NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals was a steamy affair, in more ways than just the 90-degree-plus weather. Here’s the five items we found the hottest over the weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Brayden Davis is for real

Brayden Davis raised a lot of eyebrows with his debut on the Vance & Hines RevZilla/Motul rental Suzuki in Bristol, where he qualified No. 1 and went to the semifinals before a riding error cost him against his two-time world champion teammate Gaige Herrera.

His .012 light in round one there and another No. 1 qualifying effort in Richmond, followed by a .016 Tree in round one, gave everyone instant flashbacks to the success that Herrera had on his first runs on the V&H bike two years ago.

Davis, like Herrera, had a ton of two-wheeled experience and success in other motorcycle racing before coming to The Big Show, and this may be the future template for teams looking for a rider who can get the most out of a bike. In short, Davis is doing Herrera-like things with this opportunity.

Davis' original agreement with the team was just Bristol and Richmond, but he has already moved into the Top 10 in points, so there seems to be a good reason to continue.

“We're still looking for marketing partners,” he said. “I love racing out here, and I know I can make a good career out of it. I just need somebody to trust me enough to invest in this great opportunity.”

Herrera had nothing but the highest praise for — and a bit of concern about — Davis.

"He's gonna be a fierce competitor," said the champ. "If he finds some funding or, you know, a team might pick him up, like Matt [Smith] or us. That kid's showing potential, and I ain't gonna lie, I'm a little worried he's gonna be out here a lot."

Prock Rocket flying high again ...

After shocking back-to-back first-round exits at the hand of Buddy Hull in Epping and Bristol, a lot of the Funny Car contingent was relieved that the team was proving human after following four final-round appearances (and two wins) in the first eight events, and may have chuckled a bit to see the fiery pilot even punch his tow vehicle in frustration after the safety system shut his card down when he went to pedal it.

But, of course, it wasn't destined to last.

“Obviously, we don't like being in that situation we were," he admitted. "The only time we're satisfied at the end of the weekend is when we're holding one of those gold Wallys. We strive for perfection, and when we're not perfect, and we're not holding the trophy at the end of the weekend, we're not satisfied. So it is frustrating, and other things led up to weekends like last weekend. I wouldn't have been as mad if I would have had a chance to stab the gas again if the safety system didn't shut it off. I would have been able to pedal it and could have won that round. It’s kind of like you’re gunless in a gunfight.

“But I put in my homework. I hit the practice Tree for over an hour every day when I was home because I was pissed off. I’m always, always learning, and like Force says, 'When you stop learning, and you stop getting those butterflies on Sunday morning, it’s time hang it up,' and we're definitely not there yet."
 

D-Wilk is due

Just like his tenacious father, Tim, Daniel Wilkerson seems due for a first career win early in his career. D-Wilk and father Tim looked good in winning Saturday’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, and Sunday’s hot weather and blistering track seemed to play right into the Wilkersons’ wheelhouse.

They had lane choice in the semifinals and took the right lane, which proved to be the kiss of death, and the Scag machine smoked the tires early and fell to Jack Beckman.

With a runner-up earlier this season in Pomona and a semifinal finish two weeks ago in Bristol, it’s clear that the team is on the cusp of winning.
 

Welcome back to Richmond, John

John Force took another big step in his rebound from his terrible Richmond crash last year but returned to the scene of the wreck to cheer on daughter Brittany and Jack Beckman and Austin Prock.

Brittany and Beckman both qualified No. 1 in their respective fields, which had to help, but everyone admitted to it being an emotional weekend.

For his part, the 16-time world champ said that he’s just trying to enjoy being at the races with his team and putting the wreck out of his mind, although the team did invite one of his critical care nurses from Virginia Medical out for the weekend.

Whether there’s a return to the cockpit in his future remains unknown, but the GOAT did say that every time he hears someone tell drivers to get in their cars, his heartbeat races.

From Russia, with love 

With all of the madness going on in the world, drag racing proved that it can again be the bridge as Russian native Dmitry Samorukov drew headlines for his outing in Richmond.

Samorukov, a five-time Russian Drag Racing champion who hails from just outside of Moscow, made history by becoming the first Russian to qualify No. 1 in any class at an NHRA event, and an historic win seemed like it might be in the offing.

But ‘twas not to be.

In the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series final, Samorukov left first but his mount struck the tires, and he lost the handle and smashed into the guardwall in his lane, handing the win to J.R. Gray.

Previous non-U.S. national event winners include Sweden’s Jimmy Alund in Pro Stock, Japan’s Kenji Okazaki in Funny Car, Qatar's Khalid alBalooshi in Top Fuel and Pro Mod, and numerous Canadians and Australians.