Compiled by SEMA Editors
 The 9th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals presented by Steeda Autosports was held April 6–9 at Atlanta Dragway. |
Race Wrap: 9th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals
Results from the 9th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals presented by Steeda Autosports, April 6–9, at Atlanta Dragway:
VP Racing Fuels Xtreme Pro Mod: Adam Flamholc and his ’63 split-window Corvette powered by a 526 Hemi and Roots-style supercharger met Steve Summers and his turbocharged Camaro in the finals, where Flamholc flew to a 3.80 finding victory over Summers and his 3.85.
NMCA Pro Stock: Rob Pearce in his Studebaker defeated Don Baskin in his Cutlass when Baskin broke at the starting line.
Mickey Thompson Radial Wars: DeWayne Mills and his Camaro nicknamed the “Golden Gorilla” defeated Josh Klugger, who was forced to coast to a 7.72 in his Mustang.
VP Racing Fuels Street Outlaw: Jacky McCarty motored his turbocharged Mustang to a 4.43 to oust Jarod Wenrick, who lost traction in his Nova and limped to an off-pace 8.12 in the final-round matchup.
Holley EFI Factory Super Cars: Scott Libersher landed in the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle after piloting his Camaro to an 8.16, despite Gardner Stone turning on the red in his ’16 Cobra Jet Mustang.
ARP Nitrous Pro Street: Jeff Rudolf lined up his Nova next to John Trobiani and his Camaro for the final round, where Rudolf got around Trobiani and went through the traps at 8.60 to take the win.
Edelbrock Xtreme Street: Jessie Coulter and his turbocharged Camaro advanced to the final round to face reigning class champion Eric Kenward and his new ProCharger F-1A-94 combination, who took the win with a 7.66 to Coulter’s 7.77.
Boninfante Racing NA 10.5: John Langer and his Pontiac-powered Trans Am faced Leonard Long and his Mustang in the final, where Langer leaped to the win with an 8.39 when Long’s Mustang made a move at the hit and forced him to lift.
Chevrolet Performance Stock presented by Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center: Glenn Pushis and his Camaro advanced to the final against Kevin Lumsden and his Camaro. Both drivers recorded a 10.23, but Pushis was off the line first and this took the win.
Stock/Super Stock Combo: Rusty Johnson and his Mustang put up a 10.85 to defeat Kurt Neighbor, whose Thunderbolt had issues at the starting line and turned in a 10.18.
ATI Performance Products Nostalgia Super Stock: Doug Duell lined up his Fury alongside Robert Killian and his Dart in the final round of competition. When the tree dropped, Killian turned on the red and Duell rode to the win with a lifting 9.40.
Detroit Truetrac Nostalgia Muscle Car: Tim Boggs bettered Tim Clark by running his Chevy II to an 11.77 on his 11.75 index to beat Clark’s 10.50 on a 10.54.
MagnaFuel Open Comp: Jenni Merrick-Cree faced Norman Crane, and after recording a better reaction time, she defeated him with a 10.93 on a 10.88 while he went under his 10.04 with a 10.02.
Open Comp Shootout: Bruce Boyle faced Don Fenlon in the final elimination round, but when Fenlon red-lighted with a -0.026-second reaction time, the win lights illuminated in Boyle’s lane, and he clocked a 9.019 at 148.99 mph pass on his 9.07 index to make things official.
Sealed Stock Shootout: Shane Stymiest went head-to-head against Tim Matherly of MV Performance. A burndown battle between the two resulted in Stymiest taking the win, 10.31 at 128 mph to 10.33 at 128 mph.
Gear Vendors True Street: Dana Beatty was the overall winner with a 9.00 average; Kyle Cumpton was the runner-up with a 9.06 average; Kevin McCotter was the 9-second winner; Jeff Brady was the 10-second winner; Alan Hill was the 11-second winner; Tom Calabrese captured the 12-second win; Scot Long lapped up the 13-second win; and Allen Smith sailed to the 15-second win.
Fastest Street Car Bracket 1: Jeremy Hancock defeated Brian Smith, and in Fastest Street Car Bracket 2, Bill Boomhower was victorious over Steve Wagner.
The action continues with the 16th Annual Quick Fuel Technology NMCA Bluegrass Nationals, featuring the Dave Duell Nostalgia Super Stock Classic and the Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series, May 18–21, at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
 Carl Renezeder |
Carl Renezeder Announces Upcoming Retirement
After a professional off-road racing career that has seen 121 wins, nine short-course championships and eight cup wins, Carl Renezeder plans to retire at the end of the 2017 season. While Renezeder’s race accomplishments speak for themselves, it’s his business expertise that has enabled him to transform his race team into an international marketing force. In order to attain this scope, Renezeder had to create meaningful relationships with his many sponsors including his title sponsor, Lucas Oil. He will next compete April 22–23 as the 2017 season begins at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona.
Cromwell Named NHRA Senior Vice President, Media and Marketing
Glen Cromwell has been promoted to NHRA senior vice president, media and marketing, effective immediately. Cromwell joined NHRA as a division director in 1997 and has been a key player leading the sport’s marketing efforts for the past 20 years. He will retain the responsibilities he has held as vice president of national event marketing, in addition to overseeing brand marketing, publications, media, television and broadcasting groups. Reporting directly to Cromwell will be Ken Adelson, NHRA vice president, executive producer and chief content officer; Kasey Coler, vice president of marketing and brand strategy; Evan Jonat, senior director of national event marketing; and Kristen Wentzell, director of advertising and promotions. Cromwell will also retain his seat on the board of directors of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Prior to joining NHRA, he served in a variety of capacities with FELD Motorsports—producer of AMA Supercross and Monster Truck events.
 Original Artwork by Sam Bass, “Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt 7 Time Champions, 1995.” The artwork honors the first two drivers to ever become seven-time NASCAR Cup Champions (Jimmie Johnson's 2016 Championship made him only the third in NASCAR history). |
Original Artwork by Famed NASCAR Artist Sam Bass to Sell at Auction
For more than three decades, Sam Bass paintings have promoted such NASCAR legends as Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Now, for the first time, fans can own the originals themselves. More than 250 pieces of original Sam Bass artwork, with certificates of authenticity and valued at more than $1.7 million, will be sold in a bankruptcy auction Wednesday, May 3, with Iron Horse Auction Company conducting the event. The auction was ordered by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, Winston-Salem Division. Also sold will be 85 custom guitars, many designed by Bass. Among them is the one used as a prop for the film Talladega Nights. Other items being sold include stock-car hoods, panels and other collectibles. Online pre-bidding will begin April 25 at www.ironhorseauction.com, but the items are already listed. The live auction will begin Wednesday, May 3, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT), at the Cabarrus Arena in Concord, North Carolina.
Toyota Signs NHRA Nationals Sponsorship Extension
Toyota has extended the agreement with NHRA to be the title-rights sponsor of the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event held in the fall at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. The event, which will be October 26–29, is the fifth race of NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race playoffs. The extension builds upon NHRA and Toyota’s partnership that includes Toyota as the Official Car of NHRA and Toyota’s title-rights sponsorship of the Toyota NHRA Sonoma National at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, July 28–30.
Motorsport Network Joins Forces With Formula DRIFT as Media Partner
Motorsport Network—owner of Motorsport.com, Autosport.com and Motor1.com, has launched a new content agreement with Formula DRIFT. Through the new relationship with Motorsport Network, Formula DRIFT fans can turn to Motorsport.com and Motor1.com for exclusive content from the series. Motorsport.com and Motor1.com readers can view exclusive content on both websites and accompanying social media platforms. The 2017 Formula DRIFT schedule includes eight locations in the United States and Canada, including the next round to be held in Orlando, April 28–29.
 Brittany Olsen will ride her ’23 Harley-Davidson Board Track Racer outfitted with Avon Speedmaster-MKII and GP tires at various events throughout the United States. |
Avon Tyres Sponsors Vintage Racer Brittany Olsen
Avon Motorcycle Tyres North America will sponsor vintage motorcycle racer and Spirit of Sturgis Vintage Festival organizer Brittany Olsen throughout 2017. Olsen started the year right with a win at Billy Lane’s Inaugural Sons of Speed Vintage Races in Daytona, Florida, and will ride her ’23 Harley-Davidson Board Track Racer outfitted with Avon Speedmaster-MKII and GP tires at various events throughout the United States.
Mickey Thompson Continues Support of International Drag Bike League
Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels has renewed its commitment to the International Drag Bike League (IDBL) as official tire sponsor for the 2017 season. Additionally, the company will offer contingency awards to winning racers in all nine classes, starting with the 20th Annual Spring Nationals, April 21–23, at Maryland International Raceway. The IDBL season will consist of five three-day events from April to November, all hosted at Maryland International Raceway. Each event draws more than 700 racers and thousands of fans from across the nation. IDBL features a diverse class structure that appeals to both novice and experienced motorcycle enthusiasts.