Western Swing finale at Sonoma can't come soon enough
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comYou'll hear a collective sigh of relief after this weekend's NHRA POWERade Series event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. The three-race grind called the Western Swing has been that demanding, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | July 25, 2008Western 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, 2008Norwalk highlights will remain in memories a long time
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comFor a sport still in mourning over the death of Scott Kalitta, the NHRA event at Norwalk, Ohio, put the focus back on the track. And what a memorable event it was, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | June 30, 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, 2008Wilkerson shaking up Funny Car as class legend John Force hits benchmark
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comTim Wilkerson campaigns as a single-car owner/driver in the NHRA's Funny Car class. His second win of the season at Gateway on Sunday shows he's ready to run with the "big dogs," writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | May 04, 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, 2008How long can Capps' cold streak go on?
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comIt's too early to say a trend has emerged in the NHRA this season, but one question is readily apparent: What's the matter with Funny Car ace Ron Capps? Bill Stephens takes a look.
Story | Conversation | March 31, 2008Hold on to your hats: POWERade Series turns into Gainesville
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comAdd the AC Delco Gatornationals to the list of "gotta win it" events in the NHRA POWERade Series. The 39th edition of this late-winter classic takes center stage this week on one of the quickest tracks in the sport, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | March 13, 2008Schumacher, Pedregon, Coughlin, Smith steal Countdown spotlight
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comEdge-of-your-seat racing was the order of the day as the NHRA's inaugural Countdown to the Championship came to a close at Pomona Raceway, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | November 04, 2007Pedregon poised at Pomona after near-disastrous start Saturday
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comAll Tony Pedregon needed to all but wrap up his second NHRA POWERade Funny Car title was to make Sunday's round of eliminations. He did -- barely. But the 43rd annual Auto Club Nationals in Pomona, Calif., is far from over.
Story | Conversation | November 04, 2007POWERade titles on line this weekend at Pomona
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comThe stage is set for the NHRA's season-ending Countdown race this weekend at Pomona. For Rod Fuller (Top Fuel), Tony Pedregon (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Motorcycle), the 2007 POWERade titles are theirs to lose.
Story | Conversation | October 31, 2007Vegas serves up historic appetizers for Pomona finale's main course
Bill Stephens, ESPN.comRod Fuller had the weekend of his life in Top Fuel, Tony Pedregon got some breathing room in Funny Car and the Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle title races stayed up for grabs. Vegas set up a monster weekend for the NHRA in Pomona, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | October 29, 2007TOP SEARCHES IN NOVEMBER
Bowl Projections tops ESPN.com searches in November. Did "matt capps" make the list?