2023 NHRA GATORNATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY FINAL - WHAT AN INCREDIBLE START TO WHAT PROMISES TO BE AN INCREDIBLE SEASON
In a matchup of the last two Funny Car winners at the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Matt Hagan drove past J.R. Todd in the final round on Sunday to kick off the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, also giving Tony Stewart a second straight victory at Gainesville Raceway.
Mike Salinas (Top Fuel), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won at the first of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Hagan powered to a run of 3.926-seconds at 329.34 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Dodge Direct Connection Charger SRT Hellcat, winning the Gatornationals for the second straight season. Both Hagan and Todd posted identical reaction times on the starting line, but Todd ran into trouble late in the run and Hagan claimed his 44th career win. He also defeated Tim Wilkerson, Bob Tasca III and Alexis DeJoria, making three straight runs in the 3.80s to reach the final round. After going his entire career without winning in Gainesville, Hagan, a three-time world champ, now has back-to-back wins at the historic race.
“For this team, we were just running strong, and to come out and win the first race of the season, it’s just amazing,” said Hagan, who is fourth all-time in Funny Car wins. “I’m just in awe of our team right now.
"I knew it was going to be a good race and honestly J.R. poked out there in front of me, and then something happened over there to him and we drove around him and turn on the win light. This car is just running strong. It's just it's an honor to just even be in that caliber of drivers is incredible. it's a huge honor for me to be able to be fourth all the time."
Todd, who won in Gainesville to open the 2021 campaign, also impressed on Sunday, beating Blake Alexander, Robert Hight and Chad Green to reach his 42nd career final round.
In Top Fuel, Salinas won for the first time in Gainesville and the eighth time in his career, slipping past Steve Torrence in the final round with a 3.700 at 330.31 in his 11,000-horsepower Valley Services dragster. After winning a career-best four races last year, Salinas was determined to improve upon that in 2023. He impressed throughout eliminations, too, beating Justin Ashley, defending world champ Brittany Force and Leah Pruett to reach the final round, running as quick as 3.669 on raceday.
“I think we’re going to be really good all year long, but we’re fighting with the best in the world,” Salinas said. “The teams out here are no joke. You better bring your ‘A’ game every time, but everyone is beatable. It’s special what we have right now. These guys have taught me how to win and it’s a mindset. You appreciate wins like these because they’re so hard to come by.”
Torrence, the four-time world champ, reached the final round for the 82nd time in his career, knocking off Scott Palmer, Tony Schumacher and Doug Kalitta, who set the track E.T. record with a run of 3.646 earlier in the day.
Coughlin’s magical weekend in Pro Stock ended with his first Gatornationals victory, as he closed out the day with a run of 6.637 at 208.71 in his JEGS.com/White Castle/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro to defeat Mason McGaha in the final round. It’s the third career win for Coughlin, who also qualified No. 1 and beat Larry Morgan, Deric Kramer and Dallas Glenn to set up the matchup with McGaha. Coughlin was excellent on the starting line and cemented his strong start to the 2023 campaign.
“I was a little fired up today,” Coughlin said. “At Elite Motorsports, it’s a little newer than the JEGS so-called legacy. It doesn’t date back to 1960, but it’s the same type of honor to me. You look at Erica (Enders), she’s a five-time world champion and you’re driving for a team that wins championships. They have that same demeanor when they drive through the gates. They expect to win and we’re one big family. That’s the coolest thing about it. When one car is out, we all work together.”
McGaha knocked off Fernando Cuadra, Kyle Koretsky and five-time world champ Greg Anderson to reach his second final round.
Herrera finished off a star-making weekend with one last dominant performance in the final round, going 6.706 at 202.15 on his Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzuki to beat Angie Smith and earn his first career NHRA victory. It was also Herrera’s first career race with Vance & Hines, and the young standout put together a marvelous performance, qualifying No. 1 and setting the track speed record in the process. He knocked off Ron Tornow, teammate Eddie Krawiec and Jianna Evaristo to reach the final round, making the quickest pass of each session before finishing the job in the finals.
“This is a dream,” Herrera said. “Vance & Hines is such an awesome team to work with. They help so much and it shows. I’m at a loss for words. I’m just out here having fun and I can’t believe I’m holding this Wally. To make this Vance & Hines team happy, it’s just an unbelievable feeling. To win out here and to do it in front of all these fans, it’s just amazing.”
Smith advanced to her second straight final round in Gainesville, going 6.845 at 181.84 in the championship round. She knocked off John Hall, Joey Gladstone and rookie Chase Van Zant earlier in the day.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action with the NHRA Arizona Finals on March 24-26, which is the final race at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix.
Final round-by-round results from the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, the first of 21 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Tony Schumacher, 3.722, 332.02 def. Josh Hart, 3.693, 335.40; Austin Prock, 3.706, 331.53 def. Clay Millican, 3.705, 325.85; Brittany Force, 3.692, 333.99 def. Keith Murt, 4.100, 227.46; Leah Pruett, 3.686, 334.15 def. Doug Foley, 3.804, 304.12; Doug Kalitta, 3.646, 333.82 def. Spencer Massey, 3.804, 270.70; Steve Torrence, 3.689, 334.32 def. Scott Palmer, 3.871, 310.48; Antron Brown, 3.706, 326.87 def. Shawn Langdon, 3.704, 333.49; Mike Salinas, 3.669, 334.82 def. Justin Ashley, 3.754, 330.88;
QUARTERFINALS -- Torrence, 3.741, 328.22 def. Schumacher, 4.348, 216.38; Pruett, 3.731, 325.92 def. Prock, Broke; Salinas, 3.699, 334.32 def. Force, 3.758, 332.75; Kalitta, 3.716, 334.32 def. Brown, 7.799, 78.90;
SEMIFINALS -- Torrence, 3.779, 328.14 def. Kalitta, 5.773, 148.33; Salinas, 3.727, 332.67 def. Pruett, 4.379, 218.27;
FINAL -- Salinas, 3.700, 330.31 def. Torrence, 3.754, 333.82.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- J.R. Todd, Toyota Supra, 3.893, 331.04 def. Blake Alexander, Ford Mustang, 3.953, 323.04; Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.865, 332.84 def. Alex Laughlin, Dodge Charger, 3.993, 320.51; John Force, Chevy Camaro, 6.527, 99.27 def. Dave Richards, Mustang, Broke; Ron Capps, Supra, 3.855, 334.57 def. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 6.478, 90.28; Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.843, 334.98 def. John Smith, Charger, 4.477, 201.07; Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.879, 335.82 def. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.233, 221.63; Chad Green, Mustang, 3.943, 327.27 def. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.137, 253.95; Alexis DeJoria, Supra, 3.900, 334.32 def. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 8.424, 89.00;
QUARTERFINALS -- Hagan, 3.882, 329.67 def. Tasca III, 3.922, 328.14; DeJoria, 3.931, 330.47 def. Capps, 9.617, 74.27; Todd, 3.913, 329.99 def. Hight, 23.626, 59.96; Green, 3.934, 321.19 def. Force, 3.942, 329.91;
SEMIFINALS -- Todd, 3.903, 332.43 def. Green, 3.967, 325.69; Hagan, 3.896, 330.39 def. DeJoria, 3.912, 327.19;
FINAL -- Hagan, 3.926, 329.34 def. Todd, 4.141, 239.95.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Deric Kramer, Chevy Camaro, 6.559, 208.84 def. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.577, 210.44; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.575, 209.10 def. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, Foul - Red Light; Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.553, 209.82 def. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.578, 210.05; Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.529, 210.47 def. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 8.169, 119.79; Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.558, 210.47 def. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.543, 210.90; Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.564, 210.21 def. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.553, 208.71; Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 8.125, 120.22 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, Broke; Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.560, 211.26 def. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.595, 206.80;
QUARTERFINALS -- Anderson, 6.625, 208.65 def. J. Tucker, Foul - Red Light; Coughlin Jr., 6.564, 210.41 def. Kramer, 6.571, 209.14; M. McGaha, 6.595, 209.14 def. Koretsky, Foul - Red Light; Glenn, 6.547, 209.92 def. Hartford, 6.550, 210.67;
SEMIFINALS -- M. McGaha, 6.607, 209.72 def. Anderson, 6.610, 208.52; Coughlin Jr., 6.586, 209.43 def. Glenn, 6.579, 209.75;
FINAL -- Coughlin Jr., 6.637, 208.71 def. M. McGaha, 6.765, 207.94.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE -- Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.763, 200.20 def. Hector Arana Jr, 6.858, 198.17; Angie Smith, 6.793, 202.58 def. John Hall, Buell, Foul - Red Light; Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.828, 196.50 def. Marc Ingwersen, 6.920, 196.33; Ryan Oehler, 6.870, 194.91 def. Chip Ellis, Broke; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.704, 201.52 def. Ron Tornow, 7.161, 191.51; Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.813, 196.85 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, Foul - Red Light; Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.809, 198.61 def. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, Broke - No Show; Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.780, 200.29 def. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.844, 196.30;
QUARTERFINALS -- A. Smith, 15.908, 47.59 def. Gladstone, Foul - Red Light; Van Sant, 6.795, 198.58 def. Oehler, 6.915, 195.70; Evaristo, 6.846, 196.22 def. M. Smith, 6.864, 199.49; Herrera, 6.708, 201.73 def. Krawiec, 6.814, 199.94;
SEMIFINALS -- A. Smith, 6.882, 199.52 def. Van Sant, 6.962, 189.71; Herrera, 6.742, 200.89 def. Evaristo, 6.883, 193.21;
FINAL -- Herrera, 6.706, 202.15 def. A. Smith, 6.845, 181.84.
Sunday's final results from the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. The race is the first of 21 in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series:
Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Matt Gill, Chevy Camaro, 5.511, 266.69 def. DJ Cox Jr., Camaro, 7.084, 143.40.
SATURDAY - EPIC DAY AT THE DRAG RACES
Top Fuel’s Josh Hart picked up the victory in the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout on Saturday at this weekend’s 54th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, beating Mike Salinas in the final round to win the bonus event in front of a sellout crowd at Gainesville Raceway.
Brittany Force (Top Fuel) Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all qualified No. 1 at the first of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Hart, a local Ocala native, put together a run of 3.748-seconds at 331.53 in his 11,000-horsepower R&L Carriers dragster, knocking off Salinas who went up in smoke on the starting line in the specialty race. Hart beat Austin Prock and defending world champ Force to reach the final round. Two years ago, Hart won in Gainesville in his Top Fuel debut, following it up with Saturday’s impressive showing.
“First of all, I guess I'll just say that nice guys don't finish last,” Hart said. “The team gets all the credit. That consistency to get it done every time makes me so very, very proud of the team. It's a huge, huge accomplishment for our team. To go out and win a specialty race right off the trailer is pretty awesome. But I'm just the jockey that gets to hit the gas.
“I don't think I knew I was supposed to be nervous or knew that I was supposed to have butterflies two years ago but when you taste it, and then it gets taken away from you and your sophomore season you want to get back to that place. I think we found a little bit of magic and Gainesville has always been good to us. We'll do our best to get this thing in the winner's circle more often.”
Force’s 3.699 at 336.99 from Friday in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster handed the defending world champion her 43rd top spot. She’ll open eliminations against Keith Murt, while Steve Torrence jumped to second with a 3.723 at 331.36. Doug Kalitta is third with a 3.723 at 327.82.
“It was a bummer to lose out on the All-Star Callout, but we got the No. 1 qualifier,” Force said. “We felt good going into (the Callout) and got to the semifinals, but we got beat, so our bigger focus now is raceday tomorrow. We'll put today behind us, and got in that last qualifying session, which was good, solid run for us.
"It's outstanding, to be in different conditions run in and still be able to run that. We missed it the one time in the Callout, but we all feel pretty good.”
In Funny Car, Capps opened his title defense with an outstanding run to close out qualifying, going 3.874 at 333.25 in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra. It gives Capps 36 No. 1 qualifiers in his standout career, and he’ll open raceday against Terry Haddock. Capps lost in the final round of the season-opener last year and ended with his second straight world title, which has him hoping for a big showing this weekend in Gainesville.
"We all talked about how tough it was going to and you saw it in the last session," Capps said. "Last year I end up winning Indy for the first time in my career, then we win the Callout in the same weekend and then we go on to win the championship and it's just a dream year. So, it's almost like how do you top that? But we show up here and we come from behind and we lay down low E.T. My gosh, what a way to start the year.”
John Force is qualified second with a 3.878 at 332.59 and Robert Hight was a spot behind after his 3.879 at 333.99
Coughlin made a big move on Saturday in Pro Stock, jumping to the top spot and moving past his teammate, Erica Enders, with a run of 6.515 at 212.29 in his JEGS.com/White Castle/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. After a breakout season a a year ago, which included his first two professional wins, Coughlin is off to a quick start in 2023, taking his third career No. 1 qualifier. He’ll open eliminations against Larry Morgan.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve done so far. Kudos to Elite Motorsports and everyone on our team,” Coughlin said. “They all work hard and we are a complete family. The guys in the engine shop never stop working. I wish everyone could come to our shop and experience it firsthand. It’s just such an honor to be a part of.”
Enders, the reigning world champ, qualified second after going 6.515 at 211.73, just missing out on the top qualifier position. Mason McGaha took third thanks to his run of 6.519 at 211.59.
Making his debut for Vance and Hines, rising Pro Stock Motorcycle star Gaige Herrera enjoyed a tremendous day on his Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzuki, delivering a 6.685 at 203.49, breaking the track speed record. Herrera made his PSM debut last year and joined the Vance and Hines team in the off-season. He’s made a strong impression already and will go for his first win on Sunday, opening eliminations against Ron Tornow.
“I honestly don’t have words for this,” Herrera said. “Just being here with the best team in Pro Stock Motorcycle is a dream and then to run 6.68 on back-to-back runs and then go 203. It’s been an awesome journey so far. It’s still not real to me. When I got that phone call from (Vance & Hines crew chief) Andrew Hines in November it took a while to sink in. Then I got my new leathers and realized I’d be riding the best bike in the class.”
Steve Johnson’s 6.746 at 198.90 kept him second and rookie Chase Van Sant took third in his first PSM race with a 6.747 at 200.80.
Eliminations for the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals begin at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday at Gainesville Raceway.
Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.699 seconds, 336.99 mph vs. 16. Keith Murt, 3.988, 255.43; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.723, 331.36 vs. 15. Scott Palmer, 3.840, 298.34; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.723, 327.82 vs. 14. Spencer Massey, 3.815, 324.90; 4. Leah Pruett, 3.724, 327.51 vs. 13. Doug Foley, 3.805, 319.14; 5. Clay Millican, 3.728, 331.36 vs. 12. Austin
Prock, 3.779, 324.44; 6. Antron Brown, 3.734, 332.84 vs. 11. Shawn Langdon, 3.776, 326.16; 7. Josh Hart, 3.748, 331.53 vs. 10. Tony Schumacher, 3.774, 328.62; 8. Mike Salinas, 3.751, 333.41 vs. 9. Justin Ashley, 3.768, 328.94.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Jacob Opatmy, 4.126, 292.71.
Funny Car -- 1. Ron Capps, Toyota Supra, 3.874, 333.25 vs. 16. Terry Haddock, Ford Mustang, 6.367, 106.29; 2. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.878, 332.59 vs. 15. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.218, 236.30; 3. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.879, 333.99 vs. 14. John Smith, Dodge Charger, 4.178, 250.37; 4. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.885, no speed vs. 13. Alex Laughlin, Charger, 4.012, 297.75; 5. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.890, 333.08 vs. 12. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.980, 327.66; 6. J.R. Todd, Supra, 3.900, 329.99 vs. 11. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.969, 325.14; 7. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.922, 326.40 vs. 10. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.960, 324.51; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.933, 282.95 vs. 9. Alexis DeJoria, Supra, 3.954, 326.71.
Pro Stock -- 1. Troy Coughlin Jr., Chevy Camaro, 6.515, 212.29 vs. 16. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.575, 209.01; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.515, 211.73 vs. 15. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.573, 209.30; 3. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.519, 211.59 vs. 14. Fernando Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.569, 208.52; 4. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.524, 212.19 vs. 13. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.554, 210.93; 5. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.524, 211.03 vs. 12. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.547, 211.33; 6. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.526, 211.23 vs. 11. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.546, 210.70; 7. Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 6.527, 211.06 vs. 10. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.542, 210.28; 8. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.539, 211.53 vs. 9. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.539, 209.49.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Fernando Cuadra Jr., 6.578, 209.62; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.620, 208.59; 19. Val Smeland, 6.625, 208.78; 20. Shane Tucker, 20.728, 30.52.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.685, 203.49 vs. 16. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.922, 196.47; 2. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.746, 198.90 vs. 15. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.846, 195.56; 3. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.747, 200.80 vs. 14. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.830, 197.31; 4. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.751, 201.76 vs. 13. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.824, 196.36; 5. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.789, 198.61 vs. 12. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.824, 198.61; 6. Chip Ellis, EBR, 6.790, 200.02 vs. 11. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.823, 198.79; 7. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.792. 196.90 vs. 10. John Hall, Buell, 6.819, 197.97; 8. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.797, 198.20 vs. 9. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.803, 200.98.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Malcolm Phillips Jr., 6.954, 193.02; 18. Chris Bostick, 7.066, 191.10; 19. Lance Bonham, 7.100, 187.65.
FRIDAY - FORCE, TASCA, ENDERS AND JOHNSON LEAD THE WAY IN QUALIFYING
Reigning world champ Brittany Force opened the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season in impressive fashion, racing to the provisional No. 1 qualifier on Friday at the 54th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the first of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. The second qualifying session in Top Fuel and Funny Car on Friday was cancelled due to inclement weather
Force, who posted 10 No. 1 qualifiers in her championship season a year ago, went 3.699-seconds at 336.99 mph to kick off the season in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster. Force’s first career victory in Top Fuel came in Gainesville in 2016 and she’s eager to repeat that to start her championship defense.
“It felt really good to come out at the first race and the first run of the season and go to the top,” Force said. “It was incredible. We spent a lot of hours and a lot of days testing this off-season, and we kind of picked up where we left off last year. It’s the same group of guys and it’s a great start to the season.
“We always want to improve and that’s our motivation. We had five wins last season and we want more, and ultimately, we want a back-to-back championship. I look at that championship as motivation because we want to do it again.”
Selections were also made for the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, which takes place on Saturday in Gainesville. Force picked Clay Millican with her first selection, while Steve Torrence, the defending Callout winner, chose Doug Kalitta and Justin Ashley picked Mike Salinas, making Josh Hart and Austin Prock the final matchup. The opening round takes place at 1:20 p.m. ET on Saturday.
In Funny Car, Tasca went 3.888 at 330.72 in his 11,000-horsepower PPG Ford Mustang to jump to the top spot. If it holds, it would be his 10th career No. 1 qualifier. With new crew chiefs Aaron Brooks and Todd Okuhara in place for the 2023 season, it was an impressive showing for Tasca, who posted solid results in testing and has big hopes for the upcoming year.
“We lost all but two people on our team and we brought in Todd Okuhara and Aaron Brooks, and it’s exactly what my program needed,” Tasca said. “We didn’t do enough at the beginning and end of the season, and we need to make sure our car runs better at the beginning and the end of the season. I think you’re going to see a different Tasca Racing program going forward. I love the attitude of this team and their work ethic. I haven’t been this excited for a season in a long time.”
John Force is currently second after his run of 3.898 at 335.07 and J.R. Todd took the third spot thanks to a 3.900 at 329.99.
Enders, the reigning world champ, rolled to the No. 1 position in Pro Stock on Friday after her pass of 6.538 at 208.84 in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Scag Chevrolet Camaro. It was a dream season a year ago for Enders, who claimed her fifth world championship on the strength of 10 victories, but a victory in Gainesville remains atop her list. She lost in excruciating fashion a year ago at the Gatornationals, losing on a holeshot while making the quickest run in Pro Stock history and she’s determined to have a different result in Gainesville to open 2023.
“As far as my to-do list, we can start off with winning the Gatornationals,” Enders said. “I’m thrilled to be the provisional No. 1 qualifier tonight. We had one extra month in the off season so we’re ready to go to battle and to defend our title.”
Camrie Caruso was the quickest in the opening session and is now second after going 6.551 at 209.98. Bo Butner is right behind thanks to her run of 6.552 at 209.52.
Johnson delivered a 6.746 at 198.90 on his Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki to take the provisional No. 1 spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle. It was a welcome sign for Johnson, who started strong last year before struggling down the stretch. The veteran still has championship aspirations in a class filled with talent and remained focused on improvement.
“Our sport is so diverse and exciting,” Johnson said. “I would love to come out here and win a championship. I’ve seen the mistakes I’ve made, and the teams out here work so hard, so it’s not easy. We’ve got a lot of great new riders and it’s hard to ride these motorcycles perfectly. I rode pretty well today and, for me, it’s all about fundamentals and when you can concentrate on that, the motorcycle is going to have a really cool response.”
Rookie Chase Van Zant enjoyed a strong debut on Friday, going 6.747 at 200.80. Gaige Herrera, who joined the Vance & Hines team in the off-season, is a spot behind with his 6.749 at 200.59.
Qualifying continues at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
Friday's results after qualifying for the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, first of 21 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.699 seconds, 336.99 mph; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.723, 327.82; 3. Leah Pruett, 3.724, 327.51; 4. Clay Millican, 3.728, 331.36; 5. Antron Brown, 3.734, 332.84; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.735, 333.49; 7. Austin Prock, 3.779, 324.44; 8. Josh Hart, 3.783, 310.84; 9. Tony Schumacher, 3.802, 320.97; 10. Scott Palmer, 3.870, 291.38; 11. Keith Murt, 4.198, 211.73; 12. Spencer Massey, 4.204, 202.18; 13. Shawn Langdon, 5.696, 115.87; 14. Justin Ashley, 6.166, 100.15; 15. Mike Salinas, 6.641, 87.94; 16. Doug Foley, 10.250, 96.39.
Funny Car -- 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.888, 330.72; 2. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.898, 335.07; 3. J.R. Todd, Toyota Supra, 3.900, 329.99; 4. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.908, 329.99; 5. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.911, 331.28; 6. Ron Capps, Supra, 3.912, 329.18; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.933, 282.95; 8. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.935, 323.35; 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.960, 324.51; 10. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.980, 324.28; 11. Alexis DeJoria, Supra, 3.997, 258.17; 12. Alex Laughlin, 4.076, 273.33; 13. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.121, 257.14; 14. John Smith, Charger, 4.178, 250.37; 15. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.218, 236.30; 16. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 6.437, 108.56.
Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.538, 208.84; 2. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.551, 209.98; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.552, 209.52; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.554, 210.01; 5. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.556, 210.18; 6. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.558, 210.34; 7. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.560, 209.46; 8. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.563, 209.72; 9. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.569, 208.52; 10. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.572, 210.87; 11. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.573, 209.30; 12. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Mustang, 6.578, 208.71; 13. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.583, 209.01; 14. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.588, 209.79; 15. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.589, 208.30; 16. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.590, 207.85.
Not Qualified: 17. Chris McGaha,6.592, 209.26; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.620, 208.59; 19. Val Smeland, 6.625, 208.78; 20. Shane Tucker, broke.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.746, 198.90; 2. Chase VanSant, Suzuki, 6.747, 200.80; 3. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.749, 200.59; 4. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.776, 201.58; 5. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.789, 198.61; 6. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.792, 196.90; 7. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.803, 200.98; 8. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.823, 198.79; 9. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.824, 196.36; 10. Chip Ellis, EBR, 6.826, 199.37; 11. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.828, 198.41; 12. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.830, 197.31; 13. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.846, 195.56; 14. John Hall, Buell, 6.867, 197.86; 15. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.917, 195.39; 16. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.922, 196.47.
Not Qualified: 17. Chris Bostick, 7.066, 191.10; 18. Malcolm Phillips Jr., 7.098, 192.66; 19. Lance Bonham, 7.401, 185.89.
THURSDAY SPORTSMAN - GREENHECK, MORRIS HEADLINE SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING
The first day of the 2023 season is in the books, with completed qualifying for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisions at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
Jim Greenheck made the trip from Wisconsin worthwhile as he drove his B/Econo Altered to the top spot with a 7.526 elapsed time, -.744 under the index. Veteran class runner Pat Ross was second at -.721 under the E/Altered standard. Doug Engels D/Dragster was third.
Over in Super Stock, Nick Morris led the non-GM Factory GT charge as he was -.989 under with his FGT/H Mustang, edging out FGT/E racer Don Barber's Avenger at -.975. Running as an FGT/C, Jake Sealy put his late model Mustang third with a -.955.
Thomas Baker's classic Mopar was the big fish in Stock Eliminator, as the E/Stock Automatic Barracuda was -1.011 under with a 10.689. He was the only racer more than a second under his index.
Lester Johnson's 1958 Corvette was the top doorslammer in the Top Sportsman division, clocking a 6.344 elapsed time at 228.38 miles per hour. David Craft was second with his '63 Corvette, stopping the timers with a 6.365. Rich Smith held down third with a 6.437.
The Top Alcohol divisions got in only one qualifying session, and it was Cordy Krohn topping the dragsters with A 5.162, 278.92, while DJ Cox Jr. set the pace for the Funny Cars with a 5.457, 267.59.
Qualifying resumes on Friday at 8:30 AM, EST, with the first round of eliminations for Super Street followed by Stock, Super Comp, and Super Stock.
TAD - Q1
1 211X TA/D Cody Krohn, Port Charlotte FL, Dragster 5.162 278.92 278.92
2 6 TA/D Julie Nataas, Brownsburg IN, Copeland-B 5.200 279.96 279.96
3 5 TA/D Jackie Fricke, Flemington NJ, Copeland- 5.209 276.29 276.29
4 2 TA/D Matthew Cummings, Delry Beach FL, Hadma 5.218 276.01 276.01
5 182 TA/D Dan Mercier, Saint-Michel PQ, Dan Page- 5.227 276.46 276.46
6 176 A/FD Jeff Veale, Canfield ON, Veale-HEMI 5.308 273.61 273.61
7 314 TA/D Tony Stewart, Columbus IN, Indy Speed-H 5.323 270.21 270.21
8 375 A/FD Jeff Chatterson, Brantford ON, Bowen-HE 5.347 270.16 270.16
9 2631 TA/D Brad McBride, Granite Falls NC, DSR-CHRY 5.370 269.19 269.19
10 1900 TA/D Dan Page, Hampstead NH, Page-BAE 5.587 254.28 254.28
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
TAFC- Q1
1 4 DJ Cox Jr., Whiteford MD, '19 Camaro 5.457 267.59 267.59
2 6 Bob McCosh, Columbia MO, '23 Camaro 5.491 261.02 261.02
3 3 Sean Bellemeur, Placentia CA, '21 Camaro 5.492 268.01 268.01
4 32 Andy Bohl, Racine WI, '19 Camaro 5.505 269.40 269.40
5 15 Brian Gawlik, Allentown PA, '19 Camaro 5.613 260.21 260.21
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
COMP ELIMINATOR - FINAL
1 5622 B/EA Jim Greenheck, Schofield WI, '12 Camaro 7.526 8.27 -0.744
2 3002 E/A Pat Ross, Avon Lake OH, '05 Grand Am 7.599 8.32 -0.721
3 5212 D/D Doug Engels, Watertown SD, Frame Works-Ch 7.115 7.81 -0.695
4 3662 FS/SM Scott Libersher, Wilmington Il, '23 Camaro 7.802 8.49 -0.688
5 35 I/AA David Billingsley, Decatur IL, '14 Camaro 7.978 8.64 -0.662
6 503 F/AA Joseph Arrowsmith, Ham Lake MN, '06 GTO 7.833 8.49 -0.657
7 K283 C/ED Jared Kimbrough, Pace FL, ProStart-Chevy 7.258 7.91 -0.652
8 3076 A/ED Robert Bailey, Wabash IN, Agan-Olds 6.570 7.22 -0.650
9 51 A/A Scott Linder, Hedrick IA, '04 Grand Am 6.511 7.16 -0.649
10 3 C/ED Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg IN, Dragster-Ch 7.265 7.91 -0.645
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SUPER STOCK - FINAL
1 3718 FGT/H Nick Morris, Louisville KY, '03 Mustang 9.361 10.35 -0.989
2 2963 FGT/E Don Barber, Hohenwald TN, '96 Avenger 9.025 10.00 -0.975
3 2075 FGT/C Jake Sealey, Columbia SC, '08 Mustang 8.845 9.80 -0.955
4 391 GT/FA Irvin Johns, Memphis IN, '05 Cavalier 9.299 10.25 -0.951
5 3099 GT/DA Stacy McCarty, Indianapolis IN, '05 Grand 9.063 10.00 -0.937
6 1737 FSS/C Don Belles, Collegeville PA, '17 Camaro 8.716 9.65 -0.934
7 1968 SS/AH Steve Comella, Webster NY, '68 Dart 8.519 9.45 -0.931
8 2471 GT/QA Ronnie Dutton, Southside AL, '80 Monza 10.830 11.75 -0.920
9 36 GT/CA Todd Frantz, Louisville KY, '08 G5 8.988 9.90 -0.912
10 1899 SS/GA Gary Ewing, Sparrowspoint MD, '69 Camaro 9.640 10.55 -0.910
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
STOCK - FINAL
1 1272 E/SA Thomas Baker, Kingsville MD, '70 Baracuda 10.689 11.70 -1.011
2 L177 FS/B Lenny Lottig, Meyersdale PA, '19 Camaro 9.013 10.00 -0.987
3 1308 E/SA Ralph Porpora, New Windsor NY, '69 Camaro 10.727 11.70 -0.973
4 2128 J/SA Mattie Case Volkman, Campobello SC, '89 C 11.513 12.45 -0.937
5 1985 L/S Robert Costantin, S. Amboy NJ, '85 Mustang11.770 12.70 -0.930
6 2962 E/SA Terry Hembree, Blue Ridge GA, '69 Camaro 10.778 11.70 -0.922
7 1925 F/SA Tim Barrett, Fort Ann NY, '69 Camaro 10.932 11.85 -0.918
8 2892 B/SA Eddie Longhany, Godwin NC, '69 Camaro 10.347 11.25 -0.903
9 2020 AA/SA Brenda Grubbs, Magnolia TX, '69 Camaro 9.808 10.70 -0.892
10 2952 B/SA Jeff Longhany, Wade NC, '00 Corvette 10.378 11.25 -0.872
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
TOP SPORTSMAN - FINAL
1 3556 Lester Johnson, Cynthiana KY, '58 Corvette 6.344 228.38 228.38
2 1253 David Crafts, Lisbon Falls ME, '63 Corvette 6.365 218.51 218.90
3 32 Rich Smith, Wentzville MO, '68 Camaro 6.437 214.52 214.72
4 193 Ronnie Proctor, Hedgesville WV, '09 Cobra 6.480 213.50 213.50
5 1357 John Benoit, Barre VT, '15 Corvette 6.498 209.79 210.80
6 263 Doug Crumlich, Douglasville GA, '63 Corvette 6.578 210.24 210.24
7 8 Curt Fredrich, Burlington WI, '68 Camaro 6.589 210.70 210.80
8 3175 Dennis Dowson, Auburn IL, '14 Challenger 6.645 211.43 211.43
9 200C Chad Morrison, Statesville NC, '57 Belair 6.647 205.10 205.10
10 411M David Cuadra, McAllen TX, '07 GTO 6.658 207.66 207.66
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
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