NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The abbreviated two-race Western Swing will wrap up this week as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to scenic California Wine Country for the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals,
the 12th of 20 events this season.

On Friday, the fans who packed Sonoma Raceway for the opening day of the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals got their money’s worth with a full day of on and off track action including a spectacular nighttime qualifying session that produced record elapsed times and speeds.

Today, those same fans can expect more of the same as the event rolls on with the conclusion of professional qualifying along with the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Allstar NHRA Callout and the return of the popular Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for competitors in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.

The GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout will take center stage with the top eight riders in the class competing for a $25,000 top prize. Yesterday, qualifying leader Gaige Herrera made a bold move when he called out rival and six-time world champion Matt Smith as his round one opponent. GETTRX backed Hector Arana Jr. also picked out a longtime rival in Steve Johnson while Jianna Evaristo took on a challenge of her own when she called out Seattle winner Chase Van Sant. The final pair will feature Angie Smith and her MSR teammate, John Hall.

The Mission Challenge in Top Fuel will feature Seattle winner Steve Torrence and world champ Doug Kalitta while Shawn Langdon will race Clay Millican. Last night, Kalitta lit up the scoreboards with a track record 3.649-second run in his Mac Tools Dragster. Millican also made a solid run last night with a 3.711 in his Rick Ware dragster, which is flying the colors of event sponsor Denso this weekend.

The Mission Challenge in Funny Car  is loaded with intrigue as championship leader and Seattle winner Austin Prock will have his hands full in round one when he battles against defending Sonoma winner J.R. Todd. Last night, Todd ran a competitive 3.904 while Prock did not get down the track on either run in his Cornwell Tools Camaro. The other pair will feature Blake Alexander and Seattle runner-up Paul Lee. Alexander’s Pronto team worked well into the night following a spectacular finish line explosion on Friday night that shredded their Mustang body. Lee is currently the higher qualified entry with a 3.920 while Alexander’s best is a 3.961.

Finally, the Mission Challenge in Pro Stock with highlight Seattle champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. against Chris McGaha, who has recently revitalized his Harlow Sammons program. McGaha is also a past Sonoma winner. On the other side of the ladder, Dallas Glenn will put his RAD Torque Systems Camaro up against Troy Coughlin Jr. and his JEGS.com/White Castle Camaro.

Professional qualifying is set to kick off at 11:30 a.m. (PDT) with the second session set for 2 p.m.

2023 EVENT WINNERS: Justin Ashley, Top Fuel; J.R. Todd, Funny Car; Gaige Herrera, Pro Stock Motorcycle. (Pro Stock was not contested)

MOST VICTORIES: Doug Kalitta, 5, TF; John Force, 8, FC; Greg Anderson, 6, PS; LE Tonglet, 4, PSM.

TRACK RECORDS

    Top Fuel - 3.649 sec. by Doug Kalitta, July, ’24; 337.75 mph by Brittany Force, July ‘22.
    Funny Car – 3.807 sec. by Robert Hight, July, ’17; 339.87 mph by Hight, July ‘17.
    Pro Stock – 6.499 sec. by Chris McGaha July ’15; 213.00 mph by Shane Gray, July ’15.
    Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.692 sec. by Angelle Sampey, July ’22; 205.04 mph by Matt Smith, July ‘21.

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, July 27
LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations at 8:30 a.m.
NHRA MISSION FOODS SERIES qualifying at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
GETTRX ALLSTAR CALLOUT rounds, 12 noon, 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, July 28
Pre-race ceremonies, 9 a.m.
NHRA MISSION FOODS SERIES eliminations begin at 10:30 a.m.

TELEVISION

Saturday July 27, FOX will televise one hour of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at 6 p.m. (ET).
Saturday, July 27, FS1 will televise one hour of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Allstar Callout at 7 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, July 28 FS1 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 2 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, July 28, FOX will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).

TICKETS

To purchase tickets to the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, fans can click here or call 800-884-6472