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Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Friday preview

After a successful trip to the Western U.S., the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to the East Coast for the Circle K NHRA Four Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway. The event, which follows the unique four-across format, is the fifth of the 2023 Camping World NHRA Drag Racing Series.
28 Apr 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Race coverage
Charlotte

The Four Wide Nationals in Las Vegas two weeks ago was so much fun that we’ve decided to do it again and this time, the host facility will be The Bellgaio of Dragstrips, zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C.

Antron Brown, Matt Hagan, and Dallas Glenn celebrated wins in Las Vegas and the should rightfully be among the favorites to prevail this weekend under the unique Four Wide format that allows both the winner and second-place finisher from each “quad” to advance.

Brown claimed his first win of the Top Fuel season in his Matco Tools Toyota dragster and 72nd in his career, delivering his best run of the day in the final with 3.760 to hold off Steve Torrence, Brittany Force and Josh Hart. Brown finished second to Force in both of the first two quads but posted a .053 reaction time in the final round to grab his third career victory in Las Vegas.

Hagan strengthened his points leads with his third win in the first four races of the season and the 46th of his career. Hagan has also enjoyed many memorable moments at zMax Dragway including the sport’s first three-second Funny Car run.

In Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn got his redemption from last year's four-wide race in Las Vegas, picking up his second straight win by going 6.649 at 206.29 in his RAD Torque Systems Camaro. It gave him his sixth career victory over Troy Coughlin Jr., Cristian Cuadra, and Deric Kramer. There are 23 Pro Stock cars pre-entered for this weekend’s event so qualifying will be a battle in itself.

The Pro Stock Motorcycle class returns to center stage for the first time since the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Nationals in March. Gaige Herrera, in his first start with the Vance & Hines team, dominated the season-opener and will be among the favorites this year along with reigning world champion Matt Smith, his wife, Angie, and defending event winner Steve Johnson.

2022 EVENT WINNERS

Mike Salinas Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Steve Johnson, Pro Stock Motorcycle (Pro Stock was not contested)

TRACK RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.662 sec. by Brittany Force, May ’21; 336.91 mph by B. Force, Sept. ’22

Funny Car - 3.850 sec. by John Force, April ‘22; 335.07 mph by Ron Capps, Sept. ’22

Pro Stock - 6.455 seconds by Jason Line, March '15; 215.48 mph by Greg Anderson, March '15.

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.721 seconds by Steve Johnson, April ’22; 203.49 by Eddie Krawiec, May ’21.

EVENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, April 28

Camping World Series Pro Stock qualifying at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Camping World Series Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying at 4:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 29

Lucas Oil Series eliminations at 8:00 a.m.

Camping World Series Pro Stock qualifying at 12:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Camping World Series Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying at 1:15 and 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 30

Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m.

Camping World Series eliminations begin at noon

TELEVISION SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, April 28, FS1 will televise one and half hours of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET)

SUNDAY, April 30, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at noon (ET)

SUNDAY, April 30, FS1 will televise three hours of finals coverage at 6 p.m. (ET)

Or watch all day on NHRA.tv