- VP Racing® Announces Rebel Oil Company (ROC) as Master Distributor in Key Markets
- AB Motorsports Partners with Centroid Performance Racing to Expand Scope of FAB Machining
- NHRA ROARS INTO BRISTOL DRAGWAY FOR SUPER GRIP NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
- IHRA Completes Purchase of Kil-Kare Raceway
- Steding Father-Son Duo Doubles Up, Joining Butner, Huffman, Salminen and Vincent as PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown Winners
- T. Franklin, Harris, Denton, Powers, Melnick and Vincent Qualify No. 1 at PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown
- NITRO ROARS BACK TO NEW ENGLAND FOR THE 2025 NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Doug Kalitta and Mac Tools Top Fuel Make Strides at Las Vegas Four-Wide Race
Las Vegas – Through four rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals 49-time Top Fuel national event winner Doug 
Kalitta posted the quickest run of the first session and the third quickest run of the second session on Friday. His overall effort driving the Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel dragster positioned the perennial championship contender as the No. 6 qualifier going into race day. Last year Kalitta grabbed two win lights and was runner-up at this event.
Today his first round quad included his teammate Shawn Langdon, Leah Pruett and Ron Passey. Kalitta was second off the line and was blasting down lane one looking to advance to the next round. As the finish line was closing in his dragster suffered a quick engine explosion robbing the Mac Tools machine of much needed momentum and opening the door for two opponents to sneak around him.
The team will take the positive runs from qualifying and turn their attention to the upcoming NHRA SpringNationals in Houston an event where Kalitta posted a runner-up finish in 2021.
DHL Toyota GR Supra and Todd Race to Quarterfinals at Four-Wide Nationals
Las Vegas – Two-time NHRA Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals Funny Car winner J.R. Todd was looking to add a third trophy to his collection 
this weekend. Through four rounds of qualifying Todd and the DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car were qualified No. 9 with a 3.943 second run at 327.27 mph. The tough Funny Car category had Todd aligned with reigning Funny Car champion Ron Capps, veteran Tim Wilkerson and Jason Rupert in the opening quad.
Todd was first off the starting line and had his hands full as his Toyota GR Supra Funny Car lurched down track and he was on and off the throttle. The wildness of the four-wide racing style was in full effect in this quad as Wilkerson was loose off the starting line and had to abort his run in the first second of competition. Rupert smoked the tires at the hit of the throttle and was not a factor. While Capps was on a smooth pass Todd crossed the finish line right behind him after his own eventful run.
Todd’s second round opponents included Capps as well as Matt Hagan and Bob Tasca III. Three of the four drivers were world champions and the opportunity for advancing to the final quad left little room for error. Once again Todd was the first off the line and made his best run of the weekend for the DHL Funny Car, a 3.936 second blast at 326.08 mph. Unfortunately, it was not enough to get around eventual event winner Ron Capps and Hagan.
Langdon Drives DHL Top Fuel to Quarterfinals in Las Vegas
Las Vegas – Shawn Langdon and the DHL Toyota Top Fuel dragster entered the NHRA Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals looking to capture 
their first win at the unique event. He wanted to add a Top Fuel trophy to the Funny Car title he won at the 2019 NHRA Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals. After four qualifying runs at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Langdon was sitting in the No. 11 spot but the veteran driver knew his team was in a good position to continue to improve.
In a first round quad that included teammate Doug Kalitta as well as Leah Pruett and Rob Passey, Langdon was looking to advance with Kalitta to the second round. When the tree flashed Langdon was right behind Kalitta and quickly advanced down lane two. As the finish line closed in Langdon was in a prime position and crossed the finish line second behind Pruett. Langdon’s elapsed time of 3.853 seconds was just a shade off his best qualifying effort of 3.808 seconds. His winning run was smooth and right down the middle of his lane.
In the second round the 2013 Top Fuel world champion was joined by four-time world champion Steve Torrence, Brittany Force and Pruett. Langdon was the first dragster off the starting line with a strong .052 reaction time. As he was closing in on the finish line his dragster experienced some issues losing power and dropping him back in the pack.
Antron Brown Advances to Final Elimination Quad in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS – Antron Brown advanced to the final elimination quad on Sunday afternoon at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, effectively 
improving his standing on the Top Fuel leaderboard by three positions.
The newly minted team owner was looking to rebound after a frustrating outing at the most recent NHRA race in Gainesville, Fla. and this weekend’s event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway appeared to be the ‘get healthy’ weekend Brown had been seeking. The three-time Top Fuel world champ posted the third-quickest run of the final qualifying session to place the Matco Tools dragster in the top half of the field, starting from the eighth seed on Sunday morning. Brown was first out of the gate during the first elimination round, and used that holeshot advantage to help him cross the finish line first, setting up a meeting with Clay Millican, Austin Prock, and Tony Schumacher in the second elimination quad. Once again, Brown’s machine-like reaction time coupled with a solid 3.749 E.T. helped him claim one of two win lights and earn a bid to round three.
The final elimination quad featured a juggernaut of heavy hitters with each lane occupied by a current or former world champion. Against Schumacher, Brittany Force, and Steve Torrence, Brown was quick off of the starting line but lost traction shortly after and was forced to give up the round win to Force and Torrence. By recording a semifinal appearance, Brown advanced into the Top 10, but he’s most impressed with the way his team was able to rebound and put together consistent full pulls throughout the weekend.
B. FORCE, CAPPS AND ENDERS CLAIM WINS AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
LAS VEGAS – In a star-studded final round featuring the last eight Top Fuel world champions, it was Brittany Force who powered to the win, 
claiming an impressive victory on Sunday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) also won at the fourth of 22 races during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
In a championship quad that also included four-time defending world champ Steve Torrence, Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown, Force went 3.718-seconds at 338.00 mph in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster to pick up her first win this season and 12th in her career. Force, who finished second in the opening round quad and won in the second round, also picked up her first four-wide victory in Vegas and became the fourth different winner in four races in Top Fuel. Combined, the four drivers in the final round have claimed 16 world titles, but it was Force, the 2017 world champ, who drove off with the win.
“This is huge for our team,” said Force, who moved to second in the loaded Top Fuel category. “It was not easy out there and we faced tough competition all day, but we’re excited to get a win like this. You look at that final quad and to get win, that’s really something to be proud of. It puts a fire under us and getting in that winner’s circle, there’s no better feeling than that. It’s been a little bit of a tough start for us, but coming into the season I knew it was going to be the toughest year yet in this class. I see a great future ahead with this team. It’s a great group and the hardest bunch of workers I’ve been around, and I’m so proud of our guys.”
Defending World Champ and New Team Owner Ron Capps Earns Second Pole of 2022
LAS VEGAS – Defending world champion and new team owner Ron Capps earned his second pole of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Series 
season on Saturday afternoon by powering the NAPA AUTO PARTS Funny Car to a blistering 3.883-second pass in the heat of the day to claim his 31st No. 1 qualifier overall.
After clocking the third-quickest passes of Q1 and Q3, Capps and the NAPA team sat in the fifth seed as they pulled up for the final qualifying session during the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. By clocking his third three-second pass of the weekend, Capps launched to the top of the timing sheet, setting up a first-round meeting with No. 8 qualifier Tim Wilkerson, No. 9 qualifier J.R. Todd, and 16th seed Jason Rupert in E1. While Capps has yet to win a Vegas Four-Wide Nationals trophy, he has found previous success competing in the unique four-lane format, having clinched a victory at the 2017 Charlotte event, and knows he has the manpower to add another four-wide trophy to his collection.
“I can’t say enough about Guido and Medlen,” said Capps, referring to his championship-winning crew chiefs, Dean ‘Guido’ Antonelli and John Medlen. “I am always bragging about them but for good reason. Not to mention, our whole entire team remained intact from last year and came along on this new ownership journey, and that means a lot to me. These yellow No. 1 qualifier hats mean so much, especially now as a team owner, it makes us so proud to be able to share in these moments with NAPA and all of our wonderful partners.”
DEUCES ARE WILD FOR FORCES AT LAS VEGAS NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS; BRITTANY FORCE WITH MONSTER ENERGY AND JOHN FORCE WITH PEAK / BLUEDEF LAND NO. 2 SPOTS SATURDAY
LAS VEGAS – Brittany Force and the Monster Energy team gained momentum and consistency Saturday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals 
at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to earn the No. 2 spot. John Force and the PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS team followed suit also qualifying No. 2. Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California team secured the No. 6 spot while Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team are sitting No. 12.
Brittany Force and the Monster Energy dragster came out making a point on the final day of qualifying. The David Grubnic and Mac Savage tuned team would take over the No. 1 spot at the Four-Wide Nationals during the third qualifying session when they blasted to a 3.735-second run at 324.20 mph. In their final attempt, Force laid down an impressive 3.790 at 327.11 but would be bumped to the No. 2 spot.
“After four qualifying sessions this Monster Energy / Fav-R-Pac team took the number two spot. It’s a good position to be in,” said Force who lines up with Steve Torrence, Josh Hart and Cameron Ferre in the first quad. “We had three out of four solid passes down the track. Our best was a .73 and we’re looking forward to tomorrow. We’re looking for some clean runs and win lights all day long.”
CAPPS, SALINAS AND STANFIELD RACE TO NO. 1 SPOTS AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
LAS VEGAS – Defending Funny Car world champion Ron Capps made the most of his final pass of the day, vaulting to the No. 1 spot on 
Saturday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Mike Salinas (Top Fuel) and Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) also qualified No. 1 at the fourth of 22 races during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Capps closed out qualifying with an impressive blast of 3.883-seconds at 331.45 mph in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car, racing past longtime rival John Force and claiming his second No. 1 qualifier of the season. It is the 31st career No. 1 position for Capps, who is the two-time world champ and is also after his sixth career Las Vegas win. His first-round quad will also consist of Jason Rupert, Tim Wilkerson and J.R. Todd as Capps seeks his first win of the 2022 season and the first since becoming a team owner this year.
“I just thought with the heat and the track temperature there’s no way it’s going to stick,” Capps said. “You know when a run’s really hauling the mail and you kind of calculate in your head knowing how hot it is out, how hot the track temp is, and in your head, you just know there’s no way it’s going to make it. So, I didn’t think it would run that good, honestly, but I knew we were shooting for No. 1. This race has kind of turned into a home race for us and to throw out a 3.883 in that heat was stunning. I can’t say enough about (crew chiefs) Guido (Dean Antonelli) and Medlen, and these No. 1 qualifiers mean so much, especially as a team owner now.”
Justin Ashley and Phillips Industries Raise over $30,000 for Ukrainian Families
Front wing of Phillips Connect Top Fuel dragster to recognize names of 75 donors
LAS VEGAS – Over the past two weeks NHRA Top Fuel driver Justin Ashley has been promoting a fundraising effort spearheaded by the 
parent company of his primary sponsor Phillips Connect. His efforts fundraised over $30,000 from 75 donors and the front wing of his Top Fuel highlights each donor. Through social media posts Ashley offered the chance for donors to add their name to his 11,000 horsepower Phillips Connect Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Shot at this weekend’s NHRA Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals. A minimum donation of $100 to Ukrainian UN Crisis Relief Fund afforded a donor the opportunity to have their name on his racecar.
“I was inspired by the passion of Phillips CEO Rob Phillips who considers everyone who works at Phillips part of his family. I completely agree with Rob when he says when a family needs help, we step up,” said Ashley. “I am proud to represent Phillips Connect and the entire Phillips family. I want to thank everyone who donated, and we are looking forward to the race this weekend to continue to raise awareness.”
Phillips Europe located in Poland, 280 miles from the Ukrainian border. With 60+ Ukrainian coworkers, the team there is prioritizing relief for their families, which includes medical supplies, legal support, basic necessities, housing, and more. In addition, they are extending support for humanitarian efforts to all refugees. To fund their efforts Phillips created two ways to donate, and they matched all employee donations as well as the donation Ashley raised through his NHRA promotion.
JOHN FORCE AND BLUEDEF PLATINUM SITTING NO.1 FRIDAY AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
LAS VEGAS – John Force and his PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS team didn’t waste any time getting back into their 
groove Friday at the NHRA Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals. The 16-time champion landed in the No. 1 spot in their first try at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Brittany Force and the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team are currently No. 4 with Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California team are sitting No. 6 and Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster are 14th.
John Force came out of the box to handle his PEAK / BlueDEF Chevy to a 3.887-second pass at 327.90 mph and land himself at the top of the Funny Car pack. If it holds, it would be the 164th No. 1 qualifying position of Force’s career. During the second qualifying try, Force had to lift and shut off early to only go 5.452 at 134.97.
“We’re searching for consistency. This PEAK / BlueDEF Chevy was fast at testing, we lost it in Pomona and here, well it went down there the first run but then didn’t,” said Force who gained three bonus points for being quickest of the first session. “I had a meeting with my guys this morning. I said if anyone was the problem, it’s been me. I got out here to this racetrack today and I was a different animal. I’m excited and so my guys are excited. I hope it lasts. Getting out there and winning this four-wide would sure help that.”
