Drag Racer Mike Austin in Crash Today at NHRA Winternationals

Top Alcohol dragster Mike Austin was making a run during the first round of eliminations at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona today when his car veered of course and crashed.

Halfway through his run, Austin's car swerved, sailed over the right-side guard wall and skidded until it came to rest next to the right scoring tower at the end of the quarter-mile drag strip. Rescue workers immediately came to his aid.

Austin, from Medford, Oregon walked away from the horrific incident.

Courtney Force Ready for NHRA Pro Funny Car Debut in February

Drag racing is about to get a shot in the arm when a bright young star makes her pro debut in a little over a month.

Courtney Force, the 23-year-old daughter of 15-time NHRA champion John Force, will make her Professional driving debut Feb. 9-12 at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in a Ford Mustang Funny Car sponsored by Traxxas, the world leader in ready-to-run radio-controlled vehicles.

Courtney, who for the last four seasons learned how to deal with all of the off-track aspects of professional racing and has proven herself a skilled interviewee, a reality TV star, a spokesperson for Ford Motor Company’s Driving Skills for Life program, a national marketing contest winner, and a fan favorite, finally will get a chance to show what she can do on the track.

“For Traxxas, Courtney represents more than just a female driver on the track. The family that she comes from has been racing, and she’s been a part of racing all of her life. She’s not just another girl at the racetrack; she’s a girl that has real DNA and John Force DNA embedded in her, and it shows,” said Mike Jenkins, Traxxas president. “Take a couple of minutes and talk with Courtney; you’ll see the competitiveness that comes out in that girl. She’s going to represent our company and our brand. She’s been a top pick for us for a very long time -- we’re proud to have her on.”

Courtney had success in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster class, including winning a national event.  Courtney spent last season testing in a Ford Funny Car after selected NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series tour events.

Her crew chiefs will be Ron Douglas and Scott Wible.

Larry Dixon and Alan Johnson Racing Agree to Split

Alan Johnson Racing and driver Larry Dixon have agreed to a mutual separation, it was announced late on Monday.  Alan Johnson Racing manages the two-car Top Fuel operation of the Al-Anabi Racing Team. 

Dixon joined the Al-Anabi Racing team when it was founded in 2009 and had a great deal of success.  He finished second, first and fourth in his three seasons at Al-Anabi Racing winning 19 races.  He is a three-time NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel champion. The reasons leading to this mutual decision are private team matters; no further information will be provided, and no interviews will be granted.

“Larry has been an integral member of Al-Anabi Racing for the past three seasons,” Alan Johnson Racing team owner and Al-Anabi Racing team manager Alan Johnson said.  “He was instrumental in our successes including winning our first NHRA Full Throttle championship in 2010. He represented Al-Anabi Racing, Full Throttle and the NHRA as a great champion.

“As difficult as some decisions can be, there are times when they become necessary but can be best for everyone involved. I am proud to have raced with Larry, and I have great respect for his driving ability. I know I speak for everyone at Al-Anabi Racing when I wish him all the best.”

“I enjoyed my three seasons driving the Al-Anabi Top Fuel car," Dixon said.  “We had a lot of wins and definitely the highlight was the NHRA Full Throttle Championship last year.  I have many fond memories of working with Alan, Jason and our crew, but I am anxious to see what the future has in store for me.  I want to thank Sheikh Khalid, Alan and everyone at AJR for my time there and wish them all the best.”

With driver Del Worsham’s retirement on Nov. 21, Al-Anabi Racing must now fill two driver’s seats as the team will field two Top Fuel cars for the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season. Additional announcements will be forthcoming.

Al-Anabi Racing operates out of multiple locations in both the United States and Qatar.  In the United States, the Brownsburg, Ind.-based operation is a two-car NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series team fielding entries in Top Fuel competition that is managed by Alan Johnson Racing.  At the forefront of this team is His Highness Sheik Khalid Al Thani’s goal to promote the domestic and international awareness of Motorsports in the nation of Qatar.  Alan Johnson is a 14-time NHRA national champion.  For additional information on the Al-Anabi Racing Team, please visit www.alanabiracing.com. 

Joe DeSantis Flies off an NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle at 180+ MPH

This might be the scariest thing you see this Halloween Weekend.

Joe DeSantis loses control of his Pro Stock Motorcycle bike at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during NHRA qualifying. 

He slides, he rolls, he tumbles and he walks away?  You have to be kidding me!  He injures only his wrist.  He's taken to the medical center.  My wife and I are amazed at the drivers in NHRA, but particularly the Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers.  They are going at high speeds and have no protection other than a helmet.  Joe appears to have been very lucky.

Courtney Force Tests Her Funny Car Monday at Maple Grove

Following the conclusion of the NHRA event in Maple Grove on Monday, Courtney Force took her Funny Car out on the track and made a test run.

A nice clean pass.

She should be out on the track in 2012.