Rickie Smith Pro Mod Crash at Bristol

Veteran driver and Bristol Dragway legend Rickie Smith was involved in a high-speed crash during the second qualifying session of the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Series. Smith was reported to have suffered a fractured left knee in the incident by medical officials at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Smith’s ’68 Camaro went out of control and collided with Pete Farber’s ’69 Daytona as the pair were making a side-by-side qualifying run. Farber was checked and released at the track by NHRA emergency services officials.

Eliminations will be all day on Sunday and ESPN2 will have coverage beginning at 4:30 Eastern time.

Tornadoes on the Ground Near NHRA Summer Nationals in Topeka

Bad storms that produced tornadic activity in Topeka, KS at the qualifying ended for the NHRA Summer Nationals.

NHRA Funny Car driver Ron Capps Tweeted this picture from Heartland Park Drag Strip.

Word is the funnel hit the ground and may have done some damage.

Topeka television stations have been covering the storms wall cloud to wall cloud on the internet.

Here is a link:

http://ww2.wibw.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?vt1=l&d1=0&ClipId1=mms%3A//a1992.l1202832281.c12028.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/1992/12028/v0001/reflector%3A32281&LiveURI=mms%3A//a1992.l1202832281.c12028.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/1992/12028/v0001/reflector%3A32281&h1=Live Stream from WIBW&at1=News&LiveURITitle=Live%20Stream%20from%20WIBW&LaunchPageAdTag=News&fvCatNo=undefined&secure=undefined&akPort=undefined&akProfile=undefined&rnd=85278345

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. 

NHRA is Four-Wide

If you are going to watch one drag race on ESPN2 this year, you might want to watch the Four-Wide Nationals tonight.

32,000 horse power heading down the strip all at once.  This is the one time each year where four cars drag race side-by-side.

The Bruton Smith track in Charlotte has four laes and they use them all.  Quite a spectacle.

Note:  It's also on ESPN3 this afternoon if you want to watch it live online.

One to Watch... Courtney Force

She's the youngest of the Force daughters, but she's also the most recent to start driving the family car, Nitro Funny Cars that is.

Courtney will start learning to drive an NHRA Funny Car this year, and before she event gets behind the wheel for an actual run, she is on the cover of National Dragster.

This may be the first, but it won't be the only time she graces the cover of a national magazine.  Courtney is a marketing dream, just like her sister Ashley.  She's young, smart, funny, attractive and she can drive.

Sponsors should be falling all over her to get affiliated with Courtney.  Courtney may have been at her best in the TV series, Driving Force that aired back in 2006-07.  It looks like John Force's new production company will film another reality series featuring Courtney breaking into the Funny Car ranks.  I can't wait.

In the meantime, the Driving Force Season 1 episodes are still relevant and classic to watch.