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NHRA 101: Your Guide to NHRA Drag Racing

In basic terms, a drag race is an acceleration contest between two vehicles over a measured distance, but what is a holeshot? Or a breakout? Welcome to NHRA 101, your complete guide to the world of NHRA Drag Racing, from the terminology of the sport to what you need to enjoy a day at the races to info on the many different vehicles that take to the track during a race weekend.
NHRA.com Features and Columns

There's more to drag racing than just two cars streaking down the strip. NHRA.com has a wide assortment of regular columns, including the DRAGSTER Insider -- in which ND Editor Phil Burgess treats you to "the stories behind the stories" from yesterday and today -- exclusive Driver Blogs that take you into the homes and trailers of the sport's top stars, and the NHRA.com Notebook. From this area, you also can access previous Special Sections, including special-edition websites and blogs as well as memorial pages.
Meet the Stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Series

Want more information on your favorite NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers? NHRA.com has full bios on all the series regulars, including major accomplishments, best runs, hobbies, and more, plus team and driver website addresses and contact information in the fan-club sections.
Watch NHRA Drag Racing on TV

All 24 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events feature same-day television coverage on ESPN2 of the Professional-class action with play-by-play from motor racing veteran Dave Rieff and expert color commentary by former Top Fuel and Funny Car racer Mike Dunn. ESPN2 also offers coverage of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. NHRA Drag Racing also is aired in Canada on TSN.
The Sights and Sounds of NHRA Drag Racing

NHRA.com offers a wide array of multimedia features for you to enjoy the sights and sounds of NHRA Drag Racing. With video clips and photos from the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the popular National Dragster Photo of the Week, and a gallery of .wav files for your computer, there's lots to see and hear in NHRA Multimedia.
Get Your Official NHRA Apparel and Merchandise

A wide range of NHRA-themed items is available for purchase online. The NitroMall is your one-stop spot for official NHRA merchandise, products from some of the teams of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and more. The NHRA Store is the place to join NHRA and purchase specialty items and DVDs, and the NHRA Museum Store has items to satisfy history buffs, from vintage T-shirts to historical books.

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Friday's Sonoma Spotlight

Friday, July 27, 2012

News and views from the
NHRA Sonoma Nationals

Last update: 10 p.m.
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The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returned to the dragstrip in Sonoma nestled in the grassy hills and vineyards in the middle of Wine Country.

Tony Schumacher, Alexis DeJoria, and Todd Lesenko participated in a “track talk” near a large concentration of race fans near the grandstands and Pro pits.

Northern California Top Fuel fan favorite David Baca attended his first race in three years and provided some color commentary in the announcer booth.

Oakdale, Calif., resident Josh Crawford made his Funny Car debut with his Tommy Faust-tuned Pacific Truck Repair entry. Crawford, who went to the same high school as Eric Medlen, previously campaigned a Blue Max Nostalgia Funny Car.

Courtney Force made a career-best 4.08 in the Traxxas Ford Mustang during the opening round of Funny Car qualifying. She and fellow rookie Alexis DeJoria were Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, at the end of the session.

After two runs, former Sonoma winner Matt Smith is solidly in the Pro Stock Motorcycle field with a 6.90 best on his Buell V-twin. Smith’s wife, Angie, and teammate, Michael Ray, are also qualified.

Karen Stoffer, who has spent many weekends in Sonoma as a Division 7 Sportsman Motorcycle racer, returned to her old stomping grounds and rode to a solid 6.95 during the second Pro Stock Motorcycle session.

Current points leader Eddie Krawiec banked six more qualifying points as he led both of Friday’s Pro Stock Motorcycle sessions in Pomona. Krawiec is the current provisional leader with a track record 6.801.

Warren Johnson, who has been to all 25 NHRA national events in Sonoma, made one of the best runs in Friday’s second Pro Stock session when he drove to a 6.554.

As she has been at most events this year, Erica Enders is once again among the qualifying leaders in Pro Stock after driving the GK Motorsports Chevy to a pair of 6.54-second runs.

Fresh off his dominating victory in Denver, Allen Johnson is again the qualifying leader in Pro Stock. Johnson and Mike Edwards tied with identical 6.527-second runs, but Johnson earned the top spot based on his faster speed.

Dale Creasy Jr. is competing here for the first time since 2003. He drove Steve Plueger’s Chevy Impala to a 4.21, which is the best the car has ever run in competition, and stayed in at the No. 12 spot in Funny Car. Plueger’s car is modernized and utilizing two magnetos instead of just one like it had earlier this season.

Cruz Pedregon is the Funny Car leader after a performance-laden second qualifying session with a 4.02 at 307 mph. Both track records were broken between the Snap-on driver’s e.t. and Ron Capps’ 317.57-mph speed.

Tony Schumacher was the first driver down the track in the final Top Fuel qualifying session. The U.S. Army driver obliterated the track record with a 3.79, the last of eight track records in Sonoma broken today.

Doug Kalitta (above) was the leader in both sessions of Top Fuel qualifying when he drove the Technicoat dragster to a 3.80 in the opening round of qualifying and a track record 3.78 in the final pair of cars down the track. Kalitta Motorsports teammate David Grubnic (below) had a strong day with the fourth-best run of the first session (3.82) followed by a career-best 3.79 that placed him No. 2 in the Connie Kalitta-tuned Optima Batteries rail.

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