Drag Racing News

Justin Ashley Leads Top Fuel, Brittany Force Sets zMAX Dragway Speed Record at Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals

Force Continues zMAX Dragway Hot Streak, Claims Provisional No. 1 Spot at Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals

(CONCORD, NC – MAY 1, 2022 – RIS) Steve Johnson grabbed the Wally for Pro Stock Motorcycle, winning all three quads on the way to his second consecutive event win for the 2022 season. In Top Fuel, Mike Salinas took second place in the first round, advancing to the semi-final, where he was quickest to the finish line, then repeating the feat to take the Wally trophy home after the final round. In Funny Car, John Force set new track records on the way to duplicating last year's win in the Four-Wide event, taking the runnerup position in the first quad, followed by a second runnerup in quad two, before beating out Ron Capps, Robert Hight and Mike McIntire Jr in the final round on the way to his155th class win in a Funny Car career that began in 1971. Mike Salinas captured the Wally for Top Fuel, his second win for 2022 and first for brand new sponsor Pep Boys.

(CONCORD, NC – APRIL 30, 2022 – RIS) John Force drove his 11,000-horsepower PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car to a track record of 3.850 seconds at 334.24 mph in Friday's qualifying session and the time held for the 16-time champion to claim his 164th career pole and first of the 2022 season. “It's a team effort and Robert Hight ran quicker, 3.87 to our 3.89 (in the final qualifying session), but feel I good about that because three out of four good runs for us and a little consistency," Force said. "If Robert wins, we win, but I want to win, too. He's got a couple on board (in 2022);

J. Force, J. Ashley and Johnson Power to Provisional No. 1 Spots at Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2022) John Force set both ends of the track record at zMAX Dragway on Friday, making the fastest run ever at the facility to power to the Funny Car provisional No. 1 position at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.

(CONCORD, NC – OCT 14, 2021 – RIS) Tony Stewart announced today that Tony Stewart Racing will field a Top Fuel dragster for his fiancée Leah Pruett and a nitro Funny Car for current champion Matt Hagan.

The Force is With Us at zMAX Dragway

John and Brittany Force, Greg Anderson and Scotty Pollacheck No. 1 qualifiers at Four-Wide Nationals

NASCAR Tops NHRA in Four-Wide Drag Race 

The NHRA weekend that had almost everything ended with victories by Shawn Langdon in Funny Car, Steve Torrence in Top Fuel and Andrew Hines in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

(Concord, NC – April 26, 2019 – RIS) Mike Salinas, off of a win at the Las Vegas Four-Wide NHRA drag race, goes into the second day of qualifying for the NGK Spark Plugs Four Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway at the head of the Top Fuel field after only a single round of qualifying.

(CONCORD, NC - OCT 14, 2018 - RIS) The final day of the NHRA Carolina Nationals presented by Wix Filters almost looked as if it would be continued through to Monday, but the cloudy skies never did more than a light early sprinkle that didn't affect the schedule or proceedings more than minimally. Final rounds were held under brightening skies and in almost perfect atmospheric conditions. Championship races came to Charlotte in the pro classes still in doubt and will head to the next event at The Strip at Las Vegas in two weeks before the finals at Pomona, California two more weeks down the road.
Class championships went to Steve Torrence, continuing his streak to four victories in Top Fuel, Ron Capps in Funny Car, Jason Line in Pro Stock and Matt Smith in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

-- For Immediate Release -- CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 13, 2018) – Brittany Force made it a clean sweep of No. 1 qualifier honors this year at zMAX Dragway on Saturday, after the defending NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel champion roared to the top in qualifying for the NHRA Carolina Nationals presented by WIX Filters. Brittany Force moved to the top of the charts in Top Fuel qualifying for the NHRA Carolina Nationals presented by WIX Filters at zMAX Dragway; Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also earned No. 1 qualifier honors after Saturday's final two rounds of qualifying

(CONCORD, NC – OCT 12, 2018 – RIS) Steve Torrence held on to the top qualifying spot through two rounds of time trials for the NHRA Carolina Nationals. Ron Capps currently sits at the front of the Funny Car field, "We knew coming in that conditions were going to be better than great, and they quite possibly could be as good tomorrow during Q4, so by all means we're not sitting on this No. 1," said Capps, who is aiming for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and second at zMAX Dragway.

'The Sarge' Speaks: Tony Schumacher Previews NHRA Carolina Nationals presented by WIX Filters
Tony Schumacher will chase his third victory in this weekend's NHRA Carolina Nationals presented by WIX Filters at zMAX Dragway
Eight-time NHRA champion Tony Schumacher will chase his third NHRA Carolina Nationals presented by WIX Filters victory this weekend at zMAX Dragway; Schumacher is in contention for the Top Fuel championship heading into the fourth of six Countdown races
Forecasts include clear weather, cool temperatures and plenty of sunshine for all three days of drag racing action; Single-day tickets start at just $25 with three-day passes (including parking) at just $99 while kids get in FREE; Tickets, camping and upgrades are available online or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267)

C. Force stays locked in with fourth victory of the season from No. 1 qualifying position

• Torrence builds on Top Fuel points lead with fourth win of 2018
• Gray becomes second Pro Stock driver to earn two victories on the season
• Tonglet finds himself in winner's circle for the first time on the year

JOLIET, Ill. – RIS-A crash like the one Brittany Force experienced to open the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season is not an experience she wants to go through again. But the ability to overcome some sizeable adversity the way the defending Top Fuel world champion and her team did also told Force a great deal about what her team is capable of this season.

   C. Force continues dominance in Funny Car by securing her third victory of the season

Millican uses strong third qualifying pass to move atop the Top Fuel order

• C. Force continues dominant season with fifth No. 1 qualifier in eight events
• In the final pair of Pro Stock qualifying, Kramer moves into top spot

COMMERCE, Ga. (May 6, 2018) — Courtney Force powered her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car to the winner’s circle for the second time this season Sunday at the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Sister Brittany Force raced into the quarterfinals and veteran drivers Robert Hight and John Force had first round exits after strong performances during qualifying.
  

HOUSTON (April 22) -- Only time will tell but it could very well come to pass that five-time pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. eventually points to this weekend's 31st annual NHRA SpringNationals as the place where his 2018 campaign was truly launched. 

Brittany Force wins her first Top Fuel victory of the season

BAYTOWN, Texas – Jose Gonzalez secured the No. 1 qualifying position Saturday during the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service portion of the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing, presented by Tige Boats, is the third of 12 events this season.

PRITCHETT, HIGHT AND ANDERSON SECURE NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITIONS AT NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS

(CONCORD, NC - APRIL 29, 2018 - RIS) Steve Torrence scored his third consecutive Top Fuel win, joined by Cruz Pedregon, Erica Enders-Stevens and Jerry Savoie in capturing the Wallies trophies for NHRA winners at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.

And the Beat Goes On…
Brittany and Courtney Force Hold Onto Top Qualifying Spots at NGK Four Wide Nationals
Building on the momentum already established in the 2018 season, both Brittany and Courtney Force locked in their No.1 qualifying status for Sunday’s NGK Spark Plug Nationals at zMAX Dragway. 
•  Courtney Force earns her third No. 1 qualifying result of 2018
•  Brittany Force’s pole is her career ninth No. 1
•  Drew Skillman drove his Camaro to Pro Stock No. 1
•  LE Tonglet returned to White Alligator Racing with a No. 1 effort

Sisters Force to Top of NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals Field
(CONCORD, NC – APR 27, 2018 – RIS) Brittany and Courtney Force ended the first day of qualifying at zMAX Dragway at the top of their respective classes. Courtney Force led the Funny Car field after Friday’s qualifying, with a time of 3.873 sec, 332.92 mph in her first session. After Friday’s qualifying ended, Ron Capps was second, Tommy Johnson Jr third, J.R. Todd fourth and Bob Tasca III was fifth in his Mustang.

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2017) - RIS - Jack Beckman ended the opening day of the NHRA Finals Friday holding the provisional pole with Terry and Doug Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car.

(CONCORD, NC – SEP 17, 2017 – RIS) Doug Kalitta took his No. 1 qualifying position to a career first win at zMAX Dragway Sunday in the tenth NHRA Carolina Nationals. Joining Kalitta at the top of the weekend's podium was 18-year-old rookie phenom Tanner Gray in Pro Stock, also a No. 1 qualifier, Robert Hight in Funny Car and Eddie Krawiec riding his Pro Stock Motorcycle, all victorious in the first Countdown event of the final six rounds of the Mello Yello Drag Racing season. Kalitta beat teammate Richie Crampton in the finals with a 3.775-second pass at 318.39 mph in the Mac Tools dragster, earning his first 'Wally' trophy of 2017. Kalitta has 43 career wins and has not won at only two tracks on the NHRA circuit.  “Getting this win gives us great momentum with only five races to go, but with the team I have with me I’m full of confidence,” Kalitta said. “It’s huge for me to get my first win at this great facility, because we have been coming here for a lot of years and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.” The win and quick qualifier points vaulted Kalitta from fifth in points to the lead, going into the next race at the Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, PA.

Courtney Force continued her list of number one qualifying efforts by holding on to the to spot for Sunday's NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Her Friday time help up through Saturday's hot and sunny conditions, as all four pro class pole winners failed to improve their qualifying times. Doug Kalitta held onto the No. 1 seed in Top Fuel qualifying for the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, while Tanner Gray (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) used their times from Friday to hang onto top seeds after track temperatures exceeded 145 degrees on Saturday Eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday in the first of six Countdown to the Championship races

(CONCORD, NC – SEP 15, 2017 – RIS) Doug Kalitta sped to the top qualifying position at zMAX Dragway in Top Fuel today with a pass of 3.723 sec and a trap speed of 329.50 mph. Antron Brown held the top speed of the day's two rounds, at 331.85 mph with his pass of 3.728 seconds, both runs came in the second round of qualifying.

Ron Capps captured his first NHRA Four-Wide Nationals victory in Funny Car action on Sunday at zMAX Dragway; Steve Torrence edged Tony Schumacher and points leader Leah Pritchett for the win in Top Fuel

Chris McGaha claimed the win in Pro Stock, L.E. Tonglet won in Pro Stock Motorcycle and Mike Castellana scored the first four-wide win in Pro Mod history

(CONCORD, NC – APRIL 29, 2017 – RIS) Courtney Force, Clay Millican, Jeg Coughlin Jr and Jerry Savoie clinched top qualifier spots for Sunday's NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

(CONCORD, NC - APRIL 28, 2017 - RIS) Clay Millican headed the first day of Top Fuel qualifying at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. zmAX Dragway saw multiple record runs in first-day qualifying for the only four-wide race on the NHRA schedule. Courtney Force heads Funy Car going into Saturday's qualifying sessions, with Jeg Coughlin at the top of the Pro Stock sheets, his brother Troy in the lead of Pro Mods and Jerry Savoie set quickest time in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

POMONA, Calif. -- (courtesy of NHRA Communications)

POMONA, Calif.   RIS-– Leah Pritchett, a Redlands, Calif. native, earned the second Top Fuel victory of her career at the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals on Sunday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, her home track.

 GLENDORA, Calif. – RIS- (Feb. 1, 2017) – NHRA and FOX Sports announced there will be additional live programming from the season opening NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, the Circle K NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. The new one hour program will air on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) from 1 – 2 p.m. Eastern, 10 – 11 a.m. Pacific, on Saturday, Feb. 11.

POMONA, Calif. – RIS - Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships Sunday at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

POMONA, Calif. – RIS -  Funny Car racer Ron Capps clinched his first NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship on Saturday at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

(CONCORD, NC - SEP 18, 2016 - RIS) Bracket Busting Sunday? zMAX Dragway holds a contest for the media to see who can predict the day's results best, but today proved to be a bracket-breaker for many as Tony Schumacher spun the tires on his Army Top Fuel racer, allowing Cameron Ferre to beat the champion and become undefeated in his first ever NHRA Top Fuel race. Australian Wayne Newby beat Shawn Langdon when Langdon had his tires spin halfway down the strip. Pat Dakin beat out JR Todd in Todd's haze of tire smoke, and Doug Kalitta, beat Ike Maier in about the only clean pair of Top Fuel's first round. Leah Pritchett beat Richie Crampton but had an engine failure and pulled to a halt with flames coming out of the car. Steve Torrence beat out Scott Palmer in a pedal fest and Antron Brown took advantage of a tire smoking pass by Clay Millican to advance to round two.