As a media professional I have the privilege of traveling the country for most of the year and seeing amazing racetracks. Interacting with drivers and fans is one of the best parts of my job. The best part though is being able to capture the moments that happen at an event. With that in mind, I have decided to put together my own personal top ten list of tracks that I love to photograph.

There comes a time in every industry where someone does the unthinkable. That person turns the tables and makes everyone else stand up and take notice of what could become absolute greatness. I think that time has come with David Reese and the El Diablo II car.

As I sit here today and look for the words to properly articulate what I want to say, though I find myself at a crossroads regarding the topic I am going to discuss. It is something deeply personal to me, and to numerous others within the industry.

Lately, I have had some time and gathered some perspective on what my 2019 season on the road was like and felt the need to share with those that might be interested. I discussed this briefly yesterday in a personal social media post but felt the need to expand on my thoughts today.

To say that it has been a long time coming might be an understatement, but at the same time, it seems like only yesterday I was standing with Ellen at Stevie’s pit in Gainesville listening to Phil tell him that he had to print out his tech card.

It’s time we look at the future of the motorsports industry, specifically drag racing. Are we doing a good enough job at keeping the younger generation involved in the sport?

Essentially we are just two weeks away from the largest radial race of the fall season. This year is a little different though. This year we celebrate ten years of No Mercy.

So, the last few days have been pretty interesting to say the least in the world of drag racing. Some things were said that I don’t think people fully understand based on the feedback I received.

Just when I thought that NHRA couldn’t screw up that bad right off the bat, it’s exactly what they did. As you read here on E3xtreme yesterday, NHRA has taken over the Pro Mod class and already dropped the ball, and kicked it across the street.

December 20th, 2018 – Owner, Jeremy Wagler recently purchased the No Box Nationals, a well-known bracket racing event that was first constructed by Triple O Promotions back in 2007.

Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) is pleased to announce longtime partner NAPA AUTO PARTS has extended their marketing relationship with the winningest organization in NHRA history through a multi-year agreement, beginning in 2019.
 

The 2019 racing season is right around the corner, so it’s about time we discuss what everything thinks we will see throughout the year.

Dodge Provides Free NMCA Membership to Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320 Owners

John Force Racing announced today that Cornwell Quality Tools, a family owned business since its inception…

 Since we have reached the end of the 2018 season, we at E3xtreme will be starting to make some announcements about the future of our company. The first one that we wanted to make is a big one though, and we hope to be making a few more of these soon.

Elite Motorsports, Justin Elkes’ Modern Racing Form Strategic Alliance for 2019 Season

Jonas Aleshire might be the 2018 Mid-West Pro Mod Series Champion, but it looks like defending that championship may not be likely in 2019 due to a lack of marketing partners.

Our friends over at Drag Illustrated announced their 30 under 30 this week at PRI. This is by far one of the most important moments each year within the drag racing industry, and this year certainly didn’t disappoint.

Matusek Joins Forces with Elite Motorsports to Field Turbocharged Mustang in 2019 NHRA Pro Mod Campaign

Paul Lee with his McLeod Racing Nitro Funny Car will compete in the 2019 Mello Yello NHRA Nitro Funny Car category under the management umbrella of the Straightline Strategy Group.

NHRA TOP SPORTSMAN DON O'NEAL UNVEILS NEW NGK/NTK SPONSORED RACE CAR

Well there are plenty of you that don’t like to hear this, and I am sure some will be upset by me saying it, the fact is that races being scheduled on the same weekend are unavoidable, and the are NOT bad for the sport of drag racing.

What a great weekend. Mike Hill, and the Peach State Nationals might not have been some record-breaking car counts, but you can bet it was one hell of a good time.

Now before you call me crazy for stating that the second half of the season is about to kick off and we are almost to Labor Day Weekend, let me explain.

Joliet is not a place that most people want to go and race in the middle of end of July, but for NMCA and NMRA racers that is exactly what they have been doing for well over a decade. This time was different though, this time the expectations were huge, and the event delivered in every aspect 

NMRA officials are proud to announce Modified Street, a new heads-up eliminator that will be part of the 2019 NMRA championship class line-up. It is a single power-adder category that will be quicker than Steeda Limited Street.

For years we in the drag racing community have spent our days looking towards certain classes and what the future holds. Yet, at the same time we have neglected to pay attention to some of the most exciting classes in all of drag racing.

We have entered the second week of July and what I keep hearing is “what am I going to do next season?” Fact is, if you are a racer that is looking to obtain marketing partners for the 2019 season, you are slowly running out of time.

For the past decade or so Donald Long and his crew have been taking us on a journey of sorts.

The Snap On Tools backed Cruz Pedregon team is looking to get back on track this weekend in Bristol and the Thunder Valley Nationals.

If there was any question about that, it may have finally been answered this weekend in Martin, MI during the PDRA event, when yet again only three cars showed up to contest the Pro Extreme. So, does this mean that it’s time to move on? I think the answer is yes.

Jonas Aleshire has vaulted into the Pro Mod Racing scene in the last 12 months piloting his 2006 ZO6 Corvette sporting the Chris Duncan Race Cars and Miramichi Dragway livery. Chipping away at some gremlins chipping away at one after another passes down to the track leads Jonas to his first career win at Tulsa.

If the current stories about NASCAR, along with the previous sale of F1 doesn’t get you thinking a little bit, that might be an issue in itself.

We have all heard of the last week or so the complaints about the track prep that NHRA is doing. Has anyone taken the time to really think about this and look at the positive affect this can have? 

Everyone can talk about their races, but unless you were actually inside the gates at South Georgia Motorsports Park last weekend for Donald Long’s Sweet Sixteen event, you missed the best door slammer race in history.

Today is the age of social media without consequences it appears. No longer do you ever have to answer for the things that you would have only ten years ago said behind closed doors...

We are now a couple of weeks out from wrapping up what was another amazing event at South Georgia Motorsports Park with Lights Out 9. We are also only a few weeks away from one of the most lucrative door car events in the history of drag racing, Sweet Sixteen.