DINWIDDIE, VA – Chasing history has been nothing new for Gaige Herrera the past two seasons, but the reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion has a chance add another incredible mark at this weekend’s PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Herrera is currently tied with legendary Pro Stock driver Bob Glidden for the most consecutive wins and round wins in NHRA history, picking up his ninth straight win – and 35th straight round win – during his victory two weeks ago at Bristol Dragway in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

A win in Richmond this weekend would give Herrera 10 consecutive victories, which has never been achieved in NHRA’s 73-year history. Herrera hasn’t lost in 2024 on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, winning the first four races of the year. He also hasn’t been defeated since last September, winning the final five events of 2023 en route to his dominant first world title.

He’s set a multitude of records along the way and this is another major one for the standout, but Herrera is simply trying to focus on making solid runs this weekend. Continue reading →

DINWIDDIE, VA – Austin Prock was in a Top Fuel dragster two years ago at Virginia Motorsports Park, but at this weekend’s PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals he’ll be looking for his third Funny Car win of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Prock, driver of the 11,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS, is new to the Funny Car class this season, but his predecessor, Robert Hight, won at Virginia Motorsports Park in 2022, the last time NHRA raced in Richmond. Prock has already seen success in the Funny Car class as he has two wins on the season, including most recently in Bristol, and has been the No. 1 qualifier at six of the first eight races en route to the points lead.

That gives the young standout and former NHRA Rookie of the Year plenty of momentum heading into his Funny Car debut at the standout facility.

“Richmond is one of the flattest tracks on the circuit which will be much appreciated by the tuners with this weekend’s temperatures,” Prock said. “I always say I never like an off weekend and I’m excited to get back into my Cornwell Quality Tools Camaro SS and get back in the groove of things. We’re looking for another strong weekend.” Continue reading →

DINWIDDIE, VA – The last time Brittany Force was at Virginia Motorsports Park, the Top Fuel standout was obliterating track records in Richmond en route to a victory in 2022 and, ultimately, her second world championship in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

Returning to the standout facility in 2024 for this weekend’s PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, Force hopes to recreate some of that magic and return to the winner’s circle for the first time since her 2022 championship season.

The team made strides two weeks ago in Bristol, advancing to the semifinals, and she has plenty of good history in Richmond, going 3.654-seconds at 335.82 mph two years ago on her way to the winner’s circle. Force is preparing to race in warmer conditions in her 11,000-horsepower HendrickCars.com/Chevrolet dragster, as she also gets ready to tackle the unique, first-time schedule that will feature three qualifying sessions on Saturday.

“Our recent improvements, particularly at Bristol, have boosted our confidence and morale,” Force said. “We’re eager to build on that momentum and showcase our progress in Richmond. This weekend, Richmond is changing things up. It will be a 2-day event, which is something I’ve never done in my career. I’m interested to see the fan response for a Saturday and Sunday event, and we are hoping for a positive outcome.” Continue reading →

SEATTLE – For the first time at Pacific Raceways, fans will be treated to night racing from the nitro-burning machines of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series at the 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals, July 19-21.

The NHRA Northwest Nationals marks the 11th event of the 2024 season and will feature night qualifying for the first time to kick off an incredible weekend. Fans will see nitro cars like never before with huge header flames under the lights in their 330-mph, 11,000-horsepower machines, as well as Pro Stock Motorcycle and the return of Pro Stock. Combined, it’s the first time all four NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series classes will race at Pacific Raceway during the same weekend in NHRA history.

The weekend kicks off with a fan fest at Auburn Outlets Collection on Thursday, July 18 at 5 p.m. PT, where fans can meet their drag racing heroes. On Friday between qualifying sessions, fans can take part in a special SealMaster Track Walk and an autograph power hour in the pro pits, while the nitro at night qualifying session will give fans an opportunity to win a unique wristwatch from Ben Bridge Jewelers TAG Heuer.

Add in the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday, and it marks one of the biggest NHRA race weekends in Pacific Raceways history. Continue reading →

BRISTOL, TN – In a matchup of last weekend’s Funny Car final round, points leader Austin Prock knocked off John Force in the finals of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge bonus race, also qualifying No. 1 on Saturday in front of a near-capacity crowd at Bristol Dragway at the 23rd annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the specialty race, while Millican (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Smith qualified No. 1 at the eighth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

In the finals of the specialty event, Prock went 4.049-seconds at 312.57 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro, knocking off Force’s 4.033 at 315.27 on a holeshot. Last weekend, it was Force that slipped past Prock in the championship round at Epping in a battle of two teammates and the top two drivers in the points standings. Prock extracted some revenge on Saturday and also earned his sixth No. 1 qualifier in eight races thanks to Friday’s 3.958 at 317.34. He’ll open eliminations against John Smith, looking to sweep the weekend for the first time. Continue reading →

BRISTOL, TN – Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Steve Johnson looks to become the first repeat rider at Bristol Dragway at this weekend’s 23rd annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and turn around his 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season in the process.

The Pro Stock Motorcycle class is back in action at this weekend’s race in Thunder Valley and Johnson is the reigning Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals winner. After struggling at the first three races of the season, Johnson is seeking his first NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series win of the season on his Suzuki.

But he has plenty of strong Bristol vibes as one of only three PSM winners at the legendary facility. The only two other winners at Bristol are Angelle Sampey and Jerry Savoie since the class came to Thunder Valley in 2021.

“It’s a very challenging race track for us,” Johnson said. “Where my team has been this last year and where I think we should be, it’s been exciting. The data doesn’t lie. There’s a bunch of calculations between there and you come up with gear ratios, you come up with jetting, you come up with timing, and hopefully you bring a rider, and you go throw down on the track then you come back and modify that. Continue reading →

EPPING, NH – John Force powered to the win in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday at New England Dragway, claiming the bonus event win in front of a sellout crowd as part of this weekend’s 11th annual NHRA New England Nationals..

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) also won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at the seventh of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Force went 4.048-seconds at 320.81 mph in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS to defeat Blake Alexander’s 3.994 at 320.51 on a holeshot in the final round, giving the 16-time world champion his first specialty event win of the season. It’s another impressive moment in what has been a standout season for Force, who is currently third in points. He’ll get a chance for an event win on Sunday and a double-up weekend, looking to continue his strong 2024 campaign.

“I love racing these kids,” Force said. “They make get me out of bed every day. I just know [car owner] Jim Head, he’s tricky and Alexander can drive so I rolled it in deep. I knew I needed to get a few inches on him and evidently it helped me. The numbers look deceiving, but it was a good race. Blake has a big future out here. Continue reading →

EPPING, NH – Reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta made the quickest run of both sessions on Friday at New England Dragway, taking the provisional No. 1 spot at the 11th annual NHRA New England Nationals.

Austin Prock (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the seventh of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Kalitta went 3.700-seconds at 332.84 mph under the lights in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster as part of a thrilling side-by-side run with Steve Torrence, maintaining his No. 1 spot from earlier in the day. It puts the veteran in position for his third No. 1 qualifier of the season and 56th in his career. New England Dragway is also the only track on the NHRA tour where Kalitta hasn’t won, which is something the 53-time event winner would love to change this weekend.

“I was really confident and real hopeful,” Kalitta said. “The car left good and smooth and really happy once I figured we got the quick time. This track is on my radar [as the last one] to get to a final and finally get a win. Continue reading →

EPPING, NH – Aaron Stanfield is no stranger to the winner’s circle, but the Pro Stock standout is on the hunt for his first win of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and also his second career victory at New England Dragway.

Stanfield, driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Janac Brothers Racing Pro Stock car, has two final round appearances in his 2024 campaign, including a runner-up two weeks ago in Chicago.

With momentum on his side, he is looking to capitalize this weekend at the 11th annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway against a talent-filled Pro Stock category, which returns to Epping after a one-year absence.

“So far this season we have had some decent days at the racetrack, but we have not turned on that last win light of the day,” said Stanfield, who won in Epping in 2021. “Epping has been good to us in the past. It’s a perfect place to get our first win representing the JHG brand. I really enjoy the New England Nationals. It is full of some die-hard racing fans and I am looking forward to eating some of that famous East Coast lobster.” Continue reading →