NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

It took a bit longer than expected, but two rounds of professional qualifying went into the books on Friday at zMax Dragway with Josh Hart, Alexis DeJoria, Cristian Cuadra, and Gaige Herrera emerged as the provisional low qualifiers for the Circle K NHRA Four Wide Nationals. There will be two more rounds held today in order to set the fields for the event, the fifth of 21 races in the Camping World NHRA Drag Racing Series.

Hart is on track for the first low qualifier award of his career following a strong 3.684 in his R+L Carriers dragster to lead the Top Fuel field. Hart has already enjoyed success this season with a win in the Pep Boys Allstar Callout in Gainesville, but he comes into the Concord event clinging to tenth place in the Camping World Top Fuel standings. Hart is just 152 points behind leader Steve Torrence, so he’s got the ability to make up a lot of ground this weekend.

Following Hart is Austin Prock with a 3.707 while Torrence is third after a 3.708 in his Capco Contractors dragster. The top eight is extremely close and tight with Clay Millican (3.725), Shawn Langdon (3.727), Mike Salinas (3.728), Brittany Force (3.730), and Justin Ashley (3.733) holding down those spots.

Statistically, DeJoria’s Bandero Premium Tequila Toyota has been the best car in the Funny Car class this season, and it was certainly the quickest car on Friday with a 3.876 during the evening session. DeJoria, who is looking for her seventh low qualifier award, leads Cruz Pedregon, who ran a 3.879 in the Snap-on Tools Dodge for the No. 2 spot. Robert Hight, the first session leader with a 3.932 picked up as well but his improved 3.894 only took the Flav-R-Pac Camaro to No. 3. Tim Wilkerson (3.952) and J.R. Todd (3.971) round out the three-second performers.

There are 23 Pro Stock cars in Charlotte and as expected, the field is extremely tight. At this point, no one is quicker than Cristian Cuadra, who wheeled his Corral Boots Mustang to a 6.558 for the provisional pole. Cuadra, who was also the top qualifier in Phoenix, holds a slight lead against Deric Kramer, who wheeled his GetBioFuel.com Camaro to the No. 2 spot with a 6.566 while Las Vegas winner and incoming points leader Dallas Glenn is third after a 6.575 in his RAD Torque Systems Camaro.

Herrera, who was the toast of the Pro Stock Motorcycle pits after winning the Gainesville event in his first start for the Vance & Hines team and he’s maintained that momentum in Charlotte with a 6.758 to claim the provisional pole. Herrera’s Vance & Hines teammate Eddie Krawiec turned in a 6.765 on his Hayabusa for the second spot while Hector Arana Jr. currently sits No. 3 after a 6.825 on his GETTRX Buell.

2022 EVENT WINNERS

Mike Salinas Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Steve Johnson, Pro Stock Motorcycle (Pro Stock was not contested)

TRACK RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.662 sec. by Brittany Force, May ’21; 336.91 mph by B. Force, Sept. ’22

Funny Car - 3.850 sec. by John Force, April ‘22; 335.07 mph by Ron Capps, Sept. ’22

Pro Stock - 6.455 seconds by Jason Line, March '15; 215.48 mph by Greg Anderson, March '15.

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.721 seconds by Steve Johnson, April ’22; 203.49 by Eddie Krawiec, May ’21.

EVENT SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, April 29

Lucas Oil Series eliminations at 8:00 a.m.

Camping World Series Pro Stock qualifying at 12:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Camping World Series Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying at 1:15 and 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 30

Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m.

Camping World Series eliminations begin at noon

TELEVISION SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, April 30, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at noon (ET)

SUNDAY, April 30, FS1 will televise three hours of finals coverage at 6 p.m. (ET)

Or watch all day on NHRA.tv