Alexis DeJoria claimed the victory within the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Problem as a part of the NHRA Arizona Nationals, defeating J.R. Todd within the Humorous Automobile last spherical of the bonus occasion on Saturday in entrance of a sold-out crowd at Wild Horse Go Motorsports Park.
Within the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Problem, Doug Kalitta (Prime Gas) and Troy Coughlin (Jr.) additionally picked up wins within the bonus occasion in Phoenix. Kalitta (Prime Gas), Bob Tasca III (Humorous Automobile) and Cristian Cuadra (Professional Inventory) all certified No. 1 on the second of 21 races through the 2023 NHRA Tenting World Drag Racing Collection season.
DeJoria went 3.914s at 324.51mph in her 11,000-horsepower Bandero Premium Tequila Toyota GR Supra to knock off Todd, claiming the bonus purse and bonus factors for the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. The win additionally came about on the website of her first Humorous Automobile victory, which got here in 2014 at Phoenix. She knocked off Matt Hagan to succeed in the ultimate spherical of the Problem after which simply drove previous Todd when he went up in smoke to begin the celebration.
“It’s actually unimaginable to have the ability to do that right here at this observe. It actually simply makes even higher recollections of this observe,” DeJoria stated. “They only maintain coming right here. The observe was a bit tough this weekend, so to make it down the observe was a giant deal. It feels actually good to get that redemption and provides that (bonus) examine to my crew. We’ll see what occurs tomorrow, however right now we’re going residence with a win.”
Tasca claimed the No. 1 spot with a stout run of three.898s at 329.50mph in his 11,000-horsepower Ford Motorcraft/Fast Lane Mustang, giving the veteran his tenth profession high spot. He was the one driver to make a run within the 3.80s in qualifying, giving Tasca loads of confidence heading into eliminations. He’ll open race day towards Jim Campbell, racing for his first win of the yr.
“Hats off to (crew chiefs) Todd (Okuhara) and Aaron (Brooks) and the entire crew. They’re very completely different than anybody I’ve ever raced with,” Tasca stated. “You noticed the entire automobiles struggling, however they don’t care what anybody else runs. They only concentrate on what they imagine we will run. I like racing right here and it’s nice to see a sellout crowd. It’s an iconic place and I’ve had so many nice recollections right here.”
DeJoria completed second in qualifying and Blake Alexander took third after going 3.927s at 322.50mph.
In Prime Gas, Kalitta is on the verge of a stellar weekend in Phoenix, having fun with one other nice day at Wild Horse Go Motorsports Park along with his victory within the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Problem. The veteran earned the win over Mike Salinas within the bonus occasion with a run of three.868s at 294.82mph in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Instruments dragster. Kalitta additionally sewed up the No. 1 qualifier spot along with his stellar Friday run of three.679s held up, incomes his 52nd profession high spot.
He’ll open eliminations towards Rob Passey, aiming for his milestone fiftieth profession win, however grabbed loads of momentum along with his Problem victory, which included getting previous Steve Torrence within the semifinals on Saturday.
“We definitely admire the chance to run this race and it’s such a cool problem,” Kalitta stated. “Fortuitously, I acquired to the top and the win mild was on, in order that was good and we’re tremendous completely happy. We’re undoubtedly wanting ahead to tomorrow, however it’s going to be a dogfight prefer it at all times is. However we’re wanting ahead to getting after it and let’s see if we will get a double-up.”
Salinas certified second with a 3.689s at 335.73mph from Friday, whereas Austin Prock’s 3.696s at 330.31mph gave him third.
In Professional Inventory’s first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Problem, Troy Coughlin Jr. saved his early-season scorching streak going, beating Greg Anderson within the last spherical with a move of 6.572s at 208.78mph in his JEGS.com/White Fortress/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. It follows his victory in Gainesville and Coughlin, who additionally knocked off Dallas Glenn in a Gatornationals rematch, couldn’t be extra thrilled along with his fast begin.
“What an honor to be the primary winner of this. I can’t say sufficient about my group proper now,” Coughlin stated. “Cloud 9 is an understatement proper now. They’ve acquired this automobile flying and it’s only a tribute to my guys and the way onerous they work. I want we may race daily, so let’s maintain this going.”
Qualifying additionally included a historic second, as Cristian Cuadra saved the highest spot, changing into the primary Mexican driver in NHRA historical past to qualify No. 1, as his 6.552s at 210.24mph in his Corral Boots Ford Mustang held up from Friday. It gave Cuadra a particular second as he now appears to choose up his first profession victory, opening eliminations towards Alan Prusiensky.
“It’s loopy. All the pieces begins with a dream,” Cuadra stated. “I used to be a child and noticed my dad racing and I wished to be in that spot. You meet the individuals at Elite Motorsports to assist make the dream come true. My coronary heart desires to exit of my chest and I really feel actually, actually completely happy. That’s why we’re right here. We wish to make historical past for our nation. Now my subsequent objective is to attempt to get a Wally.”
Eliminations for the NHRA Arizona Nationals start at 11 a.m. MT on Sunday at Wild Horse Go Motorsports Park.