NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

It’s the final day of the 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas and racers are ready to roll the dice and chase a win at the fourth race of the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series. Qualifying was intense with teams navigating the hot conditions, marquee drivers breaking into the show in the final session and notables getting bumped out.

Doug Kalitta was quickest in Top Fuel qualifying, having run 3.73 to out-pace Brittany Force, Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, and Tony Stewart, who Is chasing his first professional NHRA win. In addition to starting on pole, Kalitta’s keen driving earned him a win in Saturday’s Mission Foods Challenge. Kalitta will face Justin Ashley and Clay Millican in round 1.

Fresh off his first win in Arizona, Paul Lee gained momentum running a 3.94 in qualifying to secure the top spot. Lee will be matched in a tough first-round quad with 2025 Gainesville winner Chad Green, Bob Tasca III, and Daniel Wilkerson, who are looking to score big in Vegas.

With the temperature expected to be in the high-80s, track conditions look to mimic Saturday, so we can expect plenty of excitement in the remaining quads. Key first-round matchups include the quad with Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan, Bobby Bode, and J.R. Todd.

Ron Capps kept everyone on their toes, making a 4.05 pass, his best of the event, to sneak into the field late Saturday. He will face Austin Prock, Jason Rupert, and Cruz Pedregon. 

Pro Stock was no less dramatic, as we saw holeshot upsets and world champions failing to make the field. Greg Anderson waited until session four to deliver a 6.614, the quickest pass of the event, to keep his spot atop the field, but a late light cost him the Mission Food Challenge. Anderson will race Eric Latino, Christian Cuadra, and Jeg Coughlin Jr. in round one. Coughlin Jr. added to the Pro Stock drama, as he was unqualified until the final session. His 6.669 earned him the tenth spot but knocked out his teammate Erica Enders.

KB teammate Dallas Glenn’s 6.637 was enough for second and his fourth Mission Challenge win. Glenn’s quad will include David Cuadra, Mason McGaha, and Aaron Stanfield.

An interesting matchup in Pro Stock will be the quad containing Chris McGaha, Deric Kramer, and rookie drivers Matt Latino and Cody Coughlin, who will compete in their first 4-Wide elimination rounds. The final quad will also be strong with Matt Hartford, Fernando Cuadra Jr., Cory Reed and Brandon Foster facing off.

2024 EVENT WINNERS

Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; Bob Tasca III, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin Jr., Pro Stock

MOST EVENT VICTORIES

Tony Schumacher, 4, TF; Antron Brown, 4 TF; Larry Dixon, 4 TF, Robert Hight, 3, FC; Ron Capps, 2, FC; Cruz Pedregon, 3, FC; J.R. Todd, 2, FC; Alxis DeJoria, 2, FC; Bob Tasca II, 2, FC; Erica Enders, 4, PS, Jeg Coughlin, 4, PS.

TRACK RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.652 sec. by Brittany Force, Nov. ’19; 338.17 mph by B. Force, Nov. ’19.
Funny Car - 3.816 sec. by Robert Hight, Oct. ’23; 336.99 mph by Bob Tasca III, Oct. ’23
Pro Stock - 6.552 seconds by Kyle Koretsky, Oct. '23; 210.28 mph by Enders, Oct. '15.

NATIONAL RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.623 sec. by Brittany Force, Sept. ‘19, Reading; 338.94 mph by Brittany Force, Nov. ‘22, Pomona
Funny Car - 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. '17, Brainerd; 341.68 mph by Austin Prock, Nov. ’24, Pomona
Pro Stock - 6.443 sec. by Greg Anderson, March ’25, Gainesville; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ’14, Englishtown

SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, April 13
Lucas Oil Series eliminations at 9:30 a.m
Top Alcohol elimination at 10:15 a.m.
Pre-race ceremonies, 11:00 a.m.
Mission Foods Series eliminations begin at 12:00 p.m.

TELEVISION

SUNDAY, April 13, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 11:00 a.m. (ET)
SUNDAY, April 13, FS1 will televise three hours of finals coverage at 6:30 p.m. (ET)