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 exceptional skill and set the tone for the rest of the race.
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 heartwarming moment, as Evaristo's triumph in front of her home crowd was a testament to her hard work and dedication.
Richard Gadson advanced with a 6.716 win over Chase Van Sant but 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 particularly impressive, as he demonstrated exceptional speed and control.
Top Fuel Q3
Justin Ashley kicked off the nitro session with a respectable 3.799 in the SCAG dragster to improve his position. It’s worth noting that Top Fuel racers got just one qualifying session due to the 10 p.m. curfew. This meant that every run counted, and Ashley's performance was crucial in securing a strong position.
Billy Torrence showed a sizable improvement to the No. 3 spot with a 3.726. Torrence also posted a robust speed with a 336.57 effort in the Capco dragster. This was a significant achievement, as Torrence demonstrated his ability to adapt and improve under pressure.
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. This was a testament to Schumacher's resilience and determination, as he persevered through the challenges and emerged victorious.
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 display of strategic thinking and adaptability, as Millican made the most of the situation despite the challenges.
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 reminder that even the most experienced drivers can encounter setbacks, and it takes skill and determination to overcome them.
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 meant that every driver had to bring their A-game, and the competition was fierce.
Cruz Pedregon fired the first shot in his patriotic Snap-on Dodge with a 3.952. This was a strong start, as Pedregon demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure.
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 testament to the high level of competition, as every driver was pushing the limits and delivering exceptional performances.
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. This was a strong indication of Green's potential to emerge victorious, and it will be fascinating to see how the rest of the race unfolds.
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. This was a strong performance by Vandergriff, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the rest of the race.
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 made the most of the situation and emerged victorious.
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. This was a strong performance by Capps, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the final round.
