Author: Official Release

BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 18, 2024) – Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley picked up his third win of the season on Sunday at Brainerd International Raceway, defeating Shawn Langdon in the final round of the 42nd Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

Blake Alexander (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) also won the 13th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Ashley led wire-to-wire against Langdon, going 3.745-seconds at 329.34 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Scag Power Equipment/Toyota dragster to roll to his 14th career victory. Ashley defeated Billy Torrence, Tony Stewart and Josh Hart to reach the final round, earning his first career Top Fuel win at Brainerd and also getting his first victory since April.

He moved to third in points and showcased impressive consistency during eliminations, with all four runs between 3.74 and 3.76. That bodes well for a strong performance in Indy and the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

“Everything that we’ve done throughout the entire regular season so far has been done with intent and purpose,” Ashley said. “We want to win each and every race that we go to, but ultimately, it’s about positioning ourselves well for Indy and beyond. We broke out a new car this weekend and kudos to Mike (Green) and Tommy (DeLago), they did an amazing job. The car went up and down the track every time today. There’s just something about a new chassis that feels great. There’s going to be ups and downs, it’s about staying level-headed.

“This class is so difficult, it’s so tough. The margin of error is so small, so when you’re able to be consistent like that, it just increases your chances of winning. It’s one of those sports that any given Sunday, anything can happen. It’s so hard to run in such a tight window like that, but this team came through and got it done.”

Langdon went to the finals for the sixth time in 2024 and the 44th time in his career, getting past Shawn Reed, Kalitta Motorsports teammate Doug Kalitta and Ida Zetterstrom, who made her NHRA Top Fuel debut this weekend. Kalitta now holds an 84-point lead over Langdon.

In Funny Car, Blake Alexander enjoyed a terrific redemption weekend in Brainerd after the team battled back following an explosion in Sonoma. The turnaround was impressive and Alexander ended his weekend in the winner’s circle for the first time this season, picking up the win in his 11,000-horsepower Head Racing Ford Mustang when defending world champion Matt Hagan went red in the final round. Alexander would have been tough to beat, posting a 3.927 at 324.67 in the championship round after staying in the low 3.90s the entire day.

It’s the fourth career victory for Alexander – and his second in Funny Car – and he advanced to the final round on the strength of round wins against Dave Richards, Jack Beckman and Chad Green. Working with crew chief Jim Head, Alexander has turned into a legit contender and will head to the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals seventh in points, feeling fully capable his team can compete against anyone. Alexander proved that in Brainerd, taking another step forward in his career at a track that means a great deal to him.

“Sonoma was the hardest race I’ve ever had in my career and then to come here and have one of the best races I’ve ever had in my career, it means a lot,” Alexander said. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I know that when I’m on, I’m one of the top guys out here. I know when I’m not on, just like anyone else, I can be a problem for my race team. So I’m trying to keep it tight, four straight runs every single time. Saying that is really easy to do, but doing that is really hard.

“I’m really proud of this team, they worked really hard on the combination and seeing them pull the strings on it in between runs. We’re making legit horsepower now and when it turns into a horsepower game we can play that game now and I’m pretty proud of that. It’s just a nice to place to come to and when you can feel that the people who own the track and the fans care, it just makes this big difference.”

After struggling in qualifying, Hagan reached the finals for the fourth time this year and 91st time in his career, getting past Ron Capps, Daniel Wilkerson and J.R. Todd. Austin Prock remains in the points lead, holding a 218-point advantage over Bob Tasca III heading to Indy.

Pro Stock points leader Dallas Glenn got back to his winning ways in impressive fashion, picking up a repeat win in Brainerd after defeating Mason McGaha in the final round, going 6.613 at 206.95 in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro. It’s the third season of the season for Glenn – and his first since Chicago in May – and the 11th in his career. Brainerd also continues to treat Glenn very well, defeating Eric Latino with a 6.598, defending world champion Erica Enders and Aaron Stanfield, who had won three of the past four races, to reach the final round.

McGaha left first but ran into trouble as Glenn cruised to a victory. It opened up his lead over KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson to 184 points heading to the regular-season finale in Indy and gets Glenn back on track, also snapping the six-race winning streak of Elite Motorsports in the process.

“It feels really good,” Glenn said. “I went to three finals in that six-race streak where they kept winning. It was definitely good to finally seal the deal. We made a really nice run there in the final, even though I kind of got caught with my pants down on the tree. I kept flickering it all day and had really long trees, then all of a sudden I get a quick one and it caught me off guard.

“Everybody on the crew did an awesome job. You go up second round against Erica and you know she’s going to be tough, and then you follow it up with Aaron Stanfield, who’s won three out of the last four – yeah, it was a tough day. This is a big Pro Stock area, the Zoo is always a good time, and people around here definitely show up for this race. They support it, and it’s really great seeing the stands packed and everybody up against the fence cheering every run you go up and down.”

McGaha reached his first final round of the season and third in his career thanks to victories against No. 1 qualifier Jerry Tucker, David Cuadra and Fernando Cuadra Jr.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action Aug. 28-Sept. 2 with the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

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BRAINERD, Minn. — Final finish order (1-16) at the 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The race is the 13th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:

1. Justin Ashley; 2. Shawn Langdon; 3. Ida Zetterstrom; 4. Josh Hart; 5. Clay Millican; 6. Doug Kalitta; 7. Tony Stewart; 8. Jasmine Salinas; 9. Steve Torrence; 10. Shawn Reed; 11. Brittany Force; 12. Tony Schumacher; 13. Antron Brown; 14. Billy Torrence.

FUNNY CAR:

1. Blake Alexander; 2. Matt Hagan; 3. J.R. Todd; 4. Chad Green; 5. Austin Prock; 6. Jack

Beckman; 7. Bob Tasca III; 8. Daniel Wilkerson; 9. Bobby Bode; 10. Ron Capps; 11. Paul Lee; 12. Dave Richards; 13. Alexis DeJoria; 14. Jim Campbell; 15. Jack Wyatt; 16. Cruz Pedregon.

PRO STOCK:

1. Dallas Glenn; 2. Mason McGaha; 3. Aaron Stanfield; 4. Fernando Cuadra Jr.; 5. Erica Enders; 6. David Cuadra; 7. Cristian Cuadra; 8. Jeg Coughlin; 9. Greg Anderson; 10. Cory Reed; 11. Jerry Tucker; 12. Matt Hartford; 13. Troy Coughlin Jr.; 14. Eric Latino; 15. Chris McGaha; 16. Deric Kramer.

BRAINERD, Minn. — Sunday’s final results from the 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The race is the 13th of 20 in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel — Justin Ashley, 3.745 seconds, 329.34 mph def. Shawn Langdon, 4.020 seconds, 261.32 mph.

Funny Car — Blake Alexander, Ford Mustang, 3.927, 324.67 def. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, Foul – Red Light.

Pro Stock — Dallas Glenn, Chevy Camaro, 6.613, 206.95 def. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 10.944, 82.27.

Top Alcohol Dragster — Hunter Green, 5.251, 271.90 def. Madison Payne, 5.264, 276.86.

Top Alcohol Funny Car — Bob McCosh, Chevy Camaro, 5.515, 263.77 def. Sean Bellemeur, Camaro, 5.827, 261.07.

Competition Eliminator — Bruno Massel, Chevy Cobalt, 6.986, 187.23 def. Travis Gusso, Cobalt, 8.450, 160.31.

Stock Eliminator — Brian Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 10.330, 125.01 def. Johnny Diekema, Chevy Corvette, 10.055, 128.04.

Super Comp — Michael Cheney, Dragster, 8.907, 164.23 def. Kris Whitfield, Dragster, Foul – Red Light.

Super Street — Wayde Samuel, Chevelle, 10.888, 139.95 def. Steve Stockton, Nova, Foul – Red Light.

Factory Stock Showdown — Scott Libersher, Chevy Camaro, 7.816, 172.04 def. David Janac, Ford Mustang, 7.909, 173.58.

Top Fuel Motorcycle — Larry McBride, Suzuki, 4.854, 239.91 def. Mitch Brown, Suzuki, 5.205, 212.90.

Mountain Motor Pro Stock — Brad Waddle, Ford Mustang, Foul – Red Light def. Dennis Firkus, Chevy Cobalt, Foul – Red Light.

BRAINERD, Minn. — Final round-by-round results from the 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the 13th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE — Shawn Langdon, 3.774, 310.41 def. Shawn Reed, 3.755, 329.75; Doug Kalitta, 3.689, 331.20 def. Antron Brown, 5.720, 121.69; Clay Millican, 3.735, 332.51 def. Brittany Force, 3.756, 332.18; Tony Stewart, 3.724, 334.73 def. Tony Schumacher, 3.786, 327.11; Ida Zetterstrom, 3.773, 320.81 def. Steve Torrence, 3.750, 321.35; Josh Hart, 3.758, 331.04 def. Jasmine Salinas, 3.742, 330.96; Justin Ashley, 3.747, 331.69 def. Billy Torrence, 8.055, 116.88;

QUARTERFINALS — Zetterstrom, 4.395, 180.48 was unopposed; Hart, 3.772, 330.39 def. Millican, 3.787, 308.99; Ashley, 3.763, 328.30 def. Stewart, 9.435, 78.54; Langdon, 3.970, 284.87 def. Kalitta, 4.378, 250.92;

SEMIFINALS — Langdon, 16.584, 62.32 def. Zetterstrom, Foul – Red Light; Ashley, 3.754, 330.39 def. Hart, 4.135, 225.82;

FINAL — Ashley, 3.745, 329.34 def. Langdon, 4.020, 261.32.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE — Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.956, 320.28 def. Jack Wyatt, Dodge Charger, 24.584, 21.08; Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.872, 334.65 def. Jim Campbell, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.634, 235.39; Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.921, 325.37 def. Dave Richards, Toyota Camry, 4.118, 263.46; Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.937, 329.26 def. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.913, 331.20; Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.940, 327.11 def. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 4.254, 218.55; Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.885, 322.88 def.

Bobby Bode, Mustang, 3.910, 330.39; Chad Green, Mustang, No Time Recorded def. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, Foul – Centerline; J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.945, 328.70 def. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.015, 276.86;

QUARTERFINALS — Hagan, 3.969, 324.05 def. Wilkerson, 10.218, 88.82; Todd, 4.012, 323.97 def. Prock, 3.917, 323.89; Alexander, 3.943, 317.05 def. Beckman, 3.945, 321.65; Green, 4.044, 309.20 def. Tasca III, 4.343, 222.58;

SEMIFINALS — Alexander, 3.948, 320.51 def. Green, Foul – Red Light; Hagan, 3.965, 324.12 def. Todd, 4.075, 280.14;

FINAL — Alexander, 3.927, 324.67 def. Hagan, Foul – Red Light.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE — David Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.645, 206.45 def. Deric Kramer, Chevy Camaro, 7.114, 194.72; Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.598, 208.10 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.649, 206.20; Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.611, 204.05 def. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.609, 205.91; Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 6.651, 206.01 def. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.636, 206.57; Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.610, 206.42 def. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.640, 206.29; Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.618, 204.94 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro,

6.603, 208.30; Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.597, 206.73 def. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.650, 207.34; Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.641, 207.37 def. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.610, 207.62;

QUARTERFINALS — M. McGaha, 6.655, 207.69 def. D. Cuadra, 6.652, 206.48; Stanfield, 6.629, 205.29 def. Coughlin, 6.691, 199.91; Cuadra Jr., 6.632, 206.42 def. C. Cuadra, 6.680, 198.03; Glenn, 6.623, 206.20 def. Enders, 6.622, 207.05;

SEMIFINALS — M. McGaha, 6.672, 206.51 def. Cuadra Jr., 6.849, 206.13; Glenn, 6.616, 206.76 def. Stanfield, 6.620, 207.37;

FINAL — Glenn, 6.613, 206.95 def. M. McGaha, 10.944, 82.27.

BRAINERD, Minn. — Point standings (top 10) following the 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the 13th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel

1. Doug Kalitta, 1,034; 2. Shawn Langdon, 950; 3. Justin Ashley, 929; 4. Steve Torrence, 861; 5. Antron Brown, 847; 6. Clay Millican, 683; 7. Tony Stewart, 677; 8. Tony Schumacher, 663; 9. Billy Torrence, 639; 10. Brittany Force, 583.

Funny Car

1. Austin Prock, 1,190; 2. Bob Tasca III, 972; 3. Matt Hagan, 960; 4. J.R. Todd, 891; 5. John Force, 749; 6. Ron Capps, 738; 7. Blake Alexander, 650; 8. Daniel Wilkerson, 637; 9. Chad Green, 606; 10. Paul Lee, 578.

Pro Stock

1. Dallas Glenn, 1,153; 2. Greg Anderson, 969; 3. Erica Enders, 947; 4. Aaron Stanfield, 941; 5. Jeg Coughlin, 849; 6. Troy Coughlin Jr., 680; 7. Jerry Tucker, 648; 8. Cristian Cuadra, 512; 9. Deric Kramer, 490; 10. Eric Latino, 487.

JUSTIN ASHLEY TRIUMPHANT AT BRAINERD FOR TOYOTA’S FIFTH CONSECUTIVE WIN
Toyota claims 13th Top Fuel win in the last 14 NHRA races

BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 18, 2024) – Justin Ashley captured his third victory of the 2024 season and the 14th of his career by taking home the Wally Trophy at Brainerd International Raceway on Sunday. Ashley defeated his Toyota teammate, Shawn Langdon, in the final round to give Toyota its fifth consecutive Top Fuel victory and its 13th in the last 14 NHRA events. The victory also bumps Ashley up to third in the Top Fuel points standings heading to the Toyota U.S. Nationals in two weeks, the final race before the Countdown to the Championship.

The finals appearances by Ashley and Langdon now mark 36 consecutive NHRA event final rounds for Toyota in either Top Fuel and/or Funny Car.

In Funny Car, J.R. Todd reached the semifinals Sunday afternoon, but not without having to overcome some adversity. As he captured the win light in his second-round race, Todd suffered damage that seemed to be too much to repair before the semi-finals. However, Toyota teammate teams, Ron Capps Motorsports and DC Motorsports, chipped in to help Todd and the DHL team repair their GR Supra Funny Car in time, which included a spare body from Capps, who was eliminated in round one. It was a testament of tremendous teamwork across Team Toyota but ended in the penultimate round of Funny Car action.

Racing at the Toyota U.S Nationals for Team Toyota begins Friday, Aug. 30 with the final round taking place Monday, Sept. 2. Coverage across the weekend will be found on FOX, FS1 and FS2.

Toyota Post-Race Recap
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series
Brainerd International Raceway
Race 13 of 20

TOYOTA TOP FUEL FINISHING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Justin Ashley	SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Winner	W (3.747) v. B. Torrence (8.055) W (3.763) v. T. Stewart (9.435) W (3.754) v. J. Hart (4.135) W (3.745) v. S. Langdon (4.020)
Shawn Langdon	Kalitta Air Careers Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Finalist	W (3.774 – holeshot) v. S. Reed (3.755) W (3.970) v. D. Kalitta (4.378) W (15.584) v. I. Zetterstrom (3.840 – red light) L (4.020) v. J. Ashley. Langdon (3.745)
Doug Kalitta	Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Second Round	W (3.689) v. A. Brown (5.720) L (4.378) v. S. Langdon (3.970)
Steve Torrence	CAPCO Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	First round	L (3.750) v. I. Zetterstrom (3.773 – holeshot)
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	First Round	L (5.720) v. D. Kalitta (3.689)
Billy Torrence	CAPCO Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	First Round	L (8.055) v. J. Ashley (3.747)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR FINISHING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Semi-finals	W (3.945) v. P. Lee (N/A) W (4.012 – holeshot) v. A. Prock (3.917) L (4.075) v. M. Hagan (3.965)
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	First Round	L (4.254) v. D. Wilkerson (3.940)
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	First Round	L (3.913) v. M. Hagan (3.937 – holeshot)

*= Non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

JUSTIN ASHLEY, SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, SCAG Racing

TF Final Result: Winner

Does it get any better than a win like this?

“No, it doesn’t. This is fantastic. What an incredible weekend. You know, the first burnout we did on this new chassis, new car, we had was Q1 here this weekend. I think right now, we’re hitting our stride and it’s all about the Countdown (to the Championship) and preparing for Indy (Toyota U.S. Nationals), which is the next one. This was an all-Team Toyota final and to be able to put this car, specifically, into the winner circle is just (pause), feels so good. Mike Green (crew chief), Tommy DeLago (co-crew chief) and the guys, this is because of them. They work incredibly hard, and they put this car together on short notice. Great job team and thank you to all the SCAG Power Equipment dealers and distributors out there this weekend. It was riding like a cheetah and turf tiger all weekend, so awesome job everybody.”

J.R. TODD, DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Kalitta Motorsports

FC Final Result: Semifinalist

It wasn’t the result you wanted, but what an effort to get the car ready for that run.

“Yeah, I can’t thank everybody enough who was involved. First off, Ron Capps. It’s great being a part of Toyota – one big family. These GR Supras, they’re not interchangeable between the two chassis, so they had to hustle to fit that NAPA body to make it fit on our chassis. Del Worsham (DC Motorsports), his guys were over there helping us out. There were some other teams as well. The ‘Yellow Fellas’ (DHL GR Supra Funny Car team), I always give them props for working hard, but they’ve had one heck of a weekend. After that, we have a lot of work to get ready for Indy (Toyota U.S. Nationals). I thought we were dead after that. I was throwing my gloves and upset. Saw the win light come on and thought, ‘we’re screwed,’ right? Two bodies and didn’t know if there was any chassis damage. But those guys, they don’t quit until it’s over with and it was awesome to drag it back up there. It was like a victory in itself and once you see (Matt) Hagan out there drive away from you, you just shut it off. Don’t want to blow another body up. But hopefully we can go to Indy and redeem ourselves and start making a move when it counts.”

RON CAPPS, NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Ron Capps Motorsports

FC Final Result: First Round

What was the thought process going into helping JR and the Kalitta team to get their car prepared for the semifinals?

“It wasn’t even a decision, we’re all Toyotas. We actually looked into seeing if we could even bring our chassis down here, our backup in the trailer. There are a few things I have different, my brake handle, little things like that but J.R. (Todd) is a great driver and he can adapt. Unfortunately, things are just a bit different between Del Worsham’s (DC Motorsports) car, our car and the Kalitta car as far as the Toyota bodies on the chassis, specifically. Our guys, their guys and Del’s guys jumped on it and they’re getting it to fit. When you’re Team Toyota, you do anything it takes.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 12 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 13th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 29 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2024 LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS
BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
BRAINERD, MINNESOTA
TEAM CHEVY RACE RECAP | NOTES & STATS
AUGUST 19, 2024

JOHN FORCE RACING SHOWCASES STRENGTH IN QUALIFYING AND THE #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE DURING LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS IN BRAINERD

Chevrolet Captures the Brainerd Wally Trophies in Pro Stock and Factory Stock Showdown

Notes:

• Capturing his eighth No. 1 qualifier this season and 11th of his NHRA career, Austin Prock and his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team rocketed to the top spot in Q4 with his pass of 3.860 seconds E.T. at 334.07 mph.
• Not only did Prock capture the pole position for Sunday during Saturday’s qualifying, but he also raced to the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge victory, his sixth straight, earning both bonus money and points toward the championship.
• Despite the strong momentum heading into race day, Prock fell to JR Todd in the second round of eliminations on his run of 3.917 seconds E.T. at 323.89 mph to Todd’s 4.012 seconds E.T. at 323.97 mph pass.
• Making his first start on behalf of team owner John Force and returning to competition after four years, Jack Beckman, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, qualified No. 6 Saturday evening and reacclimating quickly to the Bowtie-branded machine.
• Beckman, despite showcasing his strength as a driver and the John Force Racing team behind him, fell to Blake Alexander in the second round with his run of 3.945 seconds E.T. at 321.65 mph to Alexander’s 3.943 seconds E.T. at 317.05 mph.
• Qualifying No. 3 heading into the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brittany Force and her Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel team at John Force Racing faced a first-round elimination after being bested on the starting line by Clay Millican during her 3.756 seconds E.T., 332.18 mph run.
• Dallas Glenn defeated Mason McGaha after McGaha smoked the tires after the start. Glenn captured his third win of the season and 11th NHRA win in Pro Stock, as well as Chevrolet’s 394th in the category and 275th for the Camaro SS.
• Scott Libersher captured his first FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown Wally trophy with the starting line advantage, racing his Chevrolet COPO Camaro to the win light on his run of 7.816 seconds E.T. at 172.04 mph.

Quotes:

AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“I don’t even know who staged first to be honest. I just flat out look like an absolute idiot right now. It’s embarrassing and sucks for my team. They (JR Todd and his team) made a nice run. He (Todd) had it rolled it in, but .116 (reaction time) on the tree is flat out embarrassing. I’m really (upset) right now at myself. This Cornwell Tools Chevy team has been unbelievable, and I just lost it. They tell you a good run in a racecar is the hardest one to drive because all you can do is mess it up. I’ve been doing a good job of not doing that, and I look like an idiot right now.”

JACK BECKMAN, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“For the first time in my drag racing career, the Peak Camaro won a round. It’s kind of a neat thing to say. It’s been John (Force) all these years. It’s still John’s car. Nobody’s replacing John Force. I get to shoe this thing for now. It’s awesome. Sometimes in drag racing, it’s not who you race, it’s when you race them. We had a great hot rod. It still blew a spark plug out, but that’s the best I’ve run in four years. That’s a good feeling.

John (Force) and I are different. I weigh more than him. We ride the clutch differently, backing up for the burnout. The guys are trying to figure out what the car wants to run quick down low with me, like it did with John and we’re still finding that stuff out. Every run we get, we’re getting closer.”

BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF THE MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:

“It was definitely a disappointing race day getting taken out in the first round of eliminations. Our Monster Energy Chevy team had such a strong two days of qualifying. We made three solid runs down the track, our best being a 3.698 seconds at 335 mph which put us in the number three position. We felt confident with our car and our setup. We have high expectations and planned on meeting them today. Our car ran right what we wanted it to with 3.756 seconds at 332.51 mph, but unfortunately we just got beat by Clay Milliican. Our Monster Energy team has an opportunity to test tomorrow and get us more prepared for the US nationals. We leave Brainerd in the tenth position in the standings, and we will have to fight to stay in this countdown at the biggest race of the season.

Up Next:

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series next tackles the biggest event of the year, the crown jewel NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Aug. 28-Sept. 2. Eliminations Monday air from noon to 2 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), shifting to FOX at 2 p.m. ET. Coverage of qualifying and the race stream live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.