The leaderboard remained unchanged in the nitro ranks Saturday at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals as Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel) and Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) held their top spots. 

The Pro Stock classes, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock car) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) raced to the top of their respective divisions on Saturday’s final two sessions. 

In addition to securing his 58th career No. 1 qualifier, Kalitta finished runner-up in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. He kept his No. 1 spot on the strength of Friday’s track record, 3.649 at 336.40 

“On that last run in Q4, we pushed a bit harder, and it didn’t hold, so Shawn ended up with the [Mission Challenge] win,” Kalitta said. “Even though I ran a 3.64, there were other cars that were close, and tomorrow, I don’t think it will be much hotter, so I expect a real battle. 

“I’m actually a bit relieved because we now know how hard we can push, and that should be a bit tomorrow. You might get one lucky round, but you need to be on your game. Shawn pushes me, and he keeps me on my game, especially now that both of our cars are as close as possible. He’s one of the best out there, and he’s one up for me right now.”

Clay Millican jumped to second with a 3.664 at a track-record 338.26, and Brittany Force qualified third after going 3.668 at 335.57.

Despite a late qualifying charge from Matt Hagan, Tasca hung on to the No. 1 position, as Friday’s run of 3.839 at 338.43. Saturday’s No. 1 qualifier gave Tasca his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 18th in his career; Photos by Burghardt Photography, NHRA..

“We tried to run 340 mph this morning and it nearly put me into the wall so on the last run we slowed it way down to make a full pull,” Tasca said. “I say this all the time but you could take a fan in the stands, put them in one of these cars and tell them to keep it straight and on most runs they could do it. That was Q4, where the car did exactly what it was supposed to do.

“We’ve had some vibrant conversations in our trailer and a lot of discussions about going 340 mph. We have parts that are faster, but we had to be smart. This car is set up to win a championship, and when it warms up, like today, we need to be smart.”

Anderson didn’t particularly have a great first day of qualifying, but more than made up for it on the second day. He recorded the No. 1 spot for the fifth time this season with a 6.491, 211.20 run. Pro Stock’s winningest driver now has 128 career No. 1 qualifiers. 

“I love coming here because it’s so fast, but we have to rely on Mother Nature to do it for us,” Anderson said. “I love it when she shines on us like today, and you can throw everything at it. I didn’t have a great day yesterday but today we had a turn of fortune. We made two great runs today. 

“We have a good book on this place and when you come here, you don’t have to de-tune it. That’s a tribute to the guys in our engine shop. I love it here, from the track to the people – everyone is happy.”

Points leader Dallas Glenn took second with a 6.497 at 211.00 and Eric Latino is third with a 6.501 at 210.60.

The six-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Smith set a new track E.T. record on Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, winning the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout and qualifying No. 1.

Jiana Evaristo qualified second in PSM with a career-best 6.674 at 204.54 – also making the second-fastest pass in class history – and Gaige Herrera is third after going 6.688 at 202.55, which took place in the opening round of the Callout.

Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the 12th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. 
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