Houston Raceway Park benefits from incredible atmospheric conditions
because of its proximity to Trinity Bay, which feeds the facility cool
air. The track’s first NHRA national event, in fall 1988, established
HRP as one of the sport’s quickest with NHRA’s first four-second Top
Fuel pass and a new national record. 

In all my almost forty years of attending races, I have never known
such arctic conditions that befell the season opener at Santa Pod
Raceway. Dedicated nitro starved fans arrived regardless of weather
predictions and struggled in muddy fields, some even succumbing to
hypothermia overnight as temperatures dipped well below freezing. How
race teams managed to even start motors let alone get down track on the
two days that did not suffer rain, sleet and snow is beyond me.
Everyone at the racetrack over that weekend needs an endurance medal
and help in thawing out. Many teams decided the weather too adverse and
wisely sat out or went home to keep warm whilst the slightly depleted
fields managed to complete the eliminations between show showers on
Easter Monday.

Keep up with this weekend's ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals
by reading our behind-the-scenes event notebook. We bring you the stories behind
the numbers and win-lights throughout the course of the weekend. Tune in daily
for the latest news from the pits.

The traditional East Coast opener and the season’s first of 17 events
for Pro Stock Motorcycle riders, this event is one of the sport’s most
revered with a rich tradition of history-making performances. This
hallowed quarter-mile has entertained spring-break-loving fans for
decades.  

NHRA’s annual duel in the desert has been a Southwest fixture since
1985, when it joined the tour in a late fall slot. Since 1990, it’s
been the second stop on the tour’s westward march and a place for teams
to redeem mistakes made at the opener. Charlie Allen, a former Funny
Car racer, constructed a track that makes people forget it sits at
1,100 feet above sea level.

Keep up with this weekend's Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals
by reading our behind-the-scenes event notebook. We bring you the stories behind
the numbers and win-lights throughout the course of the weekend. Tune in daily
for the latest news from the pits.

Every February since
1961, fans have flocked to Southern California not just for the un-winterlike
weather, but also for one of drag racing’s grandest traditions: the unveiling of
new cars, drivers, teams, and sponsorships at the NHRA POWERade season opener.
The Big Go West plays out at the fabled facility known for its outstanding
traction, smooth surface, and potential for record performances. 

Keep up with this weekend's CARQUEST Winternationals in Pomona, California by reading our behind-the-scenes event
notebook. We bring you the stories behind the numbers and win-lights throughout
the course of the weekend. Tune in daily for the latest news from the
pits.

Keep up with this weekend's CARQUEST Winternationals in Pomona, California by reading our behind-the-scenes event
notebook. We bring you the stories behind the numbers and win-lights throughout
the course of the weekend. Tune in daily for the latest news from the
pits.

Keep up with this weekend's Pontiac Pro Stock Super Bowl at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by reading our behind-the-scenes event
notebook. We bring you the stories behind the numbers and win-lights throughout
the course of the weekend. Tune in daily for the latest news from the
pits.