NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

One of the “majors” on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals is one of the must-attend events of the year, and this year’s East Coast opener certainly lived up to the anticipation and hype. The highlights began Saturday when Jack Beckman tied the quickest run in history and reset the national e.t. record with the 3.879 and Richie Crampton clocked the fifth-quickest run in history, 3.698, making Gainesville Raceway the second track with a sub-3.7-second run.

The excitement continued on Sunday, beginning with the first round of Top Fuel, which featured a series of big upsets. Chris Karamesines defeated No. 1 qualifier Crampton, newcomer Tripp Tatum got around Phoenix champ Leah Pritchett, and Terry McMillen stopped reigning world champ Antron Brown. McMillen continued to turn on the win lights as the day progressed, advancing to the first final of his career. McMillen ran into a buzz saw in that title round, though, and came up short against Brittany Force, who paced every round en route to her first win. Force was joined in the winner’s circle by teammate Robert Hight, who defeated Ron Capps for the Funny Car Wally. It was the first John Force Racing double ever.

In Pro Stock, the story was once again KB Racing dominance. The trio of Jason Line, Greg Anderson, and Bo Butner swept the top three qualifying spots, and the final came down to Anderson and Line. As he did when the pair met in the Pomona final, Anderson turned on the win light here, and like he did in Pomona, Anderson won on a holeshot.

The Pro Stock Motorcycles opened the season this weekend, and Eddie Krawiec dominated the weekend, qualifying No. 1 and defeating Hector Arana Sr. for the title.

Now’s your chance. If you were one of the judges, who would get your vote?

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