The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge resumes this weekend at Firebird Motorsports Park, adding bonus competition to the 41st annual NHRA Arizona Nationals during the organization’s 75th anniversary season. The specialty race format places semifinalists from the previous event into rematches that carry additional purse money and Countdown to the Championship points.
The program enters its fourth year and is scheduled for 13 regular-season stops across the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. By elevating Saturday qualifying into head-to-head showdowns, the format continues to influence strategy in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock competition.
Top Fuel points leader Josh Hart seeks his first win in the bonus event following his season-opening victory in Gainesville. He faces Right Trailer Top Fuel All-Star Callout winner Antron Brown in a semifinal rematch designed to test early-season momentum.
Rookie Maddi Gordon will also compete after reaching the semifinals in her debut race. She meets reigning world champion Doug Kalitta, who captured the overall Mission #2Fast2Tasty title last season and secured five wins in the specialty format.
In Funny Car, Chad Green returns after claiming a second consecutive victory at the Gatornationals. He will race Jordan Vandergriff, who advanced to the semifinals in his debut with John Force Racing.
The other Funny Car pairing features J.R. Todd against Alexis DeJoria, both of whom have previously won the Phoenix edition of the bonus event. Todd secured the specialty race in 2024, while DeJoria won the inaugural Phoenix Challenge in 2023.
Pro Stock competition includes reigning world champion Dallas Glenn alongside Greg Anderson and Matt Hartford, who combined for eight bonus victories last season. Hartford, a Phoenix-area native, defeated Anderson in last year’s Saturday final and opened the 2026 season with a win in Gainesville.
Erica Enders re-enters the specialty race and will face Anderson in another chapter of their longstanding rivalry. Glenn and Hartford also meet in a semifinal matchup, reinforcing the class’s depth entering the early portion of the season.
Race officials adjusted start times due to expected heat, shifting Sunday eliminations an hour earlier than previous schedules. Despite logistical changes, the event remains a focal point of NHRA’s anniversary campaign and its emphasis on heritage-driven promotion.
A 75th anniversary Diamond Wally trophy will be awarded to event winners in Phoenix. The weekend also includes appearances from four-time world champion Don Prudhomme, along with Charlie Allen and Jon Lundberg, as part of the organization’s yearlong historical recognition program.
Additional fan initiatives include commemorative tickets featuring Prudhomme, distributed through onsite and online purchasing options. A limited-edition rally towel will be provided to the first 3,000 attendees Friday, alongside a redesigned Nitro Mall and anniversary displays.
Last season’s Phoenix winners included Shawn Langdon in Top Fuel, Paul Lee in Funny Car and Anderson in Pro Stock. Television coverage for this year’s event begins with elimination rounds on FS1 at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Qualifying opens Friday with Pro Stock at 9:30 a.m. local time, followed by Funny Car and Top Fuel sessions. Saturday’s schedule begins at 10 a.m. with Top Fuel, while final eliminations commence Sunday morning at 10 a.m.
Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Matchups at the 41st annual FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs at Firebird Motorsports Park:
TOP FUEL
Antron Brown vs. Josh Hart (Hart won in Gainesville)
Maddi Gordon vs. Doug Kalitta (Kalitta won in Gainesville)
FUNNY CAR
Chad Green vs. Jordan Vandergriff (Green won in Gainesville)
J.R. Todd vs. Alexis DeJoria (DeJoria won in Gainesville)
PRO STOCK
Greg Anderson vs. Erica Enders (Anderson won in Gainesville)
Dallas Glenn vs. Matt Hartford (Hartford won in Gainesville)
