NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

After two days of qualifying, the fields are set for the second four wide events of the season so now it’s time to hand out some Wallys. As many had predicted, qualifying was close in all four Camping World Series eliminators, particularly Pro Stock where less than a tenth of a second separates all 16 qualifiers. Because of the unique nature of the Four Wide Nationals, where both the winner and the runner-up from each quad advance to the subsequent round. That allows for a lot of different scenarios where a driver can potentially be the runner-up in the first two quads and still have a shot to win the race in the final. It’s also not unheard of for a driver to race the same opponent in three consecutive quads.

In Top Fuel, Brittany Force continued her domination of qualifying when she drove the Monster Energy dragster to a track record 3.651 to seal the top spot. While it’s always desirable to be the top qualifier, Force doesn’t exactly have an easy quad as she’ll have to contend with Clay Millican, recent Las Vegas winner Antron Brown, and Doug Foley. Another quad that is brutal features Austin Prock, points leader Justin Ashley, Gainesville winner Mike Salinas, and newcomer Jacob McNiel, who is wheeling Scott Palmer’s competitive entry.

Funny Car racers don’t have it much easier as low qualifier Bob Tasca III, who drove to a 3.852 in his Ford Mustang, will take on Tim Wilkerson, reigning champ Ron Capps, and Dave Richards. Eleven of the 16 Funny Car qualifiers ran in the threes including Matt Hagan, who quickly recovered from the trip to the zMax Dragway sand trap on Friday to qualify No. 4 with a 3.866 best. Hagan, who has won three races this season, must outlast Alexis DeJoria, Chad Green, and Dale Creasy Jr. to advance.

Who wins in Pro Stock is anyone’s guess, but Matt Hartford does appear to have the quickest car in the class after taking his second-straight low qualifier with a 6.538 in his Total Seal Camaro. Hartford rates a very slim edge against his round one opponents, Deric Kramer, Troy Coughlin Jr., and David Cuadra, who qualified on the bump spot with a 6.596 in his Corral Boots Mustang. Dallas Glenn, winner of two events this season, qualified No. 2 with his RAD Torque Systems Camaro, and will face tough opposition in Fernando Caudra Jr., Phoenix winner Camrie Caruso, and Mason McGaha.

Gainesville winner Gaige Herrera continued his hot start with the Vance & Hines Suzuki team with a 6.735 to take the top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Herrera, who is racing the four wide format for the first time, will be racing against Ryan Oehler, Kelly Clontz, and newcomer Marcus Hylton. Another intriguing quad includes world champions Matt Smith and Jerry Savoie, along with impressive rookie Chase Van Sant and Marc Ingwersen.

In addition to the Camping World NHRA Series pros, champions will also be crowned in the Lucas Oil Series alcohol classes, the FuelTech Pro Mod Series presented by Type A Motorsports, and the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown.

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 - 3.651 sec. by Brittany Force, April ‘23; 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

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