NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

One of the most anticipated portions of Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national events has come to be the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, and this weekend's battle goes down today at Brainerd International Raceway.

Friday qualifying was a thrill, with two sessions for each of the nitro classes taking place following a bout of rain that left the track both challenging and filled with potential. Pro Stock was relegated to just one session after the weather delays, so on Saturday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, there are three qualifying sessions on the schedule for the factory hot rods.

While qualifying is already a serious battle as drivers and crew chiefs work to get the perfect tune for Sunday eliminations, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge incorporates a heightened competitive element as the previous event's semifinalists square off for bragging rights and, more importantly, valuable Countdown to the Championship points.

Sonoma winner Antron Brown, a three-time champion representing Matco Tools on his Toyota rail, and two-time world champ Brittany Force, driving the Monster Energy Chevy-powered dragster, will rematch in the opening round of the challenge. Sonoma runner-up Tony Stewart will bring his Mahindra Tractors Dodge up to race four-time champion Steve Torrence, the provisional low qualifier here in Brainerd.

Torrence is aiming to protect the pole that he claimed with a 3.688-second pass at 335.32 mph last night, but Stewart is nipping at his heels with a 3.688 that missed the top spot based on a mere three miles per hour. There are 14 cars in the field, so all are assured a spot to race on Sunday – today is just about jockeying for position.

The Funny Car crew will see Ron Capps and his Napa Toyota go head-to-head again with reigning Funny Car champion Matt Hagan and his TSR Nitro American Rebel Dodge. In Sonoma, Capps bested Hagan in the semis. On the other side of the ladder, Sonoma winner Bob Tasca III and his Motorcraft Quicklane Ford will take on points leader Austin Prock, who has won the bonus event an astounding six times.

The 16-car Funny Car field is so far led by Blake Alexander and his Pronto Auto Service Center Ford. Alexander's blistering 3.874, 331. 61 kept Alexis DeJoria and her Bandero Tequila Toyota out of the top spot. DeJoria clocked an efficient 3.882 to remind the class of her strength, while Bob Tasca III enters the day in the No. 3 position on a 3.884. Buddy Hull is on the bump in his Blaze entry and looking to make his first clean pass of the weekend to move up.

In his return to Funny Car after a four-year respite, former world champ Jack Beckman looked sharp keeping the seat of John Force's Peak Chevrolet warm. He is on the board in the No. 7 position with a 3.920.

Minnesota man Greg Anderson wheeled his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet to a pleasing 6.641, 207.08 to stay ahead of JHG-backed Aaron Stanfield's 6.642, 206.26 in Friday qualifying, and the two will square off in the first round of the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Matt Hartford and his 6.642, 204.66 has the GETTRX Chevy in the No. 3 spot. Chris McGaha and his Harlow Sammons machine are on the bump with a 6.715, and Deric Kramer is knocking at the door today as he was unable to make a straight and true pass in Friday's lone session.

While Anderson – a two-time winner in the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge – and Sonoma winner Stanfield square off in the #2Fast2Tasty battle, Outlaw Beer-branded Jerry Tucker and Pro Stock car rookie Cory Reed will go toe to toe on the other side of the ladder. Reed, a former Pro Stock Motorcycle standout who is making his third appearance in the four-wheeled class, defeated Tucker last week to advance to the final.

2023 EVENT WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Ron Capps, Funny Car; Dallas Glenn, Pro Stock

MOST VICTORIES: Joe Amato, 6, TF; John Force, 11, FC; Bruce Allen, 4, Jeg Coughlin, 4, Bob Glidden, 4, Kurt Johnson, 4, Warren Johnson, 4

TRACK RECORDS

Top Fuel – 3.640 sec. by Leah Pruett, Aug. '17; 338.26 mph by Mike Salinas, Aug. '23

Funny Car – 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight Aug. '17; 338.00 mph by Hight, Aug. '17

Pro Stock – 6.541 sec. by Erica Enders, Aug. '15; 211.39 mph by Shane Gray, Aug. '15

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, Aug. 17
LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations at 9:15 a.m. NHRA MISSION FOODS SERIES qualifying at noon and 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 18
Pre-race ceremonies, 9:30 a.m. NHRA MISSION FOODS SERIES eliminations at 10:30 a.m.

TELEVISION

SATURDAY, Aug.17
FS1 will televise one hour of 2Fast2Tasty Challenge coverage at 6 p.m. (ET)

SUNDAY, Aug. 18
FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday, Aug. 18 FOX will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 3 p.m. (ET)

TICKETS

To purchase tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, click here or call 800-884-6472