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Keeping NHRA Fans Up to Date

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Who’s next? A look at who’s likely to be NHRA’s next first-time Pro winner

With his Pro Stock Motorcycle win at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Joey Gladstone can no longer be referenced as “long-overdue to win his first NHRA race.” That being said, there are more than a dozen other NHRA Pros whom that phrase might apply to. Here is a list of some of the drivers (listed in alphabetical order) who might be next in line to claim their first victories.
26 Jul 2022
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
Cristian Cuadra
With his Pro Stock Motorcycle win at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Joey Gladstone can no longer be referenced as “long-overdue to win his first NHRA race.” That being said, there are more than a dozen other NHRA Pros whom that phrase might apply…
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Nitro Time Machine: Courtney Force takes a wild ride at the 2016 Seattle event

Courtney Force took a wild ride in the first round of Funny Car at the 2016 Northwest Nationals. Racing Jeff Diehl, Force’s car lost traction then took a hard plunge into the guardwall.
26 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Nitro Time Machine
Nitro Time Nachine
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Five things we learned at the 2022 Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals

Engines swaps, technical expertise, nerves of steel, and the ability of a diverse group of racers to have mastered it all.
25 Jul 2022
David Kennedy
Feature
Five things we learned at the 2022 Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals
1.  Final-round engine swaps don't stress Greg Anderson and KB Racing. Going into the Sonoma final, and what could have been Greg Anderson’s 100th win, KB Racing performed a complete engine swap before the final round. The swap…
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1960s NHRA Top Gas superstar Gordon "Collecting" Collett passes away

1960s NHRA superstar Gordon Collett, the winningest driver in NHRA Top Gas history, passed away July 24. Collett's seven wins in the class, 1964-70, were nearly twice as many as his nearest rival.
25 Jul 2022
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Collett earned his "Collecting" nickname from Ed Iskenderian. Here he proudly holds the 1967 Top Gas World Championship trophy, 11
1960s NHRA superstar Gordon Collett, the winningest driver in NHRA Top Gas history, passed away July 24. He was 88. Collett was a prolific winner from 1964-70 and earned the nickname “Collecting” for his skill in collecting seven NHRA national…
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The balance of power has shifted: Gladstone, Enders, Tasca, and Force win Sonoma

Four first-time Sonoma winners take home the Wallys at the 2022 Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals
24 Jul 2022
David Kennedy
Race coverage
The balance of power has shifted: Gladstone, Enders, Tasca, and Force win Sonoma
Four. First. Time. Winners. Racing in Sonoma is never better than at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, and for the four NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series racers who won today, this track will forever hold a special place in their hearts.…
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Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Sunday Photo Gallery

It was an emotional race day with four first-time Sonoma winners, exceptional driving, and crew chiefs maximizing every round
24 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Gallery
Erica Enders, Leah Pruett, and Angelle Sampey were all number one qualifiers after Saturday 21
TELEVISION SCHEDULE: Sunday, July 24, FS1 will televise qualifying coverage from 1:30 to 3 p.m. (ET) Sunday, July 24, FOX will televise final eliminations from 4 to 7 p.m. (ET)
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Maynard Family named majority owner of Tony Schumacher-driven Top Fuel team

Don Schumacher Racing and Joe and Cathi Maynard have expanded the terms of their current partnership to include the Maynards as majority owners of the Top Fuel operation piloted by Tony Schumacher, effective Monday, July 25
24 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Maynard Family
Don Schumacher Racing and Joe and Cathi Maynard have expanded the terms of their current partnership to include the Maynards as majority owners of the Top Fuel operation piloted by Tony Schumacher, effective Monday, July 25, 2022. As majority…
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Sunday news and notes from the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals

News, notes, quotes, photos, and videos from final eliminations at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Updated throughout the day.
24 Jul 2022
David Kennedy
Race coverage
Sunday news and notes from the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals
The weather that makes it so pleasant to see a race in Sonoma is also the weather that causes crew chiefs to scramble on Sunday mornings. The first round of Top Fuel racing began with the cool, dense air caused by the fog that fills these hills in…
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Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Sunday preview

It's race day on the second stop of the iconic NHRA Wester Swing, and race fans should be ready for a blockbuster first round of nitro racing scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. (PDT)
24 Jul 2022
David Kennedy
News
Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Sunday preview
The Sonoma, Calif., hills will roar with the sound of NHRA Camping World Drag Racing today as the 2022 Denso Sonoma Nationals eliminations begin with a wicked fast first round thanks to the cool, dense air that fills the hills here each morning.…
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Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Saturday photo gallery

Check out NHRA National Dragster photographers' bonus outtakes from the 2022 Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals
23 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Angie and Matt Smith at the Denso Cornhole Challenge 46
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Sunshine, sea level, and speed: Sampey, Enders, Pruett and Hight claim top spots in Sonoma

If Sonoma Raceway isn’t drag racing’s perfect location during the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, you could certainly see it from here.
23 Jul 2022
David Kennedy
Race coverage
Sunshine, sea level, and speed: Sampey, Enders, Hight and Pruett claim top spots in Sonoma
The second stop on the NHRA Western Swing tour is seductive. It brings world-class facilities, together with the potential for record-setting performances and near-perfect weather on the outskirts of a destination vacation that everyone in the…
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Matt Hartford on how extreme challenges focus his team on the task at hand

Matt Hartford, Pro Stock driver, piston-ring manufacturer, and diesel mechanic? We caught up with Hartford to hear about the peripheral stresses a Pro Stock team like his has to deal with before they even get on the race track
23 Jul 2022
David Kennedy
Feature
Matt Hartford on how extreme challenges focus his team on the task at hand
At the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High in Denver, Matt Hartford showed that he had the power, the reaction times, and the patience to work through a field of Pro Stock competitors. But the Western Swing puts extra pressure on the winner of every…
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Erica Enders looking to rewrite Pro Stock history this weekend

For nearly 18 years, Sonoma Raceway has been Enders’ kryptonite. With a new engine program and top qualifying spot this weekend she’s looking to fundamentally change her relationship with this track.
23 Jul 2022
David Kennedy
Feature
Erica Enders looking to rewrite Pro Stock history this weekend
NHRA: What is your challenge coming into this track? What's the thing you need to overcome at Sonoma? Erica Enders: Absolutely zero success here in the past. NHRA: What is it about this…
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Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Saturday preview

With sold-out campgrounds and perfect weather, Sonoma Raceway will be packed with NHRA fans for Saturday's qualifying sessions at the 2022 Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
23 Jul 2022
David Kennedy
News
Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Saturday preview
The Sonoma, Calif., hills will roar with the sound of NHRA Camping World Drag Racing today as the 2022 Denso Sonoma Nationals qualifying continues with two sessions for fans to enjoy. The second stop of the Western Swing is a race team and fan…
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Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Friday photo gallery

To say the Sonoma Raceway is a perfect place to see a drag race is an understatement. Check out these bonus outtakes from the 2022 Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals
22 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Robert Hight's Sonoma-slaying Funny Car getting unloaded 35
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Leah Pruett, Robert Hight, Troy Coughlin Jr, and Steve Johnson pour on the power in Sonoma

After the first qualifying session, your provisional No. 1 qualifiers will head into Sunday with e.t.s that may be tough to beat — unless a cold front moves in off the Bay.
22 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Race coverage
Leah Pruett Number one qualifier in Sonoma
The Pro session began with Pro Stock Motorcycle, and the starting line was busy with some coaching and last-minute thrashing out of Matt Smith Racing.  Angie Smith’s bike appeared to struggle with the external starter, as had Jiana Evaristo (…
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Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Friday preview

For 51 weeks of the year, Sonoma, California, is wine country. When the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series comes to town, it’s Speed For All country.
22 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Friday preview
The NHRA Western Swing is motorsport’s most iconic trifecta. One that tests drag racing teams at three different tracks for three back-to-back weekends and requires a 2,000-mile…
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Sneak peek! Stock Eliminator qualifying from the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals

See many of the Stock Eliminators make their first qualifying run at the 2022 Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals
22 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Race coverage
Watch the first Stock Eliminator qualifying session from the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals
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Matt Smith looks to keep 2022 season rolling at Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals

Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith blistered the track record book in Denver en route to a win last weekend and now thas the chance to make it a great two-race span at his sponsor’s race, the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
22 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Matt Smith
The trip out West has already been a good one for defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith, who blistered the track record book in Denver en route to a win last weekend.   But now the five-time world champ has the chance to…
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Flyin’ Ryan Racing supports second Pro Stock Motorcycle with help of Burromax

Flyin' Ryan Racing will be supporting an additional Pro Stock Motorcycle entry in Lance Bonham at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Sonoma Nationals with the help of Burromax Electric Mini Bikes.
22 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Burromax
NHRA Camping World Pro Stock Motorcycle team Flyin' Ryan Racing will be supporting an additional Pro Stock Motorcycle entry in Lance Bonham at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Sonoma Nationals with the help of Burromax Electric Mini Bikes. “Flyin Ryan…
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Tricky Tipster: Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals

Leaving the thin air of Bandimere Speedway, the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tour now heads to California Wine Country for this week’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the second stop on the Western Swing.
22 Jul 2022
NHRA National Dragster staff
Tricky Tipster
Leaving the thin air of Bandimere Speedway, the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tour now heads to California Wine Country for this week’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the second stop on the Western Swing. Last week, Leah Pruett, Robert…
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Race engines are ready to fire at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals

The sun's up at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals and sportsman race engines will fire at 10:45 am (PDT). Tune in to NHRA.tv to see all the action and NHRA.com for all the coverage.
22 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
A perfect Friday morning at Sonoma Raceway 7
You can catch the action all weekend on FOX Sports 1 and NHRA.tv. You can follow NHRA on Twitter, Facebook, and…
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Can the technology that lowers e.t. improve your profitability?

21 Jul 2022
NHRA National Dragster staff
Feature
Matt Hartford
by Matt Hartford, NHRA Pro Stock Driver & CEO of Total Seal Piston Rings, and Lake Speed Jr., Certified Lubrication Specialist As racers, we know improving mechanical efficiency – reducing friction and drag – improves e.t. We…
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Ask Alan: Backing it down, spraying it down, close finishes, and much more

At every NHRA national event, NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart offers fans the chance to send him an email with technical questions about the race cars, the tracks, and the procedures. As part of a semi-regular feature, we’ll share those questions and answers on NHRA.com.
21 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Ask Alan
Alan Reinhart
At every NHRA national event, NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart offers fans the chance to send him an email with technical questions about the race cars, the tracks, and the procedures. As part of a semi-regular feature, we’ll share those questions and…
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Nitro Time Machine: Relive the 2019 Sonoma Nationals Pro Stock final

Low qualifier Alex Laughlin squared off with Denver Pro Stock winner Greg Anderson in the final round of Pro Stock at the 2019 NHRA Sonoma Nationals for a race that certainly didn't go as expected.
21 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Nitro Time Machine
2019 Sonoma Pro Stock final
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Nightfire returns to Firebird for crucial Heritage Series nitro event

Idaho’s largest motorsport’s event, the 51st Annual Nightfire Nationals presented by Bi-Mart returns to Firebird Raceway on Friday and Sunday, August 5-7.
21 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Nightfire Nationals
Idaho’s largest motorsport’s event, the 51st Annual Nightfire Nationals presented by Bi-Mart returns to Firebird Raceway on Friday and Sunday, August 5-7. The track’s “signature nitro event” will feature an impressive field of AA/Funny Cars, AA/…
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Lescure provides two-race sponsorship for Jim Dunn Racing on Western Swing

Bay Area-based Lescure, a complete mechanical services company, has been named primary sponsor of the Jim Dunn Racing team for the Sonoma and Seattle NHRA national events.  
21 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Jim Dunn Racing
Bay Area-based Lescure, a complete mechanical services company, has been named primary sponsor of the Jim Dunn Racing team for the Sonoma and Seattle NHRA national events.  A longtime supporter of the team, the Lescure family enjoys attending…
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The Mile-A-Minute Mile-High Nationals Recap and Sonoma Preview

Host Brian Lohnes takes you through the inside stories of the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals, gives context to some of the things you saw on the broadcast, and looks at the upcoming Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals through the prism of Denver. 
20 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast
NHRA Insider
  The 2022 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals were a showcase of the best elements of NHRA Drag Racing. There were speed records set. There were upsets. There were holeshots, destroyed engines, and four champions across the…
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Pro Stock sophomore Dallas Glenn unfazed by a series of misfortunate events

Pro Stock racer Dallas Glenn had a target on his back as reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year and has proven unflappable in the first half of the 2022 season, despite the watchful eyes of his competitors and a strange string of misfortune. 
20 Jul 2022
Kelly Wade
Feature
Dallas Glenn
Coming into the 2022 season of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, Pro Stock racer Dallas Glenn had a target on his back as reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year. Pacific Northwest native Glenn, however, has proven unflappable in the first half,…
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Tony Schumacher, master of the Mile-High wheelstand

The deft throttle ability of eight-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher was on display at the 2022 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals.
20 Jul 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Tony Schumacher, master of the Mile-High wheelstand
See the other time Tony Schumacher tried to set the altitude record at Denver in a Top Fuel dragster.   
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