Spring must truly be here as there's drag racing action on four fronts this weekend. NHRA's National Event circus has descended on Baytown, Texas for the Hi-Lo/O'Reilly Nationals presented by Pennzoil. (If these event names get much longer, they'll have to hire extra announcers just for the events "plugs"). Further east, the IHRA returns to action with the Holley Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway.

Turning a loooonnnnggggg way south and west, Brisbane's Willowbank Raceway presents the Nightfire Championships tonight. Finally, on the local front, Mission Raceway Park will attempt to beat the weather odds and put on their second (scheduled) race of the season. The current forecast doesn't look good, but out here on the We(s)t Coast, the skies can change rapidly.

First qualifying session results from Rockingham has our current local hero, Glen May, again solidly in the Pro Mod field with a 6.532 at 213.21. That run places him fifth in a field of 31 cars and almost certainly guarantees him a first round berth on Sunday. Low ET of the first session was 6.47 and the bump spot is already at 6.61, with the first six alternates in the 6-second zone. His early season success on the IHRA trail must really be exciting and rewarding for one of the real veterans of heads-up blown doorslammer racing.

Late night update: Glen May ran a very consistent 6.564 at 212.71 in the second qualifying session at Rockingham this evening. However, the rest of the field stepped up and he slipped down the ladder to 10th. Now, with two sessions to go tomorrow, the top qualifier is at 6.43 and the bubble is 6.57. Got to find a little more tomorrow Glen, otherwise it'll be a short Sunday.

In the NHRA arena, Larry Dixon set a new world record with his second session 4.486 at Houston, his earlier 4.516 serving as the backup. Stellar numbers, but at what cost? And in the plastic coffin division, John Force ran well, 4.79 at 321, while Scotty Cannon was unable to complete a burnout on the first day of his new association with Dale Pulde (crewchief).

Short fields in both Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car are not (14 and 13 respectively) are not a good sign, especially at this point of the season. Where's everyone hiding? More news tomorrow. Maybe we'll even have some pictures of someone's new top alcohol dragster.... Stay tuned.