CHANDLER, AZ – Jeg Coughlin continued his perfect season at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, taking home the No. 1 qualifying spot for the second consecutive event of the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Brittany Force (Top Fuel) and Matt Hagan (Funny Car) also raced to the No. 1 qualifying spot in their respective classes after a rain delayed day in Phoenix, with the fourth qualifying session being cancelled due to weather. The trio were also No. 1 qualifiers at the season opener in Pomona.

Coughlin has dominated the season so far, having taken home the No. 1 qualifying position and event win in Pomona two weeks ago. Saturday qualifying in Phoenix was no different after Coughlin rocketed to the top with a pass of 6.536-seconds at 208.52 mph. The five-time Pro Stock world champion is currently embarking on his “Breaking Barriers Tour,” announcing that he will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2020 season. He will race rookie Marty Robertson in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday.

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MATT HAGAN FUNNY CAR PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFIER
MOPAR DODGE CHARGER SRT HELLCAT 3.859 SEC., 331.61 MPH
NOTE: Matt Hagan powered his Funny Car to the provisional top spot on Friday at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

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CHANDLER, AZ – Reigning event winner Matt Hagan continued his domination of Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, capturing the provisional No. 1 qualifier spot on Friday at the 36th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, in his hunt for back-to-back wins in Phoenix.

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) also claimed provisional No. 1 qualifier spots in their respective categories at the second of 24 events on the 2020 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series calendar.

Hagan took the provisional No. 1 spot during the second qualifying session with a pass of 3.859-seconds at 331.61 mph in his Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car. Hagan is looking to continue his momentum from the season opener in Pomona after seeding himself in the No. 1 spot at the Winternationals two weeks ago. Hagan is the reigning event winner and is looking to take home his 34th career win, three of which have come at the NHRA Arizona Nationals.

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GLENDORA, CA – NHRA announced today that Sebring International Raceway will become a new member track. Sebring will join Division 2, the Southwest division of NHRA member tracks.

Sebring International Raceway, located in Sebring, Florida, is one of the oldest continuously operating racetracks in the United States, having held its first race in 1950. The track partially sits on Hendricks Army Airfield, which was used as a training base for B-17 pilots during World War ll.

“We have worked hard to create a fun and friendly environment that allows competitors to feel like family when visiting Sebring International Raceway,” said Elizabeth Worley, Marketing Coordinator and Drag Racing Series Manager at Sebring International Raceway. “We strongly believe that having the backing of NHRA will allow us to continue to grow the program we have built. We look forward to the future of drag racing and competition at our track.

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CHANDLER, AZ – Craving the spotlight has never been part of Jason Line’s personality, but during his final season of full-time racing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the three-time Pro Stock world champion may experience it more than usual in 2020. That was apparent during the season opener in Pomona, and it’s a good bet there will be an outpouring of fan support for the veteran at this weekend’s 36th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

Line has been a constant in the Pro Stock class over the years, piloting his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro to incredible success in workmanlike fashion. Now in a final full-time season dubbed “The Finish Line Tour,” Line will look to close things in style. A fourth world championship is certainly within reach and, along the way, the longtime standout hopes to enjoy some special memories by way of victories and winner’s circle celebrations.

“A lot of folks in Pomona had some nice things to say, and that was pretty cool to see and nice to know that I haven’t completely worn out my welcome after this many years,” Line said. “It’s been good. We’re only one race in, but I’ve been able to enjoy that part of it. The people can be the best part of this sport, so that’s been enjoyable. I’m looking forward to the rest of it as well and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

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GAINESVILLE, FL – History and a chance for glory at one of the most historic tracks on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit is on the line at the 51st annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 12-15 at Gainesville Raceway.

A year after celebrating its 50th event, the Gatornationals will be just as big in 2020. With the NHRA celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pro Stock during the race, honoring legends who will be in attendance. As part of the yearlong celebration, the event will feature the Hot Rod Junction.

The thrilling NHRA Prime Time will take place during the second qualifying session on Friday, ensuring the iconic race will continue to hold its place as one of the most memorable stops during the NHRA season.

The legendary track serves as the East Coast opener and it has been a must-see event for decades. With a new racing surface installed a year ago, fans will be treated to another 11,000-horsepower thrill ride. Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Bo Butner (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are defending winners of an event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), including finals coverage on Sunday, March 15 at 9:30 p.m. (ET).

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CHANDLER, AZ – A two-year hiatus didn’t seem to bother Alexis DeJoria as she opened the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season in style in Pomona. The Funny Car standout advanced to the semifinals in her first race since 2017, setting a strong tone for the season and giving the popular driver plenty of momentum heading into this weekend’s 36th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

DeJoria’s first career Funny Car victory came at the facility in 2014, adding to the good vibes she’s currently feeling in her 11,000-horsepower ROKit/ABK Beer Toyota. DeJoria gave all the credit to a team led by standout crew chiefs Del Worsham and Nicky Boninfante for the early excitement, also giving her an impressive level of comfort that was evident in Pomona.

“That first race exceeded our expectations,” said DeJoria, who has five career Funny Car wins. “Putting a new team together so quickly was no easy task, but Del and Nicky were on it. My crew chiefs and I have a long history together. We basically picked up where we left off, except now there are no extra distractions. We’re just racing and that’s when we do our best work.”

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CHANDLER, AZ – Last season wasn’t up to the usual impressive standards from Antron Brown, but you won’t find an ounce of discouragement from the three-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world champ. Coming off his first winless season of his career in the Top Fuel ranks, Brown, a 66-time event winner, is welcoming the journey to once again get back on top.

He’s back with former crew chief Brian Corradi, a tandem that led to massive success in previous years, and Brown is eyeing the 2020 season as a return to form in his 11,000-horsepower Matco Tools/Global Electronic Technology/Toyota dragster. The veteran standout knows what a quick start could mean for the year, leaving him determined and focused heading into this weekend’s 36th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

“We feel good right now, even though we know we’ve still got our work cut out for us getting the car where we want it,” Brown said. “It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s going to take laps and we know that. But the journey is the meaningful part. We know nothing comes free and you have to put the work in. You can see the mountain in front of you. Are you going to let it eat you up or are you going to conquer it? That’s one of the parts I enjoy most and you go through it as a team. For us, it’s not a question of if we can do it. We’ve been there before.”

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