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.

"Big Daddy" Weighs in on Father's Day

Drag racing legend, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, would like to add even more performance and appearance to every dad's car this Father's Day. After perusing the Mopar® catalog, he picked his top 12 gift items.

"'Big Daddy' Don Garlits is the Babe Ruth of drag racing," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group's service, parts and customer-care brand. "While not every dad can make sub-five second passes over the quarter mile, we think Don Garlits knows what it takes to get dad's car looking good and into the fast lane."

"With more than 280,000 parts and accessories, Mopar has a huge selection of parts and accessories," said Garlits. "Put a gift under dad's hood this Father's Day and make him happy."

Following is "Big Daddy" Don Garlits' top 12 Father's Day gift ideas:

Fender Covers: Prevent scratches and dings while showing pride at the drag strip or on the street with Mopar logo fender covers. Part Number: P5153623, manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP): $28.

Mopar Big-Block Cast Aluminum Polished Valve Covers (Set): These aluminum die-cast polished valve covers will set apart dad's engine bay while proudly displaying the Mopar logo. For 383 and 440 cubic-inch engines. Part Number: P5007616, MSRP: $168 (small-block engine valve covers also available)

Spark Plug Removal Tool: This tool is specifically designed to protect wires from removal damage. Part Number: P5249718, MSRP: $22

Chrome-plated Differential Cover: For 9-3/4-inch Dana 60 axles. Those left in dad's rear-view mirror will appreciate his attention to detail. Part Number: P3690755, MSRP: $56

Engine Paint (HEMI® Orange): The difference between "good" and show quality is in the details. For that special restoration project, Mopar offers up to eight correct OEM enamel paint colors, including Turquoise, HEMI Orange, Street HEMI Orange, Black, Silver, Red, Blue and Gold. Part Number: P4120751AB, MSRP: $10

Road Runner Restoration Decal: Mopar offers more than 60 decals and emblems in order to complete a true restoration. From the famous Road Runner to a 440 Six Pack decal, Mopar is the source. A variety of restoration decals are available including Dodge Dart, Plymouth Duster, Road Runner and HEMI. Part Number: P2842873, MSRP: $30

Mopar Purple Shaft Small-Block Camshaft Kit: To put muscle in dad's muscle car, these famous, factory-engineered cams add horsepower and torque. Many applications are available for big and small-block engines. Part Number: P4120231AC, MSRP: $215

Mopar Pinion Snubber: A must-have in order to help prevent axle windup under acceleration and improve traction. Part Number: P3690181, MSRP: $67

Mopar Shift Light: Shifting at the correct RPM is critical for a low elapsed time (ET) and win light. Mopar digital rpm display shift lights are programmable for your desired RPM shift point. Part Number: P5155508, MSRP: $175

Mopar Front Strut Tower Bar: For 2005 to 2010 model-year Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, these silver powder-coated strut tower bars with a Mopar plate add handling capability while providing under-hood flair. Part Number: P5155002, MSRP: $359

Mopar Logo Style Hood Pins: For modern-day Dodge Challengers, these genuine, functional hood-pin kits provide nostalgic muscle-car looks with functionality and come with all attaching hardware. Hood pins are available in chrome or black finish. Part Number: P5155755, MSRP: $305

Jeep® Logo Differential Cover: Nothing says off-road more than Jeep. Separate dad's from others with logo-style front and rear covers. Part Number: P5155445 (Dana 30), Part Number: P5155446 (Dana 44), Part Number: P5155447 (Dana 60), MSRP: $180

Who is "Big Daddy" Don Garlits?  In a career that spanned more than five decades, he won three National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) world championships and a total of 144 national events. He was the first drag racer to surpass the 170, 180, 200, 240, 250, 260 and 270 mile-per-hour marks in the quarter mile. Garlits currently runs the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Fla.

R2B2 and Roger Burgess Invite Drag Racing Fans to Open House

If you are a fan of drag racing, making a trip to R2B2 Racecars in Gwinnett County is like a baseball fan going to Yankee Stadium.

For the second year, R2B2 opened up its headquarters for an open house with proceeds going to charity.  One the eve of the 31st Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, fans got to see a Nitro Funny Car, Pro Mod Cars, and a great selection of other exotic autos.

This year's open house is more than just a way for R2B2 to grow stronger bonds with fans and fellow racers, it's also going to help the community with a raffle that will benefit the charity Dream House for Kids.

"This is a great chance to make a fan's dream come true and help children in need," Burgess said. "Historically, the NHRA community at large always rises to the occasion when the call goes out, and I expect everyone will be anxious to help Dream House for Kids."

NHRA favorite Melanie Troxel greets fans

Food, entertainment, and drag racing are all part of the R2B2 open house each year.  Hundreds of fans turned up for charity and get a glimpse of Roger Burgess' racing operation.