The legendary and historic Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo., 30 minutes outside of Denver, officially closed at its original location, 3051 S Rooney Road, on Oct. 18.

The Speedway had called Thunder Mountain home for 66 years.

“It’s time to say farewell… for now,” Bandimere Speedway said in a statement on social media Oct. 18.

SCAG Power Equipment will return as the title sponsor of the second annual PRO Superstar Shootout, scheduled for February 6-8, 2025, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The event will feature top professional drag racers competing in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner to join us as we host the second PRO Superstar Shootout,” said Alan Johnson, president of the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO). “Randy Gloede and the SCAG Power Equipment team have become huge supporters of drag racing over the last couple of years.”

Jason Harris knew the importance of putting an exclamation mark on the 2024 season. The second-generation drag racer did just that in scoring the PDRA Pro Line Racing Brian Olson Memorial World Finals Pro Boost title and his second consecutive series championship. 

Along with Harris, the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series professional class world champions are Fredy Scriba, who pulled off the double in Pro Nitrous. While Johnny Pluchino won the battle at Virginia Motorsports, Chris Powers won the war for the Extreme Pro Stock title. 

The most significant barriers in Mountain Motor Pro Stock were broken in quarter-mile racing and IHRA competition. In 1980, Rickie Smith was the first driver in a large displacement Pro Stocker to run in the seven-second zone. Eleven years later, Harold Denton ran in the six-second zone while Smith returned to pick up the first at over 200 miles per hour. 

The PDRA now has a milestone it can call its own, thanks to rookie Extreme Pro Stock racer Randi Lyn Butner.

Muckleshoot Casino Resort has been named the title sponsor of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series' annual event at Pacific Raceways, NHRA officials announced today. The 36th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals will take place from July 18-20, with tickets going on sale Nov. 11.

This marks Muckleshoot Casino Resort’s first official partnership with the NHRA, adding visibility to the only major motorsports series event in the Pacific Northwest. The casino has been a longtime sponsor of major Seattle professional teams.

Smokies Garage, a private hobby garage that specializes in custom race cars, hot rods, and motorcycles, has become a key sponsor of the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series, race officials announced. The Canadian drag racing team will compete in the three-race Pro Modified series, which includes the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, U.S. Street Nationals, and the World Series of Pro Mod at Bradenton Motorsports Park.

“Mike Clark and his group at Smokies Garage believe in what we’re trying to do with the DI Winter Series,” said Wes Buck, DI founder and Winter Series promoter. “We believe the drivers and teams that compete in Pro Mod deserve a big stage, big fanfare, and big-money prizes.”

He was known as The General, and when he led, the field followed. 

A Mountain Motor Pro Stock legend, "General" Lee Edwards, passed away unexpectedly on October 12, 2024. He was 85, and would have turned 86 on October 16. 

Edwards won two series championships while racing in the IHRA and is credited with the first two championships [1977, 1978] when the Bristol, Tenn.-based organization converted to a Mountain Motor Pro Stock format. 

A recent study by the United States Motorsports Association (USMA) revealed that Tulsa Raceway Park and Tulsa Speedway generate $83.2 million annually for their local economy. The report, titled “Turbocharging Oklahoma: Discovering the Economic Power of Tulsa Raceway Park and Tulsa Speedway,” provides a detailed analysis of the facilities' economic impact.

Conducted by Dr. Robert Dunn, the study indicates that the racetracks support 547 jobs and contribute $37.6 million in annual local earnings. Additionally, they attract over 370,000 visitors each year, driving spending in the community across various sectors including accommodations and dining.

A funny thing happened on the way to the winner's circle for Funny Car champion Matt Hagan at the NHRA FallNationals.

At the onset, let's just say Hagan had a memorable weekend that started with helping someone in financial distress and walking out to the back of his pits to pack his Funny Car's parachute when a hit-and-run golf cart blindsided him. Then he won the race and then considered a unique celebration but chose against it.

To tell the story, we must begin at the end and work out way back.