More than five centuries ago, explorers brave, bold, and battle-ready sailed into uncharted seas and lands in search of silk, spices, and “The New World.” They had no idea what they would discover, but the quest for a conquest was overwhelming.
 
Today a 5-foot-5 former football player with a Masters degree from the University of Arkansas, a 39-year-old man who loves shopping and exotic cars when he isn't buffing up at the gym, is embarking on a grand expedition in the other direction. Just as on their journeys Christopher Columbus carried the flag of Spain's King Ferdinand to the Western world, “Hot Rod” Fuller will be representing the National Hot Rod Association and “the nation of drag racing” in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

On the outside, things will seem very different for Pro Stock stalwart Kurt Johnson at this weekend’s O’Reilly Kragen NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA.  The familiar blue, red and white livery he has carried for over 20 years has been replaced by a mostly white design.  His two-man crew is completely new, having joined the Sugar Hill-based organization during the winter.
 
However, a closer inspection will show that many of this perennial championship contender’s key components remain in place, including a proven race car powered by the legendary Johnson horsepower.  Most importantly, Ontario, CA-based Mark Christopher Auto Center, who has been with the team virtually since its inception has stepped forward to sponsor the team for the first few races of the 2010 Full Throttle season.

Photographer Wes Gelfand, son of longtime drag racing photographer Joel Gelfand captured some of the early scenes from the 50th NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Ca.

The NHRA has scheduled a press conference today to kick off the historic event. Qualifying officially begins on Thursday afternoon with one session.

Shawn Langdon was a kid destined for championships and after winning a junior dragster title in 1997, went on to win two sportsman drag racing world championships. The competition for those titles was fast and furious and in the midst of those championship battles, Langdon was un-shakeable.

Little did the competition know that as a kid, his greatest challenge was facing the legends of the sport not in competition, but in the pits, at the rope across the entrance to their pit areas.

“Looking back, I was such a shy kid,” admitted Landon. I can remember guys like Joe Amato, John Force, Cory McClenathan, and Mike Dunn signing my shirt or something and they'd always try to talk to me but I'd just get their autograph and run off. Later on I'd be like, 'Oh man, he was trying to talk to me and I blew him off.' I was just in awe of these guys. I'd freeze up.”

For 23-year old NHRA Pro Stock driver Danny Gruninger, competition is competition, and it’s all relative.

Gruninger, of Denver, Co., drives a Jerry Haas-built Dodge Stratus powered by a 500-inch engine from Bob Panella. He plans to race in ten events during the 2010 season.

What is not largely known is Gruninger has a sports background outside of racing.

Gruninger is a four-time competitor in the Little League Baseball World Series. He’s also a former Colorado high school state golfing champion who earned a PGA tour card upon graduation.

“It’s all about the competition,” said Gruninger, who earned his NHRA Pro Stock license last year. “I have a passion that goes well beyond just playing the game, whatever the sport may be.”

Terry McMillen knows the challenge will be monstrous.

The longtime IHRA Top Fuel driver, and part-time NHRA competitor in the past few years, plans to meet the challenge of running a full, 23-race NHRA Full Throttle tour head on.

He’s heading into the 50th running of the NHRA Winternationals armed with confidence that he’s got what it takes to hang in there for the long haul.
 
"We've never been more prepared to start a season than we are right now," McMillen said. "Yet in the back of my mind, I still have to wonder if it's enough. There are a lot of strong teams out here. We know it won't be easy to make the Countdown to the Championship, but I can guarantee we're going to have fun trying."

Dave Szerlag and Mike Fuqua, in conjunction with O’Reilly Raceway Park and presenting sponsors Steve Schmidt Competition Engines, Auto Meter, and Racecraft Chassis are proud to present the 6th annual JEGS U.S. Open Bracket Championship June 17-20 at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, IN. The sixth edition of bracket racing’s premier event will feature four days of competition, and a purse in excess of $200,000.
 
The format of the 2010 event will be much like that of previous JEGS U.S. Open events. Thursday, action will kick-off with the American Race Cars Thursday Warm-Up. Racers will compete for a winners purse of $10,000 cash along with a 2010 American Race Cars Patriot Chassis! Friday and Saturday feature back-to-back $20,000-to-win events presented by DragstersForSale.com and the Fab Shop, respectively. Sunday, the weekend concludes with the Sullivan’s Tire $10,000-to-win event.

Hot Rod Fuller said he truly considers it an honor to be Yas Marina Circuit's multifaceted “Everything Guy,” evangelizing, if you will, the gospel of drag racing.    
 

Veteran NHRA Top Fuel driver Cory McClenathan, Attitude's CompetitionPlus.com publisher Bobby Bennett, and NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart will preview the 50th annual NHRA Winternationals on WFO Radio NHRA Tuesday with Joe Castello, live tonight at 7 p.m. ET.  To listen, go to http://www.wforadio.com

The reigning NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock champion Mike Edwards will again fly the Penhall Company logo during the 2010 season. The distinctive Penhall Company logo and colors are part of a multi-year partnership.

“At Mike Edwards Motorsports we are excited to have the Penhall Company back as part of our team and to be able to compete under their brand name during the 2010 season and beyond,” said Edwards, who also represented them in 2007 and 2008.

“The Penhall Company has played a major role in my team's mission of reaching kids around the country," Edwards continued. "We are honored to represent the Penhall Company and again be part of that groups marketing strategy in the drag-racing arena."