Latest news with #NHRAMissionFoodsDragRacingSeries
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mudflaps or Canards: The NHRA Aero Experiment Everyone is Watching
When a drag racer talks about 'mudflaps,' don't envision the big, wide rubber strips with the slinky silhouettes behind the tires on semi haulers that keep mud, rocks, and debris from pocking car windshields on the Interstate highways. What they're referring to is the canards, or 'air deflectors,' in front of the giant rear Goodyear slicks on an NHRA Top Fuel dragster. They're the hottest tech topic on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series; these additions are designed not for the advertising billboards they have become but for decreasing downforce, and reducing rear-wheel loads, all without causing a significant impact on other areas of the race car. The NHRA is studying it all and has allowed crew chiefs to experiment with the panels for the next four races. The experiment started with last weekend's Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler. Until the end of April, 'mudflaps' on Top Fuel dragsters will be optional. After the Arizona Nationals, the flaps are allowed at this weekend's Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., and the two four-wide events, at Charlotte and Las Vegas – and the NHRA Technical Department will be evaluating their effectiveness. The Tech Department will reassess the mud flap after the trial period, working with Top Fuel teams to gather as much information as possible. If a team does not use mud flaps, the side of the Top Fuel body must be covered with a replacement body panel, with no bare chassis exposed. Brian Corradi, current champion Antron Brown's crew chief, said, 'We don't need to have any tires failing. And they think that maybe you could take some downforce off the car by taking the mudflaps off, because we have nowhere else to go on the wing unless we change the wing design. So that's the plan.' Brittany Force was one of the first to make a pass without the familiar flaps, at last week's Arizona Nationals, at Phoenix, and she clocked a 3.768-second, 329.10-mph performance. But that was right in her wheelhouse. Neither she nor Dave Grubnic, her crew chief, put their stock in either of the car's configurations. Grubnic said, 'One run doesn't prove anything. We've been given the opportunity to explore [whether to use the mudflaps]. We've got to look at driveshafts. We've got to look at a lot of things. The car pretty much ran its number. It doesn't suggest the mudflaps did anything. It's way too early. Let's see what happens.' Force's co-crew chief, John Collins, joined the debate about what to call them – mudflaps? Canards? – and his suggestion was to 'call them useless.' Force has made runs both with and without mudflaps, and she said, 'There is a lot of theories and speculation around it. We're going to take all these four races to see what we could do, if it affects me as a driver, what it does to our car performance-wise. I'm excited to see.' Public-address announcer Jason Galvin said Saturday, 'The one thing that we do know, just from talking to our friends at Goodyear last weekend, when these race teams took those air deflectors off the car, they were seeing significantly cooler temperatures on the tires on the top end compared to the cars that were still running them.' Conditions were hot at Phoenix and are cool at Pomona, providing a wide array of data. Drag-racing legend Don 'The Snake' Prudhomme ushered in the mudflaps in 1990, with technical expertise of General Motors/Pontiac engineers, in an effort actually to increase downforce on the dragsters – the opposite of what the purpose of them is today. 'One of the engineers put aluminum flaps out on the side of the car, and that changed everything,' he said. That gave us downforce and everything we needed. And that's how they got born. Now they're [made of] carbon fiber.'
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NHRA Arizona Nationals Results
CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. The race is the second of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. TOP FUEL: 1. Shawn Langdon; 2. Doug Kalitta; 3. Jasmine Salinas; 4. Brittany Force; 5. Antron Brown; 6. Justin Ashley; 7. Tony Stewart; 8. Josh Hart; 9. Clay Millican; 10. Ida Zetterstrom; 11. Travis Shumake; 12. Scott Palmer; 13. Steven Chrisman; 14. Shawn Reed. FUNNY CAR: 1. Paul Lee; 2. Austin Prock; 3. Jack Beckman; 4. Bob Tasca III; 5. Matt Hagan; 6. Blake Alexander; 7. J.R. Todd; 8. Cruz Pedregon; 9. Ron Capps; 10. Jon Capps; 11. Daniel Wilkerson; 12. Alexis DeJoria; 13. Bobby Bode; 14. Chad Green; 15. Dave Richards; 16. Buddy Hull. PRO STOCK: 1. Greg Anderson; 2. Dallas Glenn; 3. Matt Hartford; 4. Aaron Stanfield; 5. Eric Latino; 6. Cory Reed; 7. Mason McGaha; 8. Greg Stanfield; 9. Cristian Cuadra; 10. Troy Coughlin Jr.; 11. David Cuadra; 12. Brandon Foster; 13. Erica Enders; 14. Jeg Coughlin; 15. Deric Kramer; 16. Fernando Cuadra Jr.. Final Results Top Fuel -- Shawn Langdon, 3.724 seconds, 330.39 mph def. Doug Kalitta, 3.770 seconds, 325.53 mph. Funny Car -- Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 4.030, 313.22 def. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 4.507, 240.68. Pro Stock -- Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, Broke def. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, Foul - Red Light. Competition Eliminator -- Jeff Taylor, Spitzer, 6.912, 159.83 def. Paul Mitsos, Chevy Camaro, 21.356, 35.22. Super Stock -- Ryan McClanahan, Chevy Cobalt, 8.284, 161.32 def. Leo Glasbrenner, Chevy Camaro, 9.413, 142.49. Stock Eliminator -- Justin Lamb, Chevy Camaro, 9.618, 135.21 def. Jody Lang, Chevy Malibu Wgn, 12.019, 107.05. Super Comp -- Chad Webber, Dragster, 8.944, 180.91 def. Steve Williams, Dragster, 8.927, 182.62. Super Gas -- Roger Kato, Chevy Camaro, 9.932, 171.60 def. Jerry Denton, Chevy Corvette, 9.826, 157.85. Top Dragster -- Mike Fuqua, Dragster, 7.237, 184.77 def. Mallory Reis, Dragster, 6.495, 203.95. Pro Modified -- Mike Stavrinos, Chevy Camaro, 5.725, 248.43 def. Rickie Smith, Ford Mustang, 5.787, 250.09. Legends Nitro Funny Car presented by Extreme Steel -- Ryan Horan, Chevy Camaro, 4.706, 240.55 def. Bobby Cottrell, Camaro, 4.826, 235.39. Final round-by-round results TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE -- Tony Stewart, 4.940, 189.84 def. Shawn Reed, 7.961, 64.16; Justin Ashley, 3.805, 327.19 def. Ida Zetterstrom, 3.818, 324.51; Brittany Force, 3.779, 320.89 def. Steven Chrisman, 4.089, 254.90; Doug Kalitta, 3.762, 325.92 def. Travis Shumake, 3.829, 330.88; Shawn Langdon, 3.783, 323.66 def. Scott Palmer, 3.918, 296.57; Antron Brown, 3.770, 329.34 def. Josh Hart, 3.810, 322.27; Jasmine Salinas, 3.779, 328.70 def. Clay Millican, 3.815, 319.98; QUARTERFINALS -- Langdon, 3.841, 311.49 def. Ashley, 4.124, 246.08; Force, 3.793, 328.38 def. Stewart, 5.328, 135.00; Salinas, 3.821, 322.88 def. Brown, 3.870, 314.24; Kalitta, 3.821, 322.27 was unopposed; SEMIFINALS -- Kalitta, 3.767, 317.94 def. Salinas, 3.809, 320.66; Langdon, 3.833, 325.37 def. Force, Broke; FINAL -- Langdon, 3.724, 330.39 def. Kalitta, 3.770, 325.53. FUNNY CAR: ROUND ONE -- Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.949, 326.16 def. Jon Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.570, 221.96; Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.910, 327.66 def. Dave Richards, Mustang, 7.303, 94.31; Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.936, 324.75 def. Buddy Hull, Charger, 14.943, 58.78; Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.003, 306.67 def. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 4.165, 230.61; Paul Lee, Charger, 4.445, 196.22 def. Chad Green, Mustang, 7.219, 92.78; Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.977, 322.34 def. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, Foul - Red Light; Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.987, 324.44 def. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.768, 190.62; J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 7.556, 87.55 def. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, Foul - Red Light; QUARTERFINALS -- Prock, 4.010, 311.92 def. Hagan, 4.005, 316.38; Beckman, 3.973, 319.14 def. Pedregon, 10.113, 80.73; Tasca III, 3.979, 325.22 def. Todd, 5.294, 161.63; Lee, 3.964, 319.82 def. Alexander, 4.151, 276.58; SEMIFINALS -- Lee, 4.411, 207.62 def. Tasca III, 5.219, 156.41; Prock, 3.966, 321.19 def. Beckman, 3.979, 321.42; FINAL -- Lee, 4.030, 313.22 def. Prock, 4.507, 240.68. PRO STOCK: ROUND ONE -- Mason McGaha, Chevy Camaro, 6.907, 207.69 def. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 9.620, 109.58; Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.598, 209.20 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.824, 209.39; Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.596, 209.33 def. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, Foul - Red Light; Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.546, 209.62 def. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 7.075, 205.60; Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.560, 208.71 def. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.619, 207.50; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.555, 209.49 def. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 10.798, 85.46; Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.560, 210.57 def. David Cuadra, Camaro, 6.602, 208.71; Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.582, 208.75 def. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.587, 209.79; QUARTERFINALS -- Hartford, 6.588, 208.46 def. M. McGaha, 6.837, 204.48; Glenn, 6.590, 209.95 def. G. Stanfield, 18.127, 58.53; Anderson, 6.616, 209.17 def. E. Latino, 6.594, 209.17; A. Stanfield, 6.589, 208.49 def. Reed, 6.603, 209.10; SEMIFINALS -- Anderson, 6.586, 209.79 def. A. Stanfield, 16.603, 50.14; Glenn, 6.591, 209.79 def. Hartford, 6.586, 208.49; FINAL -- Anderson, Broke def. Glenn, Foul - Red Light. CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park, the second of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series - Top Fuel 1. Shawn Langdon, 219; 2. Antron Brown, 179; 3. Doug Kalitta, 161; 4. Jasmine Salinas, 145; 5. Brittany Force, 118; 6. Tony Stewart, 107; 7. Clay Millican, 89; 8. Justin Ashley, 85; 9. Steve Torrence, 75; 10. Shawn Reed, 66. Funny Car 1. Paul Lee, 151; 2. Jack Beckman, 149; 3. Bob Tasca III, 143; 4. Chad Green, 139; 5. Ron Capps, 132; 6. Austin Prock, 127; 7. Matt Hagan, 124; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 107; 9. (tie) Bobby Bode, 87; Cruz Pedregon, 87. Pro Stock 1. Greg Anderson, 228; 2. Dallas Glenn, 221; 3. Cory Reed, 129; 4. Matt Hartford, 117; 5. Eric Latino, 109; 6. Mason McGaha, 105; 7. Aaron Stanfield, 104; 8. Jeg Coughlin, 103; 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., 89; 10. Greg Stanfield, 86.
Associated Press
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
NHRA Arizona Nationals Results
CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. The race is the second of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. TOP FUEL: 1. Shawn Langdon; 2. Doug Kalitta; 3. Jasmine Salinas; 4. Brittany Force; 5. Antron Brown; 6. Justin Ashley; 7. Tony Stewart; 8. Josh Hart; 9. Clay Millican; 10. Ida Zetterstrom; 11. Travis Shumake; 12. Scott Palmer; 13. Steven Chrisman; 14. Shawn Reed. FUNNY CAR: 1. Paul Lee; 2. Austin Prock; 3. Jack Beckman; 4. Bob Tasca III; 5. Matt Hagan; 6. Blake Alexander; 7. J.R. Todd; 8. Cruz Pedregon; 9. Ron Capps; 10. Jon Capps; 11. Daniel Wilkerson; 12. Alexis DeJoria; 13. Bobby Bode; 14. Chad Green; 15. Dave Richards; 16. Buddy Hull. PRO STOCK: 1. Greg Anderson; 2. Dallas Glenn; 3. Matt Hartford; 4. Aaron Stanfield; 5. Eric Latino; 6. Cory Reed; 7. Mason McGaha; 8. Greg Stanfield; 9. Cristian Cuadra; 10. Troy Coughlin Jr.; 11. David Cuadra; 12. Brandon Foster; 13. Erica Enders; 14. Jeg Coughlin; 15. Deric Kramer; 16. Fernando Cuadra Jr.. Final Results Top Fuel -- Shawn Langdon, 3.724 seconds, 330.39 mph def. Doug Kalitta, 3.770 seconds, 325.53 mph. Funny Car -- Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 4.030, 313.22 def. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 4.507, 240.68. Pro Stock -- Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, Broke def. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, Foul - Red Light. Competition Eliminator -- Jeff Taylor, Spitzer, 6.912, 159.83 def. Paul Mitsos, Chevy Camaro, 21.356, 35.22. Super Stock -- Ryan McClanahan, Chevy Cobalt, 8.284, 161.32 def. Leo Glasbrenner, Chevy Camaro, 9.413, 142.49. Stock Eliminator -- Justin Lamb, Chevy Camaro, 9.618, 135.21 def. Jody Lang, Chevy Malibu Wgn, 12.019, 107.05. Super Comp -- Chad Webber, Dragster, 8.944, 180.91 def. Steve Williams, Dragster, 8.927, 182.62. Super Gas -- Roger Kato, Chevy Camaro, 9.932, 171.60 def. Jerry Denton, Chevy Corvette, 9.826, 157.85. Top Dragster -- Mike Fuqua, Dragster, 7.237, 184.77 def. Mallory Reis, Dragster, 6.495, 203.95. Pro Modified -- Mike Stavrinos, Chevy Camaro, 5.725, 248.43 def. Rickie Smith, Ford Mustang, 5.787, 250.09. Legends Nitro Funny Car presented by Extreme Steel -- Ryan Horan, Chevy Camaro, 4.706, 240.55 def. Bobby Cottrell, Camaro, 4.826, 235.39. Final round-by-round results TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE -- Tony Stewart, 4.940, 189.84 def. Shawn Reed, 7.961, 64.16; Justin Ashley, 3.805, 327.19 def. Ida Zetterstrom, 3.818, 324.51; Brittany Force, 3.779, 320.89 def. Steven Chrisman, 4.089, 254.90; Doug Kalitta, 3.762, 325.92 def. Travis Shumake, 3.829, 330.88; Shawn Langdon, 3.783, 323.66 def. Scott Palmer, 3.918, 296.57; Antron Brown, 3.770, 329.34 def. Josh Hart, 3.810, 322.27; Jasmine Salinas, 3.779, 328.70 def. Clay Millican, 3.815, 319.98; QUARTERFINALS -- Langdon, 3.841, 311.49 def. Ashley, 4.124, 246.08; Force, 3.793, 328.38 def. Stewart, 5.328, 135.00; Salinas, 3.821, 322.88 def. Brown, 3.870, 314.24; Kalitta, 3.821, 322.27 was unopposed; SEMIFINALS -- Kalitta, 3.767, 317.94 def. Salinas, 3.809, 320.66; Langdon, 3.833, 325.37 def. Force, Broke; FINAL -- Langdon, 3.724, 330.39 def. Kalitta, 3.770, 325.53. FUNNY CAR: ROUND ONE -- Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.949, 326.16 def. Jon Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.570, 221.96; Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.910, 327.66 def. Dave Richards, Mustang, 7.303, 94.31; Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.936, 324.75 def. Buddy Hull, Charger, 14.943, 58.78; Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.003, 306.67 def. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 4.165, 230.61; Paul Lee, Charger, 4.445, 196.22 def. Chad Green, Mustang, 7.219, 92.78; Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.977, 322.34 def. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, Foul - Red Light; Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.987, 324.44 def. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.768, 190.62; J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 7.556, 87.55 def. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, Foul - Red Light; QUARTERFINALS -- Prock, 4.010, 311.92 def. Hagan, 4.005, 316.38; Beckman, 3.973, 319.14 def. Pedregon, 10.113, 80.73; Tasca III, 3.979, 325.22 def. Todd, 5.294, 161.63; Lee, 3.964, 319.82 def. Alexander, 4.151, 276.58; SEMIFINALS -- Lee, 4.411, 207.62 def. Tasca III, 5.219, 156.41; Prock, 3.966, 321.19 def. Beckman, 3.979, 321.42; FINAL -- Lee, 4.030, 313.22 def. Prock, 4.507, 240.68. PRO STOCK: ROUND ONE -- Mason McGaha, Chevy Camaro, 6.907, 207.69 def. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 9.620, 109.58; Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.598, 209.20 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.824, 209.39; Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.596, 209.33 def. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, Foul - Red Light; Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.546, 209.62 def. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 7.075, 205.60; Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.560, 208.71 def. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.619, 207.50; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.555, 209.49 def. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 10.798, 85.46; Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.560, 210.57 def. David Cuadra, Camaro, 6.602, 208.71; Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.582, 208.75 def. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.587, 209.79; QUARTERFINALS -- Hartford, 6.588, 208.46 def. M. McGaha, 6.837, 204.48; Glenn, 6.590, 209.95 def. G. Stanfield, 18.127, 58.53; Anderson, 6.616, 209.17 def. E. Latino, 6.594, 209.17; A. Stanfield, 6.589, 208.49 def. Reed, 6.603, 209.10; SEMIFINALS -- Anderson, 6.586, 209.79 def. A. Stanfield, 16.603, 50.14; Glenn, 6.591, 209.79 def. Hartford, 6.586, 208.49; FINAL -- Anderson, Broke def. Glenn, Foul - Red Light. CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park, the second of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series - Top Fuel 1. Shawn Langdon, 219; 2. Antron Brown, 179; 3. Doug Kalitta, 161; 4. Jasmine Salinas, 145; 5. Brittany Force, 118; 6. Tony Stewart, 107; 7. Clay Millican, 89; 8. Justin Ashley, 85; 9. Steve Torrence, 75; 10. Shawn Reed, 66. Funny Car 1. Paul Lee, 151; 2. Jack Beckman, 149; 3. Bob Tasca III, 143; 4. Chad Green, 139; 5. Ron Capps, 132; 6. Austin Prock, 127; 7. Matt Hagan, 124; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 107; 9. (tie) Bobby Bode, 87; Cruz Pedregon, 87. Pro Stock 1. Greg Anderson, 228; 2. Dallas Glenn, 221; 3. Cory Reed, 129; 4. Matt Hartford, 117; 5. Eric Latino, 109; 6. Mason McGaha, 105; 7. Aaron Stanfield, 104; 8. Jeg Coughlin, 103; 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., 89; 10. Greg Stanfield, 86.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Final NHRA Arizona Nationals Saturday Qualifying: Leaders Hold Serve in the Desert
Funny Car's Ron Capps claimed the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win of the year on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd at Firebird Motorsports Park, defeating Matt Hagan in the final round of the bonus race as part of the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals. Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) also won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge specialty race, while Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) and Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) earned No. 1 qualifiers at the second of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Capps went 3.989-seconds at 318.24 mph in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra, driving past Hagan in the bonus race in a matchup of multi-time world champions. It was a welcome victory for Capps, who went all of 2024 without winning a national event. He was the runner-up in Gainesville and built on that on Saturday, defeating Alexis DeJoria earlier in the day before getting past Hagan for a much-needed result. 'I'm very excited myself, but I'm more excited for 'Guido' [crew chief Dean Antonelli] and the team,' Capps said. 'Last year was a rebuilding of sorts. We knew we had to change the setup to get ahead of the competition after back-to-back world championships, and we felt like we needed to get to where Jimmy Prock and Austin were last year and this year. 'It's fun to win the Mission Challenge because it's really brought out a lot of fun on Saturdays. For the fans, it's great. It really creates a different Saturday, and when you get to the semis at a race you're always happy because you know you're in the Mission Challenge the next race, and whatever happens is icing on the cake. So a great, great win for us today.' Tasca finished as the No. 1 qualifier for the 19th time in his career, as Friday's run of 3.863 at 333.82 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang easily held up. He'll open eliminations against Jon Capps, looking for his first victory of the season. 'It's going to be a stacked group out there, but this car can go up and down a hot or cool track,' Tasca said. 'We were aggressive (today), trying to find the limit of where we thought the track was to kind of set us up for tomorrow. I think the guys will take that data and compensate for it tomorrow and we think that 3.92 (from Q1) was really in the sweet spot for the heat.' Austin Prock qualified second after going 3.883 on Friday, while R. Capps took third with a 3.912 at 323.50. Top Fuel's Shawn Langdon stayed red-hot at Firebird Motorsports Park, defeating Tony Stewart in the final round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge thanks to a run of 3.805 at 315.19 in his 11,000-horsepower Kalitta Air Careers dragster. It's another strong performance in Phoenix for Langdon, who is the defending event winner and has been to the past two final rounds at the track. That could bode well for Sunday, as Langdon, who was the runner-up in Gainesville, appears to be rolling. 'There are some tracks that just seem to work well with what you have and there's some tracks that just doesn't seem to work well, and Phoenix, obviously, fortunately, is one of those that seem to work well,' Langdon said. 'The team has done a great job with the car, and we're making great runs and kind of continuing that success. I didn't do a good job in the final. I clicked it a little bit early so, truth be told, it probably was going 3.79, which shows how much stronger the car really is, and it definitely gives us a lot of confidence going into Sunday.' His teammate, Doug Kalitta, earned his 60th career No. 1 qualifier in his 11,000-horsepower SealMaster/Toyota dragster on the strength of Friday's standout run of 3.688 at 330.09. That came under the lights, but Kalitta made a pair of strong runs on Saturday in the heat, giving him confidence for eliminations. He'll take on Phoenix-area native Travis Shumake to open race day. 'The track is holding up good in the heat,' Kalitta said. 'On that last run, we shot a couple of spark plugs out, so it shut off early, and we ran that 3.82. I'm not really sure what it would have run, but probably a little better than that, so that'll put us right in the mix where everybody else is.' Brittany Force took the second spot with a run of 3.705 at 331.69 and Langdon is third after going 3.706 at 331.85. Pro Stock's Jeg Coughlin Jr. showcased his classic form on the starting line in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, using a pair of holeshots to win the bonus round, including the final round against Dallas Glenn. Coughlin, a five-time world champ, went 6.583 at 208.88 in his Scag Power Equipment/Outlaw Light Beer Chevrolet Camaro for Elite Motorsports, utilizing a.026 reaction time to hold off Glenn and get the victory. He beat longtime rival and reigning world champ Greg Anderson earlier in the day, dialing up a strong performance in the Challenge. 'I think that was a big shot in the arm for our entire team,' Coughlin said. 'Pro Stock is so close. I mean, a holeshot is almost a loose term because you can win or lose races by thousandths of a second. 'We've made a lot of changes to our cars across the board coming into this race and obviously our we feel like our performance is there, but we're just not able to light the [score]boards up, so we're working hard and fortunately, we made some strides today.' Racing in front of plenty of family and friends, as well as a sold-out crowd, local native Matt Hartford easily held onto the No. 1 spot in his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro with Friday's strong run of 6.509 at 208.20. Hartford picked up his fifth career No. 1 qualifier, setting the tone for what he hopes is a meaningful Sunday and a win at his home track. He opens eliminations against Brandon Foster. 'When we unloaded off the trailer here in Phoenix, we thought we had a pretty good setup,' Hartford said. 'Even though the scoreboard didn't show any good numbers for us today, that doesn't mean that it wasn't beneficial. 'There's nothing more that we want to do than win this race at our home track. We've got a runner-up here [in 2019] and our goal is to take the hardware. When I lost in the finals to Jeg a few years back, it was crushing, because it was that would have been awesome to win, but we've won from No. 1 before, and our goal is to do it again.' Anderson took second with a 6.512 at 208.91 at 208.91 and Cory Reed qualified third after a run of 6.516 at 208.91. Eliminations for the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals begin at 11 a.m. MT on Sunday at Firebird Motorsports Park. Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park, the third of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings. Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.688 seconds, 330.39 mph vs. 14. Travis Shumake, 5.207, 136.91; 2. Brittany Force, 3.705, 331.69 vs. 13. Steven Chrisman, 4.294, 217.53; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.706, 331.85 vs. 12. Scott Palmer, 4.018, 275.00; 4. Antron Brown, 3.710, 333.82 vs. 11. Josh Hart, 3.817, 323.58; 5. Clay Millican, 3.734, 329.34 vs. 10. Jasmine Salinas, 3.808, 314.09; 6. Justin Ashley, 3.754, 329.26 vs. 9. Ida Zetterstrom, 3.763, 327.03; 7. Tony Stewart, 3.755, 325.22 vs. 8. Shawn Reed, 3.757, 328.46. Funny Car -- 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.863, 333.82 vs. 16. Jon Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.656, 213.43; 2. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.883, 327.74 vs. 15. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.247, 242.23; 3. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.895, 327.51 vs. 14. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.151, 295.01; 4. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.912, 323.50 vs. 13. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.021, 318.62; 5. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.919, 328.14 vs. 12. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.982, 323.97; 6. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.931, 324.75 vs. 11. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.978, 319.52; 7. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 3.931, 323.35 vs. 10. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.952, 323.66; 8. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.933, 324.44 vs. 9. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.939, 329.58. Did Not Qualify: 17. Spencer Hyde, 4.935, 142.00; 18. Jim Campbell, 5.058, 183.52; 19. Jeff Diehl, 5.232, 143.80; 20. Terry Haddock, 6.031, 114.88. Pro Stock -- 1. Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.509, 208.88 vs. 16. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.590, 207.40; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.512, 209.59 vs. 15. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.583, 208.17; 3. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.516, 210.11 vs. 14. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.573, 209.04; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.520, 210.37 vs. 13. David Cuadra, Camaro, 6.570, 208.42; 5. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.538, 208.68 vs. 12. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.564, 208.78; 6. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.540, 208.23 vs. 11. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.561, 210.08; 7. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.551, 208.68 vs. 10. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.557, 210.47; 8. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.554, 207.53 vs. 9. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.555, 209.23. Did Not Qualify: 17. Chris McGaha, 6.600, 207.82; 18. Cody Coughlin, 6.600, 207.15; 19. Stephen Bell, 6.613, 207.94; 20. Kenny Delco, 6.623, 207.27; 21. Matt Latino, 6.681, 207.37. Saturday's #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge final results from the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. Top Fuel Challenge -- Shawn Langdon, 3.805 seconds, 315.19 mph def. Tony Stewart, 3.844 seconds, 323.19 mph. Funny Car Challenge -- Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.989, 318.24 def. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 6.249, 108.69. Pro Stock Challenge -- Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.583, 208.88 def. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.570, 210.37. CHANDLER, Ariz. -- #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge final round-by-round results from the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. TOP FUEL CHALLENGE: ROUND ONE -- Tony Stewart, 3.779, 325.22 def. Antron Brown, 4.288, 199.46; Shawn Langdon, 3.806, 326.32 def. Jasmine Salinas, 3.843, 314.09; FINAL -- S. Langdon, 3.805, 315.19 def. T. Stewart, 3.844, 323.19. FUNNY CAR CHALLENGE: ROUND ONE -- Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.994, 319.37 def. Chad Green, Ford Mustang, 3.982, 323.97; Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.988, 314.24 def. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 4.196, 239.19; FINAL -- R. Capps, 3.989, 318.24 def. M. Hagan, 6.249, 108.69. PRO STOCK CHALLENGE: ROUND ONE -- Dallas Glenn, Chevy Camaro, 6.551, 210.11 def. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.565, 210.11; Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.574, 208.81 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.550, 209.01; FINAL -- J. Coughlin, 6.583, 208.88 def. D. Glenn, 6.570, 210.37.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NHRA Arizona Nationals Friday Qualifying: Kalitta Quickest in Top Fuel
Top Fuel's Doug Kalitta powered to the provisional No. 1 position on Friday at Firebird Motorsports Park, making the only run in the 3.60s at the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals. Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) and Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the second of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Kalitta went 3.688-seconds at 330.09-mph in his 11,000-horsepower SealMaster/Toyota dragster under the lights in Phoenix, putting the 2023 world champion in line for his first No. 1 qualifier of the year and the 59th in his career. The No. 1 spot changed twice before Kalitta ran, but nobody else could move into the 3.60s on Friday, as Kalitta put on a standout show in Phoenix. Kalitta and his team ran with mud flaps on during the first session, but removed them for the second, as NHRA officials announced earlier this week mud flaps will be optional for the next four races. 'I was pretty happy with that run and I have to say they've really done a nice job at this facility. The track is nice and smooth,' Kalitta said. 'We're happy that things kind of cooled off and we were able to get a good run in. The conditions were that good, so it says a lot for the track and this team.' Brittany Force took the second spot with a run of 3.705 at 331.69 and Kalitta Motorsports' teammate Shawn Langdon is currently third after going 3.706 at 331.85. In Funny Car, Bob Tasca ended Friday qualifying in the category in impressive fashion, going 3.863 at 333.82 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft Ford Mustang to slip past reigning world champion Austin Prock for the provisional No. 1 spot. Prock and Tasca were the only two Funny Car drivers to dip into the 3.80s during the first two sessions, with Prock going 3.883 at 327.44 the pair before Tasca. But Tasca topped him to take the upper hand into Saturday, where he will attempt to pick up his 19th career No. 1 qualifier and first of the year. 'What I love about what we did today is that we ran good on a hot track, and we did it on a cool track,' Tasca said. 'This is very unique. You don't see what we saw today, a 122-degree track and then an 80-degree track. That's a 40-degree change in racing surface so that's a completely different race car, and the teams that adapted and made the changes performed the best today, and it'll be exciting for tomorrow and see what we can do. 'You're going to see a hot track for the rest of the weekend, so I'm pretty confident. That first run was more important than the second run and Todd [Okuhara] and Aaron [Brooks] really worked hard over the winter, making some changes to this race car, trying to get more consistency.' Prock is second after two sessions, while Ron Capps is in third after going 3.912 at 323.50. Friday night was great for Phoenix-area native Matt Hartford, as he took over the No. 1 spot in his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro with a stellar run of 6.509 at 208.20. If that holds, Hartford would pick up his fifth career No. 1 qualifier and first of the year, and continue his strong turnaround after struggling for the bulk of the 2024 campaign. This is another noteworthy step forward as Hartford looks to win at his home track. 'This is our home track,' Hartford said. 'It's Total Seal country, and to be able to do that in front of friends and family and all the people from Total Seal is just incredible. We're going to have a lot of people here tomorrow, about 175 of our closest friends, and they're all going to want to know how we did last night, so it's going to be nice to say that we're No. 1 going into tomorrow.' Defending world champ and Gainesville winner Greg Anderson is second with a 6.512 at 208.91 at 208.91 and Cory Reed is third after a run of 6.516 at 208.91. Qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park, third of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations. Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.688 seconds, 330.39 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.705, 331.69; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.706, 331.85; 4. Antron Brown, 3.710, 333.82; 5. Clay Millican, 3.734, 329.34; 6. Justin Ashley, 3.754, 329.26; 7. Tony Stewart, 3.755, 319.98; 8. Shawn Reed, 3.757, 328.46; 9. Ida Zetterstrom, 3.763, 327.03; 10. Josh Hart, 3.817, 323.58; 11. Steven Chrisman, 4.294, 217.53; 12. Scott Palmer, 4.551, 182.16; 13. Travis Shumake, 7.056, 83.87; 14. Jasmine Salinas, 8.730, 75.80. Funny Car -- 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.863, 333.82; 2. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.883, 327.74; 3. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.895, 327.51; 4. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.912, 323.50; 5. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.919, 328.14; 6. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.931, 324.75; 7. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 3.931, 323.35; 8. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.933, 324.44; 9. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.939, 329.58; 10. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.952, 323.66; 11. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.074, 310.77; 12. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.201, 237.30; 13. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.248, 219.12; 14. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.664, 216.51; 15. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 4.935, 142.00; 16. Jim Campbell, Mustang, 5.058, 183.52. Not Qualified: 17. Buddy Hull, 5.477, 133.28; 18. Jon Capps, 7.274, 85.08; 19. Terry Haddock, 11.888, 76.80; 20. Jeff Diehl, 12.557, 66.25. Pro Stock -- Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.509, 208.88; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.512, 209.59; 3. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.516, 209.46; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.520, 210.28; 5. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.538, 208.68; 6. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.540, 208.23; 7. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.551, 207.78; 8. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.554, 207.53; 9. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.555, 209.23; 10. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.557, 209.82; 11. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.561, 210.08; 12. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.564, 208.78; 13. David Cuadra, Camaro, 6.570, 208.26; 14. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.573,209.04; 15. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.583, 208.17; 16. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.590, 206.80. Not Qualified: 17. Chris McGaha, 6.600, 207.69; 18. Cody Coughlin, 6.600, 207.15; 19. Stephen Bell, 6.613, 207.94; 20. Kenny Delco, 6.623, 207.11; 21. Matt Latino, 6.693, 205.16.
