Evidently, the best way to stop the Kalitta Motorsports Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty domination is to smoke them out.
Top Fuel points leader Tony Stewart did just that as he continued his run of milestones Saturday at Bristol Dragway. He claimed his first career Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win during the 24th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
In the specialty final, Stewart posted a 3.803-second, 324.05-mph pass to defeat Doug Kalitta. The result ended Kalitta Motorsports’ unbeaten streak in the event, which had reached six victories this season.
“This is great, obviously. We’ve been in the final of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and haven’t been able to finish it,” Stewart said. “Now, to win one and get our first low qualifier is big. For our team, it’s a huge accomplishment. We keep checking boxes off. We’ve got a car that is repeatable and consistent.”
J.R. Todd picked up his first Funny Car victory of the year in the Mission Challenge with a 4.004, 326.24, to defeat Jack Beckman in the final. The run followed a 3.987 in the opening round to eliminate Alexis DeJoria.
“I’ve said all along the more runs we make, the more data Dickie (Venables) can collect. You can’t learn if you don’t go down the track,” Todd said. “The car is responding to what Dickie is trying to do with it. This is definitely the track with the most character. You have to fight the car from half-track on. We’ve also had to dodge the weather. Hopefully, tomorrow the weather holds off.”
Aaron Stanfield added a Pro Stock win in the bonus race, running 6.668, 204.85 to edge Matt Hartford by .0004 seconds. The victory marked the first of the year for Stanfield and a step forward for the Elite Motorsports team.
“This does feel good. It’s the first thing we’ve won all year,” Stanfield said. “That was a really good race against Matt, and it shows how hard the Elite guys have worked and how much they’ve sacrificed. Hopefully, we can get a little momentum rolling. Our guys are getting us to within fighting distance.”
Gaige Herrera secured his second Pro Stock Motorcycle specialty win of the season, clocking a 6.891, 196.30 to beat Steve Johnson. Herrera also highlighted the Vance & Hines team’s success with Brayden Davis qualifying No. 1 in the same class.
“It’s awesome seeing him doing so well. I might be taking that bike back for tomorrow. He’s young and doing a phenomenal job,” Herrera said. “For Brayden to qualify No. 1 and me to get the Mission win, it’s awesome for the whole Vance & Hines team. It’s amazing what our guys are able to do with three different bikes.”
Final eliminations are scheduled to begin at noon EDT on Sunday.
