It’s full speed ahead after a few tweaks

Changes include fuel-injected systems replacing carburetors in Pro Stock race cars

As the 2016 season began, the 63-year-old National Hot Rod Association was feeling the pangs of what could be described as a midlife crisis.

The country’s premier dragracing sanctioning body still was putting on dazzling shows in front of large and enthusiastic crowds from coast to coast, but, after the 2015 season, the consensus at the NHRA offices in Glendora, Calif., was that major changes were needed to improve competition and the fan experience.

So as the series returns to Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown this weekend for the 29th annual SpringNationals, “change” is the buzz word.

The biggest offseason change took place in Pro Stock, where carburetors were cast aside and the cars now run fuel-injected engines. The cars also shed their familiar bulbous hood scoops in favor of a sleeker look.

“We won the last two championships with carburetors, and now the goal is to win the first one with fuel injection,” pro stock driver Erica Enders said.

Also, after a lengthy relationship with ESPN, NHRA events now are being broadcast by the Fox family of networks (Fox and Fox Sports 1), including live coverage of 17 of the 24-race Mello Yellow Series events. Officials say ratings have been up overall through the first five races of the year.

The pro class fields are dotted with fresh faces getting their first taste of notoriety in 2016, led by Top Fuel driver Brittany Force, daughter of Funny Car legend John Force. After racing in the sport’s top division for four years, Force scored her first event win at the Gator Nationals in Gainesville, Fla., and followed it up with a victory at last week’s Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, N.C.

“People say winning the first one is the toughest, and it came in my fourth season,” Force, 29, said. “The second one came easier, but I wouldn’t say easy.”

Qualifying in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock takes place Friday and Saturday, and final eliminations are scheduled Sunday.

Eric Christian Smith photos The cars of Erica Enders-Stevens, left, and Jeg Coughlin Jr. are different this season after changes that include replacing carburetors with fuel injectors and getting rid of the bulbous hood scoops.

Erica Enders-Stevens, right, will be looking to win her third consecutive Pro Stock title at the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown this weekend.