DI Web Exclusives
New Car: Rickie Jones’ PN ’12 Camaro
There’s not a lot to go on, but this is the brand-new 2012 Camaro with new Summit Racing sponsorship that second-generation driver Rickie Jones will be wheeling in ADRL Pro Nitrous this season with his father, Rick Jones, calling the shots as crew chief.
Not at all surprisingly, it comes out of the RJ Race Cars shop in Galesburg, Illinois, with nitrous-injected Reher & Morrison power under the hood. Continue Reading »
New Car: Pete Berner’s XPS ’12 Camaro
(Photos courtesy Pete Berner Racing; Click to enlarge)
Pete Berner’s sharp new Summit Racing Equipment ZL1 Camaro might have you thinking he’s ready for a “comeback” tour, which isn’t far from the truth. The flashy RJ Race Cars-built ride, featuring paint by SD Enterprises, is reminiscent of Berner’s familiar look from earlier in his Pro Stock career when he captured his first world championship (IHRA, 2006).
Not that Berner has ever been out of the picture in top Pro Stock competition, but this year he’s hoping not to be just a contender, but to set the bar for the ADRL Extreme Pro Stock class. Continue Reading »
Densham Credits ‘Dumb Luck’ for Avoiding Disaster
The on-site replay shows Jack Beckman veering in front of Gary Densham's Funny Car just as they crossed the 1,000-foot finish line. (Photos by Roger Richards/CompetitionPlus.com; Click to enlarge)
By Ian Tocher
When Jack Beckman suddenly veered right and crossed the center line into Gary Densham’s lane during round two of Funny Car at the NHRA season opener at Pomona, Densham says he instinctively got off the gas and hit the brakes—hard. But the Bellflower, California-based veteran downplays any suggestion it was a masterful driving job. Continue Reading »
New Car: Tommy Franklin’s PN ’69 Camaro
(Photos courtesy Garret Race Cars; Click images to enlarge)
Tommy Franklin has a new Garret Race Cars-built ’69 Camaro ready to go for the ADRL Pro Nitrous class.
In a previous Garret-built car making only its second on-track appearance in 2008, Franklin suffered a devastating rollover crash during qualifying for the ADRL event at Maryland International Raceway. Fortunately, the car did its job perfectly and protected Franklin from injury, but suffered catastrophic damage and set Franklin’s racing program back to the dark ages.
Regardless, he commissioned chassis builder Garret Livingston to build a new ride and the result is this Hairy Glass-bodied creation sporting an Eagle Racing 864 up front that recently emerged from the Garret shop in Marble Hill, Missouri. Continue Reading »
New Car: Randy Bryan’s PX ’70 Chevelle
(Photos courtesy ADRL; Click images to enlarge)
We don’t have a lot to go on, but here’s a first look at a brand-new ’70 Chevelle just rolled out of Jerry Bickel Race Cars in Moscow Mills, Missouri.
It’s destined for ADRL Pro Extreme (PX) action in the hands of driver Randy Bryan, but first heads to Taylor Michigan to receive a twin-turbocharged engine at Mike Moran Motorsports.
The team hopes to be testing by the end of February and plans to enter the ADRL season opener Mar. 30-31, at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas. Continue Reading »
Respecting Racer-Fan Boundaries
By Ian Tocher
“Bill-lee Glidden; Bill-lee Glidden!” The guy came around the back of Glidden’s trailer at the Texas Motorplex, carefully enunciating each syllable. “I just want to tell you what an a**hole you are!”
At first I thought this had to be an old, very familiar friend of the second-generation racing star, just acting like a jerk as a joke like some guys are prone to do, but within seconds I came to recognize the visitor for what he truly was: a boorish loudmouth with a chip on his shoulder. He went on to complain about how Glidden allegedly slighted him earlier in the day and how poorly Glidden treated his fans.
Remarkably (and probably a sad commentary on our society), I expected this “fan” to be drunk, but he appeared as sober as a judge. In fact, other than the a**hole comment he didn’t even resort to using profanity in his misguided tirade. Apparently, he was just mad about not getting an autograph or sufficient attention when Glidden was elbows deep in engine or transmission or whatever else might’ve needed attention when this guy showed up. Continue Reading »
When Performance Trumps Performing
By Ian Tocher (Originally published Aug. 2011, DI #56)
Wild rides were once the norm at ADRL events, but have the sanctioning body and racers done too much to eliminate the excitement? (Photos by Ian Tocher; Click to enlarge)
Drag racers are their own worst enemies when it comes to performance versus performing. Almost without exception they’re willing to sacrifice showmanship in their pursuit of speed and unfortunately the major sanctioning bodies typically encourage and reward the decision. Sure, lip service is given to the idea that “drag racing is show business and we’re competing with Little League Baseball and NFL football and concerts and movies for the consumer’s attention,” but in the interest of reducing downtime and running on schedule, anything that might create a disturbance is discouraged.
Currently, that contradiction is nowhere more prominently on display than in the ADRL, where much of the buzz and excitement of the early years has been lost to the pursuit of perfection, on the track by teams and prep crews, and in the tower by series officials. Continue Reading »
Paradise is a Drag Strip
By Van Abernethy
It was a warm Sunday afternoon in late summer when I discovered Paradise … Paradise Drag Strip, that is.
Ironically, I wasn’t even aware that Paradise existed until I came across its Web site quite by accident and was immediately amused by the track rules, which for some strange reason is something I always educate myself on before visiting any new track—not that I have trouble obeying them or anything.
Number 11 on the list of regulations that are strictly enforced in Paradise humorously declares: “Must order at least one cheeseburger.” I straightaway realized this was my kind of place. Continue Reading »
What I Like About Drag Racing
By Ian Tocher
Sr. Editor, Drag Illustrated
(Photos by Ian Tocher; Click to enlarge)
Taken at face value, heads-up drag racing is about the simplest motorsport on the planet. You get the signal to go, race side-by-side to a pre-determined point, and whoever gets there first is declared the winner. There are no pit strategies, no interpretations of out-of-bound rules, no caution laps, no drafting partners, and no mileage races. It’s a speed contest, pure and simple.
Of course, we all know there’s a little more to it than that, but the premise never changes. Which begs the question, how many times do you need to watch that? Beyond the noise and acceleration, what’s the recurring attraction? What’s the big deal with drag racing? Continue Reading »
12 Things We Want To See in 2012
It’s a new year and with it comes new questions awaiting new answers. Both NHRA and ADRL are heading into 2012 seasons rife with big changes on the way for personnel, teams, cars and even venues. There are veterans still looking for rides, contenders still looking for that elusive first win, and others merely looking for credibility.
Here are just a dozen attention-worthy items that Drag Illustrated is eager to follow in 2012.
- (Photo by Ian Tocher; Click images to enlarge)
1. How Al-Anabi Racing fares with two new drivers in its back-to-back, championship-winning Top Fuel seats
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