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Glen Ferguson came out of the gates flying in 2009 with divisional and national event victories as he secured his spot in the Tournament of Champions rather early in the year. Ferguson’s tournament-clinching victory came in the second national event of the year in Rockingham, N.C. with a win over Doug Ramsey at the IHRA Spring Nationals.

With a ticket to the tournament already in hand Ferguson was on cruise control the remainder of the season, picking up a few more divisional wins here and there. He came close to picking up a second tournament qualifier in the Patriots divisional points race, but was edged out of the top three by Keith Mayers. Ferguson finished in fourth. Ferguson will now look to add to his four world championships when the Tournament of Champions gets underway at the Rockingham Nitro Jam in April of 2010.

NAME: Glen Ferguson Jr.

DOB: March 31, 1970

HOMETOWN: Greensboro, NC

CLASS: Hot Rod, Super Rod, Quick Rod

DIVISION: Patriots, Raiders

CAREER: Three-time Hot Rod World Champion (1994, 2000, 2008), 2000 Super Rod World Champion

2009: Won 2009 Spring Nationals in HR; Finished 4th in Patriots Division in HR; Finished 14th in Raiders Division in Super Rod

To find out MORE about Glen Ferguson Jr., please read the FULL article from IHRA at:
http://www.ihra.com/article/5361.html

John Montecalvo currently sits number two in the IHRA Nitro Jam Points Standings. He’s just 41 points behind leader Frank Gugliotta, but he’s looking to narrow that gap this weekend at the Amalie Motor Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway.

This isn’t just another track on the tour for Montecalvo. This is his home stop and the place where he captured his first Pro Stock Ironman.

“I always love going up to Epping,” tells Monte. “It’s our closest national event track which always makes this race more special, as well as the place where I got my first IHRA win. The area is beautiful. Anytime we get a chance, Lois Anne and I like to go down to the Seafood Festival in Hampton Beach. It’s a great place to visit, and I’m looking forward to going back again this year, not only for the attractions, but mainly because this is a great opportunity to make some serious moves in the points battle.”

The Championship is mathematically down to three competitors: Frank Gugliotta, Montecalvo, and Pete Berner. With just three races left, every point is crucial.

What a weekend for Ontario native Ike Maier.

A regular competitor on the PMRA tour, Maier came out of nowhere during last month’s IHRA Northern Nationals presented by Dart, making it all the way to the finals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park by eliminating many of the best in the business today.

Maier took down former points leader Ed Hoover and new world record holder Tony Pontieri before his dream weekend finally came to an end at the hands of defending world champion Kenny Lang.

Maier had a better light than Lang, but Lang was on his game in recording a 6.012 second pass over Maier’s 6.108 second shot.
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Nearly 550,000 horsepower will surge through Lowe’s Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway as the legendary motorsports complex continues to celebrate 50 Years of Firsts with a Fall Season of Speed.

During the next 120 days, Lowe’s Motor Speedway will host 350 race cars, Monster Trucks and motorcycles in the most aggressive fall event schedule ever produced for race fans.

“From Top Fuel dragsters to dirt late models to NASCAR’s homecoming with the NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America, we’ve got a lineup of events to satisfy anyone’s need for speed,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Major highlights on the fall calendar include the Circle K Back-to-School Monster Truck Bash on Aug. 15; Food Lion AutoFair Sept. 10-13; NHRA Nationals Sept. 17-20; NASCAR Banking 500 Week only from Bank of America Oct. 14-17; and the World of Outlaws World Finals Nov. 5-7.

“Sixteen events will take place across our three venues during the next four months to bring nearly a half-million people to the greater Charlotte region. This drives our area economy and puts people to work,” Smith added. “Our Fall Season of Speed will be a race fan’s stimulus plan that’s unmatched at any other speedway.”

With children’s tickets for many events priced at just $10, entertaining the entire family at a major sports event has never been more affordable. In recognition of the speedway’s inaugural season in 1960, race fans can reserve a ticket to the NASCAR Banking 500, NHRA Nationals or the World of Outlaws World Finals for just $19.60. Convenient, interest-free payment plans will be applied to the balance on any ticket order.

Tickets to all events in Lowe’s Motor Speedway Fall Season of Speed can be obtained by calling the ticket services department toll-free at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

Many racing series have felt the economic crunch as America’s top auto manufacturers pull their support from racing. General Motors Corp.’s bankruptcy appears ready to leave four drag-racing teams in the rear-view mirror.

The Detroit auto maker filed papers with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan Tuesday asking to reject 30 contracts, including four “team agreements” with the National Hot Rod Association, the country’s premier drag-racing circuit.

GM is seeking to cut ties with Cagnazzi Racing, KB Racing LLC, Kurt Racing and Pedregon Racing by July 22, meaning some of sport’s top teams could lose their association with the maker of American muscle cars.

Packing the stands as tightly as possible to make room for three straight sold out crowds, race fans watched Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Ed Hoover (Pro Modified), Roger Bateman (Alcohol Funny Car), Jason Arkinstall (Nitro Bikes), Gary Christopher (Pro Mod Bike) and Rod Elliott (Pro Nostalgia) take home Ironman trophies during Parts Source Championship Sunday at Castrol Raceway.

The IHRA also saw its record of four straight events without a repeat winner among its regular touring pros come to an end Sunday thanks to the win by Litton.

A limited number of $20 Race Fan Relief tickets are available for this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. A small portion of the $20 Race Fan Relief tickets remain for Friday and Sunday’s racing at Atlanta Dragway. Saturday’s allotment of the reduced price general admission tickets are sold out.

In addition, two other discount programs are still available for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event. Those include a complimentary reserved ticket for any active duty military member on Friday and free general admission tickets for children 12 and under when accompanied by a paid adult.

The military offer is only available Friday at the on-site box office. The children 12 and under promotion is available any day of the event.

For more ticket information about the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, please call (800) 884-6472, or purchase your tickets online at ticketmaster.com.

The best part of a crappy economy? Auto sports series recognizing this fact and offering up killer deals for fans to keep those butts in the seats! Catch the NHRA superstars in action at Bristol Dragway - for LESS than you might think:

NHRA fans in both Bristol and Charlotte now have the chance of a lifetime as Bristol Dragway and zMAX dragway have teamed up to off an amazing ticket package for $199. With the package, fans will get three-day tickets to the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, May 15-17 as well as four-day tickets to the NHRA Nationals, Sept. 17-20 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte. On top of the opportunity to attend two of the biggest races on the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series circuit, fans purchasing four tickets will be able to take laps at both Bristol Motor Speedway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway during each NHRA event weekend. And the first 100 fans to purchase the package will receive a free die-cast Funny Car. To purchase tickets for this special package, call Bristol Dragway at (423) 989-6900 or online at bristoldragway.com.

Oddsmaker for The Palms Resport & Casino sports book, Fred Crespi picked his three winner’s for this weekend’s SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the list includes two teammates and a defending event winner.

Top Fuel pilot Larry Dixon beat out defending world champion Tony Schumacher with the odds at 3/1 to win the event. Dixon’s Al-Anabi teammate, Del Worsham, is listed at 4/1, just ahead of Funny Car points leader Ron Capps and Ashley Force Hood (both 5/1).

In Pro Stock, defending event winner Jason Line is favord 5/2 to repeat his victory, just ahead of defending world champion Jeg Coughlin, who is listed as favored 3/1. To see how the odds favor your favorite driver, visit LVMS.com.

Check out these HOT looking cars - I’ve gotta say, they do some pretty awesome stuff down in New Zealand! Everyone who says that Aussies are crazy must’ve never met a Kiwi - these guys know how to have a good time!