Neff's inclusion in Countdown gives JFR four cars in POWERade playoffs
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comMike Neff can cross one goal off his to-do list: advancing to the NHRA's Countdown to 1. Can his first victory -- and perhaps even a Funny Car title -- be too far behind?
Story | Conversation | August 19, 2008Western 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, 2008The real battles in Seattle won't involve points leaders
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comPoints leaders in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will take a back seat to the drivers scrambling to make the Countdown to 10 this weekend at Pacific Raceways near Seattle, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | July 17, 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, 2008Midseason tailspin has Funny Car driver Worsham in grumpy mood
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comDel Worsham is hoping he didn't peak too soon in 2008. Worsham won the Funny Car title at Houston in March, but he's limping in at 13th in the standings after four DNQs and three first-round defeats, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | June 10, 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, 2008Will keeps "year of the woman racer" rolling along with Top Fuel win
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comIt never really was a question of "if" Hillary Will would win a race in the Top Fuel category. The "when" came Sunday at Topeka, where Will kept the "year of the woman racer" rolling along, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | June 01, 2008Countdown to the Countdown kicks off at Heartland Park Topeka
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comBrace yourselves, drag racing fans. The stretch run to the NHRA's Countdown to the Championship begins this week at Heartland Park Topeka, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | May 29, 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, 2008What's going on in Funny Car? Even the drivers are scratching their heads
Bill Stephens, Special to ESPN.comAshley Force doesn't have a race win, but she leads the NHRA POWERade Funny Car points for the first time in her brief career. Force's perch atop the standings is just one of the 2008 head-scratchers in the upside-down world of Funny Car racing, writes Bill Stephens.
Story | Conversation | April 17, 2008TOP SEARCHES IN NOVEMBER
Bowl Projections tops ESPN.com searches in November. Did "ron capps" make the list?