“PINKS” returns to the Rock

William R. Toler

ROCKINGHAM — One driver will need a trailer to haul off his seven new cars when “PINKS” returns to Rockingham Dragway during POWERfest.

The two-day motorsports festival, scheduled for June 13-14, is being billed by promoter Brian Bossone as the “world’s biggest automotive gameshow.”

“PINKS,” created by Rich Christensen, first aired on SpeedTV in 2007 — jumpstarting the drag racing reality genre and paving the way for “Street Outlaws” — featuring drivers competing for vehicle titles or “pink slips,” according to Bossone.

The reboot of the show will be aired on POWERtube TV and feature a King of the Hill winner-take-all format, where the loser of each race loses his ride and the overall winner will leave with all the competitors’ cars.

“That’s pretty badass,” Bossone said. “It’s never been done before, so we’re going to make history here at the Rock again.”

A spin-off of the original show, “PINKS: All Out,” filmed at the Rock in 2015, and the show returns for its kickoff within a few weeks of being exactly a decade later.

“We’re super excited about coming back here,” Bossone said while at the track in late April. “Out of all the tracks we talked to about coming back, they were probably the most gracious, most willing to work with us.” 

“Pinks was on the forefront of reality TV in drag racing and has strong roots here at Rockingham Dragway,” said co-owner Dan Vanhorn, who bought the track with Al Gennarelli in late 2022 from Steve Earwood — owner when the show was last at the Rock.

“It’s exciting to have its reboot here in Richmond County and at the Rock,” Vanhorn continued. “We look forward to being part of another rebirth in our community where motorsports is such a fantastic draw and a part of our daily lives.”

Hosting the reboot of “PINKS” is four-time NHRA champ and motorsports personality Bruno Massel. 

“He’s perfect for it,” said Bossone. “He’s got the chops to back it up.”

In addition to being the face of “Garage Squad” and “Truck U,” Massel has also provided NHRA coverage as a reporter and analyst for FOX Sports.

Late Tuesday, Bossone announced that all eight drivers were locked in: Carl Balzer of Ohio; Stefan Slisz, Doug Johnson, Jason Sample and Don Burns of Texas; James Rowlett of Tennessee; Zach Beasely of Louisiana; and Wayne Willoughby of Georgia.

According to Bossone, some of the racers have been to the Rock before.

“I can’t see why anybody wouldn’t want to see this,” said Bossone. “They came out for the original stuff — and this is going to be three times more insane than it was before.”

Cameras will also be rolling for the reboot of “The Call Out,” a competitive show featuring a 16-car small-tire, no-prep, run-what-you-brung shootout.

One spectator for the weekend will also win the losing car in the USA v. Canada Border Budget Build-off between Justin “Danger” Nunley and Shaun “No Way” Umscheid; and builders Shaun Barney and Jeff “Dice” Disinter will face off in a 48-hour junkyard-to-racetrack challenge. 

Other activities for POWERfest include:

• A Power Wheels racing competition for kids
• Mega Truck drag racing exhibitions
• A car show featuring classic, modern and import rides

There will be a meet-and-greet with the racers on June 12 at Texas Roadhouse in Aberdeen.

“Anybody can get on camera,” Bossone said, “because we’re going to shoot the event as an actual show.”

That hour-long POWERfest special will air on POWERtube TV, which is available online as well as through Direct TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV.

Discounted tickets are available at thefoat.com. Active duty military personnel will receive free admission.