CAPPS’ TOYOTA GR SUPRA CLAIMS NUMBER ONE QUALIFIER AT NHRA SEASON KICKOFF
Toyota Dragsters Qualify Second and Third in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 12, 2023) – Ron Capps picked up where he left off last season by claiming the number one qualifier spot for Sunday’s NHRA season kickoff race at Gainesville Raceway. The reigning 2022 Funny Car Champion ran his quick lap of qualifying in the final round on Saturday with a pass at 3.874 seconds. Toyota teammates J.R. Todd (sixth) and Alexis DeJoria (ninth) will also start amongst the top-10 qualifiers.

In Top Fuel, Steve Torrence (second) and Doug Kalitta (third) both posted times of 3.723 in their Toyota dragsters. Antron Brown (sixth), Justin Ashley (ninth) and Shawn Langdon (11th) will line-up to start the 2023 season Sunday morning.

Toyota Post-Qualifying Recap
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
Gainesville Raceway
Race 1 of 21

TOYOTA TOP FUEL QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Brittany Force*	Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster	1st (3.699)	Massey
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	2nd (3.723)	Palmer
Doug Kalitta	Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	3rd (3.723)	Massey
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	6th (3.734)	Langdon
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	9th (3.768)	Salinas
Shawn Langdon	CMR Construction and Roofing Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	11th (3.776)	Brown

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	1st (3.874)	Haddock
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	6th (3.900)	Alexander
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	9th (3.954)	Pedregon

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA QUOTES

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

FC Qualifying Result: 1st

What does it mean to start the season off with the P1 qualifying spot?

“Obviously after last year to get the pole in Pomona and to win the championship was great, but to start the season off, we had a plan in testing and Guido and the guys on this 2023 GR Supra body, you just want to come out and do okay. To come out here and make a statement. It’s very tight in qualifying. The speed was up. I can’t say enough about our Toyota people and all the help we get with our NAPA folks – just a team effort.”

How do you feel going into tomorrow’s race?

“You never want to be cocky about tomorrow. It’s nice to have the number one spot and have the choice. The yellow hats are great for number one qualifier, but those trophies at the end of Sunday are more important. You sleep better on Saturday night for sure.”

STEVE TORRENCE, Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Torrence Racing

TF Qualifying Result: 2nd

How do you feel about your car’s performance in qualifying and chances for tomorrow’s race?

“Great day for the Capco Toyota dragster. We went out and we were a little too conservative in the Callout first round. Went up there this round and really made some improvements. I still think there’s a lot of room to improve, just looking at the time slip, but we’ll go from there. I’m excited going into race day – I feel like we have a really good car. Better than I’ve had in a year. Confident and moral and everything is really high over hee on the team and we’re ready to go.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.  

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants.  By 2025, Toyota’s 14^th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.  With the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company’s 2021 North American sales were electrified.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

PLANO, Texas (March 8, 2023) – Toyota continues to make its mark on the NHRA after more than 20 years competing professionally in the series with the collaboration effort to unveil the new Jr. Roadster. In support of NHRA, Half Scale and Antron Brown to establish this new class, Toyota and TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) engineers developed the GR Supra Jr. Roadster as the first of its kind. The addition to the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League hopes to encourage families interested in getting their kids involved in drag racing at a young age to look at this as an additional option to the popular Jr. Dragster class.

“The motivation behind developing the GR Supra Jr. Roadster nearly two years ago was primarily around the concept of giving families an alternative to the already-popular Jr. Dragster class within NHRA,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager, Toyota Racing. “With the Jr. Roadster, it has a shorter wheelbase compared to the dragster and therefore can ideally fit in the bed of a Tundra and taken to the racetrack. Our TRD engineers have worked closely with Antron Brown, who fields Jr. Dragsters, to ensure that the new Jr. Roadster is ready for a class of its own and we hope that our other OEM partners in NHRA will design their own bodies for the cars and we can see them all competing very soon.”

The GR Supra body was unveiled in November 2021 for the Funny Cars of J.R. Todd and Alexis DeJoria. Both competed with the new body for the 2022 season and were joined by Ron Capps who went on to win the championship. Using the GR Supra as the look for the new Jr. Roadster was only logical based on the excitement and fan reaction that’s been seen since the GR Supra Funny Car took to the track. The GR Supra Jr. Roadster body was built by Riggeal Fiberglass in Pennsylvania.

“It’s truly thrilling to see a new vision like the GR Supra Jr. Roadster from Toyota and have that be a future option for young racers,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “The GR Supra delivered an impressively innovative body style into the Funny Car ranks last year, and for our young competitors in the Jr. Dragster ranks to have the chance to match their favorite racers is a great opportunity. Toyota continues to show its strong commitment to drag racing and the importance of providing exciting options to our young racers and the future of NHRA drag racing.”

NHRA’s Jr. Dragster class started in 1992 and has proven a popular launching point for young racers looking to start their careers in drag racing. The class currently competes at over 130 NHRA member tracks across the country on any given week. Some current Toyota Top Fuel and Funny Car drivers got their start behind the wheel of a Jr. Dragster including J.R. Todd, Shawn Langdon and Justin Ashley. With the new Jr. Roadster class, the hope will be that future generations can have yet another option to compete on the drag strip.

“The Jr. Dragster class has really been a pivotal piece of NHRA since its inception,” said Antron Brown, Toyota Top Fuel driver. “My kids have raced them and several of my competitors got their start racing them or have kids or family members of their own competing. The addition of the Jr. Roadster class is important for so many reasons, but the primary objective for all of us that have been involved in its development was to give families an option that doesn’t require a trailer or additional costs to bring the car to the track and these will give them that opportunity.”

There is currently no designated time frame from NHRA as to when the Jr. Roadster class will begin competing, but GR Supra Jr. Roadsters will be available for purchase through Half Scale (HalfScale.com).

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company’s 2021 North American sales were electrified.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
TEAM CHEVY FRIDAY QUALIFYING REPORT
March 10, 2023

TEAM CHEVY TAKES THREE PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFIERS IN TOP FUEL, PRO STOCK, AND FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA (March 10, 2023) – The 2023 NHRA season kicked off at Gainesville Raceway in strong fashion, with Chevrolet topping the charts with three provisional No. 1 qualifiers. Starting the year where she left off, Brittany Force powered her Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster to the top of the charts with her 3.699 ET at 336.99 MPH in Q1 after a rain-shortened evening.

In Pro Stock, Erica Enders also picked up where she left off, racing her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro SS to the top of the leaderboard with her 6.538 ET at 208.84 MPH run.

FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown saw 2022 champion David Barton also occupied the top spot in his COPO Camaro after Q2, crossing the finish line with his 7.738 ET pass at 177.30 MPH and setting low ET in both sessions.

“It felt really good just to come out at the first race of the season, first run, and to go to the top. Pretty incredible,” noted Force. “David Grubnic and all these guys, we spent a lot of hours testing, a lot of days testing, to get us here but it looks like we picked up where we were last season and we’re already moving right into this season. We have the same groove, the same team, the same group of guys, and it’s a good start. To get that run just motivated us all for the weekend, but not just for the weekend, but also the season.”

“It is definitely huge to start off on the right foot,” said Enders. “I was thinking while I was sitting in the car that was only my fourth run since November of last year. We did not do any off-season testing. We made two hits at Bradenton before coming here. We spent the winter in the shop working on the engines looking for more horsepower. We didn’t have a great first run. Decent, but I had a couple of mishaps, and our tune was just a little bit off. We came back, fixed everything up, and wanted to do really well for that night session. We were able to put our JHG car on top, and that’s all that matters to me.”

NHRA is back in action Saturday, March 11 with Q3 and Q4 as well as the Pep Boys NHRA All-Start Top Fuel Callout, broadcasted Sunday, March 12 at 9 a.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, leading into Sunday’s eliminations on FOX at noon ET.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with 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.

2023 AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Florida
March 10-12, 2023

KICKING OFF THE 2023 SEASON IN GAINESVILLE

As the 2023 NHRA season kicks off in Gainesville, Florida, Chevrolet looks to defend multiple titles from 2022. With Brittany Force’s second Top Fuel title in the Chevrolet dragster, Erica Enders’ fifth Pro Stock championship in the Chevrolet Camaro, and David Barton’s Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown in the Chevrolet COPO Camaro, Chevrolet enters the new year looking to defend their most recent Manufacturers Cup.

The site of her first career NHRA victory in 2016, Brittany Force looks to keep her and her Chevrolet team’s strong momentum rolling into the weekend’s AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at John Force Racing. Alongside her, teammate Austin Prock enters his fourth season in Top Fuel competition looking to build on his achievements heading into the new year.

In Funny Car, John Force looks to continue his legendary drive this season while defending his historic stats of 16 championships, 155 wins, and 165 No. 1 qualifiers. His teammate, Robert Hight, looks to defend and add to his three Funny Car championships, in addition to his 61 career wins (26 supported by Chevrolet), and 77 career No. 1 qualifiers.

In Pro Stock, Chevrolet once again joins Erica Enders and Elite Motorsports in the drive for a sixth championship, along with Greg Anderson at the newly formed KB Titan Racing in seeking his sixth Pro Stock title. Joining Enders in the Elite Motorsports camp in the hunt for the Winner’s Circle this year is Bo Butner, Troy Coughlin Jr., and Aaron Stanfield. Racing to add to her achievements in her Rookie of the Year season in 2022, Camrie Caruso joins Anderson at KB Titan Racing, along with Dallas Glenn (the 2022 Pro Stock winner at Gainesville), Kyle Koretsky, and Deric Kramer.

Kicking off their 2023 season, the COPO Camaro drivers of the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown take to the starting line once again in the fight to defend the 2021 and 2022 Chevrolet-supported back-to-back championship runs, captured by Aaron Stanfield and David Barton respectively, as well as the 2022 Gainesville victory by Len Lettig.

The 2023 AMALIE Motor Oil Gatornationals get underway starting with Qualifying Friday, March 10, broadcasting March 11 at 10 a.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Saturday’s qualifying from Gainesville will air also on FS1 Sunday, March 12 at 9 a.m. ET, with eliminations on Sunday airing at 12 p.m. ET on FOX.

MOST RECENT DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NHRA BY CHEVROLET

2022: Brittany Force, Top Fuel

2022: Erica Enders, Pro Stock

2022: David Barton, Factory Stock Showdown

2019: Robert Hight, Funny Car

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES)

Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pack Chevrolet Top Fuel Dragster for John Force Racing:

“We are pumped coming in here after finishing so strong and winning a championship together. We are looking forward to seeing what we can do this season. Last season we had five wins and we want to go beyond that. We want more wins. We’d like to set more track records, but the ultimate game plan is to win the championship for this team.

We came out early and did six days of testing. We’re pretty confident going into this race weekend, especially because it’s two races in one. It’s the PepBoys All-Star Call Out, it’s going to be fun. I already kind of had a brief discussion with (David) Grubnic on who we are going to call out, so we already have a game plan in mind. We’ll see how it goes. There’s no good team or driver to call. They’re all going to be tough, that’s why we are all up there together. There are eight of us. Either way, it’s going to be tricky but we are ready for the challenge.”

Brittany on competing at Gainesville:

“Gainesville is definitely a special place for me. I’ve been coming up here since I was a kid watching my dad and Ashley (Force Hood) race. My first win in a Top Fuel car was here in 2016. Again, it’s a special place. I love it here. It’s the Gatornationals; it’s just a big one. It’s the one race I remember as a kid that was such a unique one. I knew it was a big race. It was the Gatornationals. It drew in a huge crowd, and it had so much momentum and excitement behind it. It is one you never wanted to miss.”

Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rock Mountain Chevrolet Top Fuel Dragster for John Force Racing:

“I’m looking forward to the first race of the year. We have a lot going on. We’ve got the Pep-Boys Call Out that we qualified for and there are a lot of good cars in there. It’s a good competition and it’s always fun. We have a new crew chief with Joe Bartlum and Chris Cunningham and a handful of new guys on the car. Everybody has been doing a great job and I’m looking forward to seeing how we hash up against everyone else and to see if we can pick up from where we left off.”

Austin on Gainesville and pre-season testing:

“The first test session that we had in Gainesville, we ran mid-to-low 60’s just like we did at Pomona. Then we changed a bunch of things in the bell housing and clutch discs in the second half of the season and it all responded really well. We should be able to go out there and compete for a Wally the first week out!”

CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS IN NHRA

1,421: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time)

591: Round wins for Robert Hight (14th all-time)

366: Number of wins in Pro Stock since 1970; 247 won in the Chevrolet Camaro body

264: Final Round wins by John Force (the last coming in Topeka, runner-up)

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

155: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967

77: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time)

75: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro body

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

27: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

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

18: Number of Pro Stock championships

16: 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

UPCOMING NHRA MILESTONES

950: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) is second all-time with 912 elimination round wins. He could reach 950 round wins with a decent run in the 18-race schedule.

600: Robert Hight has 591 Funny Car elimination round victories to rank 14th on the all-time NHRA list. Reaching 600 round wins would put him 13th all time.

436: By qualifying for his next race, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) will extend his NHRA record to 436 consecutive race day appearances.

138: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) ranks third on the NHRA all-time list with 121 No. 1 qualifiers. He could pass Warren Johnson (Pro Stock, 138) for second to John Force (165) on the list.

62: Robert Hight will move into the top 10 on the all-time NHRA victory list with his next win, tying the retired Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) with 62 wins. Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock, retired) is ninth on list with 65.

46: Erica Enders has 43 career Pro Stock victories (all with Chevrolet). Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) is the all-time NHRA female leader with 46. 18: Brittany Force (16 Top Fuel career wins) will move past Shirley Muldowney (18 wins) into third on the NHRA all-time victory list for females. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 43) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 46) are ahead.

6: Erica Enders (Pro Stock) could tie Warren Johnson (6 Pro Stock championships) for second on the class list. The same holds for Greg Anderson. Bob Glidden is the leader with 10.

3: Brittany Force (Top Fuel, 2 championships) would tie Shirley Muldowney (Top Fuel) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) for second on the NHRA all-time championship list by females with another title in 2023. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 5) is the leader.

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

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with 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.

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe Along With Tony Stewart Racing’s Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan To Carry Rinnai Branding in 2023

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Jan. 13, 2023) – Rinnai America Corporation, a manufacturer of the No. 1 selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America, has partnered with Tony Stewart and his racing entities in NASCAR and the NHRA to promote its line of products using his diverse motorsports portfolio.

In NASCAR, fans will see the red Rinnai logo in an associate position on Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 14 Ford Mustang driven by Chase Briscoe in the NASCAR Cup Series. In the NHRA, Tony Stewart Racing drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan will carry the Rinnai logo in the Camping World Drag Racing Series, with Pruett running a full Rinnai primary sponsorship on her Top Fuel dragster in two events – the NHRA Winternationals March 30-April 2 in Pomona, California, and the NHRA Carolina Nationals Sept. 22-24 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hagan will sport a full Rinnai livery on his Funny Car in the NHRA New England Nationals June 2-4 in Epping, New Hampshire, an event the three-time champion has won four times, including in 2022.

“Our expertise in tankless water heating is unmatched, and this partnership with Tony Stewart and his NASCAR and NHRA teams allows us to tell that story in a thrilling, team-oriented environment that emulates the quality and dedication we put into our products and service,” said Frank Windsor, president, Rinnai America Corporation.

“The similarities of our business to racing are numerous, especially when speed, efficiency and superior quality are keys to success. Performance is paramount, and that’s something Rinnai has always understood. It’s part of our overall commitment to our customers, and racing embodies that commitment.”

The NASCAR Cup Series encompasses a total of 39 events in its milestone 75th season, beginning with the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Feb. 5 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and ending with the season finale Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway. The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series includes 21 events in 2023. Its 72nd season starts with the NHRA Gatornationals March 9-12 in Gainesville, Florida, and concludes with the NHRA Finals Nov. 9-12 in Pomona.

“We’re incredibly proud to have this partnership with Rinnai because it shows the strength of our motorsports program,” Stewart said. “NASCAR and NHRA offer two very different fan experiences, and combined they touch every corner of the country. Rinnai and its customers get the best of both worlds because our program allows a number of choices to promote its products and services.”

In addition to branding on racecars, Rinnai becomes the official tankless water heater of Stewart-Haas Racing and Tony Stewart Racing. This designation highlights Rinnai’s brand promise of “Creating a healthier way of living®”, a mantra that is at the forefront of all the company’s efforts. By continuing to offer quality products and services to homeowners and organizations, Rinnai is aiding in providing businesses and homes with energy-efficient hot water options for cleaner and healthier living.

The announcement of the partnership comes after a series of milestone events for Rinnai America.

“We opened a new manufacturing facility last year in Griffin, Georgia, that has allowed us to combat shipping delays and supply-chain challenges,” Windsor said. “In this facility we manufacture our new RE Series Tankless Water Heater, the first and only non-condensing unit with a built-in pump. That product, along with our ability to manufacture in the United States, is another reason why we’ve partnered with Tony Stewart and have become the official tankless water heater of Stewart-Haas Racing and Tony Stewart Racing.”

About Rinnai:

Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances, and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the No. 1 selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.3 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating a healthier way of living®. For more information about Rinnai’s entire product line, visit www.rinnai.us.

Dayco Racing Belts to be Used by Drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 7, 2022) – Dayco, a leading engine products and drive systems supplier in the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, is proud to announce a collaboration with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series for the 2023 season that includes supplying three-time Funny Car champion Matt Hagan and 10-time Top Fuel event winner Leah Pruett with its 11mm blower belt, along with technical support.

TSR just completed its inaugural NHRA season, earning five victories in 2022 – four in Funny Car with Hagan and one in Top Fuel with Pruett. The team also placed both drivers in the Countdown to the Championship, with Pruett securing her sixth Countdown appearance while Hagan earned his spot in the NHRA postseason for the 11th time.

These two racers push their machines to the limit, driving speeds in excess of 330 mph down the track, and now will officially be putting the Dayco blower belt to the ultimate test as the team sets its sights on the 2023 season.

“You’ve got to have the best parts and pieces to put 11,000 horsepower to the pavement, and that’s why we’ve partnered with Dayco,” said Stewart, owner, TSR. “The amount of load we put on a blower belt is huge. They need to be tough, strong and durable. Dayco belts check all of those boxes, and the technical support they provide to our race team is incredible. When winning is measured in thousandths of a second, this is the kind of partnership you want to have.”

The Dayco 11mm blower belt is race-engineered with a hybrid carbon cord encapsulated in custom rubber compounds and patented low friction PTFE tooth fabric. Built to withstand some of the highest dynamic loads in racing, this standard 11mm pitch, 84mm wide and 145 teeth belt was developed using real-world track data, specifically for supercharged nitromethane engines.

“We’re really excited about this partnership. Tony, Matt and Leah have been fantastic to work with, both on and off the track,” said Jay Buckley, Director of Product Management, Dayco North America. “And we’re glad our belt gets their official stamp of approval as we’re constantly working to make enhancements as we receive team feedback so we know we have a winning formula.”

The two teams will kick off their partnership with a special guest appearance at the PRI Show in Indy this week, with Pruett signing hero cards at Dayco booth #7154 on Thursday from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. EST.

More information about Dayco’s commitment to motorsports and racing can be found here; and additional details about the TSR NHRA team can be found here.

About Dayco:

Dayco is a global leader in the research, design, manufacture and distribution of essential engine drive systems and aftermarket services for automotive, truck, construction, agriculture and industrial applications.

Through its expertise in transferring power quietly and efficiently, Dayco has emerged as the leading global system solutions provider for hybrid electric vehicles. Dayco’s 100+ years of experience in drive systems allows the company to equip all customer applications around the world with the most effective drive systems to meet customer specific performance requirements. Dayco’s world class global distribution network services the aftermarket industry with a full offering of kits and products to meet each local market’s need. Dayco accomplishes this with a dedicated global team that respects one another, shows humility through continuous learning and acts like owners in everything they do.

Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 3,600 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the company’s website at www.dayco.com.

Drivers of the Chevrolet Camaro SS, COPO Camaro contribute to season success

DETROIT (Nov. 15, 2022) – Chevrolet has been recognized as the top manufacturer in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) for the record-extending 27th time.

The award was presented Nov. 14 during the NHRA Awards Ceremony in Temecula, California.

It is the sixth consecutive year and eighth time in the past 10 seasons that Chevrolet has won the award presented to the automobile manufacturer whose current-year models earn the most points for qualifying and category victories at NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series national and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series regional and divisional events.

Points are awarded to entries in Funny Car, Pro Stock, Super Stock and Stock Eliminator classes, plus the Constant Aviation NHRA Factory Stock Showdown series.

Points accumulated by Chevrolet Camaro SS and Chevrolet COPO Camaro drivers in the professional and Sportsman classes were more than triple the closest manufacturer.

Chevrolet first earned the award in 1966, and no other manufacturer has won it more times. GM brands Oldsmobile and Pontiac combined to win 24 titles between 1971 and 2006.

“I’m so proud of the hard work by the Chevrolet teams that delivered valuable points toward the Manufacturers Championship again this year,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president, Performance and Motorsports. “Thanks to the owners, drivers and crews in the professional classes and Sportsman classes for another year of high-performance results every time they showed up at the track.”

Erica Enders earned her fifth NHRA Pro Stock world championship — all with Chevrolet — by driving the Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro SS to a career-best 10 victories and three runner-up finishes in the 19 races.

“I remember when Erica won her first race at Route 66 Raceway in July of 2012,” Campbell said. “We had the opportunity to celebrate that milestone win at SEMA later that year. Since that first one, she’s added 42 more wins and five championships. She’s an inspiration to so many drag racing fans.”

Chevrolet has amassed 18 Pro Stock driver championships and 366 victories, including 247 with the Camaro nameplate.

Aaron Stanfield, Dallas Glenn, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Greg Anderson also visited the winner’s circle as competitors won every race driving a Chevrolet Camaro SS. Anderson, who has driven a GM product to five Pro Stock championships, became the second driver in the professional classes to reach 100 wins and won the season finale for No. 101. John Force with 155 Funny Car victories is the all-time leader.

Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock driver Camrie Caruso was voted the NHRA Rookie of the Year. It is the second year in a row in which a Chevrolet driver has received the award and third time in the past four years. Dallas Glenn of KB Racing won in ’21 and Austin Prock of John Force Racing won in ‘19.

David Barton of Reading, Pennsylvania, driving the Saw Mill Auto Chevrolet COPO Camaro, claimed the Constant Aviation NHRA Factory Stock Showdown series title for the second time. Drivers of the COPO Camaro won five of the eight races, including three by Barton and one each by two-time champion Aaron Stanfield and Len Lottig. Chevrolet has won the past three championships.

“It’s been an incredible season with driver championships in Top Fuel, Pro Stock and the Factory Stock Showdown combined with winning the Manufacturers Cup,” Campbell said.

Funny Car drivers Robert Hight and John Force made important points contributions to the Manufacturers Cup championship. Hight, driving the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS, amassed a career-high eight victories and six top qualifier honors. Sixteen-time Funny Car champion Force, driving the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS, won the four-wide race at Charlotte.

Additionally, national event Stock Eliminator wins were recorded by Leo Glasbrenner (Pomona1, Phoenix, Las Vegas2), Jeff Strickland (Gainesville), Ryan McClanahan (Las Vegas1), Darren Poole-Adams (Charlotte1, Bristol) and Tyler Cassil (Topeka).

The Top Fuel class does not contribute points to the Manufacturers Cup standings, but Brittany Force and Austin Prock produced multiple highlights during the season in their Chevrolet dragsters.

Force won the Top Fuel championship for the second time. She recorded five victories, 10 No. 1 qualifiers and set the national event speed record of 338.91 mph in the season finale at Pomona. Prock, returning to full-season competition for the first time since his rookie of the year campaign in 2019, won two races and earned his initial Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier honor at Dallas.

The 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season begins March 10-12 with the 54th Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Florida. FOX will telecast eliminations live at noon ET Sunday, March 12.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in nearly 80 countries with nearly 2.7 million cars and trucks sold in 2021. 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.

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA
NOV. 13, 2022

Chevrolet celebrates championships in season finale

• Brittany Force races to second Top Fuel championship in record-setting performance
• Erica Enders officially crowned Pro Stock champion for the fifth time in Camaro SS
• Austin Prock in Top Fuel, Greg Anderson in Pro Stock earn second wins of season
• Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock racer Camrie Caruso voted rookie of the year

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2022) — Brittany Force put a big Bowtie stamp on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season in the Auto Club NHRA Finals.

Force, driving the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster, earned her second Top Fuel world championship in the season finale at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona to become the fourth female in NHRA professional ranks to win multiple titles.

“I want people to remember this day here in Pomona with this Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac team — David Grubnic, Mac Savage, every single one of my guys,” said Force, who also joined three-time champion Shirley Muldowney as the only female multiple titleholders in Top Fuel. “We have been working all season long, we never gave up, and then we struggled in the Countdown and we recovered when we needed to in Vegas and win it here today in Pomona.

“I have to thank every single one of my guys and our sponsors. We wouldn’t be here without them today, and I’m just so proud of everybody. It just seems surreal right now. I can’t believe it ended up this way.”

Force joined Erica Enders as Chevrolet champions in the pro ranks in 2022. Enders, driver of the Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro SS, clinched the Pro Stock title two weeks earlier at Las Vegas – a pivotal event Force won to set up her championship chase.

“This year Brittany capitalized on momentum coming out of Las Vegas and her and her team rose to the occasion with speed at the right times all weekend long,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president, Performance and Motorsports. “We knew it would come down to the last race. When the pressure was on, Brittany and her team delivered in true championship form. It’s great to see Brittany in the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac John Force Racing team clinch their second championship. We’re proud to race with them.”

Force’s victory in Las Vegas marked a career best fifth win for the 2013 rookie of the year. She won four events when she claimed the championship in 2017 to become the second woman to win in the premier division and the first to do so in 35 years.

In the season finale, Force claimed her 10th No. 1 qualifier in 22 races and 42nd of her career to pad her advantage over her closest pursuer, Justin Ashley, from seven to 26 points entering race day. She also reset the national Top Fuel speed record at 338.94 mph in qualifications. Ashley’s early exit in eliminations handed Force the title.

Force lost to John Force Racing teammate Austin Prock, driving the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster, in the semifinals. Prock went on to win his second race of the season with a personal-best run of 3.641 seconds.

Enders earned her fifth Pro Stock title, tying Greg Anderson and Jeg Coughlin Jr. for third on the all-time list. Bob Glidden with 10 is the leader and Warren Johnson is second with six.

“As a kid with big dreams, this makes me want to pinch myself,” said Enders, who also won titles with Chevrolet in 2014, ’15, ’19 and ‘20. “We have worked really hard to get here and we’ve sacrificed a lot. It’s nice to see all of those sacrifices paid off. I’m a blessed girl.

“I go back to the seven years that I drove Pro Stock without a win and just how challenging those years were. Driving for teams that we knew when we pulled on property that we weren’t going to qualify unless somebody broke or hit the wall or something. It was all of those valleys that make these peaks so enjoyable because when you’re going through that stuff, the view of the top where you want to be seems so distant so it’s just a testament to never give up and to do your best and surround yourself with the right people and that’s what I have at Elite Motorsports.”

Enders, seeking her 11th victory in 19 races, was runner-up to Anderson in the final. Anderson, driving the HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, won for the 101st time in his Pro Stock career and gave KB Racing team owner Ken Black a retirement Wally.

“This weekend is really for Ken Black; we want to celebrate him in every way we can, and it’s been a joyous weekend,” said Anderson, who has recorded 101 of Black’s 176 Pro Stock wins.

Camrie Caruso, driver of the Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS in Pro Stock, was voted the NHRA Rookie of the Year.

“We achieved so many of my goals this season from qualifying No. 1 to getting to a final round to qualifying at every national event,” she said. “We didn’t check all the boxes, but I am very thankful. The competition is so tough out here and to be recognized as the Rookie of the Year is a tremendous honor. Every race this season I feel like we got better, and I am excited to get back on track next season.”

Robert Hight came up short in his bid for his fourth Funny Car championship when the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS lost traction early in his quarterfinal round matchup. Hight, who topped the Funny Car standings after all but six races, led the class with a career-high eight victories this season.

Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force, driving the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS, lost in the quarterfinals in the 118th career meeting with Cruz Pedregon.

Tim Seymour of San Dimas, California, drove his Chevrolet COPO Camaro to a runner-up finish in Super Stock.

Last month, Chevrolet also won the Constant Aviation NHRA Factory Stock Showdown championship for the third consecutive year as David Barton of Reading, Pennsylvania, drove his Chevrolet COPO Camaro to the title for the second time (2017). Aaron Stanfield won in 2020 and ’21. Barton won the events at Bristol, Indianapolis and Reading in the eight-race series. Len Lottig (Gainesville) and Stanfield (Dallas) also drove their COPO Camaros to victory.

The 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season begins March 10-12 with the 54th Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Florida. FOX will telecast eliminations live at noon ET Sunday, March 12.

An interview with Top Fuel champion BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY/FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER:

WERE YOU AWARE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE FIRST ROUND OR WAS YOUR FOCUS ON YOUR RACE?

“I was standing on the top end watching run after run. I knew what had to take place, but I honestly did not think it would go down that way. I thought it was going to be an all-day battle and somehow we locked it up in the first round. Still seems surreal.”

WHAT A PHENOMENAL RACE CAR YOU HAVE HAD ALL SEASON LONG.

“We’ve had a great season. This Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac team set national records, track records, No. 1 qualifiers and we won a handful of races this season. I’m very proud of all of them and it took every single person to make it work and now we have a second championship.”

ON THE TOP 10 LIST OF FASTEST SPEEDS IT READS YOUR NAME.

“That’s David Grubnic for you. Always pushing, never wants to pull back, never wants to lay up. He wants to push the car as hard as we can go and that’s when we seem to excel and do our best. It’s pretty awesome. We got the national record in St. Louis at 338.4 and then here this weekend 338.9, so it’s pretty awesome to have it at my home track and share it with all the fans. Thank you to the fans for all your support.”

YOU MUST HAVE ONE OR TWO MEMORIES OF BEING OUT HERE WATCHING YOUR DAD?

“I remember sitting up in the stands with my sisters when we were little kids watching him go by and win races and win championships. We always brought our little animal cracker boxes up there and we’d sit up there all day watching Dad.”

An interview with Pro Stock world champion ERICA ENDERS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, MELLING PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS:

TEN WINS AND 13 FINAL ROUNDS. YOUR CHAMPIONSHIP REALLY WASN’T IN DOUBT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON.

“It was our goal coming out. I’m really proud of how my boys at Elite Motorsports race. We’re five-time world champions and I could not be more proud of my Melling Performance team.”

AS A YOUNG GIRL IN JUNIOR DRAGSTERS, YOU WATCHED THE PROFESSIONALS COMPETE AND HAD TO THINK MAYBE SOMEDAY THAT COULD BE ME?

“I had big dreams and what’s awesome about being a kid is the magic of believing it can happen. With surrounding yourself with the right people and just working really hard — having an undeniable work ethic — but it’s all about the people. They are the most important pieces of the puzzle and I’m so proud. I got my Super Comp license for my 16th birthday right here at this racetrack and went on to do a lot of fun stuff in that category. But for 18 completed years in Pro Stock, I’d say we’re doing pretty good and I’m not done yet.”

DO YOU EVER WALK INTO YOUR OFFICE AND LOOK AT THE TROPHIES?

“I do. I’m very proud. It’s one of those pinch-me moments where you’re humbled and you don’t feel like you’re there yet but you look at these pictures and see how awesome you’ve done. I’ve had the support of my family all along and this Elite Motorsports team I can’t deny talking about them because before I joined them I had six wins. We have 43 now. I’m really proud to be their driver.”

An interview with Top Fuel race winner AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRAND/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER:

PRETTY GOOD DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR YOU.

“This has been a dream of mine to win at Pomona. I think I’ve been in the final three times and to finally get it done for Rahn Tobler – the final race of his career and to go out in the fashion he did just shows what a legend he is. I’ve been blessed to race with him, blessed with the opportunity to even do this. My dad didn’t get it done today, but hopefully this will cheer the family up.”

WHAT ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS YOU WERE PUTTING ON THE SCOREBOARD?

“I couldn’t even believe it. The run in the semis I didn’t even get to enjoy that. It was the quickest run I’ve ever had and I about double-stepped the thing and by the time I pulled the laundry at the top end I was still on the starting line. The final round I got to enjoy it and that thing left hard and went right own Broadway and we got to turn on the win light. Awesome to get up on the wing again and hopefully this is a good sign for 2023.”

THIS HAS TO MAKE GETTING READY FOR 2023 SWEET?

“The nicest thing about winning the last one is you get to enjoy it the longest. I’m really looking forward to 2023. It just shows how hard this team has worked and what we’re capable of. We put this team together in about a week and a half and we showed that we could come and play. I really enjoyed driving this thing. I’m glad I can do my part and when we all come together we hold the Wally at the end of the day.”

YOU WON THE BATTLE; YOUR TEAMMATE WON THE WAR.

“There isn’t a better way to finish out. I just wish would have gotten a better start in the Countdown. We would have been battling it out right with her. That would have been really cool. But to see her get her second championship, and then to see David Grubnic win it. He’s worked so hard. He’s been in the fight for the last four years and to finally get it done is really special.”

An interview with Pro Stock race winner GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS:

HOW MUCH DOES THIS MEAN GOING INTO THE OFFSEASON?

“It’s been a tough year for us. (Elite Motorsports has) done a fantastic job this year. (Erica Enders) won a lot of races. She is a very worthy world champion. She has kicked our butts all year, but we got the last battle. My motivation this weekend was Ken Black. He’s stepping out of the sport, but he’s done so much for this sport, so much for me personally, so much for this race team. I couldn’t think of any better way to thank him than handing him a trophy from the finals.”

YOU HAVE BEEN WITH KEN BLACK SINCE HE STARTED THE TEAM IN 2002. YOUR THOUGHTS?

“Ken Black is responsible for every one of my wins. He’s made all of my hopes and dreams come true. Who knows what my life would have been if it wasn’t for him. He gave me this wonderful opportunity 20 years ago, and we tried to make the most of it. It’s because of him that we’ve been able to be a huge success. We have a lot to be proud of because of him. He’s absolutely the man. I’m happy for him, proud to be part of his team, and so thankful for all the years we’ve spent together. We’ve been awesome together. We’re going to try to keep his KB Racing name alive and strong for a lot of years to come.”

YOU HAVE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING AND THE TEAM WILL STILL BE AROUND TO CHASE WINS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR YEARS TO COME.

“Absolutely. I can’t tell you how excited I am for the future. Just like Ron Capps; he’s reborn. And look at the job he did this year. He’s a new team owner and it lights a fire under you. And that’s exactly what it’s going to do to me. And I’m going to need it to compete with that Elite team. It’s going to be a great offseason. We’ve got four months to make our product better and come out here and make everyone proud.”

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in nearly 80 countries with nearly 2.7 million cars and trucks sold in 2021. 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.

Earns Toyota’s Fourth NHRA Funny Car Driver’s Championship

POMONA, Calif. (November 13, 2022) – Toyota driver Ron Capps won his third career NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Funny Car Championship on Sunday night with a final round appearance in the season finale at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Capps’ championship marks the fourth Funny Car championship for Toyota, and the first for the GR Supra Funny Car.

TOYOTA FAST FACTS

• Since joining Team Toyota in Charlotte, Capps won four races, advanced to three final rounds and scored 36 round wins over 17 races to claim the 2022 NHRA Top Fuel Championship.

• This is Capps third championship, and second consecutive. Capps previously won the championship in 2016 and 2021.

• The 57-year-old California-native is second all-time with 72 career Funny Car wins. Combined with his one Top Fuel victory, Capps ranks sixth in NHRA history with 73 career wins.

• This is Capps’s first title as an owner-driver for Ron Capps Motorsports. Capps won the previous two championships with Don Schumacher Racing.

• This is the first title for the Toyota GR Supra Funny Car. Cruz Pedregon won the first Funny Car championship for Toyota aboard a Toyota Solara in 2008, and Del Worsham (2015) and J.R. Todd (2018) won their Funny Car titles aboard the Toyota Camry.

TOYOTA QUOTES

RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Ron Capps Motorsports

What would you say to anyone looking to take a risk like you did to start this race team?

“It’s like anybody in Amrica, anything you put your mind to, you can do with great people around you. I told you earlier I knew we deserved it because of the great group of people I have around me. I can’t even begin to say what it feels like right now. I mean, NAPA Auto Care people, all the NAPA Auto Care owners, 6000 strong and for everybody at home that puts on the Ron Capps NAPA jersey and watching on the couch there on Fox Sports, and GearWrench and Toyota coming on board – to give them a championship means so much. But my family and more than anything we have take on this role this year. That’s been unbelievable. I’m sure you’ve all seen me age quite a but in the last year or so. And I’m sure there were some upset people on the starting like including Slugger (Labbe, TRD) from Toyota and his guys. They thought I was going to shut it off and I planned on it, but I didn’t see Cruz (Pedregon) and I knew I couldn’t get across the centerline so I hugged the wall all the way down. I hope everybody appreciates that. I ran it to the finish line because that was a hard decision to make. For the fans, I did the longest burnout.”

PAUL DOLESHAL, group manager, motorsports, Toyota Motor North America

“We are thrilled to celebrate with Ron and his entire team on their third Funny Car championship in the first season for the Toyota GR Supra Funny Car. To see the efforts of the entire Toyota Gazoo Racing North America team culminate in a Funny Car championship this quickly is extremely rewarding. Ron has fully embraced the Toyota culture and Toyota family since our partnership began this season and we couldn’t be more thrilled to call him a Team Toyota champion.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company’s 2021 North American sales were electrified.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Leah Pruett & Matt Hagan
Dodge Power Brokers Top Fuel & Funny Car Drivers
Auto Club NHRA Finals
Nov. 11-13 | Pomona, California

Event Recap

Leah Pruett, driver of the Dodge Power Brokers Top Fuel Dragster:

● Earned No. 16 provisional qualifying position in Q1 on Friday (9.948 ET at 69.35 mph).
● Earned No. 3 provisional qualifying position in Q2 on Friday (3.669 ET at 329.67 mph).
● Scored two bonus points for third-quickest run of the session.
● Maintained No. 3 provisional qualifying position in Q3 on Saturday (3.739 ET at 323.12 mph).
● Secured No. 4 qualifying position based off Friday’s Q2 run. In Q4 on Saturday, Pruett ran a 3.692 ET at 324.59 mph.
● Advanced to Round 2 on Sunday:

●  Round 1: 4.959 ET at 150.20 mph, defeated Alex Laughlin (6.518 ET at 121.61 mph).

●  Round 2: 3.721 ET at 324.20 mph, lost to Austin Prock (3.704 ET at 329.18 mph). 

● Finished 11th in the Top Fuel championship standings, 301 points behind champion Brittany Force.

Matt Hagan, driver of the Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car:

● Earned No. 10 provisional qualifying position in Q1 on Friday (4.199 ET at 220.66 mph).

● Earned No. 2 provisional qualifying position in Q2 on Friday (3.844 ET at 323.58 mph).

● Scored four bonus points for quickest run of the session.

● Maintained No. 2 provisional qualifying position in Q3 on Saturday (3.867 ET at 326.56 mph).

● Secured No. 3 qualifying position based off Friday’s Q2 run. In Q4 on Saturday, Hagan ran a 4.057 ET at 245.32 mph.

● Ran a 6.075 ET at 124.87 mph in Round 1 of eliminations on Sunday, lost to Steven Densham (4.170 ET at 269.94 mph).

● Finished third in the Funny Car championship standings, 95 points behind champion Ron Capps.

Notes of Interest

● Hagan earned his 10th straight top-10 finish in the championship standings. It was also his ninth top-three finish in 14 seasons.

● Hagan earned a career-high 42 round wins this year. His previous high was 40 round wins, set in 2013 and again in 2016.

● The 2022 season marked the 10th straight year Hagan has earned at least three wins. He was a four-time victor in 2022.

● Pruett’s Q2 run on Saturday at 3.669 seconds saw her quickest ET of the season.

Leah Pruett, Driver of the Dodge Power Brokers Top Fuel Dragster

“Our raceday with the Dodge Power Brokers dragster was the epitome of hard work and execution, and it embodied the team’s competitive spirit and skill. During round one, we needed to get down the track against (Alex) Laughlin, who is a fierce contender. Just like many other competitors today, we had some challenges and smoked the tires. Engines don’t love when you pedal the car. Cylinders get mixed up and bad things happen. We had a huge explosion from top to bottom – from the injector down to the oil pan. We had to replace every part of the engine. Our turnaround and recovery for the second round of eliminations is what is the most impressive. We had zero problems in warmup, made our call on time and ran a very competitive .72. We didn’t believe a 3.70 was out there to be had on the track, so that’s not what we pushed for. We are very proud to be able to hang our hat on quality turnarounds and having the right parts available to piece on the car when you have the worse situation available and to be able to do it where you’re only seven-thousandths away from a win light. Personally, getting a holeshot on (Austin) Prock is a highlight for me this season. I’ve been working really hard on consistency and I have my own notebook of what I do when I’m able to get it right like that and that’s got to last you four months in the offseason. We finished strong and we have everything to be proud of. The recovery we had for the second round of eliminations is a reflection of our rebound this season and looking toward 2023 is going to be even more impressive.”

Matt Hagan, Driver of the Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car

“I have to thank Dodge Power Brokers for putting a great racecar underneath me all season and Tony Stewart Racing for their phenomenal work. To be able to work for a guy like Tony Stewart has been, hands down, one of the best experiences of my life. He’s a solid guy and such a good dude and creates a great work environment. I’m just excited to be able to drive for him and to continue to drive for him. I’m proud of my crew guys for the blood, sweat and tears they put in all year long. It’s really, really tough to lose the first round like that in a championship hunt and just know that when you watch him cross the finish line over there that your season’s over. It’s just one of those things where it’s tough because you can taste it, you know you’re there and that you’re capable, but it just wasn’t meant to be today. At the end of the day, we got a lot of work ahead of us this offseason and a lot of innovation to work on. I’m just really proud of my guys, really proud of our sponsors, and proud of the season we’ve had. We won four races this year, but it can always be better. All in all, I just know these guys are going to come back and we’re going be better and stronger.”

Next Up

The 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season kicks off March 10-12 with the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.