Demand to appear on PINKS: All Out, a drag racing reality show that airs on SPEED TV, resulted in phone system and Web site outages in Norwalk Monday, December 7. An estimated 9,000 racers from the Midwest United States tried to grab one of 425 available openings when they went on sale at noon at Summit Motorsports Park. The 425 openings sold out in two minutes and were only available by phone or online.

The episode of PINKS: All Out will be filmed at Summit Motorsports Park August 27-28, 2010. The reality show last filmed an episode at the track in June, 2008.

“We had a lot of people simultaneously trying to get one of these 425 racer openings,” said Bill Bader, Jr., president of Summit Motorsports Park. “We were amazed when we looked at the logs for our Web site. When you have that many people calling and using the Web site at the same time, it creates a large spike in demand on the equipment. I apologize to anyone in Norwalk that may have been inconvenienced.” Many residents in eastern Norwalk reportedly lost phone service and Internet access mid-day Monday as demand interrupted service.

Team Mopar® driver Allen Johnson's 2010 NHRA Pro Stock Mopar Dodge Avenger, revealed last month at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, will be on display this week near the Mopar Stage at the 22nd Annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show. Mopar will also display a number of "Moparized" vehicles and new Mopar parts in the Mopar exhibit on the PRI show floor. The trade show is scheduled to take place Dec. 10-12 at Florida's Orlando Convention Center.

George Ray, 85, owner and operator of George Ray’s Hot Rod Wildcat Drag Strip outside of Paragould, Ark, passed away on December 5, 2009.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie Ray.

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Officials with Houston Raceway Park have announced a "$5 December to Remember" Ticket Payment Plan for drag racing fans planning on attending the 23rd annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, which take place April 9-11.

During the month of December, race fans can purchase and print online, tickets for an initial $5 payment, per order, with a valid credit card. The balance of the ticket order will then be paid in three equal monthly installments leading up to the race.

"We want to extend to our fans during this Holiday season a great opportunity to give the gift of Full Throttle Drag Racing at Houston Raceway Park," said HRP General Manager Seth Angel. "This flexible payment plan spreads the cost of your Spring National ticket over a three-month period, making the purchase of event tickets easier to handle.

There’s no question Gordie Bonin left his mark on drag racing.

From 1972-81, the colorful Funny Car driver from Red Deer Alberta won his share of national events and he was constantly setting the miles-per-hour record, which prompted other drivers to give him the nickname “240 Gordie.”

These days, the 61-year-old Bonin no longer has his foot on the gas pedal as he just taking it easy.

“I wasn't doing anything (in terms of racing), I just go to a few races just to hang with old friends,” said Bonin, who is living in Deer Park, Wash., just north of Spokane. “I go to national events in Seattle, Las Vegas, Joliet, and Pomona  when I can; and hang with my old friends -  (John) Force, Cory Mac, Todd Okuhara, Cory's crew chief; the Pedregons; to name a few. These days it's all about visiting pals, on and off the track. I'm blessed to have had fans that have turned into good friends over the years; so there's always someone to visit with.

In the week leading up to the third annual CompetitionPlus.com War Stories we will re-publish some of the finest moments from last two years competition. You'll hear some of the finest stories laid down in competition. The program works like this: 16 figures within the drag racing community are voted on by the readers of CompetitionPlus.com to determine who they feel could tell the best story. From that voting, an NHRA professional elimination ladder pairs the contestants and they battle it out until one is left.

Today's story comes from "Waterbed" Fred Miller, former marquee Blue Max crewman, a quarter-finalist in  last year's War Stories Showdown.

Mother Nature and the people of Southern California cooperated to make the 12th annual John Force Racing Holiday Car Show one of the biggest in the events history. Ominous clouds made brief appearances over the 14-time champion’s shop but a comfortable breeze was the only weather variance all day as thousands of toys were dropped off making a mountain of memories for children this Christmas season. From 10 a.m. until well after 4 p.m. today toys, stuffed animals and games poured into the John Force Racing shop as fans filled the streets. Tens of thousands of people wandered through one of the largest collections of vintage cars, trucks and street rods.

In addition to the hundreds of car club vehicles a number of specialty vehicles were on display including the Force Borthers “Nightstalker,” Funny Car which returned to competition this year in a one-off event at Norwalk, Ohio, plus Jay Leno’s 1955 Buick Roadmaster custom, a $2 million Bugatti Veyron, a collection of “monster rods” built from Peterbilt trucks and an historic Amphicar designed for road or water.

Sheikh Khalid Al Thani came into Round 2 of the Arabian Drag Racing League at the Qatar Race Club with nothing less than high expectations; and looking to put the Al-Anabi Racing Pro Extreme ’68 Camaro in the winner’s circle – regardless of the fact that it was only his second race at the controls of the near 4,000 horsepower hot rod.

“We had made such great gains in testing,” said Sheikh Khalid. “I knew a victory wasn’t out of the question; it wasn’t too much to expect.”

On Saturday, December 5th at the Auto Club Exhibit in the Los Angeles Convention Center’s Kentia Hall 2009 NHRA Funny Car World Champion Robert Hight along with teammates 14-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion John Force, Ashley Force Hood and Mike Neff signed autographs. The NHRA Funny Car foursome were the guests of the Automobile Club of Southern California. Robert Hight’s Ford Mustang is sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California and all John Force Racing teams carry the Auto Club logos.

In the week leading up to the third annual CompetitionPlus.com War Stories we will re-publish some of the finest moments from last two years competition. You'll hear some of the finest stories laid down in competition. The program works like this: 16 figures within the drag racing community are voted on by the readers of CompetitionPlus.com to determine who they feel could tell the best story. From that voting, an NHRA professional elimination ladder pairs the contestants and they battle it out until one is left.

Today's story comes from Shirley Muldowney, a quarter-finalist in  last year's War Stories Showdown.