Garbage In Name Only – Matt Donovan Looks to Capture Second B/Gas Title in as Many Years at Edelbrock Sick 66!
After originally acquiring the ‘Garbage That Barfed’ name from David Freiburger at Hot Rod Drag Week nearly a decade ago, Matt Donovan has continued to evolve the Gasser-style 1938 Chevrolet coupe into a class-winning ride.
Five years after completing his first Hot Rod Drag Week in 2017, Donovan scored his first Sick The Mag event win in the B/Gas class with a 10.65 average at Gear Vendor Overdrive Sick Week. Now, he’s looking for a second-straight event week for 2026, and well as a second Sick The Mag event in as many years.
Unfinished Business: Brooks Fleharty Brings Radical Stick-Shift Mustang to Edelbrock Sick 66
Brooks Fleharty isn’t coming to Edelbrock Sick 66 to simply make the trip; he’s arriving with a vendetta.
In 2024, Fleharty and his team were sitting third overall at the first Sick 66 in their ’86 Ford Mustang, when a parts failure in Amarillo brought their event to an abrupt end. This time around, the Mustang is back with a proven combination, a new approach to getting down the road, and some serious goals.
The Stick Shift Record Continues to Be Re-Written – Sean Madden Set New Eighth-Mile Mark with a 4.21 at 174 MPH in ‘Django’ Corvette at US60 Dragway!
Unlike a lot of the classes and categories we witness on hundreds of tracks around the world, the Stick Shift contingent is usually governed by one rule: a manual transmission in the transmission tunnel.
In some cases, including the popular Outlaw Stick Shift ranks, the stick shift is regulated to a clutch activated H-pattern design shifter, a 10.5-inch width rear tire, no full tube chassis, and no big block engine platforms. No fuel regulations, no weight limits. Just see who can shift their way to the finish line first.
Just a week ago, Joel Grannas broke the H-pattern Stick Shift record that has stood for two years, wheeling his 2JZ-powered Mustang to a 6.490 at 222 mph pass. One week later, Sean Madden added his name to the Stick Shift record book in Kentucky.
The Two-For-One – After Two Years Of Planning, Brian Acton Makes the Change from Proven Turbocharged LS Combo to a Naturally-Aspirated Big Block Chevrolet For Hot Rod Drag Week!
The Street Race / Limited Street / 8.50-second based classes are among the most popular at drag and drive events, and there have been some familiar rides, and drivers, since the concept got its rule set at Hot Rod Drag Week in 2012.
When it comes to people that have mastered the category, Brian Acton and Jay Blanchard are in the top of the class. With multiple wins to their credit, including two Sick The Mag orange helmets from Gear Vendors Overdrive Sick Week, another from the Motion Raceworks Sick Summer, and three straight wins at The Circuit, Acton and Blanchard continue to be top contenders.
But recently, news broke that no one was expecting: the ’70 Chevrolet Nova was changing engines for Hot Rod Drag Week 2026, and going from turbocharged LS to naturally aspirated big block! We needed the details, and between Acton and Blanchard, details emerged, as well as some testing results to prepare for Drag Week.
The Road Less Traveled in Michigan - an Inside Look on Aydan Bailey Forging a New Path to Successfully Defend His Title at the 2026 Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil!
One year ago, the usually quiet and reserved Aydan Bailey had a smile on his face during the award ceremony of the first Sick Michigan Miles presented by Driven Racing Oil. After a solid week of battling with Evan Uerkwitz, Aydan emerged with his first class title, as well as his first overall win, in five years of drag and drive competition.
But when the ’57 Chevy wagon known as ‘The Deuce Box’ returned to home base after that event, Aydan knew the engine was the limiting factor to pursuing the goals of a 4-second eighth-mile pass, and 7-second performances on the full quarter-mile distance. One year later, and several nights with not much sleep, Aydan emerged with his second-straight victory from Sick Michigan Miles.
Want to Race Your Street Car in Las Vegas? A New Level of “Street” Could Be in the Works for the Street Car Super Nationals, and Sick The Magazine Needs Your Help!
Many race series and classes that include ‘street’ in the name did start with either a car that could’ve been a streetable car, or a car that could pass for a streetable looking car. And although some of them have moved into a pure race car class, Tom Bailey and Sick The Magazine are looking into bringing the ‘street’ back to the popular Street Car Super Nationals (SCSN) event.
Bailey and SCSN promoter Mel Roth recently discussed adding a class to this year’s event, being held November 19th-22nd, 2026 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, that encapsulates the drag and drive vibe – and we need to hear if you’re interested!
The Stick Shift World Record Is Reset After Two Years – Joel Grannas Clocks 6.49 Pass in New 2JZ-Powered Fox Mustang Build During Test Session at Bradenton Motorsports Park!
The increasingly hot topic in racing the past few years has been stick shift cars, and although there are several classes with strict rules, the one that has gotten the majority of the attention is the Outlaw Stick Shift contingent.
With minimal rules based around the use of a H-pattern manual transmission, and in most cases, a foot-activated clutch, 28-inch tall x 10.5-inch width tires, the elapsed times started falling a few years back, where 6-second runs started to become a little more commonplace.
One of the veterans of the Outlaw Stick Shift wars is Joel Grannas, who got his Mark IV Supra down to a 6.63 at 212 mph pass during The Reunion event at Bradenton Motorsports Park (BMP) in early 2025. Recently, Grannas returned to BMP with a new ride, and made a big statement in the stick shift world.
Melling Performance, a Family-Owned Michigan Business, Celebrates 80 Years in 2026 – Joins Sick The Magazine for Multiple Events, Including Sick Michigan Miles!
When asked about automotive history, a common answer of where to look is Michigan, a place where numerous automotive assembly plants were built, and where the big three (Ford, GM, and Mopar) still have operations. Millions of automobiles have come out of Michigan, by companies still in business, as well as those that have shuttered their doors.
The automotive aftermarket and performance industry is also strong in Michigan, with one business, Melling Engine Parts and Melling Performance Parts, celebrating eighty years since they were founded in 1946.
Frank Webb Turns Up The Performance For His Shot at the Top Spot at Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil!
You can’t keep a former class winner down for long, and Frank Webb has been battling hard to get back to quick time slips and winning ways. After winning class at the 2024 edition of Sick Summer presented by Motion Raceworks, Webb found the struggle bus in 2025.
But this season we’ve seen him start to rebound back, and the ’78 Ford Fairmont has made some strong impressions. After 6-second performances at Street Car Braggin Rights, and a class runner-up at Speedfest, Webb comes into the Driven Racing Oil Sick Michigan Miles with some momentum, and a mission.
Billy Hoskinson, Tess Wood and Tony Politano Team Up on a Stick Shift Ford Mustang to Tackle Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil, August 17-23, 2026!
With over a decade of experience, and winning, in the no-prep arena, Billy Hoskinson started to branch out a few years ago to tackle more ‘street car friendly’ classes. His first drag and drive experience came at the 2024 edition of Sick Week presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, where he finished the week with a big block 1955 Chevrolet.
Since then, he’s done a few more drag and drive events, as well as entering his familiar Chevrolet S-10 pick-up in the Street Car Shootout class at Street Car Braggin Rights.
But the Ohio native will try out a new approach for his fourth drag and drive event, as Billy will be joined by Tess Wood (a.k.a. Miss Midnight Maverick) and Tony Politano to embark on the Sick Michigan Miles event, presented by Driven Racing Oil, in a 1985 Ford Mustang giveaway car!
From Flipping Cars to Rolling Hot Dogs – Jon and Kayleigh Whittle Will Pilot the Sick BBQ / Hot Dog / Ice Cream Truck on Driven Racing Oil Sick Michigan Miles!
It’s become about as much of a staple at Sick The Magazine events as the familiar faces you see on our staff. But the Sick BBQ – Hot Dog – Ice Cream truck that started as a way to keep competitors fed at each track day, has also expanded into a new chapter: living the adventure pf a drag and drive and creating amazing memories for a two-person team.
When we put out the call for possible teams for Motion Raceworks Sick Summer, the enthusiasts answered in a big way! Not only did we get a bunch of requests for Sick Summer, but a good chunk of applications also mentioned interest in Sick Michigan Miles presented by Driven Racing Oil, or the Edelbrock Sick 66.
From the stack of entries for Sick Michigan Miles, Jon and Kayleigh Whittle were selected to drive the Sick BBQ – Hot Dog – Ice Cream truck. And although they didn’t have the event on their 2026 bingo card, for Jon it is a chance to return to Michigan, as well as share the experience with his wife.
The End Of An Era – After 22 Years, Mike Copeland Will Close The Doors to Diversified Creations in Michigan, and Sell Off Everything – We Get An Exclusive Look Inside!
To say Mike Copeland has a love affair with everything automotive is an understatement. From working for some big names, to creating some amazing rides, to owning multiple businesses, even working at a lot of events, Mike has done it all.
Now, after over four decades working with cars, and a little over twenty-two years running Diversified Creations, Mike will close the doors at the end of August, 2026. In this article, we discuss what led Mike to create his business, what’s next, and get an exclusive look inside Diversified Creations.
A Clutch Decision - Brett LaSala Converts ‘Snot Rocket 3.0’ Mustang to a Stick Shift Transmission - Will Debut in Stick Shift Challenge Class at Great Lakes Dragaway in September 2026!
Since his first Mustang in high school, a 1990 Mustang that clocked elevens with a hint of nitrous, Brett LaSala has been a fan of the Ford pony car. Some years later, a 2013 edition Mustang, packing a twin turbo coyote engine and slathered in the unique ‘Gotta Have It Green’ color, put LaSala’s name on the map with a 6.98 at 206 mph pass in a fully street-legal ride.
This year, LaSala put his latest Mustang, ‘Snot Rocket 3.0’, to the test of winning a championship in the competitive Limited Drag Radial class. But after a second-straight victory, setting the class record, and jumping into the points lead in mid April, LaSala’s combination was hit with multiple rule changes, including a 200 pound weight increase, and the removal of his intercooler and lock-up converter.
Just days later, LaSala announced he would no longer compete in the series, listing “we would not be able to race the car competitively under those terms with any amount of effort” among his reasons. After a few months of speculation, LaSala announced that ‘Snot Rocket 3.0’ will get a manual transmission, as he preps the car for its first event in stick shift competition in six weeks!
Summer Sizzle – Doug Cook’s Nova Returns to the Track After a Year With New Rear Suspension, a New Engine, and Immediately Sets a Personal Best!
A car with a lot of history in drag and drive, Doug Cook and his storied 1972 Chevrolet Nova has done a lot over the last decades. After a couple years getting a full rebuild, Doug wrote a big chapter in his comeback storybook with his performance at the 2024 edition of Sick Summer presented by Motion Raceworks.
Doug set a record for a leaf-spring car in drag and drive competition on Day One, clocking a .04 at 206 mph at Byron Dragway, in route to setting a 7.32 average and winning the Super Street class.
Now, after a year of making some major changes to the Nova, Doug made his first track appearance with some test runs at South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP) on Friday, July 24th. And despite the warm summertime temps (both in the air and one the track, the revamped Nova showed plenty of promise!
One of the Quickest Stick Shift Cars in Drag and Drive Has Been Sold, as Marcus Davis Purchases the ‘FlatFox’ Mustang of Jeremy Howell as a Rolling Chassis!
One of the classes in drag racing that has been enjoying a surge in popularity, as well as an increasing number of competitors, is the Stick Shift classes. This is also carrying over to several drag and drive events as well, with both Sick The Magazine events getting solid counts in 2026.
One of the first stick shift cars to clock a 7-second pass in drag and drive competition is the ‘FlatFox’ Ford Mustang of Jeremy Howell. Today, news dropped about that his car has a new owner; what will its next chapter hold?
Lapeer International Dragway Owner Sentenced to Jailtime on Weapons Possession, Track Rumored to Be Going Up for Sale!
Race tracks have had to face a slew of hurdles to keep the gates open year after year. With rising costs on many items, local opposition to noise, and even rising land values, it’s not surprising to see some tracks close their gates for good.
But another reason has recently hit the storied track of Lapeer International Dragway, as news broke today about owner William Jennings being sentenced to six years on multiple firearm possession. Several have hinted about the track going up for sale, possibly putting one of the track stops on Sick Michigan Miles next month in jeopardy.
With Immokalee Regional Raceway Closed, Ralph and Thomas Hester Look to Build a New Drag Strip in Florida - Could the Third New Track in Florida This Decade Become Reality?
After losing multiple tracks in the last decade, the state of Florida has been turning the corner in the last two years with two brand new drag strips opening - Leadfoot City in Brooksville, and Hicken Power Drag Strip in Callahan, which just opened their gates in June of this year.
One of the tracks recently closed in Florida was Immokalee Regional Raceway, which is located on a runway section of Immokalee Regional Airport in southwest Florida. But Ralph and Thomas Hester are ready for the next chapter to begin, and have started making moves to build a new track.
The Re-Birth of the Deuce Box – Aydan Bailey Preps ‘57 Chevy Wagon For Upgrades to Defend Title at 2026 Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil!
After some trials and heartbreaks, Aydan Bailey scored an overdue victory at the 2025 edition of Sick Michigan Miles presented by Driven Racing Oil. The ’57 Chevrolet wagon put up a 5.24 average for the week, getting Aydan the top spot, an orange Sick The Mag helmet, and a celebration for Aydan and father Tom, who was Aydan’s co-pilot for Sick Michigan Miles.
But, in pushing the station wagon to those times, Aydan also discovered the limitations of some things, as well as some items to re-do for the next outing. Nearly a year later, Aydan, Tom and Andy Mcconnell, got together to assess and determine what needed to be done to get the station wagon ready to defend its Sick Michigan Miles title.
Middle Georgia Sports Park Eighth-Mile Drag Strip in Jeffersonville, Georgia Goes Up for Sale
With over four decades since it first opened its gates, Middle Georgia Sports Park (also known as Twiggs County Raceway, Macon National Dragway and Middle Georgia Motorsports Park) has been home to a lot of racing action, as well as an uncertain future at times.
Although the track recently acquired NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) sanctioning on January 16th, 2026, current owners Trent and Jessica Mallard put the Jeffersonville, Georgia track up for sale on Thursday, July 16th, 2026.
After a Year Away from Drag and Drive, Tom Kuepper Preps His Wheelstanding F-150 Pick-Up for a Return to Sick Michigan Miles and Another Top Ten Finish!
This two-tone 1994 Ford F-150 pick-up has been a staple in Tom Kuepper’s life for several years, just like drag and drive competition. His first drag-and-drive as a competitor would be at the inaugural Sick Summer presented by TBM Brakes, which Tom completed with a 10.77 average.
Since then, the truck has gotten some safety upgrades to dive into the single-digits, which Tom accomplished in late 2024 with an 8.94 at 152 mph run in late 2024. Since then, it’s gotten a bit more serious, and after a year away from racing, he’s prepping for this year’s Sick Michigan Miles presented by Driven Racing Oil with a new co-pilot, and some new goals.