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 Cross Motorsports Park.
Within the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Problem, Doug Kalitta (High Gasoline) and Troy Coughlin (Jr.) additionally picked up wins within the bonus occasion in Phoenix. Kalitta (High Gasoline), 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 3.914-seconds at 324.51 mph 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 passed off on the web site of her first Humorous Automobile victory, which got here in 2014 at Phoenix. She knocked off Matt Hagan to achieve 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 unbelievable to have the ability to do that right here at this monitor. It actually simply makes even higher recollections of this monitor,” DeJoria mentioned. “They only maintain coming right here. The monitor was a little bit difficult this weekend, so to make it down the monitor was a giant deal. It feels actually good to get that redemption and provides that (bonus) verify to my staff. We’ll see what occurs tomorrow, however at the moment we’re going house with a win.”
Tasca claimed the No. 1 spot with a stout run of three.898 at 329.50 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 raceday in opposition to Jim Campbell, racing for his first win of the 12 months.
“Hats off to (crew chiefs) Todd (Okuhara) and Aaron (Brooks) and the entire staff. They’re very completely different than anybody I’ve ever raced with,” Tasca mentioned. “You noticed the entire vehicles struggling, however they don’t care what anybody else runs. They only deal with what they imagine we will run. I really 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 3.927 at 322.50.
In High Gasoline, Kalitta is on the verge of a stellar weekend in Phoenix, having fun with one other nice day at Wild Horse Cross 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.868 at 294.82 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.679 held up, incomes his 52nd profession high spot.
He’ll open eliminations in opposition to 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 actually respect the chance to run this race and it’s such a cool problem,” Kalitta mentioned. “Fortuitously, I received to the top and the win mild was on, in order that was good and we’re tremendous completely satisfied. We’re undoubtedly wanting ahead to tomorrow, but it surely’s going to be a dogfight prefer it all the time 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 3.689 at 335.73 from Friday, whereas Austin Prock’s 3.696 at 330.31 gave him third.
In Professional Inventory’s first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Problem, Troy Coughlin Jr. saved his early-season sizzling streak going, beating Greg Anderson within the last spherical with a move of 6.572 at 208.78 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 mentioned. “Cloud 9 is an understatement proper now. They’ve received this automotive flying and it’s only a tribute to my guys and the way arduous they work. I want we may race day-after-day, so let’s maintain this going.”
Qualifying additionally included a historic second, as Cristian Cuadra saved the highest spot, turning into the primary Mexican driver in NHRA historical past to qualify No. 1, as his 6.552 at 210.24 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 in opposition to Alan Prusiensky.
“It’s loopy. All the things begins with a dream,” Cuadra mentioned. “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 needs to exit of my chest and I really feel actually, actually completely satisfied. That’s why we’re right here. We need to make historical past for our nation. Now my subsequent aim is to try to get a Wally.”
Eliminations for the NHRA Arizona Nationals start at 11 a.m. MT on Sunday at Wild Horse Cross Motorsports Park.
