Team Press Releases

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 10) -- It's been an off-season of change for Pro Stock veteran driver Larry Morgan and his Lucas Oil-sponsored machine. Morgan is reporting to this week's 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona with a brand new Ford Mustang body and a handful of unknowns. But with three decades of racing experience, he's not too concerned. The new car recently spent some time in Lockheed Martin's wind tunnel in Marietta, Ga., but because of stormy weather during much of the last month, it's seen very little track time. "The Vegas test never looked inviting because the weather didn't look good from the start," Morgan said. "Then we found out the wind tunnel was available and I really...

[coverattach=1]Pomona, Calif. – “Pumped up,” was how A/Fuel Dragster driver Johnny Ahten described his feelings as he prepares to enter the Lucas Oil/Island Renovations Ahten Racing ‘Stump-puller’ in the very competitive Top Alcohol Dragster category this weekend at the 50th Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals to be held at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif. For the fire fighter specialist from Santa Clarita, Calif. the 50th ‘Big Go West’ is more than simply the beginning of the 2010 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, it is a chance to capture victory at a historic event. “The 50th Big Go West is very special to me and my racing family,” noted Ahten. “Between my dad, Uncle Bob and I, I’m sure we’ve attended the majority of these...

[coverattach=1]POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2010) - With DieHard on board as primary sponsor of the Dodge Charger Funny Car he drives for Don Schumacher Racing, and with the continuing support of shelor.com, Matt Hagan is aiming for a victory at this weekend's 50th annual NHRA Winternationals. No longer a rookie, the 27-year-old Angus Cattle farmer from Christiansburg, Va., has his first national-event win in his sights, as he prepares for his second full NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season. "After last year, you had to really sit down and think to yourself and do some soul searching," said Hagan, who was winless in 2009 but had reached two final rounds and qualified No. 1 twice. "To go to 24 races and make about 100 laps...

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 9) -- There will be plenty new for veteran So Cal drag racer Jay Payne and his FireIce Top Alcohol Funny Car team as they kick off the season at this weekend's 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. For one thing, Payne will be piloting a brand new racecar, and it will feature an all-new FireIce paint scheme in honor of a renewed partnership with the esteemed company. His experienced crew, based in nearby Ontario, Calif., will even be suited in new uniforms to round out the fresh look for the New Year. But for all the change, the one thing that remains the same is that Payne is stepping into the 2010 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series intent on showing he's still the same...

Sugar Hill, Ga., February 10, 2010 – This weekend, the National Hot Rod Association will celebrate the 50th running of one of its most prestigious races, the Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals in Pomona, CA. There have been numerous changes and advancements since that inaugural event in 1961, from the sport ascending to national prominence to the establishment of four professional classes. However for almost 30 years, there has been one constant at the traditional NHRA season-opener, namely the participation of Pro Stock stalwart Warren Johnson. Since qualifying third and defeating Lee Edwards in 1976, “The Professor” has steadily earned his place in Winternationals history, participating in every race since 1984, with his five Pro...

Sugar Hill, Ga., February 10, 2010 – 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...

[coverattach=1](2-10-09) DOHA, Qatar – After an intense three-race stretch that saw the stars and cars of the Arabian Drag Racing League doing battle on the Qatar Race Club’s eighth-mile drag strip for three weekends straight, Sheikh Khalid Al Thani and his entire Al-Anabi Racing operation greatly deserved a break from competition. Anxious to build on their success in Round 5, where Al Thani earned a second career Pro Extreme victory in the world’s first ever 3.6-second drag race, Al-Anabi Racing’s team owner and driver can hardly wait to get back to business behind the wheel of his Pro Extreme ’68 Camaro. “It’s game time,” said Sheikh Khalid, checking in from his office in downtown Doha. “The team has had a chance to take a rest...

POMONA, Prerace: The newest member of NHRA’s Pro Stock ranks is ready to begin a new chapter in his young career. Shane Gray will make his professional racing debut at the upcoming 50th annual NHRA Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. The 38-year old son of well known racer, Johnny Gray has stepped up from the Competition Eliminator class where he earned a win in Division Four in the Lucas Oil Series and finished 15 in the national point standings last year, both while running a limited schedule. Gray upgraded his license to Pro stock during the Pro Stock Showdown at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this past weekend. And the team stayed a few more days to fine-tune the new Jerry Haas...

POMONA, Prerace: The off-season is a very busy time for all the teams. There are cars to prep, parts to be stocked, items to be certified, uniforms to be designed and the list goes on. For Pro stock racer and team owner, Johnny Gray, this usual routine was the easiest part of his off time. With his oldest son and newly licensed Pro Stock driver, Shane, by his side the New Mexico businessman took on a massive task. Gray expanded to a two-car team, moved his Gray Motorsports race headquarters to Denver, N.C., took delivery of two beautiful new Jerry Haas Pontiac GXP’s and the toughest feat of all, began his own engine program. With this huge undertaking put into play, Gray is ready to begin an exciting new chapter at the 50th...