NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Friday News and Notes from the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals

News, notes, quotes, and photos from the opening day of the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals from Sonoma Raceway. (Updated throughout the day).
26 Jul 2024
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Race coverage
Sonoma
The Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the second and final event of NHRA’s abbreviated two-race 2024 Western Swing, features a schedule that is similar to last week’s Northwest Nationals in Seattle with a full morning of Lucas Oil Series sportsman racing…
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Herrera makes bold first move; picks Matt Smith for opening round of GETTRX Callout

The opening round of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle NHRA Allstar Callout will feature a can’t-miss match-up between the class’s two most recent champions after low qualifier Gaige Herrera went directly for the throat and called out Matt Smith as his round one opponent.
26 Jul 2024
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
Callout
The opening round of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle NHRA Allstar Callout will feature a can’t-miss match-up between the class’s two most recent champions after low qualifier Gaige Herrera went directly for the throat and called out Matt Smith as…
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For Paul Lee, Seattle final round was the turn of a friendly card

From the dragstrip, to the boardroom to the poker table, Paul Lee believes in taking an aggressive approach and so far this year, it's hard to argue with his results.
26 Jul 2024
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
Paul Lee
A week ago, Paul Lee went to his first professional final round at the Northwest Nationals in Seattle and the way he sees it, that was just one more step forward in his journey towards his ultimate goal of winning a nitro Funny Car title. Lee has…
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Diehl teams with Speedtech Motorsports for 2024 with exciting 2025 plans

NHRA Funny Car racer Jeff Diehl has announced a new two-year collaboration with up-and-coming speed shop Speedtech Motorsports that officially launches this weekend at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals with huge plans for 2025.
26 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Jeff Diehl
NHRA Funny Car racer Jeff Diehl and Jeff Diehl Racing have announced a new collaboration with up-and-coming speed shop Speedtech Motorsports and its founder, Kevin Moore, for the remainder of 2024 season and through 2025.  The new two-year…
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Division 1 racers head to Numidia Dragway for fourth event of 2024 season

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Northeast Division is in action this week at Numidia Dragway. LATEST UPDATE: Thursday qualifying
25 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Division 1
The following are Thursday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Northeast Division event at Numidia Dragway: COMPETITION ELIMINATOR 1) Joe Carnasciale, Ashaway, R.I., '06 Cavalier, I/SM, 8.973…
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Tricky Tipster, Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals

The experts at Alt Sports Data have set the opening lines for this week’s event at Sonoma Raceway, and they have chosen Doug Kalitta, Austin Prock, Greg Anderson, and Gaige Herrera as the pre-race favorites.
25 Jul 2024
NHRA National Dragster staff
Tricky Tipster®
Tricky Tipster
On the heels of a wild event at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series moves to California Wine Country for this weekend’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Once again, NHRA fans will have the opportunity to engage in…
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J.R. Todd aims to replicate past success at Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals

A year ago, a win at Sonoma Raceway came at a much-needed time for NHRA Funny Car driver J.R. Todd. He's in a much better place heading into this weekend’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, but a win would be just as rewarding.
25 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
J.R. Todd
A year ago, a win at Sonoma Raceway came at a much-needed time for NHRA Funny Car driver J.R. Todd. The former champion had gone 52 races without a victory, ending a drought at a track that has been very good to him over the years. Todd and his…
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Behind the Scenes with the winners of the 2024 NHRA Northwest Nationals

Go behind the scenes with the winners of the NHRA Northwest Nationals as they celebrate with their teams and accept congratulations from their defeated final-round opponents.
24 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Behind the Scenes with the winners of the 2024 NHRA Northwest Nationals
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Watch the Division 1 Lucas Oil Series event from Numidia free on NHRA.tv

NHRA fans can watch the Division 1 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events from Numidia Dragway for free starting Thursday on NHRA.tv.
24 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Division 1
NHRA fans can watch the Division 1 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events from Numidia Dragway for free starting Thursday on NHRA.tv. Presenting sponsors of NHRA.tv Sportsman coverage from Numidia are Moser, Strange, A.R.T., and Comp Products…
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Nightfire Nationals Heritage Series event returns to Firebird Aug. 2-4

Idaho’s largest motorsports event, the 53rd annual Nightfire Nationals presented by Bi-Mart returns to Firebird Raceway on Friday-Sunday, Aug. 2-4.
24 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Nightfire Nationals
Idaho’s largest motorsports event, the 53rd annual Nightfire Nationals presented by Bi-Mart returns to Firebird Raceway on Friday-Sunday, Aug. 2-4.   The track’s “signature Nitro event” will feature an impressive field of AA/Funny Cars, AA/…
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Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals Friday preview

The abbreviated two-race Western Swing will wrap up this week as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to scenic California Wine Country for the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the 12th of 20 events this season.
24 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News, Race coverage
Sonoma
The abbreviated two-race Western Swing will wrap up this week as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to scenic California Wine Country for the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the 12th of 20 events this season. The event is jam-packed…
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In Memoriam

24 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
In Memoriam
Recent passings of notable figures from within the NHRA world. The NHRA extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of those we have lost. Notices of passing can be sent to nhra@nhra.com.…
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Top Fuel’s Steve Torrence looks to keep rolling in Wine Country

Steve Torrence received as good of a sign as any last weekend in Seattle that things are coming together at a perfect time, racing to his first Top Fuel victory of the year. Now, the goal is to keep that momentum rolling at this weekend’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
24 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Steve Torrence
Steve Torrence received as good of a sign as any last weekend in Seattle that things are coming together at a perfect time, racing to his first Top Fuel victory of the year. Now, the goal is to keep that momentum rolling at this weekend’s 36th…
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Action-packed Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals ready to roll this weekend

As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series regular season begins to wind down, the tour moves to scenic Sonoma Raceway for the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
24 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
NHRA Sonoma Nationals
As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series regular season begins to wind down, the tour moves to scenic Sonoma Raceway for the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Last year, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), J.R. Todd (Funny Car), and Gaige…
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Tony Pedregon explains the combustion cycle of a 12,000-hp nitro Hemi

NHRA on FOX's Tony Pedregon delves into the mechanics of nitromethane-fueled Hemi engines and the potential disasters of losing 1,400-hp from misfiring cylinders.
23 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Nitro Hemi NHRA
In this NHRA on FOX segment, Tony Pedregon dives into the intricacies of the four-stroke combustion cycle of a nitromethane-burning Hemi engine. He explains the process in which air and fuel mix, compress, ignite, and exhaust through each of the…
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From Shirley Shahan to Maddi Gordon: A history of NHRA's 100 female winners

In 1966, Shirley Shahan became the first woman to win an NHRA national event; nearly six decades later, Maddi Gordon became the 100th winner with her victory in Top Alcohol Funny Car in Seattle. Here's a historic look back at the road to 100 female winners.
23 Jul 2024
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
DRAGSTER Insider
A history of NHRA's 100 female winners
Maddi Gordon’s Top Alcohol Funny Car victory at the NHRA Northwest Nationals made her the 100th different female racer to hoist an NHRA national event Wally, an incredible milestone even for a sport that prides itself on diversity. Those 100…
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John Force released from hospital and into outpatient care

NHRA Funny Car legend John Force was discharged Tuesday from Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona and will continue outpatient therapy closer to home as he continues to recover from his June 23 racing accident.
23 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
John Force
NHRA Funny Car legend John Force was discharged Tuesday from Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, where he had been undergoing rehab for a traumatic brain injury following his racing accident June 23 at the NHRA national event in Virginia.…
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Weekend Rewind: NHRA Northwest Nationals

The NHRA Northwest Nationals kicked off the stretch run of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series regular season with a drama-filled event at Pacific Raceways. Here's a look back at some of the most memorable moments.
23 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Weekend Rewind
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Sleepless in Seattle and Surging Toward Sonoma

In this week's edition of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes gets you caught up on the major stories coming out of the Northwest Nationals and leading right into this weekend's Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
23 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast
NHRA Insider
  In this week's edition of the NHRA Insider, host Brian Lohnes gets you caught up on the major stories coming out of the NHRA Northwest Nationals and leading right into this weekend's Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals. A hectic travel week…
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Grisel, Gordon lead Sportsman winners at NHRA Northwest Nationals

In addition to the Mission Food Drag Racing Series action at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, 10 winners were also crowned in Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competition at Pacific Raceways, including first-time winner Casey Grisel.
23 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Casey Grisel
In addition to the Mission Food Drag Racing Series action at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, 10 winners were also crowned in Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competition at Pacific Raceways. Casey Grisel scored his long-awaited first national event win…
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Steve Johnson will make history with landmark 500th Pro Stock Motorcycle race

This weekend at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Steve Johnson will go where no other Pro Stock Motorcycle racer has gone before when he makes his 500th career race.
23 Jul 2024
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
News
Steve Johnson
This weekend at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Steve Johnson will go where no other Pro Stock Motorcycle racer has gone before when he makes his 500th career race. Very few NHRA Pros make 500 races in a career, and that mark is unheard of in…
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Eight star riders set for GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout

Featuring a host of world champions and standout riders, the eight-bike field is set for this weekend’s GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.  
22 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout
Featuring a host of world champions and standout riders, the eight-bike field is set for this weekend’s GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout, with the specialty race grabbing the spotlight as part of the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma…
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Ron Capps explosive pass at 2024 NHRA Northwest Nationals

The 2022 Funny Car champion showcased his unparalleled driving skills and resilience at the 2024 NHRA Northwest Nationals in Kent, WA, during a heart-stopping round one of competition.
22 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Race coverage
Ron Capps explosive pass at 2024 NHRA Northwest Nationals
The Pacific Raceways in Kent, known for its challenging conditions, provided the backdrop for what turned out to be a dramatic and unforgettable moment in NHRA history. Capps' engine erupted in a spectacular explosion after the car lost traction,…
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Five things we learned at the NHRA Northwest Nationals

The NHRA Northwest Nationals went into the books with a ton of drama and a couple of splashes of history for a race that few will forget. Here’s a look at our five big takeaways from the race.
22 Jul 2024
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Feature
Five things we learned at the NHRA Northwest Nationals
The NHRA Northwest Nationals went into the books with a ton of drama and a couple of splashes of history for a race that few will forget. Here’s a look at our five big takeaways from the race. NO ONE CAN WIN FOREVER It was…
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Unofficial Mission Foods points standings

Unofficial points standings following the completion of the NHRA Northwest Nationals, the 11th race of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
21 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Points
Unofficial points standings following the completion of the NHRA Northwest Nationals, the 11th race of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Official points will be posted…
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Prock wins again; Torrence, Coughlin, and Van Sant share Seattle victory stage

Funny Car points leader Austin Prock powered to his fourth win of the season at the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Chase Van Sant (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won at the event.
21 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Race coverage
Winners
Funny Car points leader Austin Prock powered to his fourth win of the season for John Force Racing on Sunday at Pacific Raceways, defeating first-time finalist Paul Lee in the final round of the 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals. Steve…
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Maddi Gordon becomes 100th female winner in NHRA national event history

With her victory in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, Madison Gordon became the milestone 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event.
21 Jul 2024
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
Maddi Gordon
With her victory in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, Maddi Gordon became the milestone 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event. Gordon, the 20-year-old daughter of recently retired three-time world champion Doug…
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NHRA Northwest Nationals Sunday photo gallery

The National Dragster photographers were all over Pacific Raceways on the final day of the NHRA Northwest Nationals, capturing all of the action on and off the racetrack.
21 Jul 2024
NHRA National Dragster staff
Gallery
Daniel Wilkerson 44
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Ron Capps rides out wild first-round explosion at Northwest Nationals

During the first round of Funny Car eliminations on Sunday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, Ron Capps’ car suffered an engine explosion, striking the right wall, crossing the centerline and hitting the left wall before coming to a stop. 
21 Jul 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Ron Capps
During the first round of Funny Car eliminations on Sunday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, Ron Capps’ car suffered an engine explosion, striking the right wall, crossing the centerline and hitting the left wall before coming to…
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Sunday News & Notes from the NHRA Northwest Nationals

News, notes, quotes, video, and photos from the final day of the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways outside of Seattle. (Updated throughout the day).
21 Jul 2024
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Race coverage
Sunday News & Notes
UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE DAY (Latest posts) With an early 10:30 a.m. start,  the teams seem excited to run in the cooler conditions after two days of midafternoon heat. There's a spotty chance of…
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