Doug Kalitta claimed victory in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge with a standout performance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. The former Top Fuel champion posted a time of 3.730 seconds at 331.04 mph, which earned him the No. 1 qualifying spot for eliminations.
Spencer Hyde (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) also secured wins in the latest Mission ##2Fast2Tasty Challenge, the first for the Las Vegas event. Kalitta’s impressive pass marked his second No. 1 qualifier of the year and the 60th of his career.
Kalitta defeated Brittany Force, Tony Stewart, and Clay Millican. Kalitta and teammate Shawn Langdon have won every #2Fast2Tasty races this season.
“Yeah, I really like the format, being able to race on Saturdays. It’s brought a lot more to the fans,” Kalitta said. “I think they’re all engaged a little more on Saturdays. We ended up winning (the 4-Wides) last year. So, for me, coming to these races that you won the previous year, you really want to get it done again.”
Hyde earned his first NHRA win with a time of 3.968 seconds at 318.54 mph. The rookie, who faced challenges in earlier races this season, advanced to the semifinals in Pomona two weeks ago, and capitalized on his opportunity in Las Vegas.
“It’s pretty cool. Obviously, we had a little rough start to the season – didn’t qualify in Gainesville, didn’t qualify in Phoenix – but we’re putting that behind us,” Hyde said. “We had a great outing in Pomona, going to the semifinals and obviously here with this win. I’m getting more comfortable in the car, getting some good, clean runs in.
“That’s the first time it’s blown up on me at the finish line, so that was exciting. I’ve been waiting for the last couple runs. I knew it dropped a hole (cylinder) in the last run, and it’s not if, it’s when in these things, so I just been kind of waiting for it. It wasn’t too bad it – just popped the blower off – but there was no big fireball or anything, so all good.”
In Pro Stock, Glenn edged out his KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson with a holeshot victory, running 6.637 at 206.13 seconds. Although Anderson posted the quicker time at 6.614, Glenn’s .022 reaction time secured his win in the specialty race.
“I’m really thrilled, because three of us basically staged at the same time, and then I didn’t feel like I hit the tree,” Glenn said. “I was happy to see I was .022, and then the car made a right turn. I was out in the weeds and it was spinning and bouncing. It was a little more shocking to see the win light come on.
“It was definitely a big confidence boost. I feel like we’re still working on the car. We’re still getting a little bit better, and I feel like I can miss it and still be .022, so I’m definitely feeling more comfortable in the car, too. We have a lot of momentum going into Sunday.”
Eliminations for the 25th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals begin at noon PDT Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
