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NHRA 4-Wide Nationals Saturday Preview

After day one at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, racers will have two more qualifying chances at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway before final eliminations on Sunday.
11 Apr 2025
Evan Smith
Las vegas

After day one at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, racers will have two more qualifying chances at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway before final eliminations on Sunday.

With track temps soaring in 130-degree range, the opening qualifying rounds were challenging. Steve Torrence led the Top Fuel class with a 3.84. And while his position is vulnerable, he feels a 3.80 may be good enough to retain the pole.

Torrence, along with Justin Ashley, who holds the second spot with a 3.892, were the only drivers in the 3.80s, while Tony Stewart, Antron Brown, and Josh Hart made up the top five. Brittany Force struggled, running a best of 6.72 to round out the field in the 13th position.

Paul Lee

In Funny Car, Arizona winner Paul Lee tops a strong field, having produced a 3.94 at 326 mph. The top six drivers ran in the 3.90s, including Spencer Hyde, J.R. Todd, Austin Prock, Jack Beckman, and Hunter Green in his first race. Jeff Diehl holds the bump at 4.62.

Alexis DeJoria and Ron Capps, who are typically well qualified by now, are currently not in the show with two runs to go.

Matt Hartford

Greg Anderson maintained the Pro Stock pole after Friday qualifying. He’s followed by Matt Hartford, who made the quickest pass in Q2. Cory Reed, Dallas Glenn and Matt Latino round out the top five. Meanwhile, Eric Latino, Erica Enders and Fernando Cuadra Jr., Kenny Delco, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Joey Grose are on the outside looking in. They will have two qualifying opportunities today to make the show.

Saturday action will also include The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, where drivers face rivals in rematches from the Winternationals’ quarterfinals in two rounds of exciting quad matchups.

The Mission #2fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge will also take place today, pairing the, quarterfinalists from the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona who will meet up in two quads for the first round during Q3 Two cars in each quad will advance to the final round, all with bonus points and a bonus purse on the line as part of a thrilling Saturday in Las Vegas.

In the Top Fuel division, Pomona winner Clay Millican will take on Brittany Force, Jasmine Salinas, and Scott Palmer. The other quad will be led by Pomona runner-up Tony Stewart, who will see Pomona and Phoenix Mission Challenge winner and points leader Shawn Langdon, former champ Doug Kalitta, and Josh Hart.

The Funny Car ranks saw Jack Beckman winning over Daniel Wilkerson in Pomona. Beckman will be aiming for his second consecutive Mission Challenge win and will be up against Gainesville winner Chad Green, former champion Matt Hagan, and Bobby Bode, who is in the field for Blake Alexander, who is not competing here. Wilkerson will take on Phoenix race winner Paul Lee, former champion Cruz Pedregon, and Funny Car newcomer Spencer Hyde, who made his first career semifinal appearance in Pomona.

Finally,  in Pro Stock, reigning world champion Greg Anderson secured his 108th career win in Pomona over his teammate Dallas Glenn. Anderson will face off with five-time champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., Brandon Foster and Cory Reed, while Glenn will square off with Matt Hartford, Deric Kramer and Pro Stock newcomer Matt Latino.

2024 EVENT WINNERS

Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; Bob Tasca III, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin Jr., Pro Stock

MOST EVENT VICTORIES

Tony Schumacher, 4, TF; Antron Brown, 4 TF; Larry Dixon, 4 TF, Robert Hight, 3, FC; Ron Capps, 2, FC; Cruz Pedregon, 3, FC; J.R. Todd, 2, FC; Alxis DeJoria, 2, FC; Bob Tasca II, 2, FC; Erica Enders, 4, PS, Jeg Coughlin, 4, PS.

TRACK RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.652 sec. by Brittany Force, Nov. ’19; 338.17 mph by B. Force, Nov. ’19.
Funny Car - 3.816 sec. by Robert Hight, Oct. ’23; 336.99 mph by Bob Tasca III, Oct. ’23
Pro Stock - 6.552 seconds by Kyle Koretsky, Oct. '23; 210.28 mph by Enders, Oct. '15.

NATIONAL RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.623 sec. by Brittany Force, Sept. ‘19, Reading; 338.94 mph by Brittany Force, Nov. ‘22, Pomona
Funny Car - 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. '17, Brainerd; 341.68 mph by Austin Prock, Nov. ’24, Pomona
Pro Stock - 6.443 sec. by Greg Anderson, March ’25, Gainesville; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ’14, Englishtown

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, April 12
Lucas Oil Series eliminations at 8:00 a.m. and 3:35 p.m.
Top Alcohol qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Mission Foods Series Pro Stock qualifying at 12:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Mission Foods Series Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying at 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 13
Lucas Oil Series eliminations at 9:30 a.m
Top Alcohol elimination at 10:15 a.m.
Pre-race ceremonies, 11:00 a.m.
Mission Foods Series eliminations begin at 12:00 p.m.

TELEVISION

SUNDAY, April 13, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 11:00 a.m. (ET)
SUNDAY, April 13, FS1 will televise three hours of finals coverage at 6:30 p.m. (ET)