Author: Mike Haag

Courtesy of the NHRA Landmark, multi-year agreements will enable largest reach for NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events in NHRA’s 75-year history INDIANAPOLIS – NHRA officials announced it has reached new, landmark multi-year media rights agreements for the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with three standout distributors – FOX Sports, The CW Network and FloSports – positioning NHRA to enjoy the largest household reach in its 75-year history. Starting during the 2027 season, NHRA will have a total reach of more than 125 million households, giving NHRA its biggest-ever media presence. FOX Sports and The CW will carry…

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Joey Logano doesn’t mind that rain has played havoc with qualifying for three of the first four races in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase presented by Mobil 1. With rain wiping out both practice and time trials for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway (3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), Logano will start on the pole for the fourth postseason race. “I’ll take rain,” said Logano, who earned the top starting spot through a combination of his victory last Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway and…

Courtesy of Werner Communications DALLAS – Two well-known Texas companies heavily involved in the motorsports business will be joining forces to make this year’s Stampede of Speed even more spectacular for racers and fans. VP Racing Spirits will debut its Grand Tour Collection during the Stars of Texas Music Festival. VP Racing will also ensure its industry-leading racing fuels are available to competitors throughout the NHRA Divisional Race and the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, taking place October 9-18. NHRA fans attending the Stampede of Speed will have the opportunity to experience the brand’s first destination-inspired spirit, Twisted Sisters…

By Mike Haag | Raceday San Antonio The opening race in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs last weekend at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan will go down in history as one of the greatest drag racing events of all time. The inaugural Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals produced four very different championship stories that were filled with speed, excitement, drama and heartache. Langdon and Hall left Michigan with victories and momentum, Vandergriff made one of the most improbable Funny Car runs of the season, and Troy Coughlin Jr. dramatically reshaped the Pro Stock championship picture. Now…

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service BRISTOL, Tenn. — Soon after trading punches with an uncharacteristically irate Ryan Blaney, Carson Hocevar declared to TV cameras that, in Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race, fans “got an old-school Bristol show here.” Yes—and no. The post-race brawl at Bristol Motor Speedway certainly was old-school, at least in terms of the two principals. As soon as Hocevar parked his car on pit lane after a third-place run, Blaney strode toward the Spire Motorsports driver and gave him a shove. Hocevar responded with a glancing right-hand punch that sent Blaney’s cap flying. Hocevar’s second…

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Tempers flared after the NASCAR race Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway. After a race incident on the track between Carson Hocevar and Ryan Blaney, the two drivers went to blows in the pit area. To read more about what triggered this fight, click here. https://youtu.be/MsJuBKfoTrs?si=qYK83z5NzQf9PHSJ

Courtesy of Werner Communications DALLAS – With the 6th annual Stampede of Speed, October 9-18, including Stars of Texas Music Festival, October 9-11, and the 41st installment of the historic Texas Fall Nationals, October 14-18, Texas Motorplex is rolling out an impressive group of new and returning marketing partners. The wide variety of companies and brands will be on site and in action throughout the Stampede of Speed to give fans an incredible experience during the fastest and loudest ten days of music and motorsports. “We are thrilled to bring new brands and products to the tens of thousands…

By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio Doug Kalitta vs. Shawn Langdon: Who will win the Kalitta teammate battle? The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship begins this weekend with a new track, a reset of the points and four classes that are filled with drivers capable of making a run at a world championship. The six-race NHRA playoffs kick off with the inaugural Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan on September 18-20. It is the first NHRA national event at the facility and marks…

By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio ENNIS, TX – Texas Motorplex officials have announced that Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, a Hall of Fame Top Fuel driver and drag racing innovator, and original Texas Motorplex General Manager Glenn Menard have been named Texas Motorplex Legends. They will be honored at the 2026 NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, which will be held October 16-18. Garlits and Menard are among some of the earliest drag racing personalities that had a major impact in NHRA history at the Texas Motorplex when the track opened for business in 1986. “When the Motorplex opened and hosted its…

Courtesy of the NHRA INDIANAPOLIS – Shawn Langdon finished off an impressive weekend with a victory on Monday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, defeating Tony Stewart in the final round of the prestigious 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won the 14th of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Langdon went 3.804-seconds at 333.99 mph in his 12,000-horsepower SealMaster dragster for Kalitta Motorsports to hold off Stewart’s 3.904 at 315.27, earning his fifth victory in…