In a shocking move, John Force Racing has announced Austin Prock will take over the driving chores of the Funny Car previously driven by multi-time champion Robert Hight. A statement issued by the team said Hight is stepping away for medical reasons. 

“I have to put my health first,” said Hight who has finished second in the points standings for two consecutive years. “Once this is resolved, I’ll be back. I’ll be looking forward to racing again, I’m a competitor and can’t wait to get back to doing what I love. I know Austin will do a great job in my place for Cornwell Tools, AAA, Chevy and all of the John Force Racing sponsors. I have no doubt he’ll win races.”

Vance & Hines Motorsports will race into the 2024 season with a new primary sponsor as part of a multi-year deal. 

RevZilla, a leading motorcycle gear, parts, and accessories brand, inked a two-year deal, marking the first time their NHRA Drag Racing and MotoAmerica efforts will fall under one title sponsorship umbrella. 

Founded in 2007 as an online retailer of motorcycle gear, parts, and accessories, RevZilla also has retail stores in Newport Beach, Denver, and Philadelphia. 

Getting licensed to drive an NHRA Pro Stock car is all part of a process.

Sienna Wildgust, 17, is in the hurry up and wait mode as part of that process to start her driving career as part of the powerhouse KB Titan Racing team. Sienna’s father Scott drives in the Pro Mod class.

Wildgust, of Stratford, Ontario, Canada, attempted to get her Pro Stock license in her Chevy Camaro, Jan. 9-12 at Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park but was unable to get it because Mother Nature didn’t cooperate to allow her to finish the needed requirements.

In this five-part series, CompetitionPlus.com will explore ten races that were really great at one time, and some were famous, while others were obscure. The bottom line is they were fun and epitomized the spirit of drag racing. 

We will undoubtedly miss a few, but save your judgment until the series ends. Special thanks to Bret Kepner, Dave Wallace, Steve Earwood, and others who helped ensure this series came to fruition with their knowledge of the sport and willingness to contribute. 

A key element will return in 2024 to the Midwest Drag Racing Series.

J&A Services has renewed as the Alcohol Funny Car series sponsor, and with this commitment comes a revamped format, including more prize money for its competitors.  Additionally the event entry fee has been reduced to $500, which includes car, driver, four crewmembers, pit cart, and pit vehicle.

Former Pro Nitrous driver Tony Wilson will realize a dream in 2024 when he takes over the driving duties for a new team in which he is partnered with Tim Wallace, Sr. The new team will race the NHRA Pro Modified tour with tuning from Jason Lee and Patrick Barnhill of PTP Tuning.

“Running the full NHRA series is a dream come true for me,” Wilson said. “That’s what I’ve always wanted to do. Getting to do this is huge for me and my family. It’s the top. It’s where we want to be. Tim’s going to provide us with all the best parts and cars we can ask for. Jason will provide the tuning. I think the team will be really good.”

When Alex Laughlin, the jack-of-all-trades drag racer, moved on from his ride in a fuel car, he wasted little time finding yet another avenue to fill his need for speed. Laughlin plans to drive the Geoff Turk Factory X Blackbird X Challenger, the seat recently vacated by Allen Johnson. 

For Laughlin, Factory X represents the eighth different division he's raced in less than a decade. It might have been the ninth racing if a motorcycle deal had worked out. 

Factory X brings a high level of intrigue to Laughlin.

​

There will be a Wilkerson driving the SCAG Power Equipment-sponsored Funny Car in 2024; it just won’t be Tim Wilkerson. Second-generation drag racer Daniel Wilkerson will be taking over the driving duties of the Ford Mustang Funny Car, while Tim will take over the tuning roles for his son’s entry. 

Daniel has some big shoes to fill as his father’s 27-year career included a resume of 24 wins, 20 No. 1 qualifiers, and 16 NHRA top ten point finishes, including a best second in 2005. 

Chad Green will still have a Tim Wilkerson Racing connection; he will just have two crew chiefs instead of one in 2024. Dean Marinis and Joe Serena will serve as co-crew chiefs for Green with the announcement that Daniel Wilkerson will now drive the Funny car formerly piloted by his father, Tim. Green will continue to rent space in Wilkerson's shop.