The NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by Power Edge kicked off with a bang, as the Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA's best sportsman racers took to the track. The event was a showcase of speed, skill, and precision, with some of the world's fastest motorcycles and cars on display. Here's a breakdown of the action, with a focus on the Pro Stock Motorcycle and Top Fuel categories.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Time Trial
The Pro Stock Motorcycle time trials were a thrilling display of speed and skill. Steve Johnson set the early pace with a 6.894, followed by Chase Van Sant's 6.926. The competition was fierce, with John Hall and Jianna Evaristo also making strong runs. However, it was the Smith team that stole the show, with Matt Smith's 6.795 and his wife Angie's 6.770 on her pink Denso entry. The top two qualifiers, Gaige Herrera and Richard Gadson, couldn't match the Smith team's performance, with Gadson running a 6.821 and Herrera a 6.814.
Pro Stock Q1
The Pro Stock field was quick from the get-go, with most drivers solidly in the 6.5-second zone. Greg Anderson led the way with a strong 6.522 in his HendrickCars.com Camaro, just barely ahead of defending event winner Greg Stanfield's 6.534. The rest of the top qualifiers included Aaron Stanfield with a 6.537, Chris Vang with a surprising 6.538, Erica Enders at 6.543, Cody Anderson with a 6.545, and Matt Latino at 6.546.
Funny Car Q1
The Funny Car category saw some solid runs early on, including a 4.006 by Hunter Green and a 4.032 by Jeff Arend. Dave Richards posted the first three-second run of the weekend with a 3.966 in the Blue Bird Turf entry. The top spot changed hands when Alexis DeJoria wheeled the Bandero Café Chevy to a 3.917 at nearly 330-mph, while Austin Prock ran 4.050 on his first run of the weekend. Chad Green and Jordan Vandergriff made solid runs before breaking the tires loose, with Vandergriff slowing to a 4.547 and Green running 4.620. Jack Beckman made a great run with a 3.942, and Ron Capps, the incoming points leader, closed out the round with the best run of the round with a 3.900.
Top Fuel Q1
The Top Fuel category did not disappoint, with NorCal native Jasmine Salinas setting a brisk early pace with a 3.751, 331.77 to easily cover Will Smith’s 3.893. Shawn Reed opened with a 3.850, while Tony Schumacher hazed the tires and shut off early. Salinas held on to the top spot midway through the session, but she was challenged by Josh Hart's 3.763 and Billy Torrence's 3.803. Tony Stewart, who has enjoyed tremendous success in Sonoma during his NASCAR career, took over the top spot with a 3.736 in the R+L Carriers dragster, while Antron Brown ran 3.784. Maddi Gordon maintained the momentum from her recent win in Norwalk with a 3.751 at her home track in Sonoma, while Leah Pruett also made a very competitive run with a 3.772. The final run of the session was worth waiting for, as teammates Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon ran matching 3.714 elapsed times, with Kalitta earning the higher position thanks to a slightly faster speed.
In conclusion, the NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by Power Edge was a thrilling display of speed and skill, with some of the world's fastest motorcycles and cars on display. The event showcased the talent and precision of the drivers and teams, and the competition was fierce throughout. The Pro Stock Motorcycle and Top Fuel categories were particularly exciting, with some close calls and impressive performances. The event was a testament to the power of drag racing and the dedication of the drivers and teams involved.
