RPM Drag Racing

Directions Website

RPM Drag Racing 🏁 Your Home for Drag Racing! Covering NHRA, IHRA, PDRA, No Prep, Sportsman, Bracket Racing, and everything in between.

Breaking news, results, exclusive content, history, and the fastest stories in motorsports! 🔥 https://www.facebook.com/RacingProMedia

08/17/2026

One year ago today, Doug Kalitta was exactly where he wanted to be: in the winner’s circle at Brainerd International Raceway.

On August 17, 2025, Kalitta completed a dominant weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, driving his Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster to a 3.670-second, 338.77 mph victory over Clay Millican in the final round. The win was Kalitta’s second straight of the season, his 57th career NHRA victory, and a major milestone for Kalitta Motorsports: the organization’s 100th overall Top Fuel win.

And this one meant even more.

Kalitta qualified No. 1 and was nearly unstoppable throughout the weekend, repeatedly running in the 3.60-second range. On Sunday, he delivered three straight 3.60-second passes, including a 3.665 against Billy Torrence in the semifinals, before finishing the job against Millican.

The victory was also Doug’s first Brainerd triumph since 2005, ending a 20-year wait to return to the Top Fuel winner’s circle at one of the sport’s most historic facilities.

Coming off another victory the previous race, Kalitta’s timing couldn't have been better. With the Countdown to the Championship approaching, he moved to within 51 points of Top Fuel leader and teammate Shawn Langdon, keeping his hopes for another championship very much alive.

From working on Connie Kalitta’s race car at Brainerd years earlier to standing in victory lane there again as a champion driver, Doug Kalitta’s history with the track made this Wally especially meaningful.

A year later, the numbers still tell the story: No. 1 qualifier. Three straight 3.60s on race day. 338.77 mph in the final. Back-to-back wins. Career victory No. 57. And the 100th Top Fuel win in Kalitta Motorsports history.

One year ago today, Doug Kalitta reminded everyone that when the pressure rises and the championship picture starts to take shape, the Mac Tools dragster is always a threat to end up in the winner’s circle.

Where were you when Doug got it done at Brainerd? And can he add another chapter to his incredible legacy this season?



Photo: NHRA

08/15/2026

Five years ago today, John Force added another unforgettable chapter to his legendary NHRA career — and made history alongside his daughter, Brittany Force.

On August 15, 2021, at the Menards NHRA Nationals at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, John Force defeated J.R. Todd in the Funny Car final to score the 154th NHRA victory of his incredible career. Driving the PEAK BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro SS, Force ran 4.019 seconds at 321.04 mph to earn his third win of the 2021 season and take over the Funny Car points lead for the first time since 2014.

But this victory was about much more than another Wally.

Just moments earlier, Brittany Force won Top Fuel, giving the Force family a historic first: a father and daughter winning NHRA national events on the same day. John and Brittany had shared No. 1 qualifying honors before, but they had never shared the winner's circle until that unforgettable Sunday.

Force had already built a career filled with records, championships and landmark moments, but even at that stage of his legendary career, this one was different. After defeating Paul Lee, teammate Robert Hight and Cruz Pedregon on his way to the final, the 16-time Funny Car champion reached his 260th career final round and once again proved why his name is synonymous with NHRA drag racing.

A father. A daughter. Two Wallys. One historic day.

Five years later, August 15, 2021 remains one of the most special family moments in NHRA history. What is your favorite John Force memory?



Photo: NHRA

08/14/2026

DARRYL CUTTELL AND THE IHRA’S GREAT GAMBLE — AND HOW IT CAME CRASHING DOWN

The International Hot Rod Association was supposed to be back.

Not just surviving.

Back.

With deep pockets, major tracks, enormous purses and ambitious plans, Darryl Cuttell's takeover of the IHRA in late 2024 looked like it might finally give drag racing's longtime No. 2 sanctioning body the resources to challenge the dominance of the NHRA.

Instead, according to a new in-depth report from Hagerty, the entire operation has unraveled in spectacular fashion. See that full report: https://www.hagerty.com/media/great-reads/how-darryl-cuttells-would-be-ihra-empire-came-crashing-down/

Cuttell bought the IHRA with an enormous vision — and then seemingly expanded that vision far beyond drag racing.

Tracks were purchased. Racing series were acquired. Purses skyrocketed. Competitors received perks. Helicopters and private jets became part of the picture.

At one point, the IHRA was sanctioning 137 different classes of competition across drag racing, powerboats, snowmobiles, tractor pulls, jet skis and other forms of motorsports.

The money being promised was staggering.

The IHRA Triple Crown alone was offering $150,000 race wins in Top Fuel and Funny Car — more than twice the NHRA's winning payout — plus a $1 million bonus for anyone who could win all three events.

But the Triple Crown became the Just-One Crown.

The opening race at Maple Grove was rained out and moved to National Trail Raceway. The marquee NHRA stars never showed. The remaining races were eventually cancelled, and racers reportedly went unpaid.

And now the bigger question is what happens to the IHRA itself.

Cuttell's financial troubles have become intertwined with a massive legal battle involving Elon Musk's SpaceX/xAI and Cuttell's contracting company, Darana Hybrid.

Cuttell claims Musk's companies owe him approximately $600 million for work performed on data centers.

Space xAI, meanwhile, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Cuttell and Darana Hybrid of overbilling by hundreds of millions of dollars — allegations that remain part of an ongoing legal dispute.

And caught in the middle?

The IHRA.

According to Hagerty's reporting, Cuttell recently offered Elite Motorsports owner Richard Freeman the opportunity to buy the IHRA.

The reported asking price?

$500 million.

Freeman declined.

Meanwhile, questions surround the numerous tracks Cuttell acquired, including Rockingham Speedway, Heartland Motorsports Park, Memphis Motorsports Park, Atlanta Dragway and Maple Grove Raceway.

Some promised renovations never materialized. Some scheduled events were cancelled. Employees and executives came and went at an astonishing pace.

Even some legendary names were reportedly left waiting for money they were promised.

“Big Daddy” Don Garlits is reportedly still owed a $5,000 appearance fee.

And perhaps the saddest part of this story isn't the money.

It's the racers.

People who invested in cars, equipment, travel and entire seasons based on the promise that the IHRA was finally going somewhere.

Now, many reportedly don't know where they'll race.

For decades, the IHRA has repeatedly risen, stumbled and changed ownership. Ten owners have attempted to elevate it into something capable of rivaling the NHRA.

Cuttell may have had the biggest vision — and potentially the biggest financial resources — of them all.

But bigger isn't always better.

The IHRA didn't necessarily fail because the dream was too small.

It may have failed because the dream became too big to sustain.

And that's what makes this story so fascinating for anyone who has followed drag racing for decades.

Was Darryl Cuttell a passionate racer who genuinely wanted to build something great for the sport — but simply took on far more than he could manage?

Or was the IHRA revival doomed from the moment the operation expanded beyond drag racing?

What do YOU think?

Was Cuttell the man who could have finally revived the IHRA, or did the spending and expansion ultimately destroy the opportunity?

This is one of the wildest chapters in modern drag racing history.



Photo: IHRA

See more from Steven Smith at Hagerty - https://www.hagerty.com/media/great-reads/how-darryl-cuttells-would-be-ihra-empire-came-crashing-down/

08/14/2026

Happy 4th wedding anniversary to Ryan Hill and his beautiful wife, Shannon Hill — better known to many race fans as Mad Maxine! ❤️🏁

Four years of marriage, a crazy life chasing children and win lights, and plenty of memories made along the way. Between family life and the adrenaline of racing, these two have been chasing dreams together at full throttle!

Ryan said he’s thankful for the crazy life they get to live together, and when your wife is Mad Maxine, you know there is never a dull moment! 😄

Here’s to four years of love, laughter, family, racing and plenty more trips to Victory Lane. Happy Anniversary to Ryan and Shannon! ❤️🏆

Join us in wishing Ryan and Mad Maxine a very happy anniversary! 👇



Mad Maxine | Ryan Hill

08/14/2026

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Eric Medlen. ❤️🏁

Today, we remember and celebrate the life of one of NHRA's most beloved Funny Car drivers. Born August 13, 1973, Eric Medlen would have celebrated his 53rd birthday today.

Medlen made an unforgettable impact during his time with John Force Racing, earning six NHRA Funny Car victories and finishing a career-best fourth in the championship standings in both 2005 and 2006. His breakthrough victory came at Brainerd in 2004, and in 2005 he won three times — including a memorable victory at Brainerd over team owner John Force.

Gone far too soon, Eric's impact on the sport continues to be felt nearly two decades later. His legacy also helped inspire important advances in Funny Car safety through the development of the Eric Medlen Chassis following his passing in 2007.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Eric. You are still remembered, still missed, and never forgotten. ❤️

08/14/2026

Happy Birthday AGAIN to the one and only Linda Vaughn!

And yes, if you know Linda, you know one birthday just isn’t enough. Widely known around the motorsports world for celebrating TWO birthdays — August 11 and August 14 — we’re more than happy to celebrate the “First Lady of Motorsports” all over again. After all, Linda Vaughn deserves it!

From her days as the legendary Miss Hurst Golden Shifter to becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved personalities in all of American motorsports, Linda has spent decades representing the sport with charisma, class, passion and an unmistakable personality.

She was named Miss Queen of Speed at Atlanta International Raceway at just 18 years old, became closely associated with Hurst and went on to serve as one of motorsports' greatest ambassadors. Her impact stretched across generations of racing fans and competitors, and in 2019, she was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

Linda isn’t just a motorsports icon — she is a living piece of racing history.

So, whether you celebrated with her on August 11 or you’re joining the party again today on August 14, we say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the incredible Linda Vaughn! If anyone has earned the right to have two birthdays, it’s certainly Miss Hurst herself!

Drop your favorite Linda Vaughn memory, photo or story in the comments and help us celebrate a true legend of the sport!



Linda Vaughn "Miss Hurst"

08/14/2026

21 years ago today: Eric Medlen beat John Force on a holeshot at Brainerd the day after his birthday.

Twenty-one years ago today, August 14, 2005, Eric Medlen delivered one of the biggest wins of his young NHRA Funny Car career, defeating his legendary team owner and boss, 13-time world champion John Force, in the final round of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.

Medlen, in just his second full season of Funny Car competition, drove his Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang to a 4.826-second pass at 315.42 mph. Force was actually quicker and faster in his Castrol GTX Start-Up Ford Mustang, running 4.787 seconds at 321.12 mph.

But Medlen had won the race before the cars reached the finish line.

He got the jump at the starting line and used the holeshot advantage to hold off Force by just enough at the stripe. It was a classic drag racing finish: Force had the quicker elapsed time, but Medlen had the better reaction time — and the win.

The victory was Medlen's second of the 2005 season and third of his Funny Car career. To reach the final, he had battled through a loaded field, defeating Phil Burkart, Tony Pedregon and Ron Capps before facing Force for the trophy.

And Medlen couldn't resist having a little fun afterward.

“I felt like I was on that Donald Trump show down there because the first thing Force said to me was, ‘You’re fired!’”

Force jokingly gave his driver grief about the deep staging that helped Medlen get the advantage at the Tree. Medlen's response was simple: his boss paid him to win, and that's exactly what he did.

The Brainerd victory was also a major boost in a tightly contested 2005 Funny Car championship battle. Medlen entered the winner's circle just 107 points behind the series leader, moving himself closer to championship contention as the season headed into its final stretch.

Force's runner-up finish was significant as well. After suffering four consecutive first-round losses, Force rebounded at Brainerd and cut teammate Robert Hight's points lead to just 22 points. With Gary Scelzi, Ron Capps, Medlen and several other stars still in the hunt, the Funny Car championship was wide open.

“All three of our Fords are so good right now,” Medlen said after the victory, pointing to just how competitive the class had become. He knew there were no easy rounds — especially with teammates and rivals capable of winning on any given Sunday.

On this August afternoon in Minnesota, though, Medlen came through. He beat three major Funny Car contenders on his way to the final, then stared down the biggest name in the sport.

John Force may have had the quicker race car. Eric Medlen had the better light.

And 21 years ago today, that was enough for Eric Medlen to collect the trophy at Brainerd.



Photos: NHRA | Auto Imagery

08/12/2026

🎂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GARY SCELZI!

Today we celebrate one of drag racing's true characters and champions, Gary Scelzi, who turns 66 today.

The Fresno, California native carved out a remarkable NHRA career, winning four world championships — three in Top Fuel and one in Funny Car. His Top Fuel titles came in 1997, 1998 and 2000, followed by a Funny Car championship in 2005.

Scelzi's rise was nothing short of spectacular. He won the Top Fuel championship in his first full season in 1997 and successfully defended the title the following year. In 2000, he became a three-time Top Fuel champion before making the difficult transition to Funny Car — and eventually conquering that class as well.

He finished his NHRA career with 43 national event victories, leaving behind a legacy that includes some of the most memorable Funny Car and Top Fuel battles of his era.

And if you've ever watched Scelzi in an interview, you know the statistics only tell part of the story.

Fast. Fierce. Unfiltered. Entertaining.

That's Gary Scelzi.

So today, racing fans everywhere say:

Happy Birthday, Gary!

What's your favorite Gary Scelzi memory — Top Fuel or Funny Car?



Scelzi Motorsports

08/12/2026

19 YEARS AGO TODAY: JOHN FORCE REACHED 125!

August 12, 2007 — John Force added another incredible milestone to one of the greatest careers in motorsports history, winning the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway for his 125th career Funny Car victory.

And he did it in spectacular fashion.

Force squared off against fellow drag-racing legend Kenny Bernstein in the Funny Car final, with just 0.0048 seconds — roughly two feet — separating them at the finish line. Force’s Ford Mustang posted a 4.794-second pass at 316.60 mph, edging Bernstein’s 4.801 at 320.43 mph.

It was Force’s 11th career win at Brainerd, but this one carried even more significance.

Force and Bernstein had last met in a final round all the way back in 1989, and Force had never forgotten the feeling of watching Bernstein beat him. Nearly two decades later, Force finally got his chance to settle the score.

“That one took me back to 1978 when Kenny Bernstein was the king and he beat me and I told myself that one day I’d beat him.”

The victory also capped an incredible turnaround for Force. Earlier in the 2007 season, he admitted his team had been struggling, but after the tragic loss of Eric Medlen, Force said he realized he needed to step up and become the leader of his team.

By Brainerd, the pieces were coming together. Force had reached the final round in four of the previous five races, climbed to fourth in the POWERade standings and officially secured his place in the Countdown to the Championship.

And then came No. 125.

125 Funny Car wins. 11 at Brainerd. One of the closest final rounds of his legendary career.

Nineteen years later, does any driver come close to matching what John Force accomplished in Funny Car?

08/11/2026

Happy Birthday to the First Lady of Motorsports, Linda Vaughn! 🎉

Today we celebrate one of the most recognizable and beloved ambassadors in racing history—Linda Vaughn, affectionately known around the world as "Miss Hurst."

Born in Dalton, Georgia, Linda's journey to motorsports stardom began in the early 1960s after winning the Miss Atlanta beauty pageant. In 1966, she became the face of Hurst Performance, launching a legendary career that would make her one of the most iconic personalities in American motorsports.

For decades, Linda traveled the country representing Hurst at drag strips, NASCAR races, IndyCar events, sports car races, and countless automotive shows. Riding atop Hurst's famous "Wheelstanding" exhibition cars and greeting generations of fans, she became far more than a promotional model—she became an enduring symbol of the golden era of motorsports. Her warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine love for the racing community have earned her admiration from drivers, teams, and fans alike.

Linda's influence extends far beyond the racetrack. She has appeared in television shows, movies, and commercials, while remaining a passionate advocate for preserving racing history. Her incredible contributions to the sport have been recognized with induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, and numerous other halls of fame honoring her remarkable impact on the automotive world.

Even today, Linda continues to attend races and special events, always taking time to visit with fans, sign autographs, and share stories from more than six decades in motorsports. Her smile, kindness, and unmistakable personality remain as legendary as ever.

Please join us in wishing Linda Vaughn a very Happy Birthday! Thank you for everything you've done for racing and for inspiring generations of fans. We hope your special day is filled with love, laughter, and wonderful memories.

Address

Mason, MI
48854

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when RPM Drag Racing posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category