It was a weekend Ron Capps will never forget.

The reigning NHRA nitro Funny Car world champion made the transition from driver to team owner/driver for Ron Capps Motorsports in the offseason.
Then, in only his fourth race in his new role, Capps was in the winner’s circle at the Four Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday.

Erica Enders has accomplished plenty in her NHRA Pro Stock career, highlighted by her four world championships in 2014-15 and 2019-20.

Now, she has another line on her decorated resume.

In a star-studded final round featuring the last eight Top Fuel world champions, it was Brittany Force who powered to the win, claiming an impressive victory on Sunday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) also won at the fourth of 22 races during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.  

Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the 22nd annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the fourth of 22 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series - 

Final round-by-round results from the 22nd annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the fourth of 22 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series:

Over the past two weeks NHRA Top Fuel driver Justin Ashley has been promoting a fundraising effort spearheaded by the parent company of his primary sponsor Phillips Connect. His efforts fundraised over $30,000 from 75 donors and the front wing of his Top Fuel highlights each donor. Through social media posts Ashley offered the chance for donors to add their name to his 11,000 horsepower Phillips Connect Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Shot at this weekend’s NHRA Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals. A minimum donation of $100 to Ukrainian UN Crisis Relief Fund afforded a donor the opportunity to have their name on his racecar.  

“I was inspired by the passion of Phillips CEO Rob Phillips who considers everyone who works at Phillips part of his family. I completely agree with Rob when he says when a family needs help, we step up,” said Ashley. “I am proud to represent Phillips Connect and the entire Phillips family. I want to thank everyone who donated, and we are looking forward to the race this weekend to continue to raise awareness.” 

Mike Salinas saved the best for last Saturday.

The veteran team owner and driver clocked a 3.722-second time at 324.59 mph in Q4 Saturday to claim the No. 1 qualifying spot at the Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

​Reigning NHRA nitro Funny Car world champion Ron Capps made the scary transition from driver to team owner this season.

So far so good in his new role.

Rick Stewart, the former NHRA official starter for more than 15 years, passed away Friday in his home state of Texas following an extended illness.

Nicknamed “The Ice Man,” Stewart was a fearless racer in the days of Top Fuel slingshot dragsters and subject of the 1965 documentary “7 Second Love Affair” before becoming only the second starter for the NHRA. Less than one month ago, March 10, he was inducted into the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing’s International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

Stewart stepped into the hard-to-fill shoes of the legendary Buster Couch in 1996 and became a legend himself with his usually easygoing manner as he stood between the lanes and maintained order on the dragstrip for 15 years. He retired at the end of the 2011 season. “It was just an honor and pleasure to be the one to follow behind Buster Couch,” Stewart told Competition Plus in 2012.