As part of its continuing support of drag racing, Sterling Bridge, a Canadian-based commercial real estate investment company, has signed on as the presenting sponsor of this weekend's Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series event at zMax Dragway.

Shakedown at E’Town founder and promoter David Hance learned a hard lesson this past weekend—always get it in writing!

Just three weeks prior to his 8th annual Shakedown at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ, the New Yorker learned that Al-Anabi Racing would not return as the event’s $100,000 title sponsor. And without a signed contract, there’s no legal recourse.

After Al-Anabi’s initial backing of the event in 2008, Hance claims he suggested a binding contract to Al-Anabi leader Sheikh Khalid “KH” Al-Thani, but recalls being asked, ‘Do we need a contract; do we need lawyers?’

“And sure enough the second year he paid and it wasn’t an issue so I kind of got into a comfort zone, I guess,” Hance admits.

Larry Carrier couldn’t wait to kick off the 1974 IHRA season in Charlotte, N.C.

Three days later, the IHRA founder and president couldn’t get out of town quick enough.

The only national event drag race staged on the hallowed grounds of what is now Lowe’s Motor Speedway featured plenty of entertaining and competitive drag races, but in the end a single-car crash accounting for three deaths cast a pall on the event. It was more than many could endure, especially Carrier.

So what inspired a race at what is now one of the most famous oval track racing facilities in the world?

Carrier’s networking prowess was the primary reason.

The IHRA sanctioned their first and last drag race in Charlotte during the 1974. While this video, originally broadcast on Speedvision, which is now Speed TV, showed good footage from the event, the horrific deaths of three people on Saturday of the event was not mentioned. The event was the first eighth-mile sanctioned national event on record and was contested on the pit road at what is now Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Longtime motorsports veteran Richard Schaefer has been named NHRA Southeast Division Director (Div. 2), it was announced today. Schaefer comes to NHRA following three seasons at Gateway International Raceway (GIR), where he served as drag racing events manager.

“Rich has all the skills necessary to become a strong division director,” said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations, NHRA. “He has extensive experience in event management, sponsorship and event operations.”

Genuine Hotrod Hardware division will serve as the primary sponsor of Ronnie Humphrey’s Pro Stock entry for the remainder of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season. Starting with this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Humphrey’s Pontiac GXP will feature the Genuine Hotrod Hardware logo on its hood and doors to help promote the extensive line of products designed to complement the hot rodder’s lifestyle.
 
“We believe our new sponsorship of Ronnie Humphrey’s Pro Stock GXP will help us show drag racing enthusiasts how they can take their passion beyond the dragstrip and into their homes and offices with Genuine Hotrod Hardware,” said Jim Greenleaf, motorsports and events manager for Summit Racing Equipment. “Our Genuine Hotrod line includes unique collectibles and hot rod lifestyle products, including a large selection of drag racing collectibles, apparel, and nostalgia items, and we invite everyone to visit our website and check it out.”

Two-time NHRA Funny Car world champion Tony Pedregon’s Chevrolet Funny Car will feature primary sponsorship from Komatsu America Corp. for the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Sept. 16-19 in Charlotte.

“Komatsu America is excited to be sponsoring Tony Pedregon’s car,” said Erik Wilde, vice president, product marketing, Komatsu America Corp. “Tony’s reputation as a world champion aligns well with Komatsu’s worldwide reputation for producing outstanding equipment.”

Television schedule changes for this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at zMax Dragway have been announced by ESPN. Qualifying coverage on ESPN2HD has been moved to a one-hour show Sunday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m. ET. NHRA Race Day presented by Lucas Oil, the popular 30-minute preview show, will now air Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2HD, which will serve as the lead-in to three hours of eliminations coverage scheduled to air at 7 p.m. ET.

Three of drag racing’s well-known nitro tuners are writing a new chapter in their racing career.

 The tuning duo of Tim and Kim Richards along with Rob Flynn have found the most unlikeliest of homes – tuning 2500 horsepower, suspended chassis race cars within the ADRL’s Pro Extreme division.

“I think this is where the future is,” said Alex Hossler, one of the ADRL’s leading Pro Extreme racers. “I think a lot of people see that and they want to jump on the bandwagon. Not knocking NHRA, but who knows where NHRA is going to be five years from now. Who knows where ADRL is going to be five years from now? This is the fastest growing motorsport that I know of and I think these guys all want to be a part of it.”

Hossler recently added Flynn as his tuner following the lead of the Al Anabi Racing team of Sheikh K.H. Al Thani who hired the Richards to cover for Frank Manzo, on the weekends when he races in the NHRA’s Top Alcohol Funny Car division.

Warren Johnson was taken aback by his invitation to participate in the special edition 'Attitude Hour' produced by WFO Radio Show and sponsored by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com.

Johnson was the first guest of four specifically chosen for their ability to speak their minds during the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

“I don’t understand, I’ve never had an attitude about everything … ahem … anything,” said Johnson with a broad smile. “I just tend to correct things.”

And for Johnson, he’s confident he speaks the truth as he sees it. A sign in his shop proclaiming “Everyone is entitled to my opinion” confirms it.