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On Our Radar 10 Things We ’ re Looking Forward to in 2022 BY WES BUCK
After an overwhelmingly positive 2021 season , the drag racing world is buzzing with energy and excitement heading into this new season . New events that were launched in 2021 are continuing to build steam ; new drivers , teams and partnerships are announced seemingly every week or so ; and time-honored traditions are growing and evolving .
Our editorial team recently sat down to break down our most anticipated happenings of the 2022 season .
1 . TEXAS STAMPEDE OF SPEED The week-long celebration of speed at the Texas Motorplex this past fall largely set the standard for drag racing festivals with almost constant on-track action ranging from Scott Palmer ’ s Nitro Side Show and a $ 25,000-to-win Pro Mod shootout to crazy bonuses for top qualifiers during the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals , over-the-top branding and live music – it was a historic happening in drag racing that many will try to replicate in the coming years .
We couldn ’ t be more excited to see how track owner Billy Meyer , his daughter and facility coowner Christie Meyer-Johnson and general manager Andy Carter are able to build upon the solid foundation laid in 2021 . If there ’ s a single mustattend event on the drag racing schedule this year , we believe the Stampede is in the conversation .
Also , the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will now conclude in Dallas at the Texas Fall Nationals ( something that has historically happened in Las Vegas ), which should add a real element of excitement and finality to a week that is already stacked .
2 . NHRA NITRO ALL-STAR SHOOTOUT AT THE GATORNATIONALS It ’ s been a hot minute since we ’ ve seen a racewithin-a-race from NHRA ( Traxxas shootouts back in 2017 ?), so we couldn ’ t possibly be more excited to see some additional excitement added to the program for 2022 . From what we understand , the first of two NHRA All-Star Shootouts will take place at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in early March with the top 8 teams in Top Fuel going head to head . The stars and cars of Funny Car will get their shot at some additional cheddar at the prestigious Dodge //
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOE MCHUGH , TARA BOWKER , CHRIS SEARS , RICK BELDEN , KRISTA ZIVCIC , GARY ROWE AND NHRA
20 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 174