9/1/09 - New lower pricing for 2010 - What better way to kick off the countdown to the 2010 World Drag Expo with the announcement of some savings for the attendees and the trade show vendors.

Stay at the host hotel, the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, this year for only $99 per night for 2 people. Experience the luxury of this beautiful hotel and don't miss any of the happenings of the Expo. The hotel is connected to the Convention Center. Enjoy the indoor swimming pool and spa, socialize in the bar, treat yourself to Sam and Harry's restaurant, and more. Don't miss out on all of the bench racing that happens in the lobby after the show ends each night. Call 847-303-4100 or reserve online on the Mariott hotels reservation website for the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel.

For trade show vendors, enjoy a 10% savings over last year's booth pricing. When we save money, you save money. A negotiated lower price for the building this year, means lower prices on trade show booths. Reserve your space here!

2/23/09 - Come to the Expo, win a drum of VP Racing Fuel - That is how easy it was for Paul Vander Velde from Lockport Illinois. Paul is the winner of a drum of VP Racing Fuels Methnol awarded by VP and Mateer Oils and Fuels.

Every year at the World Drag Expo, there are a number of hardcore goodies awarded to show attendees. The simple entry blank that is given with your paid admission is used for promotional purposes only for the following annual Expo and is not sold or traded to outside parties of the show.

We bet Paul is happy that he filled his entry out....

2/22/09 - Westside Motorcoach featured big display to appeal to all levels of buyers - From their basic line of Classic Commander Trailers to the Classic Dominator Series of race car trailers to their Renegade dealership of toterhomes and motorhomes, Westside Motorcoach displayed a wide variety of different level trailer to match any hot rodders budget.

Bob Dill of Westside Motorcoach explained "We have always done great at the Expo and our thought of bringing different trailers to exhibit the featured of each level/expense of trailers really connected with the show attendees. Everything from basics to the Renegade super hauler was filled with interested lookers throughout the weekend."

1/15/09 - Kepner still recovering - Bret Kepner and his popular annual seminars "Mr. Dirt on Bracket Racing to Win" was out of commission this year along with Bret's own ability to walk. As an update, Bret did have extensive spinal column surgery and is recovering at home.

Bret is optimistic that he can recover in time to begin his televised event work by 2009 season opening drag racing events.

You can reach Bret here with his private telephone number and email address... yes,,, we are just kidding, If we gave out Bret's phone and email, it would be the last annual Mr. Dirt Seminar series.

But here at the World Drag Expo, we know if you spell out the name Bret Kepner enough times, Bret Kepner, Bret Kepner, Bret Kepner, the image on the left will appear first when someone Googles his name....

2/14/09 - Monroe unveils new dragster at Ron's Fuel Injection, Steve Schmidt displays at 09 Expo - James Monroe brought his new carbon fiber dragster out from under wraps at the recent World Drag Expo. The new Spitzer dragster features a Steve Schmidt Racing 1200 horsepower 585 cubic inch Profiler engine outfitted with the new Ron's Fuel Injection Terminator X system. We asked James what the hardcore racers and rodders asked of his as they poured over the new Top Dragster/Superquick car, he commented, "Lots of racers asked about the new Mickey Thompson beadlock wheels the new car is outfitted with. We answered lots of questions about the new one piece design Pro-5 drag wheel and its design."

2/10/09 - DRE engine diaper prize winner - Dennis Ridgeway Enterprises awarded a sportsman engine diaper to the expo racer giveaway. The winner is Chris Newson from Joy, Illinois. Chris can contact the expo or DRE to claim his prize.

The DRE non-SFI Sportsman is available in various sizes; small, standard, XL, and dry sump models, racers can visit Dennis Ridgeway Enterprises at www.enginediapers.com.

2/3/09 - Featured Engine of the World Drag Expo 2009 - Ohio Crankshaft featured their new 763 cubic inch monster straight from the Ohio Crankshaft dyno to the 2009 Expo. With the new combination pulling 1500 HP on motor and 2048HP on N2O, the 763 features Brodix 5" bore center block with 11.2 deck, Brodix CNC heads, Comp Cams 55mm roller cam, Jesel lifters, belt drive, rockers, 5.5" Ohio Crankshaft custom crank, See much more information on the 763 on the Ohio Crankshaft.com Media Page.

2/2/09 - Featured Cars of the World Drag Expo 2009 - Chris Duncan Race Cars burned their trademark "midnight oil" to make the Expo with the absolute latest design body from Cynergy Composites. The new 70 1/2 Camaro Outlaw Pro Modified for Alex Hossler was on display showing off the latest chassis design from the CDRC shop. See Chris Duncan Race Cars website for much more information.

Also on display was a bare CDRC Top Sportsman/Bracket doorslammer chassis for racers to view up close and personal. "It's worth the effort to have racers see an eye-catching new body and see how we incorporate our chassis designs into something new" Chris Duncan explained "We answered lots of questions this year on our base chassis on display and how we could incorporate that chassis into each racers favorite body they would want."

1/31/09 - World Drag Expo grand prize winner - Out of over 6,400 entries for the grand prize vertical air compressor, the lucky single ticket was drawn and the award goes to Jack Browning from St. Louis Missouri. Jack came up with fiends for the entire weekend.

Jack told us when he traveled up last weekend to personally pick-up his prize that 'I joked between my friends while all filling out the prize entry slips that the winners buys the beer at the first race of the year" Well Jack, it's your turn... congratulations from the Expo.

The World Drag Expo award one major door prize along with exhibitor prizes annually. The entry info is used to promote the following annual show and not sold to parties outside of the Expo.

1/29/09 - Kepner recovering - A big surprise came on the eve of the 14th annual World Drag Expo as 9 year featured speaker Bret "Mr Dirt" Kepner had been rendered bedridden due to a severe spinal injury to his back. Unable to travel, Bret sent a last minute letter to show attendees expecting to hear his seminars on "Mr. Dirt on Bracket Racing to Win". Bret's letter, complete with his own rye humor, stated to all:

Dear Friends,
I would like to publicly apologize for picking the worst possible weekend to undergo surgery for a badly-herniated disc in my spine. My annual trip to the World Drag Expo is one of the highlights of each drag racing season and, if it were possible in any way, I'd be there with you. If it's any consolation, rest assured that I am currently enduring the same agony experienced by those who sit through my seminars each year.

I'll be back in 2010! Sincerely, - Bret Kepner

An impromptu oversized get well card was signed by MANY and received by Bret wile on his way to recovery from surgery.

1/26/09 - Thank You from Laurie and Todd - All of the staff and management wants to extend a personal thanks to all of the attendees and exhibitors who make the World Drag Expo the largest annual hardcore all Drag Racing trade show, seminar weekend and racers swap meet.... period

In these crazy economic times, we were thrilled to come out of last weekend's show with a dedicated group of business exhibitors, an increased hardcore racer's swap show and racer/rodder attendance numbers THAT MATCHED 2008! That's right race fans, it was only by a mere 50 paid exhibitors, but we outgrew last years records with our attendees growing to 6,450 for 2009. Consistency in any economic time... has value.

See you at the next Expo...
January 30th and 31st, 2010