Category: NHRA

CHEVROLET AT POMONA

What: Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com
When: Friday, July 30-Sunday, Aug. 1
Where: Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California
TV: FOX will telecast eliminations live at 4 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 1

Team Chevy running on all cylinders heading to Pomona
Drivers/teams carry momentum to final race of Western Swing

DETROIT (July 29, 2021) – With his fourth Wally in hand from Sonoma Raceway, Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car crew head to another California venue where he’s had similar success.

The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, which traditionally kicks off the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) season, was postponed because of state COVID-19 guidelines. Now the event this weekend will be the 10th of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. Teams will return to the facility Nov. 11-14 for the Countdown to the Championship finale.

“Heading to Auto Club Raceway, that’s our home track – where John Force Racing’s home is and my sponsor the Automobile Club of Southern California – and it’s going to be a little different. We don’t normally race there in the summertime,” said Hight, who has recorded five victories between the twice-yearly races at the track.

Hight’s victory at Sonoma – his second of the season and 53rd of his career — lifted the three-time Funny Car champion to third in the Funny Car standings.

“We’ve started to find our stride. Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham had this Auto Club Chevy running on a string,” Hight said. “Hopefully, we’re going there with a little momentum and keep this rolling.”

Team owner John Force, who also has two wins this season in the PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Camaro SS, is fourth in points. He is the Funny Car leader with a whopping 16 wins and 16 No. 1 qualifier honors at the track, and most recently was the runner-up in the 2020 Winternationals.

“This PEAK Chevy team is still very much in this fight. There’s only a handful of points separating the top five, I’m still in that top five,” Force said. “We’ve had a good season. There’s always ups and downs, but these young guys with
Daniel Hood and Tim Fabrisi, they’re working hard and we’ll be right back at it.”

Greg Anderson continues his pursuit of tying Warren Johnson’s 97 career victories, which stands as the most in Pro Stock and second behind Force’s NHRA-record 153. Anderson, the No. 1 qualifier in seven of the eight Pro Stock races in his HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, is tied with Bob Glidden for the most in the class with 12 wins at the track.

“It was a good weekend for us in Sonoma, but it could have been better,” said Anderson, the class points leader. “We’ve got a little steam, and I’m confident we can build on that.”

Brittany Force, the No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel the past two races and four times through nine events in the Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster, is looking for her first victory of the season. Force was the top qualifier in the 2020

Winternationals and reset the track Top Fuel speed record of 336.26 mph. She wrapped up the class championship with a win in the 2017 finale at the track.

FOX will telecast eliminations live at 4 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 1.

CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT

TOP FUEL:

BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (four-time No. 1 qualifier; runner-up in Charlotte and Norwalk; third in points): “We’ve had great performance at our last couple races. Unfortunately, we’ve just come up short, made some mistakes but we are keeping heads up. Luckily, with this three in a row Western Swing, we get to head right into the next race. Wrapping up the Western Swing at my home track, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. This is my home track and a track I’ve had some success at in the past. I’m looking forward to getting this Flav-R-Pac dragster qualified in the show and going rounds on race day. This team is looking to turn our luck around this weekend.”

FUNNY CAR:

JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK/BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner this season; No. 1 qualifier in Charlotte four-wide; fourth in points; 16-time winner at the track): “This race is home. We’re just down the way in Yorba Linda. We used to be completely based out in Southern California now there’s the museum, corporate offices and where we run John Force RaceStation as well as our rentals. There’s a lot of history in Southern California for me. Racing in Pomona, it’s a big event. Stands will be packed, even though it’s going to be warm. It’ll be a good summer show for them. I’m looking forward to getting in my PEAK Chevy at home.”

ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner and two-time runner-up; No. 1 qualifier in Las Vegas four-wide; third in points; holds track Funny Car speed record of 336.99 mph, set in February 2018): “It’s an important weekend, all the upcoming races are important, with the Countdown just a couple races away, how close the competition is in Funny Car, we have to stay dialed in. It’s going to be an interesting weekend, racing in Pomona in the summer. Looking forward to getting this Auto Club Chevy in the winner’s circle at their home track.”

PRO STOCK:

GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner; No. 1 qualifier in seven of eight races; points leader): “It’s a little bittersweet to have a fast race car like this HendrickCars.com Chevrolet and not walk away with a trophy on Sunday, but it just makes you that much hungrier. I love these back-to-back races, because you get a little momentum, you get into a rhythm, and you get another chance if things don’t go your way. I’m proud of our team – the KB Racing crew was great all weekend – and we’re all licking our chops to get to Pomona.”

AARON STANFIELD, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JANAC BROTHERS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner this season; second in points): “It was a tough (list) of competitors to go through (at Sonoma). My guys did a great job. They all gave me a great race car. The KB cars keep coming and so do the Elite cars. There’s a bunch of great drivers out here right now and a bunch of new blood. We’re all very hungry to get out here and win. It’s fun to come out and compete.”

TROY COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS MAIL ORDER CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up in season opener; transferred to final quad at Charlotte; semifinalist at Sonoma; first Pro Stock appearance at track): “The last time this team raced Pomona at the Winternationals, Uncle Jeg (Coughlin) was driving this car and they took home the trophy, so there’s nothing but positive energy coming from So-Cal. The way it worked out Pomona is part of the Western Swing this year, so this race is going to be another memorable one at a place that’s given us so much history. We have everything here to win and I’m already looking forward to Pomona.”

KYLE KORETZKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (first-year driver; semifinalist at Houston and Norwalk; No. 2 qualifier in last race; first Pro Stock appearance at track): “Racing for the first time at Pomona is huge for me and our sponsor Lucas Oil – the title sponsor for the weekend. No. 2 qualifier last weekend was great and I’m confident. My driving last weekend wasn’t very good; losing on a holeshot to a teammate was disappointing. The quick car is going to be there and the driver just has to have his head on straight.”

DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (first-year driver; winner at Charlotte four-wide; runner-up at Sonoma; first Pro Stock appearance at track): “I’m feeling real comfortable in these things. They are so much fun to drive once you get used to them and I feel like I can go out there and focus on what I need to do.”

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. 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
SONOMA NHRA NATIONALS
SONOMA RACEWAY IN SOMONA, CALIFORNIA
JULY 25, 2021

Chevrolet adds two victories to season total

• Robert Hight drives to third win in a row at Sonoma
• Aaron Stanfield earns second Pro Stock victory of season
• Brittany Force records fourth Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier

SONOMA, Calif. (July 25, 2021) – “Consistency,” predicted Robert Hight, would be the determining factor in the Funny Car competition of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Sonoma Nationals.

“Told you,” Hight said after driving the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS to passes of 3.938, 3.938, 3.943 and finally 3.971 seconds to win for the third successive time and fourth overall at Sonoma Raceway. The event was not held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Equally consistent in the Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro SS, Aaron Stanfield earned his second Pro Stock Wally of the season and third of his emerging career.

Hight got past fellow NHRA Funny Car champions J.R Todd, Ron Capps and Matt Hagan to claim his 53rd career victory, which broke a tie with Joe Amato for 12th on the all-time NHRA list, in his 84th final round. He was confident heading into his 38th meeting with Hagan, who won a week earlier at Denver.

“Just the way this Auto Club Chevy has been running all day long,” said Hight, who picked up his second Wally of the young season. “(Crew chiefs) Jimmy (Prock) and Chris (Cunningham) have this thing running on a string. We’ve got good luck here. We had lane choice every round, so I just have a lot of confidence in my team.”

Hight’s victory was the 145th for Chevrolet in Funny Car competition.
Brittany Force recorded her fourth No. 1 qualifier in nine races this season – second in a row — and 24th of her career with a run of 3.694 seconds in the Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster. She posted the top speed of race day at 330.720 mph in the first round of eliminations but hazed the tires in the second round and was sent to the sideline.

John Force qualified fifth in the PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Camaro SS and entered race day second in the Funny Car standings. The 16-time Funny Car champion lost in the first round.

Stanfield, the 2020 Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown champion in the Janac Brothers Chevrolet COPO Camaro, defeated Dallas Glenn in the RAD Torque Systems Camaro SS to win for the third time in four final rounds through 36 career races.

“It was a tough (list) of competitors to go through,” said Stanfield, 25. “My guys did a great job. They all gave me a great race car. I drove halfway decent today and it all came together and we’re pretty pumped.”

Stanfield dispatched Pro Stock points leader Greg Anderson in one semifinal. Anderson, driving the HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, claimed his seventh No. 1 qualifier honor for the seventh time in eight races this season and 113th in his career (third all time to Warren Johnson and John Force). Anderson is aiming to tie Johnson’s 97 career wins for most in the category and second to Force’s NHRA-record 153.

Justin Lamb was runner-up in Stock Eliminator in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro.

The Western Swing wraps up July 30-August 1 with the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtestTheHarvest.com at Auto Club Raceway in Ponoma, California. FOX will telecast eliminations live at 4 p.m. ET August 1.

An interview with Funny Car winner ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 4 qualifier):

YOU SAID BEFORE THE FINAL THAT YOU WERE GOING TO STOP MATT HAGAN. WHY WERE YOU SO SURE?
“Just the way this Auto Club Chevy has been running all day long. Jimmy (Prock) and Chris (Cunningham) have this thing running on a string. We’ve got good luck here. We had lane choice every round, so I just have a lot of confidence in my team. I have to have confidence in myself. It’s been an unbelievable weekend and we’re headed to Auto Club Raceway now.”

YOU HAD TO GO THROUGH A LOT OF BIG NAMES TO GET HERE.
“It’s pretty tough out here. Even Steven Densham, his dad, Gary Densham, is a cagy old veteran and you’ve got to be on your game But Jimmy Prock, Chris Cunningham, they really brought their A game. I think we learned some things this weekend, and maybe this Auto Club Chevy is back.”

DO YOU THINK IT BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN YOUR TEAM WHEN YOU GO AGAINST CHAMPION AFTER CHAMPION THROUGHOUT THE DAY?
“It definitely does. You’ve got to rise to the occasion and these guys are all great. You look at the top eight in Funny Car, any one of these guys can win a championship and most of them are champions. It’s a tough class and a lot of fun when you can get here and stand on the stage at the end of the day. This is three in a row here at my home racetrack. When I first started race here, I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t get it done. We’d qualify well but couldn’t seal the deal on Sunday. The last three, boy, we have dominated and it’s a lot of fun.”

TELL ME ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU VISITED THIS RACETRACK BEFORE YOU WERE DRIVING A RACE CAR.
“1988, the first national event ever here, that’s when I fell in love with this sport. I just knew that this was what I wanted to do. Never thought I’d get to drive one of these things, but when I was a kid I wanted to be a mechanic and learn about these cars. A guy named Roger Primm from Reno, Nevada, close to where I used to live, gave me the opportunity and then John Force. I’ve been with John now for 26 years and to think that I came here to watch a race and now I get to drive one of these things and win. Very lucky guy. You look at what we had to do today. There are no easy rounds. Funny Car is a very tough class. Steven Densham first round, his dad is actually who I took over driving for. A great racer for a lot of years. So, you’ve got to go up there with you’re a game and get the job done. Then after that you race three world champions in a row. It’s fun. They bring out the best in us. I really think that Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham stumbled on to some things this weekend. We hadn’t had a lot of consistency this year. We won a race and been in some finals, but no consistency. This is our best weekend by far and it’s happening at the right time. Pretty soon we’re going to have the U.S. Nationals – the biggest race of the year – and the Countdown. This is where you really want to start shining and getting your act together. Heading to Auto Club Raceway next weekend, that’s our home track – where John Force Racing’s home is and my sponsor the Automobile Club of Southern California – and it’s going to be a little different. We don’t normally race there in the summertime; we race there at the beginning of the year in February and end the season in November. Hopefully, we’re going there with a little momentum and keep this rolling.”

GIVEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS TRACK, DID YOU PUT MORE PRESSURE ON YOURSELF OR DID YOU LOOK AT THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY?
“Definitely an opportunity. Once you win a race at a certain facility, win the U.S. Nationals, win a championship, you know you can do it. So now you have confidence. The first few years I came here, we would qualify well but never raced well. I couldn’t hardly win a round at this place. I think I’ve won here four times, but three in a row that’s pretty impressive.”

WHERE WOULD YOU RANK THIS AMONG YOUR WINS?
“It’s right up there. It’s at what I call my home track and we’re fighting to get up in the points. This was a big day in points for us. Bob Tasca the points leader went out early. My boss, right behind Tasca, went out. We beat J.R. Todd. Everybody that we beat from second round on was ahead of me in points. So, this was a big points day for the Auto Club team and that’s exactly what we have to keep doing. We want to go into this Countdown No. 1, and I don’t see that as a problem if we race and do the things we know how to do.”

IS IT NICE TO PEAK AT THE RIGHT TIME?
“It is. It’s what you have to do. I’ve had years where we started out on fire, win a lot of races and just go flat. And I’ve had years where we can’t do anything early in the year and get it together when it really counts like 2009, my first championship. I will say, 2019, the last championship I won, we were good from start to finish. It’s satisfying. Really, you want to be good every race and we’ve had some flashes of brilliance, but we’ve also had some inconsistency. Hopefully we’re on the right track.”

HOW COOL IS IT TO PASS A LEGEND LIKE JOE AMATO ON THE ALL-TIME WINS LIST? “I can’t even believe that’s possible because Joe Amato for the longest time was the winningest Top Fuel driver. Race wins, round wins. He’s since been passed by Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher but watching him all those years he just dominated Top Fuel. And to say I have more wins than he does, that’s almost not even believable.”

An interview with Pro Stock winner AARON STANFIELD, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JANAC BROTHERS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 5 qualifier):

WHAT RUN TO DO YOU THINK SET YOU UP FOR THIS PERFORMANCE IN THE FINAL?

“That’s tough to say; every run is important. The guys did a great job with the hot rod today. I always say everything has to come together to win and today it came together. It’s a good day.”

YOU WENT THROUGH A MURDER’S ROW TODAY.
“It was a tough (list) of competitors to go through. My guys did a great job. They all gave me a great race car. I drove halfway decent today and it all came together and we’re pretty pumped.”

YOU GET PAST GREG ANDERSON, TAKE A BREATH AND HAVE TO RACE ANOTHER ONE OF THE KB GUYS.

“The KB cars keep coming and so do the Elite cars. There’s a bunch of great drivers out here right now and a bunch of new blood. We’re all very hungry to get out here and win. It’s fun to come out and compete.”

IS THERE ANOTHER CLASS YOU WANT TO TRY?

“For now, I’d like to win a championship in Pro Stock. You never know; I wouldn’t mind going 300 mph once or twice. But Pro Stock is my home for right now and it’s where I plan on staying.”

CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT

TOP FUEL:

BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY/ FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (No. 1 qualifier, fell in second round): “All weekend qualifying, three phenomenal runs so we’re very happy with. Three good runs, especially these runs earlier in the day, really got us prepared for race day.”

FUNNY CAR:

JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK/BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 5 qualifier, fell in first round): “Wasn’t our weekend over at the PEAK Chevy. It was a good weekend for John Force Racing, though. Brittany with the Flav-R-Pac and Monster Energy getting another No. 1 qualifier and Robert with the Auto Club picking up the win. We are all up there in points, all in the top five. That’s a good spot to be and now we get to chase another win at home.”

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

SONOMA, Calif. – Looking for her first Top Fuel victory of the 2021 season, Brittany Force put together a trio of strong runs in qualifying at Sonoma Raceway, ending up in the No. 1 spot on Saturday at the 33rd annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

Ron Capps (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also qualified No. 1 in their respective categories at the ninth race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season and the second of the famed three-race NHRA Western Swing.

Force’s impressive run of 3.694-seconds at 329.42 mph from Friday in her 11,000-horsepower Flav-R-Pac dragster gave her the No. 1 position for the second straight race. It’s also her fourth No. 1 qualifier of the year and 24th in her career, and she’ll open raceday against Ron August. She also posted a stout run of 3.716 at 330.31, which is the fastest run of the weekend in the class, to close out qualifying, giving Force added confidence she can pick up a win after two runner-up finishes this year.

“We want that win,” Force said. “In Ohio a few weeks back, we had a runner-up finish and it felt good to get there, but we want to complete the thing and end up in the winner’s circle. We had outstanding runs from my entire team this weekend. We had three solid runs and I’m happy about that, and I’m looking forward to raceday tomorrow.”

After struggling during the first two sessions, three-time defending world champ and points leader Steve Torrence shot to the second spot in the final qualifier, going 3.710 at 329.67 as he looks to keep his shot of sweeping the Western Swing alive. Antron Brown will start raceday from third after going 3.724 at 326.71.

Funny Car’s Capps maintained the No. 1 position on the strength of his run of 3.897 at 328.78 from Friday in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, giving him three No. 1 qualifiers this year and 28 in his longtime career. Capps, who is looking for his first victory of the season, will meet Tony Jurado in the opening round of eliminations and is focused on getting a win at a track that means a great deal to him.

“I’ve been doing this long enough, and this whole team gives me the confidence,” said Capps, who has four Sonoma wins. “Qualifying well is all about the team. I can’t say enough for the fans out here. I love all of these fans.”

Alexis DeJoria finished in the second spot after her run of 3.898 at 325.61 from Friday, while Capps’ Don Schumacher Racing teammate, Denver winner Matt Hagan, will look to win his second straight race after qualifying third with a 3.909 at 328.94.

Anderson remained dominant in Pro Stock qualifying, continuing his torrid pace in that regard with his run of 6.513 at 210.44 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. It now gives Anderson his seventh No. 1 qualifier in eight Pro Stock races this season and an incredible 113 in his standout career. Anderson, the current points leader, will open eliminations against Steve Graham, again trying to gain his 97th career win and tie Warren Johnson for the most in Pro Stock history.

“The HendrickCars.com Chevy is fast, as it has been all year and it’s all on me to try and get it done tomorrow at one of my favorite racetracks,” said Anderson, a six-time Sonoma winner. “I can’t wait to get after it.”

KB Racing teammate Kyle Koretsky finished off two solid days of qualifying by taking the second spot with a run of 6.522 at 211.06 and defending world champ Erica Enders is third thanks to her 6.524 at 210.67

A. Smith capped off a wild, record-setting day of qualifying in Pro Stock Motorcycle by earning her first career No. 1 qualifier with an impressive run of 6.736 at 203.06 on her Denso Auto Parts EBR. Smith’s run came during the final qualifying session after watching her husband, Matt, take the top spot and make the fastest run in class history with a pass of 205.04 earlier in the day. But A. Smith answered with her strong pass to close out the day, giving her plenty of momentum heading into eliminations.

“It is so tough out here and for me to be No. 1, I’m so proud of this Denso team,” A. Smith said. “We did a motor swap in 30 minutes on my bike and I was pretty bummed after the last round. To go my career-best, to go 203 (mph), I couldn’t be more proud of this entire team. Everyone that helps us, I couldn’t be more proud to give them a yellow hat as the No. 1 qualifier and hopefully I can get a blue (winner’s hat) tomorrow.”

Karen Stoffer made a big jump in the final session as well, going all the way to second thanks to her 6.750 at 198.61. Steve Johnson is third after his pass of 6.751 at 199.94. Points leader M. Smith, who won in Denver to open the Western Swing, got bumped to fourth in the final session.

Eliminations for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals begin at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday.

SONOMA, Calif. — Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 33rd annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the ninth of 20 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel — 1. Brittany Force, 3.694 seconds, 329.42 mph vs. 12. Ron August, 4.930, 150.92; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.710, 329.67 vs. 11. Cameron Ferre, 4.585, 167.88; 3. Antron Brown, 3.724, 326.71 vs. 10. Buddy Hull, 4.316, 239.95; 4. Clay Millican, 3.725, 325.22 vs. 9. Shawn Langdon, 3.809, 318.24; 5. Mike Salinas, 3.737, 327.03 vs. 8. Doug Kalitta, 3.800, 319.45; 6. Leah Pruett, 3.749, 323.97 vs. 7. Justin Ashley, 3.761, 325.37.

Funny Car — 1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.897, 328.78 vs. 16. Tony Jurado, Ford Mustang, 4.176, 270.86; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 3.898, 325.61 vs. 15. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.139, 229.35; 3. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.909, 328.94 vs. 14. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 4.106, 305.56; 4. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.948, 324.59 vs. 13. Steven Densham, Mustang, 4.099, 245.81; 5. John Force, Camaro, 3.965, 324.67 vs. 12. J.R. Todd, Camry, 4.055, 319.37; 6. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.982, 321.50 vs. 11. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.048, 309.27; 7. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.997, 291.57 vs. 10. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.042, 316.08; 8. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.001, 324.75 vs. 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.032, 319.52.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Chris Morel, 4.192, 298.34; 18. Alex Miladinovich, 4.329, 292.39; 19. Jason Rupert, 5.199, 155.44.

Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.513, 210.44 vs. 16. Steve Graham, Camaro, 6.636, 206.42; 2. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.522, 211.06 vs. 15. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.611, 208.94; 3. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.524, 210.67 vs. 14. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.584, 209.01; 4. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.526, 210.83 vs. 13. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.581, 209.36; 5. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.537, 209.62 vs. 12. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.552, 210.97; 6. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.540, 208.94 vs. 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.549, 210.08; 7. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.545, 208.88 vs. 10. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.549, 210.18; 8. Aaron Strong, Camaro, 6.546, 209.75 vs. 9. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.547, 210.21.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Rob Tucker, 10.080, 99.47.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.736, 203.06 vs. Bye; 2. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.750, 198.61 vs. 15. Scott Bottorff, Buell, 7.051, 189.58; 3. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.751, 199.94 vs. 14. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, 7.022, 198.23; 4. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.756, 202.88 vs. 13. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 7.005, 192.55; 5. Andrew Hines, Buell, 6.761, 201.67 vs. 12. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.909, 196.27; 6. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.761, 198.82 vs. 11. Jianna Salinas, Suzuki, 6.905, 194.04; 7. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.764, 201.31 vs. 10. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.828, 200.14; 8. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 6.799, 198.67 vs. 9. Eddie Krawiec, Buell, 6.815, 202.94.

#

33rd NHRA Sonoma Nationals
WHEN: July 23-25
CIRCUIT: Drag strip
2019 WINNERS: Billy Torrence (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle)
INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE (7223), www.SonomaRaceway.com, @RaceSonoma

SONOMA, Calif. – Ron Capps impressed under the lights on Friday at Sonoma Raceway, powering to the provisional No. 1 spot in Funny Car at the 33rd annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the ninth race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season and the second of the famed three-race NHRA Western Swing.

Capps went 3.897-seconds at 328.78 mph in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat during the lone qualifying session, making the best run of the night in the class. If it holds for the California native, Capps would pick up his third No. 1 qualifier in 2021 and 28th in his career. The veteran and former world champ is also trying to earn his first win of the season and Sonoma would mark the perfect location for Capps to do it.

“This race, for me, it’s a home race,” Capps said. “I grew up not far from here and there’s a lot of family and friends here. This race is always cool for me, and the fans here are waiting for you and they make you feel so good. This is what it’s all about. I came here as a kid as a crew member and to be in a racecar and make a run on this track with the sun going down, it’s epic. It’s so cool to look up at the grandstands and see a packed house.”

Alexis DeJoria claimed the second spot on Friday for the second straight race after going 3.898 at 325.61 and Matt Hagan, who won last weekend in Denver, took third after the first qualifying session with a run of 3.909 at 328.94

In Top Fuel, Force was the first driver to reach the 3.60s, going 3.694 at 329.42 in her 11,000-horsepower Flav-R-Pac dragster to claim the No. 1 spot on Friday. A week after setting the track record in Denver, Force is trying for another No. 1 qualifier to claim the top spot for the fourth time this season and 24th time in her career. Force is also attempting to win for the first time this season. Antron Brown is currently second after going 3.724 at 326.71, while his teammate, Leah Pruett, is directly behind thanks to her pass of 3.749 at 323.97.

Hartford is on track to accomplish a major first in his standout Pro Stock career, going 6.533 at 209.92 in his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro. That gave him the provisional No. 1 position on Friday and should it hold, Hartford, who has one win this season, would grab his first career No. 1 qualifier in the class. Hartford will have his work cut out for him as ideal conditions are slated for Saturday’s final two rounds of qualifying, but the veteran is off to a strong start. His KB Racing teammate Kyle Koretsky is currently second thanks to his run of 6.538 at 209.65 and Aaron Stanfield is a spot behind after going 6.548 at 209.69.

Hines made a major move to open the weekend in Pro Stock Motorcycle, jumping to the top spot after his run of 6.761 at 201.67 on his Vance & Hines Buell. If it holds, Hines would qualify No. 1 for the first time this season and 45th time in his career. The 2019 race winner has a history of success at Sonoma Raceway and will be looking for his fourth win at the facility and first victory of the 2021 campaign. Points leader and defending world champ Matt Smith is right behind, going 6.769 and setting the track speed record with a blistering pass of 203.28. His wife, Angie, is third after she went 6.773 at 200.50.

Qualifying continues at 12:00 p.m. PT on Saturday at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

SONOMA, Calif. — Friday’s results after the first one of three rounds of qualifying for the 33rd annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, ninth of 20 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Brittany Force, 3.694 seconds, 329.42 mph; 2. Antron Brown, 3.724, 326.71; 3. Leah Pruett, 3.749, 323.97; 4. Justin Ashley, 3.761, 325.37; 5. Doug Kalitta, 4.166, 202.85; 6. Steve Torrence, 4.191, 194.44; 7. Shawn Langdon, 4.269, 193.85; 8. Buddy Hull, 4.316, 239.95; 9. Ron August, 4.930, 150.92; 10. Clay Millican, 9.046, 77.83; 11. Mike Salinas, 10.712, 47.38.

Funny Car — 1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.897, 328.78; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 3.898, 325.61; 3. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.909, 328.94; 4. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.948, 324.59; 5. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.042, 316.08; 6. Steven Densham, Ford Mustang, 4.099, 245.81; 7. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 4.106, 305.56; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.139, 229.35; 9. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.172, 227.00; 10. J.R. Todd, Camry, 5.701, 120.89; 11. Paul Lee, Charger, 6.300, 109.40; 12. Alex Miladinovich, Camry, 6.483, 108.93; 13. Chris Morel, Charger, 6.540, 103.23; 14. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 6.610, 96.22; 15. John Force, Camaro, 7.688, 86.93; 16. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 8.125, 68.76. Not Qualified: 17. Jason Rupert, 8.382, 77.91; 18. Terry Haddock, 11.342, 71.14; 19. Tony Jurado, broke.

Pro Stock — 1. Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.533, 209.92; 2. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.538, 209.65; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.548, 209.69; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.551, 210.14; 5. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.552, 210.37; 6. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.557, 209.65; 7. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.562, 210.11; 8. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.567, 209.56; 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.570, 208.91; 10. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.574, 210.08; 11. Aaron Strong, Camaro, 6.604, 208.81; 12. Steve Graham, Camaro, 6.660, 206.70; 13. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.670, 208.55; 14. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.704, 207.56; 15. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.713, 205.10; 16. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 7.940, 111.84.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Andrew Hines, Buell, 6.761, 201.67; 2. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.769, 203.28; 3. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.773, 200.50; 4. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.808, 197.22; 5. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.825, 196.64; 6. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.835, 196.64; 7. Eddie Krawiec, Buell, 6.838, 200.38; 8. Jianna Salinas, Suzuki, 6.965, 190.59; 9. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.016, 193.38; 10. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 7.032, 199.02; 11. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 7.140, 197.42; 12. Scott Bottorff, Buell, 7.211, 187.76; 13. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, 7.211, 148.44; 14. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, broke; 15. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, broke.

33rd NHRA Sonoma Nationals
WHEN: July 23-25
CIRCUIT: Drag strip
2019 WINNERS: Billy Torrence (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle)
INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE (7223), www.SonomaRaceway.com, @RaceSonoma

CHEVROLET AT DENVER

What: Dodge/SRT Mile-High NHRA Nationals
When: Friday, July 16-Sunday, July 18
Where: Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado
TV: FS1 will telecast eliminations live at 4 p.m. ET July 18

Chevrolet drivers enter Western Swing with momentum
Bandimere Speedway is first stop of three weeks of racing in a row

DETROIT (July 14, 2021) – National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) teams use the three-race Western Swing during the midsection of the regular season as a gauge of how they stack up in their respective categories entering the stretch run to the seven-race Countdown to the Championship.

“It’s where you want to really want things to start coming together,” said Robert Hight, driver of the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car.
Hight and teammate John Force, driver of the PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Camaro SS, enter the first leg of the Western Swing at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado, with the momentum of advancing to the final round in five of the seven Funny Car events – winning three times.

“The air is a little different so there’s adjustments to be made but Denver sets the tone for the next two races, whether it’s riding the momentum or motivation to get after it,” added Hight, a four-time winner and three-time No. 1 Funny Car qualifier at the strip southwest of Denver.

This year, the Western Swing also includes stops at scenic Sonoma Raceway in northern California and Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. All three events were not held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Denver is not part of the Pro Stock schedule this year. Drivers of the Chevrolet Camaro SS will catch up with the nitro divisions at Sonoma Raceway on July 23-25. Greg Anderson sits atop the standings with reigning champion Erica Enders in second. Both have two wins.

John Force is the only Funny Car driver to sweep the Western Swing (1994) and won the first two legs in 2016 before falling in the first round of eliminations at Seattle. John Force Racing has a swing sweep to its credit in 2016 when Hight won in Denver, Courtney Force prevailed in Sonoma and John Force wrapped up the victory in Seattle.

Force, who recorded victory No. 152 and 153 of his illustrious career earlier this season, is second in the Funny Car standings. Hight is fourth.

“It’s been a good season. This PEAK Chevy has been running really well. Daniel Hood and Tim Fabrisi, they have a handle on it,” said Force, who has an NHRA-record eight wins at the racetrack. “I just have to get out there and do my job, and that’s not easy with all these young guys out there running against me. I’ve got to work hard to keep up with them. It’s working so far.”

Brittany Force also heads to the mountains with momentum. The Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac team raced to their second runner-up finish of the season and set the track Top Fuel elapsed time record at the most recent event in Norwalk, Ohio, in the Chevrolet dragster. She is fourth in the driver standings.

David Barton and Aaron Stanfield, who have won Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown races this season in their Chevrolet COPO Camaros, highlight the field this weekend in the fourth race of the eight-event series.

FS1 will telecast eliminations live at 4 p.m. ET Sunday, July 18.

CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY/FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (No. 1 qualifier in Las Vegas and Charlotte four-wide events; runner-up in Charlotte and Norwalk; semifinalist at last race at track): “After a couple weeks off our Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team is ready to get back to it. We head to the mountain for the Mile-High Nationals in Denver and coming off a runner-up finish in Ohio, we feel confident going into this next one and getting the Western Swing started. Our car has been running consistent and our team is ready for a win.”

FUNNY CAR:
JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK/BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner this season; No. 1 qualifier in Charlotte four-wide; second in points): “I’ve always loved racing in Denver. I’ve done well here so Denver must like me racing here, too. The fans are great and it’s a great show with Bandimere tucked into the mountain here. Hoping to add to those numbers, come up with a big win not just for me but for my sponsors. It’s going to be an exciting weekend especially with the night racing.”

ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up in two races, winner at Houston; No. 1 qualifier in Las Vegas four-wide; four-time winner at the track): “This Auto Club Chevy team is working hard. All the crew guys, Jimmy Prock, Chris Cunningham, they’re putting in the work. It was a long break, but we took advantage of the time, the team got a lot of work done at the shop to set us up for the three-race Western Swing. I enjoy the back-to-back race weekends, it gives teams and drivers a chance to get in a rhythm, get some momentum.”

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. 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
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK IN NORWALK, OHIO
RACE RECAP
JUNE 27, 2021

Chevrolet drivers make strong statements at Norwalk

• Erica Enders denies Greg Anderson from tying Pro Stock record
• Brittany Force sets track record, finishes runner-up in Top Fuel

NORWALK, Ohio (June 27, 2021) – For the second consecutive National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock final featuring a pair of Chevrolet Camaros, Greg Anderson was denied a milestone victory.

Reigning class champion Erica Enders, driving the Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Camaro SS, defeated Anderson’s HendrickCars.com Camaro SS on a holeshot at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. Eliminations were delayed by rain twice for a total of nearly four hours.

Anderson, aiming to tie Warren Johnson’s 97 career Pro Stock wins for most in the category and second all time to John Force’s 153 and counting, was also runner-up in the last NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series event.

Brittany Force was equally disappointed by a holeshot loss in the Top Fuel final. Force, the No. 2 qualifier in the Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster, reset the track Top Fuel elapsed time record of 3.696 seconds in the semifinals and ran 3.730 seconds in the final match with points leader Steve Torrence. Despite a tick slower pass, his .058-of-a-second reaction time edged Force’s .078 to take the win.

“Very frustrating to get beat in the final the way we did,” said Force, runner-up for the second time this season. “A holeshot loss is not easy, but I’m going to use that to step up at the next one.”

John Force Racing’s three-race Funny Car winning streak ended abruptly. John Force’s elimination round win streak ended at five in the second round of eliminations. Force, who qualified fourth in the PEAK/BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS, lost in a close race to top qualifier Bob Tasca III in a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 2 drivers in the standings.

Robert Hight, the No. 2 qualifier in the AAA Ohio Chevrolet Camaro SS, also fell in the second round to eventual event winner Cruz Pedregon.

Anderson will have to wait until the July 23-25 event at Sonoma Raceway to try again for win No. 97. Pro Stock is not on the schedule of the next event ‑- the Dodge/SRT Mile-High Nationals Presented by Pennzoil on July 16-18 at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado.

“I’ve never quit in my life and I never will. I’m going to get this deal done,” said Anderson, who added to his points lead. “I’ve been a little snakebit the last few races.”

Anderson, who claimed his sixth top qualifier honor in the seven races and 112th of his career, recorded a 6.594-second pass with a .030 reaction time to Enders’ 6.606 and .005. Enders, earning her second victory of the season and 31st of her career, won in Norwalk for the first time in seven years.

“It’s huge mojo,” said Enders, who is one of the 2021 ESPY Award nominees for Best Driver. “We’ve had a little bit of luck not go our way, losing by just a couple thousandths here and there. But my team always steps up to the plate.”

Don Belles of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, was runner-up in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro in Stock Eliminator. David Barton, winner of the previous the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown race and the No. 1 qualifier at Norwalk, and Scott Libersher advanced to the semifinals in their COPO Camaros.

CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT

TOP FUEL:

BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, FLAV-R-PAC/MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (No. 2 qualifier, runner-up): “Very frustrating to get beat in the final the way we did. A holeshot loss is not easy, but I’m going to use that to step up at the next one in Denver. Incredible job to my Flav-R-Pac, Monster Energy team. Consistent runs down the track all weekend long and a track-record 3.969 in the semis. Today’s laps weren’t easy, with tough competitors and changing track conditions we really had to work for it. Runner-up finish isn’t bad and we will be ready for the next one.”

FUNNY CAR:

JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK/BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 4 qualifier, fell in second round): “It wasn’t a bad weekend. We had a good car, a really good car and that was a clean run. It did what it was supposed to. Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, they have a handle on this PEAK BlueDEF Chevrolet. We qualified well, went some rounds, all of us, Robert with AAA, me with PEAK and Brittany over there with Flav-R-Pac getting to the finals. That was good. The rain was tough but the fans waited. It was great. It’s always good here with the Bader family.”

ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AAA NEW ENGLAND CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 2 qualifier, fell in second round): “Not the result we wanted obviously. Wanted to take this AAA Chevy to another win. We qualified well but we’ve got a lot to do to get us where we want to be. We’ll get there and we’ll be fine. Now is the time to be putting in the work, so I’m not worried.”

PRO STOCK:

ERICA ENDERS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, MELLING PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (race winner): “It’s huge mojo. We’ve had a little bit of luck not go our way, losing by just a couple thousandths here and there. But my team always steps up to the plate. After the semifinals, we knew we had to tune her up and we came back and made a whole bunch of changes. I’m really proud of (crew chief) Mark Ingersoll; he’s really dug deep and fought this race car. I could not be more excited for this team. It’s a win at the closest racetrack to Melling Performance. We’re going to Jackson, Michigan, tomorrow to celebrate with all those great employees and their 75th anniversary.”

GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 1 qualifier, race runner-up; points leader): “I’m so proud of the team and the job everybody does. I’m even proud of the way I drove today; I did not drive bad. She (Erica Enders) got a killer light in the final. She’s a great driver and she came up with what she needed. There’s nothing you can do. Just a great drag race. I’ll move on to the next race and I still feel like I’ve got a great chance to tie that record and who knows set that record. My future still looks bright.”