mount, Hooker takes all of the guesswork out of installing a modern drivetrain into your C10. The new crossmember allows for easy installation of a newer six-speed T-56 transmission providing a major upgrade over that factory 3-speed or 4-speed bulldog.   [11/13/19]