Schwarb: A hard hit for women of the NHRA

The economy is hitting the NHRA like every other sport, but especially prone to its impact are the now-sidelined female drivers who were once stars.

Melanie troxel and Tommy Johnson Jr

Capps: It's time to be better than good

Ron Capps has a hole to dig out of if he's going to be factor in the Countdown to 1. He writes in his diary that good won't be good enough over the final four races.

Force earns first career No. 1 qualifier in Sonoma

Ashley Force earned her first career No. 1 qualifier Saturday at the NHRA's FRAM-Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway.

Stephens: Four pro classes ready to take swings out West

The 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.

Brown leads, Schumacher ninth at N.J. qualifying

New Jersey native Antron Brown led Top Fuel qualifying Friday night in the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals with a quarter-mile run at 4.502 seconds and 326.24 mph at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Stephens: E-town still a must-have title for drivers

Tony 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.

Stephens: Old dogs can do new tricks ... in Funny Car

What keeps old-timers Kenny Bernstein, Frank Hawley and Mark Oswald entrenched in the high-adrenaline world of 8,000-horsepower Funny Cars? Hey, it beats playing golf, writes Bill Stephens.

Stephens: Big thunder in America's heartland

Brace 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.

Stephens: Troxel makes history, too

Melanie Troxel was feeling a little left out because Danica Patrick and Ashley Force stole the spotlight. Not any longer. Troxel joined an elite group herself with her historic pass at Bristol Dragway, writes Bill Stephens.

Stephens: Force, Troxel chasing history

Quick: Name the first woman to win an NHRA national event in Funny Car. It hasn't happened, but Ashley Force and Melanie Troxel are at the head of the line, writes Bill Stephens.

Stephens: Blink of an eye all it took to settle Gators

How tight were the Gatornationals this year? The winners and losers of the four professional classes -- combined -- were separated by the blink of an eye, writes Bill Stephens.

Stephens: Goin' to Gainesville

Add 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.

Stephens: Highs and lows at Pomona

Tony Schumacher, Robert Hight and Greg Anderson kicked off the 2008 POWERade Series with a bang, but so did Tony Pedregon -- only he's not celebrating, writes Bill Stephens.

Stephens: Let the racing begin

Brace yourselves, G-force junkies. This weekend's 48th CARQUEST Winternationals at historic Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif., officially kick-starts the 2008 NHRA POWERade season, writes Bill Stephens.