Western Swing kicks off with changes throughout the sport
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comThe Western Swing is often crucial to title hopes in the NHRA. Add shorter races for Top Fuel and Funny Car as well as tight battles in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle and there's more drama than ever, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | July 10, 2008Drivers expect to fight through their grief in Norwalk
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comLess than a week after losing one of their own in a fiery qualifying accident, NHRA competitors will put on their game faces and get back to work in Norwalk, Ohio, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | June 26, 2008Weather could be wild card at prestigious Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comTony Schumacher has a whopping 190-point lead over Antron Brown in the Top Fuel standings, but bad luck always seems to follow the five-time world champ into Englishtown, N.J.
Story | Conversation | June 18, 2008It could be another battle against the elements in Joliet
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comThe NHRA POWERade series is gearing up for its summer stretch, but all the competitors will keep a wary eye on the skies and thermometer as the weekend in Joliet, Ill., gets under way, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | June 06, 2008Championship contenders chasing consistency and momentum at Gateway
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comJust how good is Ashley Force? Another victory or final-round finish this weekend at Gateway International Raceway would go a long way to establish her as a genuine championship heavyweight, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | May 02, 2008Keep an eye on Schumacher, Ashley Force at Southern Nationals
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comThe top story lines at this week's Southern Nationals? Just look at the standings: Points leaders Tony Schumacher and Ashley Force will have their hands full, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | April 24, 2008Mother Nature could be Schumacher's biggest obstacle at Houston
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comCan anyone slow down Tony Schumacher? Mother Nature might have the best chance of doing that during this weekend's O'Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | March 28, 2008Countdown to Four makes Big Go a bigger deal
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comThe Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is already the most important and storied event on the NHRA POWERade circuit. Add the start to the Countdown to Four and this weekend's competition is even bigger, writes Bill Stephens in his preview.
Story | Conversation | August 30, 2007Six-race summertime saga snaking through Ohio
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comLarry Dixon grabbing headlines is nothing new. But winning back-to-back events after such a lackluster start is making him the talk of Top Fuel as the NHRA braces for Norwalk Raceway Park.
Story | Conversation | June 28, 2007NHRA season hitting stride with Atlanta event
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comAll four pro classes are ready to rumble at Atlanta Dragway this weekend. Old favorites and rising stars will highlight the NHRA action, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | April 27, 2007Big Florida event debuts bikes amid other drama
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comThe Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., remains one of the NHRA's premier events. With the motorcycles making their season debut and big questions in the other three professional classes, it should be as fun as ever, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | March 15, 2007Title stretch kicks off early in Brainerd
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comThe unofficial stretch drive to an NHRA title generally starts on Labor Day, but with the four classes all toss-ups, Brainerd looms large, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | August 11, 2006Denver looms large for NHRA contenders
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comThe Western Swing could be critical to any hopes of winning an NHRA title, and it all starts this weekend outside Denver, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | July 13, 2006Troxel's hold on Top Fuel getting loose
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comThe NHRA heads to its third event in as many weeks, and while there's plenty worth watching, the Top Fuel fight tops the charts, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | June 22, 2006Things heating up as series nears mid-point
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comWith the season approaching the mid-point, every NHRA class is wide open as the series hits New Jersey, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | June 15, 2006TOP SEARCHES IN NOVEMBER
Bowl Projections tops ESPN.com searches in November. Did "kurt suzuki" make the list?