This is the second of four profiles of the 2016 IHRA Drag Racing Series champions. Billy Harper pulls to the starting line in his sinister-looking, jet-black Dodge Viper, vents the nitrous oxide over and over in a cloud of vapor that makes the Viper seem almost like something alive.With Sonny...

There were multiple record-setting runs in the IHRA's 2016 season in a variety of classes, but perhaps not quite as many as you'd think – with about 100 records listed by the IHRA, there are a variety of reasons why some seem destined to last a very long time.Such as?...

It was big news this summer when it was announced that Billy Glidden, drag racing's ultimate loner, was actually teaming up with Harry Hruska and his Precision Turbo/Mickey Thompson Pro Modified Camaro.Eyebrows were raised. Billy Glidden in a Camaro, instead of his trademark Ford Mustang which, in various forms, has...

Your town might need rain, but precipitation seems to follow the IHRA as it travels – and that was the case Friday and Saturday at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan on Friday and Saturday.That said, the IHRA and U.S. 131 crew did an exemplary job of working in...

Despite intermittent rain that cut Friday's two Pro qualifying sessions to one, that single session at the IHRA Northern Nationals suggested that Saturday's racing is going to be a suitable season finale for the IHRA Drag Racing Series.Billy Harper has already locked up the Pro Modified championship, which is good...

Billy Harper's sinister-looking black Dodge Viper is driven by a guy who is anything but sinister-looking. The Paducah, Kentucky resident is cheerful, amiable and approachable anytime – except when he's behind the wheel. Back home, Harper is president of Harper Industries, a holding company for eight construction-related companies that do...

Billy Harper and that glossy black 2000 Dodge Viper, with its 903 cubic-inch, nitrous-fueled engine, make up one of the most feared entries in the Pro Modified ranks. Harper is quick on the trigger at the starting line, and the car is usually dead reliable through eliminations.But two weekends ago...

IHRA Pro Stock driver Cary Goforth dominated the class last weekend at Maryland International Speedway, and if first-round qualifying is any indication, the Holdenville, Okla. brought his good fortune north of the border for the Mopar Canadian Nationals at Grand Bend Raceway in Ontario, Canada.Goforth's run on a tricky right...

If you were a Las Vegas oddsmaker setting the line for the IHRA President's Cup at Maryland International Raceway last weekend following qualifications, you were likely wondering if you'd chosen the right line of work after all the eliminations were done.Billy Harper, the Pro Modified points leader who had a...

Perfect weather, a smooth, newly-paved racing surface and a bunch of profoundly motivated racers made for a compelling, surprise-filled IHRA President's Cup at Maryland International Raceway Saturday, as points standings in several classes were jumbled when all was said and done.Given the competitiveness of the IHRA Drag Racing Series, upsets...