2022 NHRA VEGAS FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS RESULTS
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SUNDAY - B. FORCE, CAPPS AND ENDERS CLAIM WINS AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
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.
In a championship quad that also included four-time defending world champ Steve Torrence, Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown, Force went 3.718-seconds at 338.00 mph in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster to pick up her first win this season and 12th in her career. Force, who finished second in the opening round quad and won in the second round, also picked up her first four-wide victory in Vegas and became the fourth different winner in four races in Top Fuel. Combined, the four drivers in the final round have claimed 16 world titles, but it was Force, the 2017 world champ, who drove off with the win.
“This is huge for our team,” said Force, who moved to second in the loaded Top Fuel category. “It was not easy out there and we faced tough competition all day, but we’re excited to get a win like this. You look at that final quad and to get win, that’s really something to be proud of. It puts a fire under us and getting in that winner’s circle, there’s no better feeling than that. It’s been a little bit of a tough start for us, but coming into the season I knew it was going to be the toughest year yet in this class. I see a great future ahead with this team. It’s a great group and the hardest bunch of workers I’ve been around, and I’m so proud of our guys.”
Torrence finished as the runner-up, taking over the points lead in the process. He won his opening-round quad and finished second to Force in the second round to advance to the championship round. All four drivers in the final round were making their first finals appearance in 2022.
It was a monumental day for Capps in Funny Car, as the defending world champ and longtime standout claimed his first victory since becoming a team owner this year, claiming the win with a stellar run of 3.914 at 331.20 in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car. It gave the two-time world champ his sixth victory at Las Vegas, tying him for the most in Funny Car history, and the 69th in his career. Capps, who was also the No. 1 qualifier, finished off a spectacular weekend in Vegas by taking the win in all three rounds. The last, of course, was the sweetest, as he drove past Matt Hagan, Robert Hight and Alexis DeJoria, who made her first final of the year. Capps had a strong light and then finished it off to get one of the biggest wins in his incredible career.
“I was just trying not to make mistakes because every quad was nuts,” Capps said. “You look across the board and there’s so many good drivers, but I knew we had a car capable of winning. We had everything we needed to have success, but I didn’t know when (a win) was going to happen. I knew we were going to have to earn in, but I just love everything about how we’re building this team. This is like my first win, and I feel like I’m living a lifelong dream. Every bit of my life has been part of drag racing and to have (a Wally) as an owner, it’s just crazy.”
Hagan advanced to his second straight final round and also took over the points lead from Hight with his 74th final round appearance. He won his opening-round quad and finished second to Capps a round later to advance to the final. It was the third final round this season for Hight.
Enders secured her second win this season in Pro Stock and 35th in her career, outlasting a trio of young standouts with a strong run of 6.668 at 206.32 in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the final round. It was also a historic victory for Enders, as her ninth win in Vegas gives the four-time champ the most of any driver in NHRA history at the facility. In knocking off Cristian Cuadra, Dallas Glenn and Mason McGaha in the final round, Enders bounced back from a disappointing first-round holeshot loss in Gainesville when she made the quickest run in Pro Stock history and won the four-wide race in Las Vegas for the second straight year. It also guarantees a fourth straight year where she’s won a race at the track.
“I’m not much of a gambler, but I love coming to Las Vegas to drag race,” Enders said. “I feel like we’ve got a really great tune-up here, so I give a lot of credit to my guys. There’s a lot of moving parts and it takes a lot of determination and focus, but it was a really good day. I knew I had to be on my game, and we laid down a stellar number in the final round. It definitely means a lot and these four-wide races are always challenging, so I’m really proud of my team. My first win at Elite came here and it’s been quite the ride since. I’m just proud to be their driver.”
Cuadra earned his first career runner-up on the strength of a triple holeshot victory in the first round. He went .001 on the starting line to open the day and added a .006 a round later to advance to the final quad, where he also had a stellar .005 reaction time. Gainesville winner Glenn and McGaha, who had a double holeshot in the opening quad and went .001 on the starting line in the second round, also advanced to the final quad.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action April 22-24 for the NHRA SpringNationals and the final NHRA race at Houston Raceway Park.
SATURDAY - CAPPS, SALINAS AND STANFIELD RACE TO NO. 1 SPOTS AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
Defending Funny Car world champion Ron Capps made the most of his final pass of the day, vaulting to the No. 1 spot on Saturday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Mike Salinas (Top Fuel) and Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) also qualified No. 1 at the fourth of 22 races during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Capps closed out qualifying with an impressive blast of 3.883-seconds at 331.45 mph in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car, racing past longtime rival John Force and claiming his second No. 1 qualifier of the season. It is the 31st career No. 1 position for Capps, who is the two-time world champ and is also after his sixth career Las Vegas win. His first-round quad will also consist of Jason Rupert, Tim Wilkerson and J.R. Todd as Capps seeks his first win of the 2022 season and the first since becoming a team owner this year.
“I just thought with the heat and the track temperature there's no way it's going to stick,” Capps said. “You know when a run's really hauling the mail and you kind of calculate in your head knowing how hot it is out, how hot the track temp is, and in your head, you just know there's no way it's going to make it. So, I didn't think it would run that good, honestly, but I knew we were shooting for No. 1. This race has kind of turned into a home race for us and to throw out a 3.883 in that heat was stunning. I can’t say enough about (crew chiefs) Guido (Dean Antonelli) and Medlen, and these No. 1 qualifiers mean so much, especially as a team owner now.”
Force, the provisional No. 1 qualifier with his run of 3.887 327.90, was bumped to second, while Blake Alexander, the runner-up in Gainesville, is third with his run of 3.913 at 324.51.
Salinas, the Top Fuel points leader, also took advantage of the good conditions to close out qualifying, powering to his first No. 1 position of the year with a stellar run of 3.722 at 324.59 in his 11,000-horsepower Adams Pool Group/Scrappers Racing dragster. The top position in the class changed hands in each of the four qualifying sessions in Las Vegas, with Brittany Force grabbing it after the first session on Saturday. But Salinas answered back with a strong run to finish the day, earning his ninth No. 1 in the process. Salinas, who won the four-wide race in Las Vegas in 2019 for his first Top Fuel victory, will open race day against Antron Brown and Tony Schumacher.
“We're having fun," said Salinas, who has one victory this season. "The last couple of years have been good, but it got us to where we're at now. We’ve all matured, and the crew is amazing here. They know their job. We don't have to worry about the car not being ready and prepared and if you have you, that’s 95-98 percent of the deal. The main thing is everybody's having fun. If you come to our pit, it's calm, it's relaxed, and it's 'let's go win races.’ We know we have a fast car, and we know tomorrow it's going to be cool and there's going to be some .70 runs and maybe some .69s. It's race day, and everybody's going to try to outdo each other."
Force got bumped to the second spot, but still impressed with her 3.735 at 324.20 to open the day on Saturday. Friday’s provisional No. 1 qualifier Leah Pruett finished third in qualifying with a 3.741 at 326.79 but added a pair of solid passes on Saturday to give her plenty of momentum going into raceday.
Stanfield’s strong pass of 6.642 at 206.42 from Friday held up, as the Pro Stock points leader claimed the top spot in his Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro and secured a second straight No. 1 position. Stanfield, who now has three career No. 1 qualifiers, made a pair of quality runs on Saturday as the young standout aims to pick up his first four-wide victory, first Pro Stock win in Las Vegas and his second victory during the 2022 season. He’ll open eliminations in a first-round quad that also features Cristian Cuadra, Matt Hartford, and rookie Camrie Caruso.
“We definitely want to take advantage of the fast hot rod we’ve got now,” said Stanfield, who has five career wins. “It’s important for us to go out and win some rounds tomorrow. Things got a little rough for us during Q3, but we came back and made a strong run in Q4 and that sets us up for tomorrow. I'd love to win a four-wide race. You need to really be focused on the starting line. As a driver, you want to be able to show you can get it done under any circumstances."
Greg Anderson, who made the best run of the first session on Saturday, qualified second on the strength of his 6.651 at 205.88 from Friday, while Bo Butner moved to the third spot on Saturday with a strong pass of 6.662 at 204.82. Defending event winner Erica Enders made the best run of the final session and qualified fourth.
Eliminations for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals begin at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway begin at 12 p.m. PT on Sunday. Television coverage of eliminations begins at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday on Fox Sports 1 (FS1).
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for 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. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Mike Salinas, 3.722 seconds, 328.70 mph vs. Bye vs. vs. 8. Antron Brown, 3.762, 325.85 vs. 9. Tony Schumacher, 3.794, 318.47; 2. Brittany Force, 3.735, 329.50 vs. 15. Cameron Ferre, 6.055, 105.85 vs. 7. Steve Torrence, 3.761, 324.83 vs. 10. Josh Hart, 3.806, 315.64; 3. Leah Pruett, 3.741, 328.06 vs. 14. Rob Passey, 4.075, 288.39 vs. 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.759, 325.37 vs. 11. Shawn Langdon, 3.808, 317.87; 4. Justin Ashley, 3.748, 330.55 vs. 13. Jim Maroney, 3.963, 308.99 vs. 5. Clay Millican, 3.757, 327.35 vs. 12. Austin Prock, 3.918, 314.39.
Funny Car -- 1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.883, 331.45 vs. 16. Jason Rupert, Ford Mustang, 4.076, 310.13; 2. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.887, 327.90 vs. 15. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.054, 315.19; 3. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.913, 324.51 vs. 14. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.051, 310.34; 4. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.920, 332.92 vs. 13. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 4.046, 314.53; 5. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.921, 331.04 vs. 12. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.040, 292.77; 6. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.923, 325.14 vs. 11. Tony Jurado, Mustang, 4.037, 315.78; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.926, 321.96 vs. 10. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Supra, 3.958, 323.74; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.941, 320.43 vs. 9. J.R. Todd, Supra, 3.943, 327.27.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Steven Densham, 4.216, 267.69; 18. Terry Haddock, 11.755, 74.51.
Pro Stock -- 1. Aaron Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.642, 206.42 vs. 16. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.741, 203.98 vs. 8. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.681, 205.66 vs. 9. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.691, 205.76; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.651, 205.88 vs. 15. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.733, 204.82 vs. 7. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.681, 205.94 vs. 10. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.693, 205.76; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.662, 205.57 vs. 14. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.719, 205.54 vs. 6. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.670, 205.82 vs. 11. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.697, 204.66; 4. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.664, 206.04 vs. 13. Steve Graham, Camaro, 6.714, 205.69 vs. 5. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.667, 206.01 vs. 12. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Mustang, 6.710, 204.39.
Did Not Qualify: 17. John Cerbone, 6.743, 203.55; 18. Rodger Brogdon, 6.876, 202.76.
FRIDAY - PRUETT, J. FORCE AND STANFIELD RACE TO PROVISIONAL NO. 1 SPOTS AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
Top Fuel star Leah Pruett finished Friday in impressive fashion at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, picking up the provisional No. 1 qualifier at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals and moving a step closer to the first Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier for the first-year Tony Stewart Racing team.
John Force (Funny Car) and Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the fourth of 22 races during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Pruett, who is also married to Stewart, powered to a run of 3.741-seconds at 326.79 in her 11,000-horsepower Code 3 Associates dragster during the final qualifying session on Friday. If it holds, it would be the 13th No. 1 qualifier in her career and a major bounce back after not qualifying at the most recent race in Gainesville.
“I was super stoked to make two full pulls, and I knew the second one was even better,” Pruett said. “It’s our fourth race as a team and these are the building blocks of what’s going to take the team to the next step. We’re just enjoying this moment and we’re just going to keep picking away at it. To not qualify at a race out of the gates can be disheartening on one hand, but the attitudes these individuals have, I’ve never been around such positive-minded individuals. They’ve helped me and we’re happy right now.”
Doug Kalitta is second on the strength of his 3.759 at 325.37 to open qualifying, while four-time defending world champ Steve Torrence sits in the third spot after a run of 3.761 at 324.83.
Looking for his first No. 1 qualifier of the year in Funny Car, Force went to No. 1 on Friday with a run of 3.887 at 327.90 in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet Camaro. If it holds, it would be the 164th top spot for the 16-time world champion. It has been an up-and-down season for Force in qualifying through four events, as he’s been third once but also 16th in Pomona and 15th at the most recent race in Gainesville. But he looked strong on Friday and he also has a long history of success in Las Vegas, posting six wins at the facility.
“My car was really fast and testing, but it got to Pomona and we were off our game and couldn't get it back in Gainesville or Phoenix,” Force said. “It just wasn't going anywhere. It'd be quick, one run and then wouldn't for another. It made one good run today, but there again, it didn't do it again (in the second qualifying session), so there probably be changes in the clutch. That won't stick for tomorrow, but it feels good to get back up here (in the No. 1 spot).”
Blake Alexander jumped to second after a strong run of 3.913 at 324.51 during the final qualifying session of the day. Matt Hagan, who won the most recent race, is currently third with his run of 3.920 at 332.92.
Pro Stock points leader Stanfield continues to roll early in the season, picking up the provisional No. 1 spot after his pass of 6.642 at 206.42 in the opening qualifying session in his Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro. If it holds, it would give Stanfield his second straight qualifier and the third one in his young career. After back-to-back final rounds to open the year, including a victory at Phoenix, Stanfield impressed in the first four-wide race of the year and is on track for another stellar qualifying effort. He hasn’t qualified out of the top two in the first three races of 2022.
“Before we ran, (crew chief) Mark Ingersoll and I talked and he said if we ran 6.63, we’d crush them and we came pretty close to that,” said Stanfield. “This is a huge adjustment from Gainesville. The air and track conditions are totally different, but our guys know what to do. Right now, I’ve got a smooth and consistent hot rod and I just need to take advantage of it. I feel pretty good (about four-wide racing), but you do have to pay attention up there.”
Greg Anderson, the reigning world champ, is currently second with a run of 6.651 at 205.88, while defending event winner Erica Enders is right behind after going 6.664 at 206.01. Both Anderson and Enders have a class-best eight wins in Las Vegas, while Anderson is also seeking his 100th career win this weekend.
Qualifying continues at 12:30 PT on Saturday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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FRIDAY SPORTSMAN -
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER (Q-2)
1 52 TA/D James Stevens, Gothenburg NE, CNE-MBR 5.320 271.02 271.02
2 737M TA/D Madison Payne, Claremont CA, Copeland-CH 5.334 262.79 266.53
3 3 TA/D Shawn Cowie, Langley BC, Hadman-BAE 5.350 272.67 272.67
4 4494 TA/D Hunter Green, Odessa TX, Yancy-BAEE 5.355 263.05 263.05
5 2 TA/D Jackie Fricke, Flemington NJ, Copeland-H 5.366 272.50 272.50
6 710V TA/D Taylor Vetter, Las Vegas NV, CNE-CHRY 5.375 273.61 273.61
7 6 TA/D Jasmine Salinas, Brownsburg IN, Indy-HEMI 5.375 267.16 267.16
8 7078 TA/D Ron Anderson, Chatsworth CA, Copeland-BAE 5.392 267.69 267.69
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TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR (Q-2)
1 2 Doug Gordon, Paso Robles CA, '20 Camaro 5.491 268.12 268.12
2 9 Shane Westerfield, Fullerton CA, '18 Camaro 5.543 266.32 266.32
3 63 Chris Marshall, McMinnville OR, '20 Camaro 5.570 251.77 251.77
4 77 Ray Martin, Anchorage AK, '18 Camaro 5.601 259.31 259.31
5 5 Kris Hool, Evansville WY, '16 Camaro 5.627 259.96 259.96
6 757 Mike Doushgounian, San Jose CA, '22 Camaro 5.633 258.22 258.22
7 7 Nick Januik, Las Vegas NV, '18 Camaro 5.653 257.63 257.97
8 1 Sean Bellemeur, Placentia CA, '22 Camaro 5.727 261.32 261.32
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COMPETITION ELIMINATOR (FINAL)
1 72 D/SMA Doug Lambeck, North Tustin CA, '04 Sunfire 8.449 9.06 -0.611
2 7167 A/AA Ryan Priddy, Chino CA, '18 Camaro 6.611 7.22 -0.609
3 705 A/SMA Tony Mandella, Rancho Cucamonga CA, '92 C 8.041 8.65 -0.609
4 7230 C/T Randy Jones, Monarch Beach CA, '00 S-10 8.336 8.94 -0.604
5 10 A/ND Dean Carter, Peoria AZ, Uyehara-Chevy 6.962 7.53 -0.568
6 6 B/ED Joe Mozeris, Phoenix AZ, Fritz-Dodge 6.977 7.54 -0.563
7 7634 PST Kurt Hugger, Fremont CA, '01 Dakota 7.583 8.13 -0.547
8 7879 A/SMA Don Bevers, Tucson AZ, '89 Probe 8.108 8.65 -0.542
9 7235 C/ED Scott McClay, Tehachapi CA, BOS-Dodge 7.377 7.91 -0.533
10 63 C/AA John Edwards, Nampa ID, '20 Camaro 7.451 7.97 -0.519
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SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 J712 FSS/C Chris Hall, Brigham City UT, '17 Camaro 8.809 9.81 -1.001
2 796 SS/FA Tony Hewes, Las Vegas NV, '69 Mustang 9.649 10.63 -0.981
3 7837 GT/LA Kevin Motter, Anaheim CA, '88 Camaro 10.282 11.24 -0.958
4 51 GT/GA Scott Burton, Golden CO, '91 Firebird 9.637 10.57 -0.933
5 T733 FSS/D Tim Seymour, San Dimas CA, '16 Camaro 9.155 10.07 -0.915
6 6791 GT/CA Tom Gaynor, Battle Ground WA, '08 Cobalt 9.177 10.07 -0.893
7 6070 FSS/B Gary Coe, Portland OR, '19 Mustang 8.470 9.35 -0.880
8 7854 SS/AM Ryan McClanahan, San Bernardino CA, '08 C 8.272 9.15 -0.878
9 7680 FSS/F Tom Ferruggia, Menifee CA, '13 Camaro 9.496 10.37 -0.874
10 7405 SS/CA Eric Bell, Chandler AZ, '64 Savoy 9.349 10.22 -0.871
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STOCK (FINAL)
1 7854 FS/AA Ryan McClanahan, San Bernardino CA, '69 C 8.482 9.56 -1.078
2 603 FS/AA Larry McLanahan, Kennewick WA, '19 Mustang 8.545 9.56 -1.015
3 706 H/SA Buddy Jensen, Peoria AZ, '64 Fury 11.443 12.36 -0.917
4 51 FS/D Scott Burton, Golden CO, '10 Mustang 9.863 10.78 -0.917
5 1044 A/SA John Shaul, Fultonham NY, '64 Fury 10.284 11.19 -0.906
6 706C E/SA Chad Langdon, La Mirada CA, '70 Barracuda 11.019 11.90 -0.881
7 500W H/SA Wyatt Wagner, Kansas City KS, '73 Corvette11.480 12.36 -0.880
8 7980 AA/SA Steve Wann, Modesto CA, '63 Savoy 10.002 10.88 -0.878
9 7031 B/SA Gregg Luneack, Vista CA, '70 Challenger 10.564 11.44 -0.876
10 7050 B/SA Darin Grossi, Copperopolis CA, '64 Fury 10.569 11.44 -0.871
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TOP SPORTSMAN (FINAL)
1 74 Jeff Connelly, Mesa AZ, '19 Camaro 6.241 230.61 230.61
2 404M Florentino Martin, New Braunfels CA, '15 Camaro 6.496 224.62 224.62
3 749 Justin Linares, Grantsville UT, '69 Camaro 6.710 207.05 207.05
4 7711 Don London, Lake Havsau City AZ, '15 Camaro 6.795 203.95 203.95
5 2 Paul Mitsos, Eastvale CA, '18 Camaro 6.799 203.25 203.77
6 73 Monte Green, Mesa AZ, '07 Stratus 6.858 201.04 201.04
7 7134 Bryan Warr, Riverton UT, '69 Camaro 6.863 198.99 198.99
8 702G Mike Proctor, Chandler AZ, '63 Corvette 6.903 212.39 212.39
9 7038 Pat Warr, Erda UT, '19 Corvette 6.922 196.70 196.79
10 7377 Jessie Wooton, Visalia CA, '15 Camaro 6.963 200.20 200.47
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FRIDAY SCHEDULE
8:30 AM Stock Q1
Super Comp TT1
Super Stock Q1
Super Gas TT1
Competition Eliminator Q1
Top Sportsman Q1
Top Alcohol Funny Car Q1
Top Alcohol Dragster Q1
12:30 PM Pro Stock Car Q1
Funny Car Q1
Top Fuel Q1
Top Alcohol Funny Car Q2
Top Alcohol Dragster Q2
Stock Q2
3:00 PM Pro Stock Car Q2
Funny Car Q2
Top Fuel Q2
Jet Dragster Exh.
Competition Eliminator Q2
Top Sportsman Q2
Super Comp TT2
Super Stock Q2
Super Gas TT2
