Author: Official Release

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2024 DENSO NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS
SONOMA RACEWAY
SONOMA, CALIFORNIA
TEAM CHEVY RACE RECAP | NOTES & STATS
JULY 28, 2024

JOHN FORCE RACING AND CHEVROLET RACE TO THE SEMIFINAL ROUND AT SONOMA WITH AUSTIN PROCK AND BRITTANY FORCE

Chevrolet Captures Pro Stock Wally with Aaron Stanfield and Super Stock Win with Jim Grossi

Notes:

• Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, fell to Bob Tasca, III in a tight semifinal round at Sonoma with his run of 3.901 seconds E.T. at 333.99 mph to Tasca, III’s 3.931 seconds E.T. at 336.15 mph.
• While he didn’t capture the Wally trophy this weekend, Prock did win his fifth-straight Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Saturday and sixth overall, pocketing bonus points and a cash prize with his defeat of J.R. Todd is the first round and Blake Alexander in the second.
• Prock maintains his sizeable lead over Tasca, III in second in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Championships standings heading to Brainerd.
• Capturing both his 128th career No. 1 qualifier and fourth of the season, Greg Anderson, driver of the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock, also captured his second straight Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge victory with his run of 6.595 seconds E.T. at 204.94 mph.
• Racing to her third semifinal round of the season and 39th of her career, Brittany Force and her Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel team showed progress during the weekend in Sonoma despite being defeated by Antron Brown.
• Aaron Stanfield, driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock machine, captured his third win of the season and 11th career Wally trophy. Stanfield’s win is Chevrolet’s 393rd since 1970 in Pro Stock and 274th in the Camaro.
• In his second start after transitioning from Pro Stock Motorcycle to Pro Stock, Cory Reed made his final round debut with KB Titan Racing, facing off against Stanfield and Elite Motorsports in his 20th career final round.
• In Super Stock, Jim Grossi defeated Justin Lamb in his bright orange Chevrolet Corvette, to capture the Sonoma Nationals Wally with his pass of 8.500 seconds E.T. at 156.43 mph.
• Wrapping four qualifying sessions Saturday evening, Prock powered to the No. 4 qualifying position heading into race day, running 3.872 seconds E.T. at 335.07 mph. Force’s run Friday held for the No. 3 qualifying position for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
• Force led the John Force Racing duo in qualifying Friday, racing to a provisional No. 2 spot with her run of 3.668 seconds E.T. at 335.57 mph.

Quotes:

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

“I had my best light of the weekend. You shouldn’t even be staring up there to be honest (at the bulbs). John Force taught me that. We made a good run, and they (Bob Tasca, III) made an outstanding run. He had the top bulb out; that’s seven inches, and that’s seven-hundredths. So, he probably went .86, .87, and we probably ran .90 straight up. It sucks to get beat by a (thousandth), but I mean, I’m so proud of this Cornwell Tools Chevrolet team, but when you get beat by a (thousandth), you get beat by a (thousandth). Hopefully, it goes our way the next time.”

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

“Overall, this was a really good weekend for this Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac / Cornwell Tools / HendrickCars.com / PEAK Chevy team. We made quite a bit of progress. Our goal was to qualify in the top five. We qualified third. We were pretty consistent during qualifying. Race day, first round, we laid down a .68, which was an outstanding run for this team. Then we came out second round, ran a .74. The track was heating up. We slowed it down a little, but another solid, clean run. We made a semifinal round appearance. Unfortunately, we got beat by Antron Brown. It’s a tough team over there, tough competitor. We gave it our all, but with the track heating up, we drove into smoke. I let the car settle and tried to pedal it. I could see him too far out ahead of us, so we just let that one go. We will pack up, and actually we will head to Norwalk [for Night Under Fire match race] next, where we can keep continuing figuring this car out and getting her ready for closing in on this countdown.”

Up Next:

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series next heads to Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn. for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Aug. 15-28. Eliminations air Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FOX. 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.

Kalitta, Tasca, Anderson and M. Smith get No. 1 spots in Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. (July 27, 2024) – Six-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith set a new track E.T. record on Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, defeating teammate Jianna Evaristo in the final round of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout as part of this weekend’s 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Smith all qualified No. 1 at the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

In the final round of the specialty race, Smith went 6.655-seconds at 204.23 mph on his Denso Auto Parts Buell, defeating Evaristo’s 6.703 at 203.77 to win his first Callout race. Smith topped the track record he set earlier in the day – when he beat top seed Gaige Herrera in the opening round with a 6.662 – and also qualified No. 1 for the fourth time this season as he looks for his first event win of the season.

“I’m really thrilled. This is my first win in the GETTRX Callout but my third win in a specialty race,” Smith said. “We’ve had a tough year. We haven’t won a race, but we’ve been good on Saturdays. Now, we’ve got to be good on Sunday. This is a big payday, and it means a lot so I have to say thanks to Steve Bryson and GETTRX for putting this deal on.

“(Jianna) is going to be an excellent rider and I’m proud of what she’s doing. Before the final, I didn’t cut her any slack. We’ve both struggled to cut a light here, but I still told her I was going to spank her.”

Evaristo qualified second in PSM with a career-best 6.674 at 204.54 – also making the second-fastest pass in class history – and Herrera is third after going 6.688 at 202.55, which took place in the opening round of the Callout.

Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta fell in the final round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge to teammate Shawn Langdon, but he kept his No. 1 spot on the strength of Friday’s track-record 3.649 at 336.40 in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools/Toyota dragster. It handed the points leader his No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 58th in his career, as he looks to win in Sonoma for a sixth time in his career.

“On that last run in Q4, we pushed a bit harder and it didn’t hold so Shawn ended up with the [Mission Challenge] win,” Kalitta said. “Even though I ran a 3.64 there were other cars that were close and tomorrow I don’t think it will be much hotter, so I expect a real battle.

“I’m actually a bit relieved because we now know how hard we can push and that should be a bit tomorrow. You might get one lucky round, but you need to be on your game. Shawn pushes me and he keeps me on my game especially now that both of our cars are as close as possible. He’s one of the best out there and he’s one up on me right now.”

Clay Millican jumped to second with a 3.664 at a track-record 338.26 and Brittany Force qualified third after going 3.668 at 335.57.

In Funny Car, Matt Hagan came close to bumping him out, but Bob Tasca III hung on to the No. 1 position in the loaded category, as Friday’s run of 3.839 at 338.43 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang held up. It gave the veteran his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 18th in his career, putting Tasca in a strong position to try and pick up another Sonoma victory.

He’ll open eliminations against Buddy Hull, keeping the top position after reigning world champ Matt Hagan went an identical 3.839 at a slower 330.49 to take the second spot. Ron Capps qualified third with a 3.864 at 332.43. Tasca did close qualifying with a stout 3.868 at a whopping 337.66, adding to his momentum for Sunday.

“We tried to run 340 mph this morning and it nearly put me into the wall so on the last run we slowed it way down to make a full pull,” Tasca said. “I say this all the time but you could take a fan in the stands, put them in one of these cars and tell them to keep it straight and on most runs they could do it. That was Q4 where the car did exactly what it was supposed to do.

“We’ve had some vibrant conversations in our trailer and a lot of discussions about going 340 mph. We have parts that are faster, but we had to be smart. This car is set up to win a championship and when it warms up, like today, we need to be smart.”

Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson made the most of Saturday morning’s conditions, shattering the track E.T. record and taking the No. 1 spot for the fifth time this season with a spectacular run of 6.491 at 211.20 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. It was nearly a picture-perfect run for the five-time world champion and Pro Stock’s winningest driver, earning his 128th career No. 1 qualifier in the process. Anderson has a Pro Stock-best six wins in Sonoma and will open raceday against Derrick Reese.

“I love coming here because it’s so fast but we have to rely on Mother Nature to do it for us,” Anderson said. “I love it when she shines on us like today and you can throw everything at it. I didn’t have a great day yesterday but today we had a turn of fortune. We made two great runs today.

“We have a good book on this place and when you come here, you don’t have to de-tune it. That’s a tribute to the guys in our engine shop. I love it here, from the track to the people – everyone is happy.”

Points leader Dallas Glenn took second with a 6.497 at 211.00 and Eric Latino is third with a 6.501 at 210.60.

Eliminations for the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals begin at 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway.

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SONOMA, Calif. — Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the 12th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.649 seconds, 336.40 mph vs. 14. Ron August, 4.657, 165.29; 2. Clay Millican, 3.664, 338.26 vs. 13. Steve Torrence, 4.076, 218.05; 3. Brittany Force, 3.668, 335.57 vs. 12. Josh Hart, 3.755, 324.36; 4. Shawn Langdon, 3.677, 336.65 vs. 11. Tony Stewart, 3.748, 332.02; 5. Justin Ashley, 3.683, 333.91 vs. 10. Tony Schumacher, 3.733, 323.97; 6. Billy Torrence, 3.684, 332.92 vs. 9. Jasmine Salinas, 3.725, 329.10; 7. Antron Brown, 3.685, 336.40 vs. 8. Shawn Reed, 3.685, 330.39.

Funny Car — 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.839, 338.43 vs. 16. Buddy Hull, Dodge Charger, 4.081, 319.60; 2. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.839, 330.39 vs. 15. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 4.057, 289.94; 3. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.864, 332.43 vs. 14. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.040, 314.24; 4. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.872, 335.07 vs. 13. Steven Densham, Mustang, 4.013, 313.73; 5. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.887, 334.82 vs. 12. Dave Richards, Camry, 4.012, 307.09; 6. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.904, 327.66 vs. 11. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 3.984, 321.42; 7. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.908, 328.22 vs. 10. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.936, 320.89; 8. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 3.919, 331.28 vs. 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.921, 323.19.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Chris Morel, 4.099, 270.81; 18. Alex Miladinovich, 4.409, 231.40.

Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.491, 211.20 vs. 16. Derrick Reese, Ford Mustang, 6.587, 208.97; 2. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.497, 211.00 vs. 15. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.584, 209.14; 3. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.501, 210.60 vs. 14. Sienna Wildgust, Camaro, 6.567, 210.54; 4. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.505, 210.34 vs. 13. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.566, 209.43; 5. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.508, 211.49 vs. 12. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.539, 210.97; 6. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.515, 210.90 vs. 11. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.523, 209.88; 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.515, 210.28 vs. 10. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.520, 211.20; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.516, 211.26 vs. 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.518, 211.63.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Joey Grose, 6.605, 208.07.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.655, 204.23 vs. 12. Eiji Kawakami, Suzuki, 7.055, 189.44; 2. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.674, 204.54 vs. 11. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 6.996, 191.51; 3. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.688, 202.55 vs. 10. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.847, 197.80; 4. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.722, 202.42 vs. 9. John Hall, Beull, 6.806, 198.73; 5. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.724, 201.31 vs. 8. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.777, 197.19; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.730, 201.34 vs. 7. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.761, 199.82.

SONOMA, Calif. (July 27, 2024) – Funny Car points leader Austin Prock won for the fifth straight time in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, defeating Blake Alexander in the final of the bonus race at this weekend’s 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) also won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

After failing to make it down the track during Friday’s two qualifying sessions, Prock and his John Force Racing team turned it around on Saturday, capped off by a run of 3.897-seconds at 332.10 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS in the final round of the bonus race against Alexander. It’s the fifth straight bonus race win for Prock, the Funny Car points leader, and the sixth overall this season, giving him an extra 20 points in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

“We definitely struggled yesterday but we turned it around today,” said Prock, who went 3.872 at 335.07 earlier in the day. “Six wins, that’s 20 points which is a whole round, and as we’ve seen, every point matters.

“We backed off on Q3 but that was a nice run (in the finals). That’s the run we wanted. I know I’m happy and I hope [my crew] is also happy. To win these bonus races is a big confidence booster. It’s more money for our crew and more points for the team. Both are important.”

In a wild Top Fuel final round in the bonus race, Shawn Langdon defeated his Kalitta Motorsports teammate, reigning world champion Doug Kalitta, to win his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the 2024 campaign. Langdon went 4.660 at 160.94 in his 11,000-horsepower Kalitta Air Careers/Toyota dragster, defeating Kalitta’s 7.028 at 113.52 as both cars ran into trouble. Kalitta suffered tire smoke almost immediately and Langdon coasted to the win.

It wasn’t the way he envisioned it, but Langdon will gladly take the bonus purse and championship points, hoping to turn it into a double-up weekend at one of his favorite tracks.

“This is the first win this season for me in this bonus race and it’s nice to get it out of the way and to race Doug in the final is even more special,” Langdon said. “We’ve got two Kalitta dragsters that are competitive and in the final we made a good run. In Seattle last week, we didn’t qualify where we wanted to, so it was nice to come here and make some nice runs to get some confidence for Sunday. Every little point matters and it’s nice for our crew to win these deals. It’s a nice reward for all they do.”

Troy Coughlin Jr. enjoyed his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty win of the year, defeating his uncle, Jeg Coughlin Jr., on a holeshot with a run of 6.529 at 211.63 in his JEGS.com/White Castle car. It’s the first bonus race win of the year for the younger Coughlin and the difference was his .024 reaction time, which proved to be enough to beat Jeg’s run of 6.522 at 211.26. It was enjoyable moment for Troy to race – and then beat – the five-time world champ, who also won last weekend in Seattle.

“This was tons of fun. It’s fantastic facing uncle Jeg especially at this majestic facility in front of these awesome fans,” Coughlin said. “Our team has worked their tails off to make these cars competitive. We’ve struggled a bit on race day but it’s coming together.

“I didn’t think that [.024 reaction time] would be enough but it was, this time. I’ve thought about racing with [Jeg] for about 28 years. It doesn’t matter if it’s a local race or a big bracket race or NHRA Pro Stock. It is great to race against him. To do this is a dream fulfilled.”

Eliminations for the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals begin at 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway.

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SONOMA, Calif. — Saturday’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge final results from the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.

Top Fuel Challenge — Shawn Langdon, 4.660 seconds, 160.94 mph def. Doug Kalitta, 7.028 seconds, 113.52 mph.

Funny Car Challenge — Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.897, 332.10 def. Blake Alexander, Ford Mustang, 3.936, 292.20.

Pro Stock Challenge — Troy Coughlin Jr., Chevy Camaro, 6.529, 211.63 def. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.522, 211.26.

SONOMA, Calif. — Final Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge round-by-round results from the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.

TOP FUEL CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Shawn Langdon, 3.677, 336.65 def. Clay Millican, 3.664, 338.26; Doug Kalitta, 3.679, 334.32 def. Steve Torrence, 4.080, 216.20;

FINAL — S. Langdon, 4.660, 160.94 def. D. Kalitta, 7.028, 113.52.

FUNNY CAR CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Blake Alexander, Ford Mustang, 4.174, 231.08 def. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 10.853, 69.92; Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.872, 335.07 def. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 4.671, 174.44;

FINAL — A. Prock, 3.897, 332.10 def. B. Alexander, 3.936, 292.20. A. Prock, 3.897, 332.10

PRO STOCK CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Troy Coughlin Jr., Chevy Camaro, 6.518, 210.54 def. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.497, 211.00; Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.516, 210.41 def. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.539, 210.97;

FINAL — T. Coughlin Jr., 6.529, 211.63 def. J. Coughlin, 6.522, 211.26.

KALITTA BREAKS SONOMA TRACK RECORD EN ROUTE TO TOP FUEL NO. 1 QUALIFIER
Shawn Langdon wins Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for Team Toyota

SONOMA, Calif. (July 27, 2024) – As cool, ideal racing conditions set upon Sonoma Raceway Friday night, Doug Kalitta, posted a track record 3.649 elapsed time to capture the No. 1 qualifying spot for Sunday’s eliminations. The historic run under the lights gave Kalitta his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the 2024 season and the 58th of his legendary career. The defending Top Fuel world champion seeks his fourth win of the season tomorrow, the 56th of his career, while also hoping to extend his points lead as the Countdown to the Championship nears.

Shawn Langdon was the next highest Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, claiming the No. 4 seed for tomorrow. Langdon also defeated Kalitta in the Top Fuel Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty challenge in the final round of qualifying, his first challenge win of the season and Toyota’s seventh in 2024.

In Funny Car, Ron Capps led the GR Supra Funny Car contingent, earning the No. 3 seed for tomorrow’s eliminations. Capps enters tomorrow’s eliminations just three rounds away from 900 in his career. J.R. Todd is the sixth seed for tomorrow and Alexis DeJoria is eighth.

Tomorrow’s eliminations at Sonoma Raceway begin at 10:30 a.m. PST with live TV coverage beginning at 4 p.m. EST on FOX.

Toyota Post-Qualifying Recap
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series
NHRA Sonoma Nationals
Sonoma Raceway
Race 12 of 20

TOYOTA TOP FUEL QUALIFYING POSITIONS 

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Doug Kalitta	Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	1st	R. August Jr.
Shawn Langdon	Kalitta Air Careers Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	4th	T. Stewart
Justin Ashley	SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	5th	T. Schumacher
Billy Torrence	CAPCO Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	6th	J. Salinas
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	7th	S. Reed
Steve Torrence	CAPCO Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	13th	C. Millican

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITIONS 

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Bob Tasca III	Ford Motorcraft Funny Car	1st*	B. Hull
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	3rd	C. Pedregon
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	6th	J. Rupert
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	8th	P. Lee

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

DOUG KALITTA, Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

TF Qualifying Result: 1st

What was the feeling of that track-record run?

“That was really cool. I got my first win here in Sonoma and I have a lot of cool history here. Alan Johnson (crew chief) puts a lot of thought into his tune-up, and he had a plan. He’s one bad dude. I could tell it was on a run and honestly, I was happy to be the first car out. I knew it would get cooler as the night went on and you never know what conditions might do. I thought it might have rattled a bit but not much. The car was hooked up and I managed to keep it in the middle, as straight as possible. This is one of the nicest tracks on the tour, and I love the layout with the road course. I’d love to get another win this weekend.”

Talk us through your team’s mindset today after yesterday’s performance.

“Yeah, on that last run, pushed it a little harder than we should’ve, but just trying to get a feel for what tomorrow’s going to bring. Yeah, so Shawn (Langdon) ended up with the Mission Foods (challenge win). So, we at least kept it in the family there, so that’s good. But no, the conditions were really good. Today, my 3.64, cars were really close to that. We obviously held on and it’s going to be some tough racing tomorrow, some close racing tomorrow. I don’t think it’s supposed to be much warmer than it was today, so it should be some great racing.”

SHAWN LANGDON, Kalitta Air Careers Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

TF Qualifying Result: 4th

You’re the eighth different #2Fast2Tasty challenge winner this season. How does it describe the competition?

“Yeah, it just shows how tough this class is. I mean, you have top-quality drivers, top-quality crew chiefs, top-quality teams and it’s awesome for the sport. It’s great to be a part of it, really, but it’s awesome to be a part of team Kalitta. Connie (Kalitta, team owner) has done such a great job over the years organizing this team, and right now, I feel we have two really good cars. Little anticlimactic on that final round. But looking at the numbers, I can see where Brian (Husen, crew chief) was trying to push it. He was trying to get up a little on the qualifying spot. But all-in-all, first one (#2Fast2Tasty challenge win) of the year. Obviously, we’ll take that. A couple playoff points too. Great job to Brian, the guys, everybody at Kalitta Air, Toyota, Revchem. It’s good to get that win.”

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

FC Qualifying Result: 3rd

How were these two days of qualifying and what’s your outlook for tomorrow?

“Yeah, obviously after the accident in Seattle last week, we really had no time with back-to-back weekends to here in Sonoma. Still proud of our NAPA team. We pulled out our, what is considered our backup GR Supra, but this is a 2022 world championship car that also won quite a few races in 2023. It was like putting an old shoe on, it really was. It was just comfortable, and it just went down the track every single run. Ran over 330 (mph) and again in that last qualifying session. Feel good, but a little apprehensive, right? You don’t want to get cocky. But just a great job by everyone involved. This is a tough swing – Seattle, then Sonoma. And then, have to get back to Indianapolis and the shop, and we have a lot of work to do. Just can’t thank everybody (enough) for helping us get our Toyota GR Supra back together with the short amount of time. And for my guys who put together a really great race car. Feel confident about Sunday but can’t be too cocky. So, hoping I’m talking to everyone about 4:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. 

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th 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 28 electrified options.

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.

Eight-bike field also set for GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout

SONOMA, Calif. (July 26, 2024) – Reigning Top Fuel world champ Doug Kalitta made the quickest run of the 2024 NHRA season on Friday at Sonoma Raceway, setting the track record and taking the provisional No. 1 spot at the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Chase Van Sant (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Kalitta, who has a Top Fuel-best five career wins at Sonoma, powered to a run of 3.649-seconds at 336.40 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools/Toyota dragster, obliterating the track record and putting the points leader in line for his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 58th in his career. It was a spectacular run under the lights and Kalitta was thrilled to start the weekend in that fashion.

“That was really cool. I got my first win here in Sonoma and I have a lot of cool history here,” Kalitta said. “(Crew chief) Alan Johnson puts a lot of thought into his tune-up and he had a plan. He’s one bad dude.

“I could tell it was on a run and honestly, I was happy to be the first car out. I knew it would get cooler as the night went on and you never know what conditions might do. I thought it might have rattled a bit but not much. The car was hooked up and I managed to keep it in the middle, as straight as possible. This is one of the nicest tracks on the tour, and I love the layout with the road course. I’d love to get another win this weekend.”

Brittany Force went 3.668 at 335.57 to go to the second spot, while Billy Torrence is third after going 3.684 at 332.92.

Funny Car’s Bob Tasca III just missed out on history on Friday, rocketing to the top with an outstanding run of 3.839 at 338.43 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang. The goal was a 340-mph run and Tasca just missed out, still delivering a spectacular blast under the lights. The run could give the standout his second No. 1 of the season and the 18th in his career, putting him on track for what could be another great weekend in Sonoma. He won the race in 2022 and will look to replicate that this year, but Tasca had another goal in mind for Friday.

“I’ve never been so disappointed to run a 3.83 at 338-mph. I really wanted to go 340 for these fans,” Tasca said. “We would have done it if not for that 15-knot headwind. We were a little concerned about the track, so we also cranked a little more spoiler in it. I’d trade the low qualifier for a 340 run in a second.

“We ran 338 in Charlotte, and we ran 338 in Seattle and did it again here. I can tell you there won’t be a time when conditions are there that we don’t try and do it. Believe it or not, we run a little different set-up to try and run those speeds. If we tuned the car a little different, it might be a little bit quicker. As for tomorrow, we’ll see what the conditions are like. It all depends on which way the wind is blowing.”

Ron Capps is currently second thanks to his run of 3.864 at 332.43, while defending world champion Matt Hagan is third after going 3.869 at 328.22.

In Pro Stock, the early-season slump for Matt Hartford appears to be over, putting down an impressive 6.515 at 210.41 in his GETTRX/Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro to go to the No. 1 position on Friday. It puts Hartford on track for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and fifth in his career and the veteran hopes it’s a sign that the frustrations from earlier this year are a distant memory. Hartford, who is currently 11th in points, has qualified fourth three of the past four races and Friday’s run is another positive step forward. The next step is turning it around on raceday after Hartford has suffered through five straight first-round losses.

“Things are starting to come around although this feels like the first race of the season for us,” Hartford said. “It’s no secret that this hasn’t been a good year for our team but I’m a big believer that it’s not where your start it’s where you finish.

“The last three or four races it’s started to come together, and we’ve had a fast race car and I’m getting my confidence back. In Seattle, I thought we had a chance to go to the pole and we missed it. Here, we said we could run a 6.51 and we did. I think Chicago was the turning point for us. We brought two cars and let John DeFlorian drive the other one. We were able to compare notes from both cars and we’ve been improving ever since.”

Defending world champion Erica Enders is currently second with a run of 6.520 at 209.46 and Seattle winner Jeg Coughlin Jr. is third after a 6.524 at 209.82.

Still riding high after his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle victory on Sunday in Seattle, Chase Van Sant kept rolling on Friday in Sonoma, taking the provisional No. 1 spot with a run of 6.768 at 197.10 on his Trick Tools Suzuki. Should that hold, Van Sant, the 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year, would pick up his first career No. 1 qualifying spot, which would continue his recent momentum. He made a pair of solid runs on Friday, which could bode well for Saturday’s GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout.

The bonus race takes place on Saturday after riders made their first-round selections on Friday. Herrera, the top seed, picked Matt Smith, who was seeded second, while Hector Arana Jr. took Steve Johnson as his first-round opponent. Jianna Evaristo will face off with John Hall, with the other first-round matchup featuring Van Sant and Angie Smith.

“It’s been a whirlwind week to say the least and it’s cool to knock it out and get the provisional No. 1 here today,” Van Sant said. “I know the Vance & Hines team has issues today, so I expect a battle but it’s good to be here. I had my best 60-foot time ever on that run. It’s just reassuring to know we can get the job done and it reaffirms my faith in Tim [Kulungian, crew chief], not that I ever doubted him.

“I’ve got to run Angie [Smith] tomorrow in the GETTRX All-star Callout and we’ve gone back and forth a few times this season. They’ll be fast too. The wind was a bit tricky, which explains why our mph was down a bit. For me, I really didn’t notice it too much, but the bike just feels a bit more mundane. The win is so unpredictable here in Sonoma because it gusts but it’s usually either a head wind or a tail wind.”

M. Smith is currently second with a 6.770 at 198.73 and A. Smith is right behind after going 6.784 at 199.26.

Qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.

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SONOMA, Calif. — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, 12th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.649 seconds, 336.40 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.668, 335.57; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.684, 332.92; 4. Shawn Reed, 3.685, 330.39; 5. Antron Brown, 3.688, 329.67; 6. Justin Ashley, 3.697, 331.28; 7. Clay Millican, 3.711, 331.04; 8. Jasmine Salinas, 3.725, 329.10; 9. Tony Stewart, 3.748, 330.72; 10. Josh Hart, 3.766, 324.36; 11. Tony Schumacher, 3.907, 238.01; 12. Steve Torrence, 4.076, 218.05; 13. Shawn Langdon, 4.425, 176.56; 14. Ron August, 4.869, 150.26.

Funny Car — 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.839, 338.43; 2. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.864, 332.43; 3. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.869, 328.22; 4. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.904, 327.66; 5. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.917, 325.53; 6. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 3.920, 331.28; 7. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.921, 323.19; 8. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.961, 320.89; 9. Steven Densham, Mustang, 4.013, 313.73; 10. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 4.033, 282.24; 11. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.040, 314.24; 12. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 4.057, 289.94; 13. Dave Richards, Camry, 4.078, 305.77; 14. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.272, 219.36; 15. Alex Miladinovich, Mustang, 4.409, 231.40; 16. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 4.659, 173.27.

Not Qualified: 17. Buddy Hull, 6.544, 98.77; 18. Chris Morel, 12.734, 72.01.

Pro Stock — 1. Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.515, 210.21; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.520, 209.79; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.524, 210.14; 4. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.525, 210.54; 5. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.536, 209.72; 6. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.538, 209.36; 7. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.543, 209.43; 8. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.562, 209.07; 9. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.566, 209.43; 10. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.575, 210.21; 11. Derrick Reese, Ford Mustang, 6.587, 208.97; 12. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.588, 209.01; 13. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.597, 209.75; 14. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.601,

208.04; 15. Sienna Wildgust, Camaro, 6.609, 209.39; 16. Joey Grose, Camaro, 6.652, 207.50.

Not Qualified: 17. Kenny Delco, 7.580, 134.36.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.768, 197.42; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.770, 200.47; 3. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.784, 199.26; 4. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.811, 197.97; 5. John Hall, Beull, 6.839, 197.74; 6. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.876, 194.74; 7. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.893, 191.35; 8. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.912, 193.21; 9. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 7.042, 189.42; 10. Eiji Kawakami, Suzuki, 7.055, 188.25; 11.

Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 8.637, 103.44; 12. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 16.768, 39.92.