Compiled by SEMA Editors
 In the finals, Fredric Aasbo secured the victory over Michael Essa and moved into the top of the 2017 Pro Championship standings. |
Fredric Aasbo is Victorious in Formula DRIFT Round 2: Unchartered Territory
Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Orlando for Round 2: Uncharted Territory, where Fredric Aasbo in the Rockstar Energy Drink/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM took the victory and moved into the lead in the standings. In the semi-finals, 2013 champion Michael Essa in the Achilles Tire/Essa Autosport BMW M3 defeated 2011 Formula DRIFT champion and number-one qualifier Dai Yoshihara in the Falken Tire/Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ. The 2015 champion Aasbo defeated 2010 champion Vaughn Gittin in the Monster Energy/Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR. In the finals, Aasbo secured the victory over Essa and moved into the top of the 2017 Pro Championship standings. The action continues to Round 3: Road to the Championship at Road Atlanta, May 12–13.
Torrence, Capps, McGaha and Tonglet Take Home Wally Trophies at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
Steve Torrence raced his way to the Top Fuel victory last Sunday in the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at ZMax Dragway. Ron Capps (Funny Car) Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners in their respective categories at the sixth event on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Torrence piloted his Capco Contractors dragster to a 3.783-second pass at 323.89 mph for the ninth victory of his career and first of the season. He defeated current points leader Leah Pritchett, eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher and Terry McMillen in the final round. Capps, the current Funny Car world champion, ran a 3.933 at 322.65 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger for his first NHRA Four-Wide Nationals win of his career. With the victory, Capps takes a 43-point lead over his teammate Matt Hagan. In Pro Stock, McGaha picked up his fifth career victory and first at zMax Dragway when he ran a 6.591 at 210.44 in his Harlow Sammons Chevy Camaro. He bested Greg Anderson, Shane Gray and Drew Skillman in the final round. Tonglet rode his Nitro Fish Racing Suzuki to a 6.864 at 195.00 pass to earn his 10th career victory and first of the season. He defeated three-time world champion, Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines on his way to his first four-wides win. The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at Atlanta Dragway, May 5–7.
 Scott Speed in the No. 41 Oberto Circle K Beetle GRC led teammate Tanner Foust across the line, earning his 13th career win to take the early lead in the 2017 championship battle. |
Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Sweeps Memphis Season Opener
Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross returned to the season-opening round of the 2017 Red Bull Global Rallycross championship claiming a 1–2 finish in last Saturday’s Final. Scott Speed in the No. 41 Oberto Circle K Beetle GRC led teammate Tanner Foust across the line, earning his 13th career win to take the early lead in the 2017 championship battle. Foust was also quick on the 1.18-mile Memphis International Raceway circuit. The No. 34 Rockstar Energy Drink Beetle GRC driver set the second-quickest qualifying time behind his teammate, setting up a difficult road through the rest of the weekend for the two-time series champion. Foust earned second-place finishes behind his teammate in the first two round of Heats, but took his first preliminary race win of the season in Heat 3B. That victory allowed Foust to start Semifinal B from the front, propelling him to victory in that race and a second-place grid position in the Final. Foust made it close for his teammate, but was unable to pass, earning yet another podium.
Royal Purple Synthetic Oil to Headline Mazda Road to Indy Rounds at Indianapolis
Royal Purple Synthetic Oil—the Official Oil of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires—title all six rounds of competition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 12–13. All races will be in support of the Lupus Foundation of America. May is Lupus Awareness Month, and Royal Purple Synthetic Oil and the Mazda Road to Indy have joined forces to help bring attention to this mysterious chronic autoimmune disease, which sees 16,000 new cases reported each year. All 50-plus cars across the three series will carry a decal in support of the Lupus Foundation of America, and a special hashtag—#RaceToEndLupus—will be utilized throughout the event. Fans can show their support by donating on behalf of their favorite drivers via a special page on the national Lupus Foundation website.
Holley LS Fest Starts Tomorrow at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Featuring GM’s LS engine platform, Holley LS Fest will be held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, May 5–7. For 2017, Holley is introducing an additional LS Fest event—LS Fest West. The event will feature LS-powered race cars, street rods, musclecars, trucks, late models and drift cars participating in drag-racing classes, autocross, 3S Challenge, Show-N-Shine, Dyno Challenge, Road Course Challenge, and Off-Road Challenge. Event/class champions will be crowned as well as an overall event champion for those competing in multiple events.
 Mothers will be the official car care products sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association. |
Mothers Polish to be the Official Car Care Sponsor of the NHRA
Mothers has announced that it will be the official car care products sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association. A Mothers Best Appearing Car Award will be presented at each NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event. Award winners will also receive a Mothers Detail Kit. This NHRA sponsorship builds upon Mothers additional partnerships, including Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and affiliations with the premier sports-car manufacturers, hot-rod builders and motorsport teams.
Wilwood Returns as Contingency Sponsor With POWRi Lucas Oil WAR Sprint League
Wilwood Disc Brakes will return as a contingency sponsor for the Performance Open Wheel Racing Inc. (POWRi) Lucas Oil WAR Sprint League through the 2017 season. The POWRi Lucas Oil WAR Sprint League is an open non-wing series that competes across America’s heartland, including Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Nebraska. As a contingency sponsor, Wilwood will provide a $50 product certificate to the Wilwood heat race winner at every 2017 POWRi Lucas Oil WAR Sprint League race.