Category: NHRA

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.

SONOMA, Calif. (July 25, 2024) – Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Steve Johnson has been involved in the two-wheeled category for more than 30 years and at this weekend’s 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, he’ll make his 500th career NHRA start.

Johnson, rider of the Big Number One Suzuki, will also be competing in the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout specialty event on Saturday with the seven other qualifier riders. Johnson is the fifth-seeded rider and will be up against the likes of reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Gaige Herrera as well as the six-time champion Matt Smith. With his impressive qualifying efforts, Herrera will make the first pick in the callout style race, but Johnson views it as a great chance to celebrate his 500th career start.

“The point is, the fans are going to get a great race,” Johnson said. “I think the Callout is such a neat format to be able to do it. I always tell people if you go to all the races in a year, for 34 years, you’ll have 500 races too.”

Last year’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals crowned Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), J.R. Todd (Funny Car) and Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) as winners in their respective categories. This season’s race will again be broadcast on both FOX and FS1, including eliminations coverage starting at 4 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 28 on FOX. It is the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the annual trek to Sonoma is a loaded weekend that also includes the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday.

Johnson made his NHRA debut in 1987 and has racked up 12 event wins over his long and successful career. His 2024 campaign has been rocky, with Johnson searching for his first round win since the season-opener in Gainesville, but he has hopes that the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals will be the turning point of his season.

To do so, he’ll also have to get past Seattle winner Chase Van Sant, Angie Smith, Hector Arana Jr., Jianna Evaristo, who set both ends of the track record in Seattle, and John Hall.

“I love this class,” Johnson said. “I love YES Program, and I love this platform NHRA gives us to be able to educate people on skilled trades and I love being part of the fraternity of this class.”

The 2023 GETTRX NHRA All- Star Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout saw Herrera taking home the win, as well as the Sonoma event victory en route to sweeping the Western Swing and winning his first world title. This year riders in competition will be Herrera, M. Smith, Arana Jr., Evaristo, Johnson, Angie Smith, Van Sant and Hall.

In Top Fuel, Justin Ashley is after a third win in 2024, taking on the likes of Seattle winner Steve Torrence, who has four Sonoma victories, reigning champ and points leader Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Brittany Force, Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart.

Funny Car’s Todd will aim for his fifth career win at Sonoma, but it won’t be easy going against the likes of points leader Austin Prock, who won in Seattle, Bob Tasca III, reigning world champ Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Daniel Wilkerson and Alexis DeJoria.

Pro Stock returns to Sonoma after a year off in 2023. This season has been another year of intense competition featuring standouts like reigning champion Erica Enders, whose six Sonoma wins are the most of any NHRA driver, Greg Anderson, points leader Dallas Glenn, two-time 2024 winner Aaron Stanfield and Jeg Coughlin Jr.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout, Street Legal and Top the Cops exhibitions.

Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Sonoma Raceway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Sonoma. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. PT on Friday and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday. Television coverage includes eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.

The first round of the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout takes place on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. PT, with the semifinals at 1:45 p.m. and the finals at 2:55 p.m. It will be broadcast at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Saturday on FS1.

To purchase tickets to the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, fans can visit www.sonomaraceway.com or call 800-870-7223. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2024 DENSO NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS
SONOMA RACEWAY
SONOMA, CALIFORNIA
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & STATS
JULY 26-28, 2024

CHEVROLET CARRIES SEASON MOMENTUM WITH AUSTIN PROCK AND JOHN FORCE RACING INTO SONOMA RACEWAY

Notes:

• Team Chevy heads to the 2024 DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals with John Force Racing for the 12th round of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series July 26-28.
• Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, enters Sonoma this weekend with a 256-point lead over Matt Hagan and Bob Tasca, III (tied for second).
• Prock, with his team’s season success so far, has built a points lead that equates to two race events over Hagan and Tasca, III.
• The most recent winner in Funny Car, Austin Prock rolls into Sonoma with four victories in 2024 and looking to add to his eight career (four in Top Fuel) wins overall.
• Brittany Force heads into Sonoma looking to turn around her 2024 season, but currently holds the Sonoma Raceway track record in Top Fuel with her 3.662 seconds E.T. run in July 2022 at 337.75 mph.
• Returning to action next at Brainerd International Raceway, the Chevrolet Pro Stock and Factory X teams do not compete this weekend in Sonoma. Additionally, the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown COPO Camaros return to action at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis Labor Day weekend.

Quotes:

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

“I wasn’t very impressed with my driving performance last weekend. Going back-to-back like this, I’m going to hopefully get back in a rhythm and hopefully be better. We have the Countdown coming up in just three more races, (so) I’d like to race this thing every day, if I could.”

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

“Sonoma (Raceway) is one of my favorite tracks and I’m excited to get right back in my Monster Energy dragster after a tough weekend in Seattle. The Countdown is coming up quickly, and we have to put ourselves in the best possible starting position. We celebrated a significant win here in 2022. We qualified fifth, ran high 3.60s all day and then ran 3.70 in the final to win my first ever Sonoma Nationals. Our game plan is simple. One, qualify in the top five; two, get down the track every qualifying pass and, three, go rounds on race day.”

How to Watch:

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series from Sonoma Raceway airs first with the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on FOX Saturday, July 27 at 6 p.m. ET. Sunday’s race day sees qualifying airing on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Finals airing on FOX at 4 p.m. ET. Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:

1,460: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time).

626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 631.

167: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).

164: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.

84: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.

85: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro SS body.

47: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.

28: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. This is the seventh consecutive award and ninth in 11 seasons. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

26: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.

20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.

16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.

7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.

2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.

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.

SONOMA, Calif. (July 25, 2024) – A year ago, a win at Sonoma Raceway came at a much-needed time for NHRA Funny Car driver J.R. Todd. The former champion had gone 52 races without a victory, ending a drought at a track that has been very good to him over the years.

Todd and his Kalitta Motorsports team are in a much better place heading into this weekend’s 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, but a win would be just as rewarding for the talented driver who is one of only two NHRA competitors (Don Prudhomme) to win in both Funny Car and Top Fuel at the scenic facility.

He advanced to the semifinals last weekend in Seattle in his 11,000-horsepower DHL Toyota GR Supra, already has a win this season and is currently fourth in points – just 22 points out of second.

It’s been a rewarding season thus far for Todd, but the defending event winner wants more, touching on just how important it was to get a Funny Car victory last year in Sonoma, which is understandably one of his favorite stops on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour.

“(Last year’s Sonoma win) was good because we’d struggled for however long and hadn’t had a win, so it was nice to reward the guys,” Todd said. “You never know if or when your next win is going to come so after all the struggles, it was nice to finally get another one. Any win is special. I’ve definitely had success at Sonoma in the past, and it’s definitely my favorite track on the tour so it’s always good to return as the defending winner. We went into that race last year with a little momentum from Seattle like we will this week, so hopefully we can parlay that into another win this weekend.”

Last year, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Todd (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all took home wins in Sonoma. This year’s race will again be broadcast on both FOX and FS1, including eliminations coverage starting at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday on FOX. It is the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the annual trek to Sonoma is a loaded weekend that also includes the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday.

Todd is in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, taking on Seattle winner and points leader Austin Prock in a must-see Seattle rematch. The other matchup features Paul Lee and Blake Alexander, as drivers will be looking for a bonus purse and bonus points. Todd won the bonus race last year as well, sweeping the weekend in Sonoma. He’ll look to do the same in 2024, taking on a loaded Funny Car field that also includes defending world champion Matt Hagan and Bob Tasca III, who are tied for second in points, Ron Capps and Alexis DeJoria.

What impressed Todd the most in Seattle was the team’s ability to put up big numbers, qualifying well under the lights and dipping into the 3.80s in eliminations as well. With ideal weather conditions at one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA circuit – as well as a Friday night session that could be epic – that will again be necessary in what is expected to be a thrilling show this weekend in Sonoma.

“It was definitely a good turnaround from where we’ve been this season,” Todd said. “We struggled a little bit keeping the thing running on eight cylinders, and that definitely cost us in the semifinals. All in all, it was a good weekend. It felt good. It’s nice to be able to throw down and make runs when you need to. We just have to fine tune it with it dropping cylinders, and hopefully, we’ll be in good shape the rest of the season.

“Conditions are going to be good in Sonoma, so we’ll definitely have to run hard there. We’ve been fighting dropping cylinders, so if we can get that figured out, I think we have a really good chance of competing for a win in Sonoma.”

In Top Fuel, Justin Ashley is after a third win in 2024, taking on the likes of Seattle winner Steve Torrence, who has four Sonoma victories, reigning champ and points leader Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Brittany Force, Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart.

Pro Stock returns to Sonoma after a year off in 2023. This season has been another year of intense competition featuring standouts like reigning champion Erica Enders, whose six Sonoma wins are the most of any NHRA driver, Greg Anderson, points leader Dallas Glenn, two-time 2024 winner Aaron Stanfield and Jeg Coughlin Jr.

Herrera swept the weekend in Pro Stock Motorcycle at Sonoma last year, winning the Callout and the event en route to the title. He’s been dominant in 2024, winning the first six races of the year before Chase Van Sant won on Sunday in Seattle, snapping Herrera’s 11-race winning streak. Van Sant will look to keep rolling against Matt Smith, Jianna Evaristo, Angie Smith, Hector Arana Jr. and Steve Johnson, who is making his 500th career start this weekend. The GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout features Herrera, M. Smith, Arana, Evaristo, Johnson, A. Smith, John Hall and Van Sant.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout, Street Legal and Top the Cops exhibitions.

Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Sonoma Raceway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Sonoma. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. PT on Friday and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday. Television coverage includes eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.

The first round of the GETTRX NHRA All- Star Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout takes place on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. PT, with the semifinals at 1:45 p.m. and the finals at 2:55 p.m. It will be broadcast at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Saturday on FS1.

To purchase tickets to the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, fans can visit www.sonomaraceway.com or call 800-870-7223. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

SONOMA, Calif. (July 23, 2024) – Steve Torrence received as good of a sign as any last weekend in Seattle that things are coming together at a perfect time, racing to his first Top Fuel victory of the year. Now, the goal is to keep that momentum rolling at this weekend’s 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, a track where the four-time champ has dominated over the years.

Torrence didn’t win last season, as Justin Ashley picked up the victory in the heart of wine country, but the Texan has a strong record at the picturesque facility, winning four times in a five-year stretch, including back-to-back victories in 2021 and 2022.

A fifth victory in Sonoma in his 11,000-horsepower Capco Contractors/Toyota dragster would tie him with reigning world champion Doug Kalitta for the most Top Fuel wins at Sonoma Raceway in NHRA history and also solidify another run at a world title.

Torrence finished second a year ago, picking up one victory (Seattle) along the way. He hasn’t exactly struggled this year, either, but his first win of the year came on Sunday in Seattle, where the team showed a strong ability to run well in all conditions, the latest indication that things are coming together at an ideal point of the season.

“We hadn’t just gone out and set the world on fire,” Torrence said. “But at the end of the day, I mean, we’ve been there when we needed to be there. We could have won the championship last year and didn’t have the driver to do it. So, we’ll keep fighting and we’ll keep digging. We’ve put ourselves in a hole on our own and we’re having to dig out. We’re crawling out of that hole and I think that we’re beginning to see some light. Hopefully it starts getting bright quickly because it’s been dark for about a year and a half, two years, but we’re getting there and we always stick together as a team.”

Last year, Ashley (Top Fuel), J.R. Todd (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all took home wins in Sonoma. This year’s race will again be broadcast on both FOX and FS1, including eliminations coverage starting at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 28 on FOX. It is the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the annual trek to Sonoma is a loaded weekend that also includes the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday.

Torrence will take part in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, looking for bonus points and a bonus purse, as well as another positive step forward with the Countdown to the Championship playoffs approaching. He’ll take on points leader Kalitta in a Seattle semifinal rematch, while the other rematch features Shawn Langdon and Clay Millican.

Sunday’s win also bumped Torrence to third in points, another strong step forward after five previous semifinal appearances this year. Nothing comes easy in Top Fuel, especially in a class that also includes Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican, Brittany Force and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart, but Torrence is pleased with the recent progress from his team and now hopes it translates from race to trace.

“Seattle was a great example of what we can do and what we need to do because you had the gamut of conditions,” Torrence said. “You’ve just got to stick it out. We’re champions and you can’t forget that even though when you look like you just showed up with all new stuff and don’t have a clue what you’re doing some weekends, and then you run like the four-time champ. It’s mentally taxing, but this is a great team and we’re just getting stronger.”

Funny Car’s J.R. Todd has won both nitro categories in Sonoma and will look to collect another Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals win taking on points leader Austin Prock, who joined the Funny Car ranks this season, Norwalk winner Bob Tasca III and defending world champion Matt Hagan, who each have two wins this season, and Ron Capps.

Pro Stock returns to Sonoma after a year off in 2023. This season has been another year of intense competition featuring standouts like reigning champion Erica Enders, whose six Sonoma wins are the most of any NHRA driver, Greg Anderson, points leader Dallas Glenn, two-time 2024 winner Aaron Stanfield and Jeg Coughlin Jr.

Herrera swept the weekend in Pro Stock Motorcycle at Sonoma last year, winning the Callout and the event en route to the title. He’s been dominant in 2024, winning the first six races of the year before Chase Van Sant won on Sunday in Seattle, snapping Herrera’s 11-race winning streak. Van Sant will look to keep rolling against Matt Smith, Jianna Evaristo, Angie Smith, Hector Arana Jr. and Steve Johnson, who is making his 500th career start this weekend. The GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout features Herrera, M. Smith, Arana, Evaristo, Johnson, A. Smith, John Hall and Van Sant.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout, Street Legal and Top the Cops exhibitions.

Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Sonoma Raceway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Sonoma. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. PT on Friday and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday. Television coverage includes eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.

The first round of the GETTRX NHRA All- Star Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout takes place on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. PT, with the semifinals at 1:45 p.m. and the finals at 2:55 p.m. It will be broadcast at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Saturday on FS1.

To purchase tickets to the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, fans can visit www.sonomaraceway.com or call 800-870-7223. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

SEATTLE (July 21, 2024) – Funny Car points leader Austin Prock powered to his fourth win of the season for John Force Racing on Sunday at Pacific Raceways, defeating first-time finalist Paul Lee in the final round of the 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals.

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Chase Van Sant (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won at the 11th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

In the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Maddi Gordon became the 100th different female winner in NHRA history, picking up her first career national event victory in Top Alcohol Funny Car. Gordon is in her rookie season in the Top Alcohol Funny Car ranks.

“This is amazing. It doesn’t get any better than this,” Gordon said. “This is a dream. I’m a brand new driver and this is amazing. I couldn’t be more thankful and it just feels great.”

Prock went 3.875-seconds at 334.57 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS in the Funny Car finals to get past Lee and pick up his eighth career win as part of another incredible weekend. The pass in the finals was his fourth consecutive run in the 3.80s on Sunday, as Prock, who was also the No. 1 qualifier, defeated Cruz Pedregon and J.R. Todd earlier in the day.

The first-year Funny Car standout became just the fourth driver in NHRA history to win in both Funny Car and Top Fuel in Seattle, following up his 2019 Top Fuel win at the facility, which was his first career victory.

“This whole Cornwell Tools team is just doing such a great job and given me an opportunity to go out and compete for wins every weekend, and we’ve been going a lot of rounds lately. I just hope we can keep it up throughout the rest of the year,” Prock said.

“I didn’t drive all that hot this weekend. I was consistent but consistently slow on the starting line, so they did an outstanding job and they really carried the team. They’ve been doing a great job of that this year and it sure has been fun.”

In advancing to his first career final round, Lee got past Jeff Diehl, defending world champion Matt Hagan and Blake Alexander.

Looking for his first win of the season, Top Fuel’s Steve Torrence simply had to go back to Seattle, as the four-time world champion won for the second straight year at Pacific Raceways with a wild run of 3.963 at 279.79 in his 11,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster in the finals against Shawn Langdon. It is the 55th career win for Torrence, but the Texan had not won since his Seattle triumph a year ago.

But he changed that after a spectacular weekend, qualifying No. 1 and then rolling through Ron Smith and defending world champion Doug Kalitta to reach the final round. Both Torrence and Langdon ran into difficulty during the run, but Torrence had enough at the finish line to claim the victory, moving to third in points. It is also Torrence’s third career win in Seattle.

“I think we left pretty close to each other and I could hear him right there with me, and then I heard him start to go away. But you’re trying to hold it straight and you’re waiting on that light on the wall to come on and it took me forever to finally see it. We’ve been trying to win one of these for a long time,” Torrence said.

“Our car definitely has shown a lot of promise to go out there and throw down when it needs to go fast. We’ve had a difficult time managing the power, so I think this weekend was exemplary of what we can do and what we need to do.”

Langdon, who struggled in qualifying, rebounded in a big on Sunday, advancing to the finals for the third time in 2024 and the 43rd time overall with round wins against Justin Ashley, Josh Hart and Clay Millican. Langdon is second in points while Kalitta stayed comfortably in the points lead.

In Pro Stock, Jeg Coughlin helped continue an impressive streak for Elite Motorsports, driving to his third victory of the season by taking down points leader Dallas Glenn in the final round with a run of 6.536 at 209.95 in his Scag Power Equipment/Outlaw Mile-High Light Beer/Elite Motorsports car. It’s the 68th career victory for the five-time world champ and also handed Elite Motorsports its fifth consecutive victory.

Coughlin has been a huge part of that dominant stretch with two victories in that span and was on his game on Sunday, getting around Jerry Tucker, Eric Latino and Chris McGaha in the final round. He followed that with an .010 reaction time in the final round against Glenn, getting his second career victory at Pacific Raceways, with the first coming 22 years ago in 2002.

“It feels fantastic. It’s just kind of a corny statement, but the team, as a whole has obviously done very well,” Coughlin said. “We’ve won all but three of the events this year, which is a real testament to our stamina and our abilities.

“We’ve been struggling with some consistency and we really feel like we’ve turned the corner in multiple ways in the last two or three weeks, not because we’ve won the events, but because the cars have become more efficient, they’re accelerating better, and printing better time slips. So, you know, a real tip of the hat to our whole crew.”

Glenn, who stayed in the points lead, advanced to the finals at his home track for the sixth time this season and the 23rd time in his career thanks to round wins against teammate Greg Anderson, Matt Hartford and Troy Coughlin Jr.

Chase Van Sant made his own history and also ended a historic run in Pro Stock Motorcycle on Sunday, picking up his first career victory with a run of 6.720 at 201.31 on his Trick Tools Suzuki over defending world champion Gaige Herrera in the final round. It snapped Herrera’s record-breaking run of 12 straight victories and 46 consecutive round wins, a string that dated back to last September.

Van Sant, though, was impressive throughout eliminations, taking down Brandon Litten, John Hall and Matt Smith. Van Sant left first on Herrera and led wire-to-wire in a rematch of the final round in Chicago this year. This time, though, Van Sant, the 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year, got the best of Herrera, denying him any chance of an undefeated season and picking up a victory he won’t soon forget. Van Sant also moved to fourth in points with the win.

“I got down to the top end and saw my win light on and I was just shaking my head,” Van Sant said. “We were down in the shutdown and Gaige yelled something at me and he pointed and I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know. Like is this real?’ I’ve gone up against Gaige five times and lost all five times, so to cut a light and get away early and outrun him just speaks volumes to how hard this team has been working kind of silently in the midst of all the drama in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

“Gaige and I have known each other for a while and every time we raced, it’s been a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I was super happy for him breaking all of those records, but I told him “If I can end your streak, I will be the happiest person in the world.’”

Herrera maintained a dominant points lead, advancing to his seventh final this season and 19th in his career after defeating Eiji Kawakami and Jianna Evaristo.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action July 26-28 with the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

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KENT, Wash. — Final finish order (1-16) at the 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways. The race is the 11th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:

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

FUNNY CAR:

1. Austin Prock; 2. Paul Lee; 3. J.R. Todd; 4. Blake Alexander; 5. Bob Tasca III; 6. Cruz Pedregon; 7. Gary Densham; 8. Matt Hagan; 9. Daniel Wilkerson; 10. Jeff Diehl; 11. Buddy Hull; 12. Ron Capps; 13. Chad Green; 14. Alexis DeJoria; 15. Dave Richards.

PRO STOCK:

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

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

1. Chase Van Sant; 2. Gaige Herrera; 3. Matt Smith; 4. Jianna Evaristo; 5. Richard Gadson; 6. John Hall; 7. Chris Bostick; 8. Steve Johnson; 9. Hector Arana Jr; 10. Eiji Kawakami; 11. Angie Smith; 12. Brandon Litten.

KENT, Wash. — Sunday’s final results from the 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways. The race is the 11th of 20 in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel — Steve Torrence, 3.963 seconds, 279.79 mph def. Shawn Langdon, 4.171 seconds, 216.79 mph.

Funny Car — Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.875, 334.57 def. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 5.335, 138.06.

Pro Stock — Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.536, 209.95 def. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.541, 209.07.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.720, 201.31 def. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.754, 200.80.

Top Alcohol Dragster — Casey Grisel, 5.253, 278.69 def. Jackie Fricke, 5.239, 275.00.

Top Alcohol Funny Car — Madison Gordon, Chevy Camaro, 5.459, 268.49 def. Brian Hough, Camaro, 9.890, 35.68.

Competition Eliminator — Ryan Warter, Pontiac Sunfire, 8.541, 143.80 def. Dustin Lee, Dragster, Foul – Red Light.

Super Stock — Brad Burton, Pontiac Firebird, 9.385, 137.15 def. Jody Lang, Chevy Malibu, 10.856, 112.50.

Stock Eliminator — Chris Hall, Chevy Camaro, 10.481, 123.09 def. Joe Sorensen, Camaro, 11.040, 117.96.

Super Comp — Dale Green, Dragster, 8.919, 182.40 def. Steve Williams, Dragster, Broke.

Super Gas — Michael Dalrymple, Chevy Camaro, 9.909, 165.64 def. Josh Mellof, Chevy Corvette, 9.885, 160.19.

Super Street — Jeff Jackson, Ford Mustang, 10.919, 157.65 def. Francesca Ward, Chevy Camaro, 10.899, 139.78.

Top Dragster — Ed Olpin, Dragster, 11.031, 74.12 def. Kacee Bootsma, Dragster, Foul – Red Light.

Top Sportsman — Robert Strohm, Ford Mustang, 7.714, 175.41 def. John Ermish, Chevy Caviler, 6.897, 191.70.

Junior Dragster Shootout — Braxton Bann, Halfscale, 7.901, 80.94 def. Hayden Colton, Bos, 7.908, 82.72.

KENT, Wash. — Final round-by-round results from the 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, the 11th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE — Josh Hart, 3.742, 328.94 def. Antron Brown, 3.745, 330.07; Clay Millican, 3.713, 334.48 def. Shawn Reed, 3.726, 328.70; Tony Schumacher, 3.986, 326.00 def. Brittany Force, 4.271, 193.21; Doug Kalitta, 3.670, 337.41 def. Billy Torrence, 3.706, 320.05; Shawn Langdon, 3.743, 327.74 def. Justin Ashley, 4.685, 174.14; Steve Torrence, 3.749, 330.63 def. Ron Smith, 4.347, 264.75; Jasmine Salinas, 3.777, 330.31 def. Tony Stewart, 8.907, 84.70;

QUARTERFINALS — Langdon, 3.721, 332.02 def. Hart, 3.779, 329.02; S. Torrence, 3.709, 333.58 was unopposed; Millican, 3.754, 331.12 def. Schumacher, 4.313, 197.77; Kalitta, 3.729, 325.06 def. Salinas, 3.738, 324.83;

SEMIFINALS — Langdon, 3.771, 325.92 def. Millican, 3.737, 332.18; S. Torrence, 3.736, 330.15 def. Kalitta, 3.972, 246.39;

FINAL — S. Torrence, 3.963, 279.79 def. Langdon, 4.171, 216.79.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE — Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.838, 331.85 was unopposed; Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.918, 320.13 def. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, Foul – Red Light; J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.930, 297.75 def. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.243, 236.42; Gary Densham, Ford Mustang, 4.974, 200.11 def. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 5.276, 179.09; Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.868, 338.51 def. Chad Green, Mustang, 9.011, 58.71; Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.891, 327.43 def. Dave Richards, Camry, Foul – Centerline; Blake Alexander, Mustang, 6.258, 134.60 def. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 9.113, 54.39; Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.895, 315.49 def. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.918, 330.23;

QUARTERFINALS — Todd, 3.867, 329.10 def. Tasca III, 3.915, 336.23; Prock, 3.880, 329.91 def. Pedregon, 3.922, 328.86; Lee, 3.923, 324.12 def. Hagan, 7.375, 110.96; Alexander, 4.073, 306.60 def. Densham, 4.255, 217.84;

SEMIFINALS — Lee, 3.998, 324.20 def. Alexander, 4.500, 195.17; Prock, 3.884, 330.72 def. Todd, 3.921, 323.74;

FINAL — Prock, 3.875, 334.57 def. Lee, 5.335, 138.06.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE — Troy Coughlin Jr., Chevy Camaro, 6.578, 209.14 def. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.588, 196.82; Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.539, 209.26 def. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 8.077, 129.53; Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.560, 209.39 def. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.523, 208.59; Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.522, 208.23 def. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.529, 208.55; Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.528, 209.79 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.514, 210.73; Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.561, 209.30 def. Mason McGaha, Camaro, Foul – Red Light; Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.540, 209.56 def. Sienna Wildgust, Camaro, 6.573, 209.79; Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.520, 209.85 def. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.581, 209.49;

QUARTERFINALS — C. McGaha, 6.563, 210.21 def. Delco, 6.622, 207.21; Coughlin, 6.538, 209.92 def. Latino, 6.560, 207.05; Glenn, 6.593, 209.46 def. Hartford, 6.563, 208.59; Coughlin Jr., 6.539, 210.31 def. Enders, 6.559, 209.10;

SEMIFINALS — Glenn, 6.556, 209.72 def. Coughlin Jr., 6.552, 210.21; Coughlin, 6.537, 209.82 def. C. McGaha, 6.587, 209.23;

FINAL — Coughlin, 6.536, 209.95 def. Glenn, 6.541, 209.07.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

ROUND ONE — Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.733, 201.52 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.862, 196.16; John Hall, 6.865, 197.94 def. Angie Smith, Buell, 7.530, 156.26; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.748, 198.70 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.831, 195.90; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.709, 202.64 def. Hector Arana Jr, 7.015, 192.80; Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.735, 200.20 def. Brandon Litten, Foul – Centerline; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.744, 199.88 def. Eiji Kawakami, Suzuki, Foul – Red Light;

QUARTERFINALS — Van Sant, 6.745, 199.55 def. Hall, 6.875, 198.44; Herrera, 6.737, 200.32 def. Evaristo, 6.704, 203.95; M. Smith, 6.735, 201.76 def. Gadson, 6.794, 197.59;

SEMIFINALS — Herrera, 6.781, 200.17 was unopposed; Van Sant, 6.896, 197.86 def. M. Smith, Broke;

FINAL — Van Sant, 6.720, 201.31 def. Herrera, 6.754, 200.80.

KENT, Wash. — Point standings (top 10) following the 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, the 11th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel

1. Doug Kalitta, 932; 2. Shawn Langdon, 812; 3. Steve Torrence, 773; 4. Justin Ashley, 762; 5. Antron Brown, 699; 6. Tony Schumacher, 600; 7. Clay Millican, 588; 8. Billy Torrence, 561; 9. Tony Stewart, 525; 10. Brittany Force, 464.

Funny Car

1. Austin Prock, 1,044; 2. (tie) Matt Hagan, 788; Bob Tasca III, 788; 4. J.R. Todd, 766; 5. John Force, 693; 6. Ron Capps, 601; 7. Daniel Wilkerson, 540; 8. Blake Alexander, 502; 9. (tie) Alexis DeJoria, 493; Paul Lee, 493.

Pro Stock

1. Dallas Glenn, 979; 2. Greg Anderson, 841; 3. Erica Enders, 828; 4. Aaron Stanfield, 750; 5. Jeg Coughlin, 743; 6. Troy Coughlin Jr., 617; 7. Jerry Tucker, 530; 8. Cristian Cuadra, 457; 9. Deric Kramer, 425; 10. Eric Latino, 398.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1. Gaige Herrera, 845; 2. Matt Smith, 547; 3. Richard Gadson, 500; 4. Chase Van Sant, 470; 5. John Hall, 459; 6. Angie Smith, 386; 7. Jianna Evaristo, 352; 8. Hector Arana Jr, 333; 9. Steve Johnson, 253; 10. LE Tonglet, 233.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2024 NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS
PACIFIC RACEWAYS
KENT, WASHINGTON
TEAM CHEVY RACE REPORT | NOTES & STATS
JULY 21, 2024

AUSTIN PROCK AND JOHN FORCE RACING CONTINUE THEIR WINNING WAYS BY CAPTURING CHEVROLET’S 165TH FUNNY CAR VICTORY AT THE NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS

Notes:

• Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, raced to his fourth win in his seventh final round of the 2024 season and his first year in the category, as well as capturing his eighth career victory between Top Fuel and Funny Car.
• Prock’s NHRA Northwest Nationals victory is Chevrolet’s 165th in Funny Car and 85th in the Camaro SS body.
• Prock had a perfect weekend by capturing not only the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge but also the No. 1 qualifying position and the NHRA Northwest Nationals Wally trophy.
• Prock leaves Seattle continuing his strong NHRA Championship Standings points lead, now at 1,044 total points and 216 over Bob Tasca, III in second, who has 828 points.
• Brittany Force, driver of the Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, was eliminated by Tony Schumacher in Round 1 with her run of 4.271 seconds E.T. to Schumacher’s 3.986 seconds E.T. at 326.00 mph.
• Dallas Glenn and Jeg Coughlin, Jr. faced off in the Pro Stock finals, with Coughlin, Jr. coming out the victor with his run of 6.536 seconds E.T. at 209.95 mph to Glenn’s 6.541 seconds E.T. at 209.07 mph.
• Coughlin, Jr.’s win in Pro Stock was Chevrolet’s 393rd in the category as well as the 274th in the Camaro SS.
• Capturing both his fifth Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge victory as well as his eighth No. 1 qualifier in 11 races, Prock powered to the top with his run on Friday night qualifying that held through Saturday’s Q3 and Q4.
• Completing qualifying in her return at Pacific Raceways this weekend the Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, B. Force qualified No. 3 after her lap of 3.701 seconds E.T. at 333.08 mph.
• Setting pace Friday night in the first true night qualifying session at Pacific Raceways, Prock powered to the provisional No. 1 position with his run of 3.838 seconds E.T. at 328.62 mph.

Quotes:

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

“It’s amazing, man. There’s nothing better than racing for family and racing for John Force. We just didn’t win today, we doubled up with John Force again here in Seattle (winning the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and NHRA Northwest Nationals). He told me before I got in here, he said hold the fort down for me and we did just that. Just an amazing day. Another big day for this Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS. This year has been unreal, man. I can’t even put into words all of the success we’ve had. It’s just been a blur, and I’ve just been hanging on. I wasn’t leaving (the starting line) that great all weekend, but I sure was consistent. I was 67, 67, 69, 69, so all staged shallow.”

BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF THE FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:

“I know it’s really unfortunate. We had a really good qualifying weekend. We’ve had a really good weekend so far. We qualified third and made four solid passes down the racetrack. We had a great ladder all day long but went out in the first round. I left good alongside Schumacher. We were out ahead, I couldn’t see him next to me, and the car just quit, pan pressure automatically shut our car off. We had no power. I was just coasting to the finish line, and Schumacher was able to get around us. It’s really unfortunate.

This was a special weekend. There was a lot on the line. My dad’s at home watching. He’s not here. Frank Tiegs and Flav-R-Pac were on the car this weekend. We wanted to do well for them. I’ll hang out with the rest of the family, the rest of the day, and the fans, and cheer Austin Prock on.

I’m really glad just to be back after, you know, after a month out of the seat, and be back with my team. It feels so good to be back with them and just get back in the swing of things.”

Up Next:

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series next heads to Sonoma Raceway for the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals July 26-28. Eliminations air Sunday at 4 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.

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet

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