Drag Illustrated Issue 136, September 2018 | Page 109

20 REASONS
BIG BURNOUTS, BACK-UP
GIRLS AND DRY HOPS AT
FUNNY CAR CHAOS
19 I
No.
n its sophomore season,
Funny Car Chaos is quickly
establishing itself as one
of those events you circle
on the calendar when this
flip-top circus is coming to
a track near you. Take the
Funny Car, perhaps the most iconic drag rac-
ing machine in the history of the sport, then
throw the rulebook out the window, put up over
$25,000 in prize money and turn loose over 20
floppers and see what happens.
Promoter Chris Graves debuted this con-
cept in the fall of 2017 at North Star Dragway
and attracted 21 Funny Cars of all shapes, siz-
es and combinations from across the country.
“Mr. Explosive” Mark Sanders from Washing-
ton took home the win at the inaugural event
in his nitro Nostalgia Funny Car over Colora-
do’s Keith Jackson. Riding the
momentum into the new year,
Graves confirmed four dates
for 2018. Events held earlier
this year at Mo-Kan Drag-
way and Amarillo Dragway
rocked the stands with over-
whelming crowds of Funny Car
fans. Both races were won by
Ken Singleton in his Oklaho-
ma-based “High Risk” blown
alcohol Funny Car.
With events bring Funny Cars
from far and wide and give fans
a chance to see floppers they’d
No.20
never normally see in competition. Unrestricted
by rules on engine combination and body style,
this new series has given a home to dozens of
teams who previously had no place to actually
race and compete with their cars. In an effort
to level the playing field, competitors are split
into “A” and “B” fields of eight cars. Depending
on car count, the ‘B’ fields may see up to 16 cars
in competition.
Funny Car Chaos’ 2018 schedule also includ-
ed a race at Central Illinois Dragway in July
and will conclude at North Star Dragway in
September. Racers and fans can expect another
expansion next season with 6-8 dates confirmed
for 2019. – ROB KING
JR. DRAGSTERS
GOING STRONG
T
he NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag
Racing League celebrated its 25th an-
niversary during the 2017 season, and
continues to enjoy impressive growth
and participation from young people
across the country. “The NHRA Sum-
mit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League has played
an important part to help ensure the future
of drag racing, and the continued growth and
interest of young racers in the league has been
incredible,” says Brad Gerber, NHRA vice pres-
ident and chief development officer. “Summit
Racing Equipment’s support for the NHRA Jr.
Drag Racing League has been a pivotal part of
that success, and we are excited to see them
continue in the role of title sponsor for the
league.” – ROB KING
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September 2018
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