The Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by Power Edge was a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the pinnacle of drag racing. Here's a breakdown of the action, with a focus on the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Allstar Callout and the Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge categories.
GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Allstar Callout
The opening pair of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Allstar Callout featured teammates Angie Smith and John Hall. Hall left first, but drifted toward the centerline while Smith made one of the best runs of her career with a 6.691. This was a crucial moment, as it showcased Smith's skill and determination. In contrast, Hall's drift toward the centerline could have been a strategic move, but it also highlighted the importance of precision in drag racing.
Jianna Evaristo, racing in front of her family and hometown fans, slapped a holeshot on team owner Matt Smith and held on for a 6.723 to 6.703 victory. This was a remarkable performance, especially considering the pressure of racing in front of her home crowd. Evaristo's victory not only demonstrated her talent but also the power of local support in drag racing.
Richard Gadson advanced with a 6.716 win over Chase Van Sant, while teammate Gaige Herrera brought the house down with a 6.665 at 202.76 mph to earn the right to pick his choice of opponents in the semifinals. Herrera's performance was truly impressive, showcasing the potential for future dominance in the category.
Top Fuel Q3
Justin Ashley kicked off the nitro session with a respectable 3.799 in the SCAG dragster to improve his position. This was a strategic move, as Ashley aimed to gain an advantage in the qualifying session. The 10 p.m. curfew meant that Top Fuel racers only had one opportunity to make their mark, making each run even more crucial.
Billy Torrence showed a sizable improvement to the No. 3 spot with a 3.726. Torrence's performance was a testament to his skill and the power of the Capco dragster. The competition in Top Fuel is fierce, and Torrence's run was a significant step forward in his pursuit of victory.
After several aborted attempts by Josh Hart, Jasmine Salinas, Leah Pruett, and Tony Stewart, Tony Schumacher went to the finish line with a 3.823. Schumacher's performance was a strategic move, as he aimed to secure a favorable position in the qualifying session. The aborted attempts by his competitors highlighted the high level of competition in Top Fuel.
Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge
It wasn’t pretty, but Clay Millican is going to the final round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge with a 4.274 to 4.796 win against Norwalk runner-up Antron Brown. Brown left first, but both drivers smoked the tires and Millican was able to recover more quickly with his Denso branded dragster. This was a strategic battle, as both drivers aimed to gain an advantage over the other.
Shawn Langdon hazed the tires, but had enough to get past Maddi Gordon with a 3.913. Gordon, still riding high after her Norwalk win, blazed the tires early. This was a strategic move by Langdon, as he aimed to gain an advantage over Gordon, who was still in high spirits after her previous victory.
Funny Car Q3
With 18 Funny Cars on the property, there are no gimmes in the field as the bump spot is already a very respectable 4.05. This was a strategic move by the organizers, as it created a high level of competition and excitement.
Cruz Pedregon fired the first shot in his patriotic Snap-on Dodge with a 3.952. Pedregon's performance was a strategic move, as he aimed to gain an advantage over his competitors. The Snap-on Dodge was a powerful machine, and Pedregon's run was a testament to his skill.
Paul Lee registered a 4.000 alongside Hunter Green’s 4.029 while J.R. Todd and Matt Hagan ran side-by-side threes with Hagan’s 3.970 slightly quicker than Todd’s 3.974. This was a strategic battle, as both teams aimed to gain an advantage over each other.
Chad Green is seeking his third win of the season, and he might just get it this weekend after a 3.959 that is good for the No. 5 spot. Green's performance was a strategic move, as he aimed to secure a favorable position in the qualifying session.
After setting the pace on Friday night, Jordan Vandergriff continued to lead the way with a 3.896 that was well ahead of the competition, including an otherwise competitive 3.946 by Daniel Wilkerson in the other lane. Vandergriff's performance was a strategic move, as he aimed to secure a favorable position in the qualifying session.
Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge
Austin Prock left first against Jack Beckman, but the tide turned when the Motorcraft Ford hazed the tires and Beckman drove to a 3.951 to advance to the final. This was a strategic move by Beckman, as he aimed to gain an advantage over Prock.
Beckman will be paired with Ron Capps, who will have land choice after making the second-quickest run of the round, a 3.941 to beat Alexis DeJoria. Capps' performance was a strategic move, as he aimed to secure a favorable position in the final round.
In conclusion, the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by Power Edge was a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the pinnacle of drag racing. The GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Allstar Callout, Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge categories were all highly competitive, with strategic moves and impressive performances from the drivers. The event was a testament to the skill and determination of the racers, and it will be fascinating to see how the competition unfolds in the semifinals and finals.
