Mark Mariani made his first runs in his Top Fuel dragster at Sydney Dragway today, further bolstering the ranks of Top Fuel teams in Australia. With the supervision of some of Darren Morgan’s team including crew chief Ben Patterson, Mariani made a couple of hits at the track with both getting off the line cleanly. The car is an ex-Darren Morgan ride that has been set up by the reigning champ, with the Mariani finally getting the chance to return to racing as a family. Mark’s father Mario Mariani formerly raced Top Fuel while Mark drove for Santo Rapisarda for a number of years and won the 2010 Nitro Champs. The Mariani team is the second to begin licensing this year, following Peter Xiberras making his first runs in Queensland recently as well. {fcomment}

Queensland Pro Stock racer Shane Tucker has officially made his first NHRA field, qualifying 16th for the Circle K Winternationals this weekend in Pomona, California.