There is just something special about the springtime in the Carolinas.

Warm weather, good food and great racing – the perfect trio – have always made spring a magical time of year throughout the Carolinas and this weekend is no different as Rockingham Dragway prepares to host the annual springtime classic, the 38th annual Spring Nationals presented by Castrol and Advance Auto Parts.

John Boy, left, and Billy welcomed the IHRA to their popular national radio broadcast Thursday in Charlotte.

It is safe to say that Nitro Jam is in the air in North Carolina.

With big crowds and a beautiful forecast on the horizon for this weekend’s race, it seems that the IHRA and Nitro Jam are popping up just about everywhere throughout the Tar Heel state.

Top Fuel driver Terry McMillen, center, and Rockingham track owner Steve Earwood, right, talking Spring Nationals on the John Boy and Billy Big Show.

Thursday morning, IHRA paid a visit to national radio hosts John Boy and Billy of the John Boy and Billy Big Show to talk about this weekend’s big race at Rockingham Dragway.

Rockingham track owner Steve Earwood, Top Fuel wheelman Terry McMillen and Gary Porter, driver of Grave Digger, all dropped by the Charlotte studio to chime in on this weekend’s action, talk racing and have a little fun in the process with the always entertaining John Boy and Billy crew.

“I love coming to Rockingham and the Carolinas. We have a lot of fans in this area and any chance I have to get out, have some fun and talk racing I am all for it,” said McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel dragster.

Gary Porter, driver of the Grave Digger monster truck, talks about his race against the Super Shockwave jet truck Thursday on the John Boy and Billy Big Show

McMillen, Porter and the Spring Nationals were also the focus of television and newspaper features throughout the North Carolina area as the buzz continues to grow for this weekend’s event.

The Spring Nationals, the oldest and most prestigious event on the IHRA circuit, will feature three professional classes of racing including Top Fuel, Pro Modified and Pro Stock combined with hundreds of sportsman racers capped off by the annual Summit Allstars race Saturday night.

The weekend long festivities will also feature Kevin Martin, driver of the Ballistic Eagle, attempting a new world record atop his jet motorcycle and a world drag racing first – monster truck Grave Digger versus the Super Shockwave jet truck.

Tickets for the 38th annual Spring Nationals can be purchased by visiting www.rockinghamdragway.com or www.nitrojam.com