Category: NHRA

CONCORD, N.C. (April 27, 2024) – Funny Car’s Bob Tasca III made the fastest run in zMAX Dragway history on Saturday, racing to the victory in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge specialty race as part of this weekend’s 14th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.

Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the specialty race at the fifth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

In the Challenge final, Tasca went 3.834-seconds at 338.34 mph – the 10th-fastest run in Funny Car history – in his 11,000-horsepower Ford Performance Mustang to hold off points leader Austin Prock, J.R. Todd and Paul Lee. Tasca’s qualifying run from Friday was disqualified after his car’s intake manifold was found to have been media blasted. The violation is considered a technical infraction, as the intake manifold is not allowed to be altered in any form from its original, accepted state.

Tasca’s team recovered from that and turned in two strong runs on Saturday, including the track-record pass in the final round of the Challenge. He’ll now have a chance for a double-up weekend and to sweep the pair of 4-Wide Nationals events.

“Hats off to (crew chiefs) Aaron Brooks and Todd Okuhara. It was an incredible, incredible call in that final,” Tasca said. “This thing was fast, baby. It was dancing around and I was driving my butt off. It hauled the mail and it was exactly what we were looking for. I’m so proud of my team and we’ve got a car that can win tomorrow.

“The 338 mph goes to show you that the hard work that (Brooks and Okuhara) put in and the attention to detail pays off. These guys were focused on getting this race car right for the final round and winning this race. It’s Saturday but I feel like I’m in the winner’s circle on Sunday. This is an awesome thing (Mission does). We take it very seriously. We want to win this thing.”

In Top Fuel, Justin Ashley continued to roll on Saturdays in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, going 3.701 at 334.32 in his 11,000-horsepower Scag Power Equipment/Toyota dragster to outlast Antron Brown, Josh Hart and Steve Torrence. It’s the first specialty event win this season for Ashley, but the seventh overall Challenge win dating back to last season. He posted another great reaction time in the final quad and pulled away at the finish line, giving the young standout and points leader another opportunity for a double-up weekend.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s qualifying whether it’s the Mission Challenge, or whether it’s race day, we want to win each and every lap that we make down the racetrack,” Ashley said. “That’s just a testament to the team that we have. They’ve been doing a great job, working hard really since the offseason to put us in position to win.

“Whether it’s a race, an event. or the Challenge, it’s all equally as tough to win because the Top Fuel field is just that. I definitely try to push the tree as hard as I can each and every time. I think for me, it’s muscle memory: practice like you play, so it’s important to do the same thing. each and every time.”

Points leader Erica Enders got a second chance to compete for the specialty event win in Pro Stock and the six-time world champ made the most of it, going 6.516 at 210.73 in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Scag Power Equipment car to win her second Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the year and third in her career.

Enders slipped past Dallas Glenn, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Jerry Tucker to claim the victory, getting a new life in the specialty race after Greg Anderson was disqualified in the opening-round quad due to a technical violation after bypassing a safety device. Enders replaced him in the final quad and now has the chance to double-up in Charlotte.

“Never give us a second chance. We’ll figure it out, eventually. I think we proved that last year,” Enders said. “The four-wide can definitely be confusing, but thankfully we figured it out and parked it in the winner’s circle. I can’t thank Mission Foods enough for supporting our sport.

“We’ve been behind the eight-ball a bit this weekend. We shook the tires in the final in Las Vegas and we shook again last night but our crew chiefs did a good job of figuring it out. This is a nice way to go to sleep on a Saturday night.”

Gaige Herrera’s track-record run in Pro Stock Motorcycle on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki handed the defending world champ another Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge victory, going 6.671 at 202.70 to hold off teammate Richard Gadson, and Matt and Angie Smith. It’s Herrera’s fifth victory in the specialty race, which has only been held seven times in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Herrera made his best run of qualifying when it counted and picked up the victory in the process.

“When we came here, I didn’t even realize there was a Mission race on Saturday but I’m very happy with it,” Herrera said. “It was great to be in the final quad with two Matt Smith bikes and two Vance & Hines bikes. I feel like it’s going to be like that all year long.”

Eliminations for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals begin at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.

• Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel) earned provisional No. 1 qualifiers in the opening night at zMAX Dragway
• Tickets for Saturday’s final two qualifying sessions and Sunday’s eliminations for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals action are available at charlottemotorspeedway.com

CONCORD, NC (April 26, 2024) — Sixteen-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force continues to rewrite the record books, including a new track record at zMAX Dragway, during Friday night’s qualifying at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. With a lightning-fast 3.820-second pass – the quickest ever at the Bellagio of drag strips and the 10th quickest in the history of the category – Force earned the provisional No. 1 qualifier on the first of three days of nitro-fueled action.

“I’m having a lot of fun going down the race track,” said Force, who earned his 156th career victory earlier this year at Pomona. “Luck’s a big part of this game. I’ve been lucky my whole career, and I ain’t done yet.”

Force, a three-time winner at the Charlotte four-wide event, joined Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and the last fall’s Carolina Nationals winner Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel) in earning top honors on Friday.

Kalitta, who ran a 3.691-second pass at 337.92 mph to outpace the Top Fuel field, said tomorrow’s weather could require his team needs to run even faster to hold on to the top spot in Sunday’s elimination bracket.

“The temperatures are going to be pretty good for running good,” Kalitta said. “I think we’re going to have to run a little stronger to hold on to what we got, especially with what John Force did. It sounds like he really had a hell of a run. The track’s good and the conditions should be good for tomorrow too to run better, so we’re not going to get too comfortable here.”

Anderson, who ran 6.500 seconds at 210.90 mph, managed to claim the top spot in Pro Stock despite only making one of two qualifying runs on Friday night. His second qualifying pass was cut short after a computer malfunction caused the car to shut off prematurely.

“Q1 was great,” he joked. “It was a very nice run. When you get conditions like this, when you don’t get sun beating down on the race track and it’s cool – it’s 65, 70 degrees out there – that’s what these Pro Stock cars love. You’ve gotta be prepared when you come up there. You can’t be shy, because all the cars are going to run fast.”

Despite setting the pace in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category, Smith said he thinks his team has what he needs to improve on his Friday night run of 6.685 seconds at 201.61 mph.

“All in all, I think we can go faster,” Smith said. “If they think they can go faster, I think we can too. We’ll see. It’s a chess match. This Denso bike is running mean right now.

TICKETS:

Single-day tickets for Saturday and Sunday’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals are still available online at charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

KEEP TRACK:

Stay on pace with what’s happening at Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on X and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

CONCORD, N.C. (April 26, 2024) – Funny Car legend John Force set a new zMAX Dragway track record on Friday, powering to the provisional No. 1 spot at the 14th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.

Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the fifth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

In the final Funny Car quad of the night, Force went an impressive 3.820-seconds at 330.96 mph in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK Performance Chevrolet Camaro SS, setting a track record previously set by teammate Robert Hight last September. If that holds, Force, who won the Winternationals earlier this year in Phoenix, would pick up his 167th career No. 1 qualifier and first in 2024. It’s been a strong season thus far for Force, who looks to pick up his fifth career victory at zMAX Dragway this weekend after making the 10th-quickest run in Funny Car history on Friday.

“It ran .89 the run before and they said they were going to lean on it because conditions were getting better,” Force said. “They leaned on it and ‘Hang on,’ and it ran quicker than they thought. It moved on me and I thought I was going to lose it, but I feel really good about it and we’re looking forward to tomorrow.

“I’m having a lot of fun going down the track. I’m here and I’ve got a bad hot rod right now. Luck is a big part of this game and I’m not done yet.”

Bob Tasca, who won the 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas two weeks ago, is currently second after going 3.849 at 335.32 and Alexis DeJoria went 3.859 at 331.69 to move into third. Ron Capps went 335.40 earlier in the day to set the track speed record.

Two weeks after winning his first career four-wide race, reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta enjoyed a terrific start on Friday in Charlotte, making the quickest run in each session, including a 3.691 at 337.92 in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster to close out the evening. The run also puts Kalitta in position to pick up his second straight No. 1 qualifier and 55th in his career, as he continues to ride an impressive wave of momentum. He was the quickest in each round of eliminations in Las Vegas to take the four-wide victory for the first time and Kalitta seemed to pick up right where he left off two weeks ago.

“This is exciting for all my guys. AJ [crew chief Alan Johnson] looked happy, and it’s always good to keep him happy,” Kalitta said. “The guys are working their tails off and it shows. The car left strong and stayed straight. I’ve run this car for a couple of races. This is a new chassis and it drives really nice — right down the middle of the track.”

Antron Brown moved to second with his night run of 3.698 at 332.18 and Billy Torrence’s 3.716 at 329.34 has him third heading into Saturday.

Racing close to the KB Titan Racing team shop, Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson delivered an impressive run to kick off the weekend in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro, going 6.500 at 210.90 to take the provisional top spot. It puts the veteran and Pro Stock’s winningest driver in line for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 125th in his fantastic career. The season has started well for Anderson, a 104-time event winner, and he’s currently third in points. After winning the Lucas Oil Winternationals, Anderson and his team wants to keep building as he seeks his first Charlotte 4-Wide victory since 2012.

“Our run in Q1 was great,” Anderson said. “When you get conditions like this where it’s cool, that’s what Pro Stock cars love. You’ve got to come prepared. You can’t be shy. You’ve got to run what you brung and we used everything we brought. The track is great and it held everything.

“Tonight [Q2] we had a computer problem and I’m still not sure what it was. I hope that’s it for the weekend as far as bad luck. I’m shocked that no one was able to get around me. Tomorrow should be good and I figure we’ll have to improve to keep it.”

Cristian Cuadra, who ran as part of a “Cuadra Quad” in the second qualifying session with his brothers, Fernando Jr. and David, and his father, Fernando, is currently second with a 6.507 at 210.18. Aaron Stanfield’s 6.508 at 209.92 puts him third after the first day.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle’s first race back since the season-opener in Gainesville, six-time world champ Matt Smith made a strong opening statement on Friday, blistering the track record with a standout run of 6.685 at 201.61 on his Denso Auto Parts Buell. It was a stellar performance at his home track and puts the veteran in line for his first No. 1 qualifier since 2022 and the 53rd in career. If Smith stays on top, it will be the first top qualifier for anyone other than Gaige Herrera since last July as well. It was exactly the type of performance Smith was after on Friday, setting a career-best in the process and making his first career run in the 6.60s.

“We’ve done a lot of testing since Gainesville,” Smith said. “We’ve been to three different tracks four times and made a lot of runs. We gained a lot but it didn’t show today. I was shaking the tire through low gear, so we’re not reaping the benefits of testing. I know there is more there, maybe a 6.66 or 6.65. Gaige went 6.69, so we’re right there with him. If we’re running within two or three hundredths of the fastest bike, we have a shot.

“Tomorrow is the Mission [#2Fast2Tasty] Challenge and we want to get the points and the money. I think we can run faster. This bike is mean.”

Herrera jumped to the second spot under the lights with a run of 6.696 at 201.79 and LE Tonglet grabbed the third position thanks to a run of 6.703 at 200.77.

Qualifying continues at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.

---

CONCORD, N.C. — Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 14th annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, fifth 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, 3.691 seconds, 337.92 mph; 2. Antron Brown, 3.698, 332.18; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.716, 331.61; 4. Tony Stewart, 3.716, 324.90; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.719, 334.32; 6. Clay Millican, 3.735, 333.41; 7. Jasmine Salinas, 3.738, 331.61; 8. Shawn Reed, 3.738, 328.06; 9. Doug Foley, 3.755, 319.98; 10. Justin Ashley, 3.763, 327.66; 11. Josh Hart, 3.773, 324.36; 12. Brittany Force, 3.807, 314.02; 13. Cody Krohn, 3.887, 298.67; 14. Steve Torrence, 4.516, 171.58; 15. Mike Bucher, 4.755, 154.65; 16. Tony Schumacher, 4.845, 146.61.

Not Qualified: 17. Dan Mercier, 7.776, 78.72.

Funny Car — 1. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.820, 330.96; 2. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.849, 335.32; 3. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota GR Supra, 3.859, 331.69; 4. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.877, 335.40; 5. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.909, 327.11; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.914, 321.81; 7. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.918, 333.16; 8. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.923, 326.95; 9. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.958, 309.77; 10. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.010, 315.12; 11. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.038, 305.63; 12. Cruz Pedregon,

Charger, 4.080, 298.80; 13. Jim Campbell, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.238, 239.87; 14. Austin Prock, Camaro, 4.541, 180.77; 15. John Smith, Charger, 5.425, 139.16; 16. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 7.561, 93.23.

Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.500, 210.90; 2. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.507, 210.21; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.508, 209.92; 4. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.510, 210.24; 5. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.511, 210.87; 6. David Cuadra, Mustang, 6.517, 210.80; 7. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.519, 210.64; 8. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.521, 210.60; 9. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.523, 211.56; 10. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.532, 210.37; 11. Dave Connolly, Camaro, 6.536, 210.47; 12. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.540, 210.01; 13. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.542, 210.21; 14. Larry Morgan, Camaro,

6.544, 210.34; 15. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.552, 210.97; 16. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.553, 211.39.

Not Qualified: 17. Sienna Wildgust, 6.555, 210.28; 18. Troy Coughlin Jr., 6.556, 210.93; 19. Chris McGaha, 6.558, 209.52; 20. Brandon Miller, 6.637, 206.89; 21. Jeg Coughlin, 7.414, 137.34; 22. Kenny Delco, 7.652, 128.08.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.685, 202.12; 2. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.696, 201.79; 3. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.703, 201.37; 4. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.718, 202.82; 5. John Hall, Beull, 6.728, 202.36; 6. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.729, 201.55; 7. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.742, 201.22; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.790, 197.91; 9. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.812, 199.05; 10. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.815, 197.80; 11. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.815, 194.32; 12. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.863, 194.52; 13. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.912, 194.10; 14. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.929, 195.76; 15. Hector Arana, EBR, 7.678, 193.85; 16. Ron Tornow, Victory, 10.785, 76.56.

Not Qualified: 17. Eiji Kawakami, broke.

Burlington, NC. (April 26, 2024) — Sox & Martin and the McCandless Collection are thrilled to announce their sponsorship of the 2024 HEMI Challenge as part of the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The world’s biggest and most prestigious drag race takes place Aug. 28-Sept. 2.

The HEMI Challenge is the longest running continuous specialty race in NHRA history and has been a fan favorite for over two decades. This event features exciting heads-up, wheel-standing, side-by-side racing of HEMI-powered 1968 Super Stock Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas competing in the NHRA SS/AH class. These limited production ‘HEMI Package Cars,’ built specifically for Super Stock competition, have been a part of drag racing history for more than five decades and made the Sox & Martin name legendary among fans and feared among the competition. The Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection will elevate this celebrated event to even greater heights with an enhanced social media and marketing focus, bringing even more recognition to the hardworking and diehard SS/AH racers and their HEMI-powered machines.

“I’m so excited and pleased to have the Sox & Martin brand sponsor the HEMI Challenge at the 2024 NHRA US Nationals, especially since this is the 60th anniversary of this tremendous engine. I’ve always been attached to the 426 HEMI engine and Ronnie (Sox) won many races and championships driving HEMI-powered Plymouth race cars starting in 1965,” said Mopar legend Buddy Martin. “When we opened our new race shop back in the late 1960s, I intentionally used ‘426’ for our P.O. Box number. The 426 HEMI is legendary and the Mopar drivers who currently compete in the Super Stock HEMI class keep this iconic engine’s legacy alive for the next generation of racers. To see how fast these 1968 HEMI Barracudas and Darts are going today is simply amazing. To be a part of ‘The Big Go’ is an honor for me and the Sox & Martin name. I have many great memories from the NHRA US Nationals, including the 1969 event when Ronnie won Super Stock and then our back-to-back Pro Stock wins in 1970 and 1971 with Ronnie and Herb (McCandless) driving our team cars.”

Along with Buddy Martin serving as the Grand Marshal and Honorary Starter during the 2024 Sox & Martin NHRA HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection, another Mopar Legend, Herb McCandless, will once again be in the pits talking to racers, swapping stories, and up in the tower announcing the round-by-round action during this exciting event that’s been a part of the NHRA US Nationals tradition for more than two decades.

“If it wasn’t for Sox & Martin, there’d be no HEMI Challenge, no McCandless Collection, or even a Herb McCandless. Not only did Buddy Martin have a positive impacted in drag racing, but also in my racing career. When Buddy hired me to drive the team’s second Pro Stocker in 1970, it changed my life forever!” said Mopar icon and 1970 NHRA US Nationals Pro Stock champion Herb McCandless. “The annual HEMI Challenge is an event I look forward to every year and I’ve attended around 20 of them at Indy. Despite being the same basic engine and vehicle package we ran way back then, it’s mind boggling to see how fast these 1968 HEMI Barracudas and Darts are going now. The technology and refinement the racers have put into their cars is impressive and this year’s event will be extra special as it’s the 60TH anniversary of the 426 HEMI. I’m very proud of my son Mike (McCandless) in getting Sox & Martin and the McCandless Collection as the sponsor of the NHRA HEMI Challenge!”

“Thanks to NHRA, my father was able to make a career out of drag racing and the motorsports parts industry. When I was presented with the opportunity to give back not just to NHRA, but to the Sportsman Racers who are the backbone of the sport, I jumped at the opportunity. Over 50 years ago, Buddy Martin of Sox & Martin fame gave my father the opportunity to showcase his driving and tuning skills for the number one team in drag racing. I can’t think of a better way to show my appreciation than lending my support to this unique event, which will now become the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection. Since this is also the 60th anniversary of the 426 HEMI, an engine that totally changed drag racing, we felt this was another great reason to take over this event,” said Mike McCandless, founder and CEO of The McCandless Collection and youngest son of iconic Mopar drag racer Herb McCandless.

The Sox & Martin NHRA HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 30 at Indianapolis Raceway Park during the running of the 70th annual NHRA US Nationals. The Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection is open to all NHRA SS/AH competitors and will require one Grade Point from a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event or National Open before entering the NHRA US Nationals to compete in the HEMI Challenge. All SS/AH racers are encouraged to submit their event entry before Friday, Aug. 23.

“The HEMI Challenge has always been a huge part of the U.S. Nationals weekend, and to add Sox & Martin and the McCandless Collection to this great event will make the HEMI Challenge even more special,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “Those are iconic names in our sport and have been such incredible ambassadors for the HEMI and Mopar brands, which makes them a perfect fit for an event like the HEMI Challenge. We’re thrilled to have Sox & Martin and the McCandless Collection be a part of the biggest weekend in drag racing, and we can’t wait to see all these terrific cars compete in the HEMI Challenge.”

To purchase tickets to the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, including the full 2024 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.

---

About Sox & Martin

Sox & Martin is known far and wide as one of the most legendary teams in the history of drag racing. With the precise, Superman-like driving skills of Ronnie Sox, and the marketing and business acumen of Buddy Martin that brought new sponsors into the sport, drag racing was forever changed. From spotless race cars, matching team uniforms, and an overall professional clean image, Sox & Martin raised the bar. In 1967, Sox & Martin, along with their primary sponsor at the time, Chrysler’s Plymouth Division, initiated the revolutionary Supercar Clinic program at dealerships across the country. It showcased Plymouth’s latest muscle cars, Mopar and aftermarket performance parts, and driving tips that encouraged young enthusiasts to race at NHRA sanctioned drag strips. Sox & Martin were also instrumental in the creation of NHRA’s Pro Stock class in 1970 and went on to become multi-time world champions. Ronnie Sox passed away in 2006, but Buddy Martin is still active in the Mopar community and enjoys the opportunity to attend enthusiast events.

Sox & Martin is a registered trademark of the McCandless Collection

About the McCandless Collection

The McCandless Collection was founded by Mike McCandless in honor of his father, Herb McCandless. Known as “Mr. 4 Speed,” Herb McCandless blazed a trail across the country racing his HEMI-Powered machines in the 1960s before being hired by the legendary Sox & Martin racing team in 1970. The McCandless family’s passion for racing was passed down through the generations, and now numerous classic cars, as well as many other examples of vintage automotive memorabilia are on display at this museum located in Burlington, North Carolina. The McCandless Collection is also the culmination of Mike McCandless’s passion for all things Mopar and his love of Chrysler’s 1955-1961 “Forward Look” era. The vision of the McCandless Collection is to properly preserve, restore, and share the history associated with these rare Mopar artifacts.

The McCandless Collection is a Nonprofit 501-C3

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., 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.

CONCORD, N.C. (April 24, 2024) – After a six-week hiatus from the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule, the competitive Pro Stock Motorcycle class returns to action at this weekend’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Atop the list of riders ready to hit the track is six-time champion Matt Smith.

Smith, a North Carolina native, is two-time zMAX Dragway winner and wants nothing more than to return to the winner’s circle on his Denso Spark Plugs Buell. With a runner-up finish in Gainesville under his belt, he’ll be ready to return to competition on this weekend in Charlotte.

“We won the first ever four-wide race in Charlotte,” Smith said. “Our goal is to try to win the four-wide this weekend. We need to get back to winning races and need give Gaige (Herrera) a run for his money. Hopefully one of our Denso bikes or Scrappers Racing bike can win this weekend.”

Austin Prock (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Deric Kramer (Pro Stock) and Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all took home victories in 2023 at the 4-Wide Nationals. This year’s event will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, and is the second of 15 races in Pro Stock Motorcycle during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

After a long break from competition since the Gatornationals in March, Smith and the other Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors will jump into four-wide competition at this weekend’s race. The added challenge has been a hiccup for many riders over the years, but Smith has confidence thanks to his past success at zMAX Dragway.

“I don’t do anything differently for a four-wide race. I like the challenge of it,” said Smith, who has 38 career wins. “I think it’s different. I try to tell people it’s like NASCAR. They have road course races, and everyone can’t just go in a circle all the time. We have to prepare ourselves to go four-wide racing and that’s what I like about it.”

Smith finished runner-up earlier this season in Gainesville to the reigning champion Herrera. After a record-breaking 2023 from Herrera, the Pro Stock Motorcycle class is ready to dethrone the standout. Smith leads that charge followed by his wife Angie, three-time Charlotte winner Steve Johnson, former champ LE Tonglet and Hector Arana Jr.

“To get ready for Charlotte, we’ve done a lot of testing since Gainesville. Testing, testing, testing,” Smith said. “We’ve done some dyno work, but the main thing is we’ve just tested a lot. We’ve been working on our 60-foot times and our 330-foot times, and we’ve found some stuff and I think we should be better.”

New this season is the addition of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. Smith will be entered into the Challenge in a quad where he’ll face off against Tonglet, Marc Ingwersen and Richard Gadson. The other side of the ladder will see Herrera taking on John Hall, as well as A. Smith and Johnson. The two top finishers in each quad will advance and the final Challenge round will feature a quad of racers running for the bonus purse and championship points.

In the Pro Stock ranks, Kramer heads into Charlotte as the defending event winner of the 4-Wide Nationals. It was part of an impressive final-round streak for the veteran and he’s hoping a return to zMAX Dragway will jumpstart what has been a difficult start to his 2024 campaign.

The five-time event winner is still looking for his first round win of the 2024 season, losing in the first round three times and not qualifying in Pomona in his Get Biofuel Chevrolet Camaro. It’s certainly not been ideal in the loaded Pro Stock ranks, but Kramer has time to turn things around.

Still, he’s after a productive weekend in Charlotte and he did qualify 10th at the four-wide race in Las Vegas, showing signs of improvement. But nothing comes easy in the loaded category, a group that includes reigning world champion Erica Enders, Greg Anderson, Las Vegas winner Jeg Coughlin Jr., Brandon Foster, Dallas Glenn and Matt Hartford.

In the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Pro Stock, one quad features Jerry Tucker, Foster, Glenn and Eric Latino in one group, with Enders, Coughlin, Anderson and David Cuadra in the other.

The Top Fuel Challenge features Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley, Clay Millican and Antron Brown, with Doug Kalitta, Steve Torrence, Brittany Force and Josh Hart making up the other foursome. Funny Car will see Las Vegas winner Bob Tasca III taking on Prock, Alexis DeJoria and Chad Green while Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, J.R. Todd and Paul Lee will complete the other side of the ladder. Each competitor will also try to make it a double-up on Sunday with an event win, ensuring the 4-Wide Nationals are loaded with action the entire weekend.

The NHRA 4-Wide Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which features some of the sport’s top drivers, as well as the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock and the new Holley EFI Factory X category. The Summit Racing Equipment Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout will also take place in Charlotte. Fans can also look forward to the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Autograph Session at the Mission Foods Display and the Toyota Autograph Display, both of which take place on Saturday morning.

All weekend long, fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage at zMAX Dragway. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans 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 SealMaster Track Walk. The final 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 of the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals.

As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans a chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create 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 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, April 26 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 27 at 12 and 2:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 28. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday and then eliminations action at 6 p.m. ET to follow.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, please visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 800-455-3267. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

---

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

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., 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.

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24, 2024) – NHRA officials announced today that AMKUS Rescue Systems, which has been an industry leader in motorsports for more than 40 years, will continue as the “Official Rescue Tools of NHRA” as part of a multi-year agreement. It continues a lengthy partnership between the two brands, as AMKUS has been the “Official Rescue Tools of NHRA” since 2014.

The multi-year extension ensures AMKUS will be the official supplier of rescue equipment to the Simpson NHRA Safety Safari, including updating safety equipment as technology mandates. AMKUS will continue to work closely with Simpson NHRA Safety Safari as well, conducting annual training sessions to help ensure the safest possible environment for NHRA race teams.

“The safety of our drivers and first responders are at the forefront of all that we do,” said Emilie Maheu, AMKUS Rescue Systems president. “It is an honor to continue our partnership with NHRA, providing support to the NHRA Safety Safari team nationwide. Our entire organization appreciates the dedication of the safety team and their commitment to live-saving efforts.”

As part of the partnership, AMKUS will designate an “AMKUS Honorary Safety Safari Crew Member” at each national event, as the honoree will observe alongside the Simpson NHRA Safety Safari for one day at the race.

For four-plus decades, AMKUS has been a reliable named in motorsports, working with the likes of NHRA, NASCAR, IMSA and the World of Outlaws. The company provides first responders with life-saving extrication equipment, which has made them an ideal partner for NHRA for more than 10 years.

“We’re thrilled to continue this partnership with AMKUS as the Official Rescue Tools of NHRA. Their team plays a valuable role in keeping our racers safe and providing our Simpson NHRA Safety Safari team with the best rescue tools possible,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “They’re a trusted name in motorsports and have been a great partner with NHRA since 2014, and we look forward to working with them for years to come.”

For more information on AMKUS, please visit www.AMKUS.com. For more information on NHRA, including the 2024 schedule, please visit www.NHRA.com.

---

About AMKUS

AMKUS Rescue Systems provides first responders with life-saving extrication equipment that makes our communities safer, healthier and more productive. Our tools are Made in the USA and are designed to be Simple. Rugged. Reliable. AMKUS has been supporting the race industry for more than 40 years and is honored to partner with distinguished groups including NHRA, NASCAR, IMSA, and World of Outlaws. For more information, visit AMKUS.com.

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., 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 NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
zMAX DRAGWAY
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & QUOTES
APRIL 26-28, 2024

CHEVROLET AND JOHN FORCE RACING LOOKS TO REPEAT LAST YEAR’S DOUBLE-UP AT zMAX DRAGWAY FOR THIS WEEKEND’S NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS

Notes:

• Team Chevy next heads to the 2024 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 26-28, 2024.
• Starting the season strong, the trio of John Force Racing drivers and teams look to this weekend’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals to return to the Winner’s Circle, adding to Chevrolet’s 161 wins in Funny Car and 20 wins in Top Fuel.
• Of note, John Force Racing will have a major partnership announcement tomorrow, Thursday, April 25, at 9 a.m. ET.
• John Force Racing heads to zMAX Dragway this weekend looking to defend last year’s double-up by Austin Prock (Top Fuel) and Robert Hight (Funny Car).
• John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, enters Charlotte this weekend the winningest Four-Wide Funny Car driver at the track with four wins. Force defeated his daughter Ashley by .021-seconds in 2010 to claim the inaugural event victory. Force additionally won back-to-back in 2021 and 2022 where he also qualified No. 1 in both events.
• Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, won last year’s Four-Wide event at Charlotte in Top Fuel, and enters Charlotte this weekend leading the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Funny Car points standings. Robert Hight, Prock’s teammate and who he is filling in for while sidelined for medical reasons in Funny Car, also won last year’s event in Funny Car while setting the track record later in the Fall.
• Finishing runner-up at the Las Vegas Four-Wide event, Prock will also take part in this weekend’s Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Bonus points and a cash prize are up for grabs in the unique race-within-a-race format.
• Brittany Force, Team Chevy Top Fuel driver and two-time champion, enters Charlotte this weekend as one of only eight pro drivers to have won Four-Wide events at both The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
• Force became the first woman to win a Four-Wide event with her victory in 2016, and is pursuing her third championship in the car that set the current NHRA national elapsed time record of 3.623 seconds (Reading, 2019), and the current national speed record of 338.94 mph (Pomona, 2022).
• Force, after finishing runner-up in Las Vegas, will also participate in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Charlotte in Top Fuel this weekend.
• Pro Stock saw Deric Kramer racing to victory for the Bowtie brand in 2023’s Four-Wide Nationals, after Matt Hartford qualified No. 1. Both look to either defend or capture the 2024 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Wally trophy.

Quotes:

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

“Our team is looking forward to Charlotte, the second Four-Wide of the season. We have had success in the past at zMAX (Dragway), and would love to get our first win of the season.”

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

“I think everybody will be a little bit better going into the Four-Wide, especially on the starting line just because they got all their tendencies out the way (last week at Las Vegas). In the first one (Four-Wide of the season), it always seems like everyone struggles a little bit more. But I’ve had personal success there (at Charlotte). This race car that I’m driving has had a lot of success there, so I’m looking forward to it. Last time in the spring last year, my Top Fuel dragster and this Funny Car right here doubled-up together. Maybe we can double up with Brittany (Force) this year. That’d be pretty special.”

Can the team continue its success?

“I believe so. I don’t see why not. This team is just honed in right now, and our package is working, so we’ve just got to keep making smart decisions. I’ve got to keep making smart decisions driving this thing and we’ll see where our cards fall. But like I’ve said all year, if everybody does their best over here, we’re going to be hard to beat every weekend.”

Has your success hit you yet?

“No, it still really hasn’t hit me. I’m living a fairy tale right now. I think it’s a good thing that it hasn’t hit me. I think we just need to keep our head down and keep focused and keep doing the job we’re doing because it’s been working. So don’t get too high, don’t get too low, but we’ve definitely got to celebrate the year we’ve had.”

JOHN FORCE, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE & COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“Bruton Smith built the Four-Wides at Charlotte and at Vegas, and it has created a lot of excitement with the fans. It is tough on the crew chiefs and the drivers. There is a lot going on there when you talk about each lane having over 10,000 horsepower. That’s 40,000 horsepower, and I think that is more than an entire NASCAR field, but I love it.”

How to Watch:

The 2024 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals kick off Friday, April 26 at zMAX Dragway with qualifying airing Sunday at 11 a.m. ET. The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Finals air at 6 p.m. ET, also on Sunday. All sessions from Charlotte air with NHRA on FOX on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:

1,448: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time).

626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 628.

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

161: 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.

81: 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.

25: 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.

Hall To Donate Bike Signage to Help Promote Life-Saving Program, Which Has Taught More Than 130,000 Teenagers and Their Parents

Hamden, CT (April 23, 2024) – NHRA racer John Hall today announced plans to renew his support for Doug Herbert’s national pro-active teen defensive driving program B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe), donating signage on his Buell Pro Stock motorcycle for the 2024 racing season.

Competing with the Matt Smith Racing team, Hall will run with B.R.A.K.E.S. logos adorning his bike, racing suit and helmet. The decision, Hall says, aligns with his deep passion for the life-saving program established by Herbert, a multi-time Top Fuel champion.

“Like Matt —whose son participated in the B.R.A.K.E.S. program—our kids completed the training and are much better and more confident drivers,” Hall explained.  “We’ve seen the impact that Doug and his team have had and are proud to offer our support in helping spread the word about this life-saving program.”

A 2011 graduate of the Frank Hawley & George Bryce Drag Racing program, Hall begins the 2024 season with an impressive resume of on-track success.  Most notably, Hall took first place in Epping, New Hampshire in 2013.  Later that year, he achieved a place in drag racing history when he won the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

“We are deeply appreciative of the support that John has provided our program for the past several years,” said Herbert.  “It is truly an honor to have our B.R.A.K.E.S. logos displayed so prominently during the 2024 NHRA Pro Stock season.”

Established in 2008 following a tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Herbert’s sons Jon and James, the GuideStar Platinum-rated 501(c)(3) addresses a leading cause of death among teens – car crashes – helping to improve road safety and prevent other parents from facing the heartbreaking loss of a child.

Through their participation in the pro-active defensive driving program, B.R.A.K.E.S. graduates are 64 percent less likely to get in a crash within their first three years of driving, according to an independent study conducted by Dr. Paul Friday of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

B.R.A.K.E.S. is NOT Driver’s Ed. It is a FREE, hands-on, advanced driver training program taught by professional instructors, including current and former members of law enforcement, professional racers and stunt drivers. B.R.A.K.E.S. maintains a low two-to-one student-to-instructor ratio to maximize educational effectiveness.

Each weekend B.R.A.K.E.S. school includes identical sessions to allow parents and teens to pick one that will fit into their busy schedules. Each session features three hours of training, starting with a classroom presentation followed by extensive training behind the wheel of brand-new vehicles from the Kia lineup.

About B.R.A.K.E.S.

Doug Herbert’s B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) is a GuideStar Platinum-rated 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving. B.R.A.K.E.S. was founded in 2008 after Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert lost his two young sons, Jon and James, in a tragic car crash. Today, more than 130,000 teens and parents from 50 different states and five countries have participated in the B.R.A.K.E.S. intensive training course.

CONCORD, N.C. (April 23, 2024) – Bob Tasca III knows all about how difficult it is to win a four-wide drag race, doing so two weeks ago in Las Vegas under the rarest of circumstances in NHRA Funny Car history.

The talented veteran pulled off the first triple holeshot in Funny Car to defeat Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and Austin Prock at the four-wide event in Vegas, winning one of the most thrilling final rounds in four-wide history. Next up is a chance to sweep the four-wide events at this weekend’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.

Tasca feels right at home at the “Bellagio of Dragstrips,” winning the fall race at the state-of-the-art facility and bringing plenty of momentum into this weekend following his historic win. But Tasca, who is seeking his first Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals victory in his 11,000-horsepower Ford Performance Mustang, knows just how difficult it is to win one of the biggest spectacles in motorsports.

His Vegas win proved that and things definitely won’t get any easier in the loaded Funny Car ranks this weekend at zMAX Dragway.

“It would definitely be nice to sweep (the four-wide races) and we’re definitely going to try,” Tasca said. “Nobody is going to try harder than us. Last week was a big moment and you have rise to the occasion. We’ve got a good car and a great team, but this is tough to do. It’s really hard to win an NHRA race when you’re racing against one car in the finals, but do you know how hard it is to win when you’re racing three people in the finals? It is, by far, the hardest race to win.”

Austin Prock (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Deric Kramer (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed victories in 2023 and this event will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. It is the fifth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and Tasca was thrilled to find his groove in Las Vegas.

After an up-and-down start to his campaign, Tasca struck gold in Vegas, qualifying fourth and picking up his first victory of the season. The team had qualified well, taking the second spot twice already this year, but back-to-back losses in Phoenix and Pomona dropped the team to sixth. After the win, Tasca is back to third in a star-studded field that includes Prock, J.R. Todd, John Force, Capps and Hagan. Tasca, though, is determined to compete for a championship a season after staying in the title hunt until the final day of the season. That means nothing comes easy, but it makes for a spectacular show and the triumphs even more special.

“You can see the energy in the sport right now and that’s what it’s all about,” Tasca said. “When the product is that good on the track, it just fosters growth and excitement. I’m thrilled about the state of the sport and Ford is committed to drag racing, and that’s very exciting. We’re four races into a 20-race season, so we’ve got a lot more action we’re going to show fans this season.”

Tasca is also part of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge in Charlotte. It’s the first time the specialty event takes place at zMAX Dragway, bringing competitive racing to Saturday qualifying – four-wide style. Tasca’s quad includes, Prock, Alexis DeJoria and Chad Green, while the other foursome features Capps, Hagan, Todd and Paul Lee.

The two top finishers in each quad will advance and the final Challenge round will feature a quad of racers running for the bonus purse and championship points.

In Top Fuel, the Challenge features Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley, Clay Millican and Antron Brown, with Doug Kalitta, Steve Torrence, Brittany Force and Josh Hart making up the other foursome. The Pro Stock Challenge features Jerry Tucker, Brandon Foster, Glenn and Erica Latino in one group and Enders, J. Coughlin, Anderson and David Cuadra in the other. In PSM, one Challenge quad includes Herrera, John Hall, Johnson and A. Smith, with Marc Ingwersen, M. Smith, Richard Gadson and LE Tonglet making up the other quad.

Each competitor will also try to make it a double-up on Sunday with an event win, ensuring the 4-Wide Nationals are loaded with action the entire weekend.

The NHRA 4-Wide Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which features some of the sport’s top drivers, as well as the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock and the new Holley EFI Factory X category. The Summit Racing Equipment Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout will also take place in Charlotte. Fans can also look forward to the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Autograph Session at the Mission Foods Display and the Toyota Autograph Display, both of which take place on Saturday morning.

All weekend long, fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage at zMAX Dragway. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans 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 SealMaster Track Walk. The final 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 of the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals.

As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans a chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create 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 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, April 26 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 27 at 12 and 2:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 28. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday and then eliminations action at 6 p.m. ET to follow.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, please visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 800-455-3267. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

---

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

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., 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.

INDIANAPOLIS (April 23, 2024) — NHRA officials announced today that Summit Racing Equipment will again be the title sponsor of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, a popular racing league for kids ages 5-17, which features a host of special events during the 2024 season.

Summit Racing Equipment has been a longtime supporter of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, which celebrates its 32nd year with a host of thrilling races, providing a memorable platform for young racers to perform at a high level. Back in 2024 are the exciting eight-car shootouts that take place at seven different NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national events.

“We’re proud to continue to support the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, which has enjoyed terrific growth and an incredible level of competition. For so many young racers, this is the start of a long career in drag racing and we believe this is a great program to get their start,” said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports & Events Manager. “Now in its third year, the Summit Racing JDRL National Shootouts have helped create more national exposure to junior drag racing and give the racers an even bigger and well-deserved platform.”

The eight-car shootouts debuted two years ago and will take place sat NHRA national events across all seven divisions, beginning with the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals on April 26-28 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte. The final round will take place on Sunday and be included on the television broadcast during eliminations on FS1, with racers running alongside the stars in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

In addition to the exciting television spotlight for the young racers, the event winner will also be included in the parade of championships, giving the rising stars in the sport the chance to be recognized at the track and on NHRA.tv.

“It’s really meaningful to see Summit Racing Equipment’s tremendous support of these talented young racers in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League and provide an even bigger opportunity to shine with these eight-car shootouts,” NHRA Sportsman Racing Manager Sara Walker said. “Our member tracks and partners have been strong supporters of Jr. Drag Racing, which has played a huge role in the growth of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, and we’re excited for further development in 2024.”

The special eight-car shootouts for NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League will also take place at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond on June 21-23, Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk on June 27-30, Pacific Raceway in Seattle on July 19-21, Brainerd International Raceway on Aug. 15-18, Texas Motorplex in Dallas on Oct. 10-13 and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Nov. 14-17.

One of the other major highlights this year will be the NHRA Right Trailers Western and Eastern Conference Finals. Texas Motorplex will host its first Western Conference Finals race, welcoming competitors June 8-15, with Capco Contractors coming on board as a presenting sponsor as well. Bristol Dragway will again be the site of the Eastern Conference Finals with racing slated for July 12-20, with Mike Bos serving as the presenting sponsor. Each event’s schedule will include more than a week of racing activities, culminating in the crowning of eight individual champions.

“The NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League continues to grow and receive amazing support from so many great partners,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “From the eight-car shootouts to the Right Trailers Western and Eastern Conference Finals, there are so many great opportunities for these young drivers to excel. Having a strong Jr. Drag Racing League is imperative for the future of the sport and we’re excited for a great season.”

The division championship competition is expanding again in 2024, with Division 1 joining Divisions 2, 6 and 7 in contesting season championship points series throughout their season. Complete schedules are available at www.jrdragster.nhra.com.

NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League competitor’s race cars, called Jr. Dragsters, are half-scale versions of the iconic Top Fuel dragsters. They go as fast as 85 mph and as quick as 7.90 seconds in the eighth-mile using a five-horsepower, single-cylinder engine, though younger age groups are restricted to slower times and speeds.

Since its start in 1992, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League has provided a place for young racers to compete and been the start for many top NHRA professional drivers. The list includes world champions like Pro Stock’s Erica Enders and Top Fuel driver Shawn Langdon, who won a JDRL national championship in 1997, as well standouts such as Top Fuel’s Leah Pruett; Funny Car driver J.R. Todd; Pro Stock competitors Deric Kramer and Chris McGaha; Pro Stock Motorcycle riders Gaige Herrera, Cory Reed and many more.

For more information on the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, please visit http://jrdragster.nhra.com/.

---

About Summit Racing Equipment

Summit Racing Equipment has been the World’s Speed Shop® for over 50 years! Summit Racing is the world’s largest e-commerce, mail order, and retailer of performance automotive parts and accessories. Summit Racing offers a huge selection of parts in stock from over 1,500 manufacturers for all forms of racing, street performance, off-roading, restoration, tools, and yes, diesel. It also offers fast ground service shipping to most areas of the country and same-day shipping on in-stock items. Summit Racing has the industry’s top-rated customer service and a full-time technical department to answer your questions. With headquarters in Tallmadge, Ohio, Summit operates distribution and retail stores in Tallmadge, Sparks, NV, McDonough, GA, and Arlington, TX.

Summit Racing Equipment
www.summitracing.com
1-800-230-3030

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., 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.