NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

During Saturday’s qualifying at the 2022 Menards NHRA Nationals Presented By PetArmor, where air temperatures were likened to the surface of the sun, man and machine coped with the heat in preparation for race day. Today's competitive matchups were dictated by Friday's qualifying efforts. We saw great runs on Saturday but little movement in any of the qualifying orders outside of Pro Stock Motorcycle. This is a huge race as we come to the end of the regular season of competition. 

Top Fuel

Mike Salinas has been having the season he's always dreamed of. The efforts and investments made have begun to pay off. The car is quick, the driving is consistent, and the team is enjoying the success. Salinas admits that "We've found a little secret in drag racing, and we are going to hold onto it."  Was he speaking metaphorically about the team? Or was he referring to something in the car? Perhaps it's both. "It's hot and it's rough here," said Salinas, "but as soon as you strap into the car it all goes away."

Brittany Force clinched her Countdown position after Saturday's qualifying, and Topeka was where Brittany's first win of the season came in 20221. She will be looking to repeat (with or without her dad) her trip to the winner's circle. 

Funny Car

When qualifying in a nitro class has only a thousandth of a second of a difference between the top three spots, you know it is going to be a great day of racing. Ron Capps clinched his spot in the Countdown. Capps said conditions this morning will be better than they were on Friday afternoon, so first-round racing will be some of the best runs we've seen all weekend in Topeka. 

Matt Hagan has also clinched his Countdown spot. The team started off strong in 2022 but has recently been struggling. "We love the Topeka fans, I'm going crawl into that car and sweat for all of you a little bit today." 

John Force is in the Countdown and will run for Championship number 17. His first matchup will be against Cruz Pedregon, and he said "Hell, let's go drag racing, what do you say?" 

Pro Stock

Greg Anderson looks to have the horsepower and a car that loves the heat. Watch for him to work his way through the ladder and pay close attention to a possible third-round matchup against Aaron Stanfield and a potential final matchup against Erica Enders, Dallas Glenn, or Deric Kramer.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

We will all be watching to see if Angelle Sampey can pull off her repeat win from her last time here 25 years ago. Pro Stock Motorcycle saw the most movement in qualifying of any class, so while this looks like Sampey's or Joey Gladstone's race to win, expect surprises to be the norm. The first of which may be today's marquee matchup of Matt Smith vs. Steve Johnson in round one. Smith asked the fans what bike he should race with and has opted to run the V-twin today against Johnson's Suzuki. 

Track records: 
Top Fuel - 3.660 seconds by Tony Schumacher, May 2017; 334.90 mph by Clay Millican, May 2018
Funny Car – 3.802 seconds by Matt Hagan, May 2017; 338.85 mph by Matt Hagan, May 2017
Pro Stock - 6.515 seconds by Erica Enders, May 2015; 211.43 mph by Erica Enders, May 2015
Pro Stock Motorcycle-7.381 seconds by Matt Hines, Sept. 1997; 182.88 mph by Matt Hines, Sept. 1996

2021 event winners: 
Brittany Force, John Force, Dallas Glenn

Most victories
Scott Kalitta, 6, TF; John Force, 10, FC; Warren Johnson, 5; John Meyers, 4

Sunday's schedule: 
NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series eliminations begin at 8:00 a.m.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series eliminations begin at 10:30 a.m.

Television:
Sunday, August 14: FS1 will televise qualifying coverage at 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, August 14: FS1 will televise finals coverage at 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. (ET).