Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage (JHG) and J&A Service will serve as the presenting sponsors of the 2024 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod (WSOPM). The event is scheduled for March 1-3 at Bradenton Motorsports Park and will feature over 60 top Pro Modified teams vying for a $100,000 winner-take-all prize.

This news comes on the heels of the successful inaugural SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout, which was presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage at Bradenton. With its impressive collection of over 200 cars, ranging from classic hot rods to cutting-edge supercars, JHG is making its WSOPM debut as the co-presenting sponsor. Additionally, JHG will partner with Elite Motorsports and compete for a $25,000 prize in the second annual Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational.

Drag Illustrated founder and editorial director, Wes Buck, expressed his enthusiasm for JHG’s involvement.

Pro Stock driver Eric Latino owns GESi, a leading producer of catalytic converters for OEM, aftermarket, and performance applications. 

Latino, now a co-owner of the KB Titan brand, has managed to marry his business into drag racing. He has been in the emissions industry for now 25 years. 

The former Pro Modified driver, who is now trying his hand at NHRA Pro Stock, is working on making drag racing engines more environmentally friendly since he sees a day coming when leaded fuels wind down in drag racing. 

The more things change in the sport of drag racing, the more they have remained the same for star Top Fuel driver Justin Ashley.

Ashley has been a legitimate contender for an NHRA Top Fuel championship, and that’s his goal in 2024 as he returns to the same team with all pieces intact.

Northern California mechanical contractor, Lescure Mechanical Services, will continue their longstanding partnership with Jim Dunn Racing during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. As the primary sponsor for the entire season, Lescure Mechanical Services will back the team led by Hall of Fame team owner Jim Dunn and new driver Buddy Hull in NHRA competition.

Team manager Jon Dunn is excited about the team's direction heading into the 2024 season. 

"We have represented Lescure Mechanical Services for many years, but we are thrilled to have them on board for the full 2024 season,"  We have a new driver with Buddy Hull, and the excitement level has never been higher for this team. Dunn said. "We have several specialty Funny Car designs coming out this season as well, but we really want to keep Lescure Mechanical Services front and center."

Check out the latest episode of the CompetitionPlus Power Hour presented by Weldon Pumps. Richard Freeman drops by the show to discuss the recently completed PRO Superstar Shootout, Pro Stock and the state of drag racing. It's a very enlightening conversation with the team owner credited with the revitalization of Pro Stock in NHRA. The POWER HOUR is hosted by the Monday Morning Racer Lee Craft

This is certainly unchartered territory for Dave Richards.

After racing part-time for 10 years, Dave Richards and Paul Richards Racing will be running the full 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season for the first time in the Versatran/BlueBird nitro Funny Car.

His first stop with a full-time operation is competing at the inaugural $1.3 million PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park, which began Thursday and concludes Saturday night.

It’s not like they don’t have history together. 

Turn the clocks back to 2013, and that was when the former sportsman standout turned Top Fuel champion Shawn Langdon won a championship back in 2013 while on the Alan Johnson-led Al Anabi team with Brian Husen.

The two will be reunited in 2024, and if the early results of testing are a harbinger of things to come, the Kalitta Motorsports fielded team stands poised for a good season. 

“The car’s been a dream to drive,” Langdon said. “Brian and the boys, they’ve put in a lot of hours in the offseason, changing a lot of things. And fortunately, the results are showing. The car’s been on a string for the last couple of days. I mean, we have not made a bad run. They came out swinging. We’ve been laying down some really good laps, big speeds, low ETs, parts been looking great. Everything’s kind of getting in sync, and it’s good. 

With Leah Pruett, there are really two ways to look at the testing in Bradenton, Fla., culminating in the PRO Superstar Shootout. It's either bitter or sweet, but no bittersweet. 

Pruett is driving her Top Fuel dragster for the last time this season before taking a hiatus to start a family with her husband and substitute driver, Tony Stewart.

"Right now, it's really just sweet," Pruett said. "I think that's because I've thought about it for a long time, and we've properly prepared for the transition, and I've had time to evaluate my motions through it."

If John Medlen has heard the scenario once, he's heard it a million times. It's like the Karate Kid meets nitromethane tuning, and for the record, Medlen has zero problem being the sensei to a young tuner that he expects to be one of the leading tuners of the future. 

Jonnie Lindberg was named as the crew chief for Paul Lee Racing at the end of 2023 and would be mentored by the championship-winning Medlen. Tuesday was his first day on the job, out in the field during testing at Bradenton Motorsports Park. 

"I think Jonnie's going to be one of the stars of the show," Medlen proclaimed. "I really believe that."