INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 2, 2023) – Robert Hight powered to the provisional No. 1 spot on Saturday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, going to the top during the final qualifying session at the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals.

 

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all remained the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 15th of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

 

Hight went 3.853-seconds at 329.67 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS, racing to the top under the lights at The Big Go. If that holds, Hight will earn his fourth No. 1 qualifier this season and 81st in his career. It also gives the multi-time champion plenty of momentum heading into Sunday’s Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout.

 

Hight had the first selection the specialty event, selecting back-to-back world champ Ron Capps. With the next pick, Bob Tasca III picked John Force and Matt Hagan followed by choosing Tim Wilkerson, leaving Cruz Pedregon and Alexis DeJoria as the final pairing for Sunday’s race. Hight, though, likes his chances after Saturday’s standout run.

 

“That was big. We stayed and tested Monday after Brainerd and things went really well. So far, our first three runs here have been pretty impressive,” Hight said. “When the car responds to what Jimmy [Prock, crew chief] is doing and it runs what he says it’s going to run, you can’t be any more confident than that.

 

“The other Funny Cars weren’t running great and none of the dragsters really stepped up from last night, but you have to trust what your people are telling you. They’re fine-tuning this thing right now, it’s not just ‘make a bunch of changes and see what sticks.’ They’re fine-tuning parts of the run and that’s how you become consistent and win.”

 

Tasca is currently second with a 3.864 at 324.90 and Alexis DeJoria sits third thanks to her 3.888 at 331.77 from Friday.

In Top Fuel, Torrence stayed on top thanks to the run of 3.708 at 329.42 in his 11,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster on Friday. Torrence is after his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and 36th in his career. He is aiming for his second win in three years at the world’s biggest drag race and third overall at The Big Go. Defending world champion Brittany Force stayed second with her 3.709 at 333.25 and Doug Kalitta remained in the third spot on Friday with a run of 3.717 at 328.54.

 

Hartford maintained his No. 1 spot in Pro Stock thanks to Friday’s run of 6.569 at 209.23 in his Total Seal Camaro, keeping him on track for his fourth top qualifier this season. He also made the quickest run of Saturday’s first session, continuing his quest for a first Indy triumph.

 

“We’re siting potentially as the No. 1 qualifier at Indy. It’s a lifelong dream come true,” Hartford said. “There are two things that would make this season better: No. 1 to win the championship, No. 2 is to win Indy. Our goal is to go four rounds here on Monday, and four rounds for every race in the Countdown and see where the points stack up. Our team has really gelled, we’ve had the same team now for a long time. We’ve made three incredible runs for the conditions.”

Troy Coughlin Jr. maintained his second spot with a run of 6.570 at 208.30 and Aaron Stanfield stayed in the third spot after going 6.586 at 208.39.

 

He didn’t top Friday’s spectacular, track-record run of 6.746 at 198.96 on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, but Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Gaige Herrera made a pair of strong runs to stay in command heading into Sunday. If Friday’s run holds up, Herrera would get his eighth No. 1 qualifier in nine races, a spectacular feat considering the talent level in the category.

 

“I was very pleased with that run, but I have to give all the credit to (crew chief) Andrew (Hines) and all the crew guys,” Herrera said. “Andrew has tons of data, and all that but he adjusts per the weather. It’s always last minute before we roll up Andrew is just finishing the final touches before the pass because he wants max performance every pass.

 

“We’re off to a very good start and I’m definitely looking forward to the next two days. Hopefully it keeps going into Monday.”

 

Herrera’s teammate, Eddie Krawiec, is stayed second with his 6.807 at 198.79 from Friday and Hector Arana Jr. remained third after going 6.873 at 198.76.

 

Qualifying continues on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. ET at the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout begins at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, with the semifinals at 3:20 p.m. and the finals at 5:15 p.m., with television coverage taking place from 4-5:30 ET on FOX.

***

INDIANAPOLIS — Saturday’s results after the first three of five rounds of qualifying for the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, 15th of 21 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Sunday for Monday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Steve Torrence, 3.708 seconds, 329.42 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.709, 333.25; 3. Justin Ashley, 3.714, 334.73; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.717, 328.54; 5. Mike Salinas, 3.721, 335.32; 6. Leah Pruett, 3.730, 331.69; 7. T.J. Zizzo, 3.736, 330.07; 8. Josh Hart, 3.744, 323.89; 9. Shawn Langdon, 3.750, 321.73; 10. Austin Prock, 3.781, 326.08; 11. Tony Schumacher, 3.784, 326.79; 12. Spencer Massey, 3.795, 323.04; 13. Doug Foley, 3.803, 316.75; 14. Will Smith, 3.822, 312.78; 15. Antron Brown, 3.856, 321.50; 16. Lex Joon, 3.858, 311.27. Not Qualified: 17. Buddy Hull, 3.863, 314.39; 18. Dan Mercier, 3.878, 310.41; 19. Clay Millican, 4.589, 171.62.

Funny Car — 1. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.853, 329.67; 2. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.864, 324.90; 3. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota GR Supra, 3.888, 331.77; 4. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.912, 323.19; 5. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.917, 328.22; 6. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.931, 304.25; 7. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.934, 327.66; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.945, 328.38; 9. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.955, 328.78; 10. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.974, 292.08; 11. Dale Creasy Jr., Charger, 3.977, 321.88; 12. John Force, Camaro, 3.989, 328.78; 13. Alex Laughlin, Charger, 4.048, 308.28; 14. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.072, 274.11; 15. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.079, 310.41; 16. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.089, 277.15. Not Qualified: 17. Dave Richards, 4.121, 308.35; 18. Justin Schriefer, 4.802, 176.40.

Pro Stock — 1. Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.569, 209.23; 2. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.570, 208.30; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.586, 208.39; 4. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.588, 208.68; 5. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.590, 209.01; 6. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.599, 208.33; 7. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Ford Mustang, 6.603, 208.42; 8. Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 6.604, 207.56; 9. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.605, 208.97; 10. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.622, 206.57; 11. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.627, 206.04; 12. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.641, 206.29; 13. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.645, 208.01; 14. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.661, 206.89; 15. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.701, 206.80; 16. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.794, 205.10. Not Qualified: 17. Mason McGaha, 6.979, 205.47.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.746, 198.96; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.800, 199.29; 3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.828, 199.11; 4. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.877, 198.55; 5. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.878, 197.08; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.881, 197.16; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.917, 195.70; 8. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.934, 195.68; 9. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.935, 196.99; 10. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.940, 195.11; 11. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.967, 192.47; 12. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.003, 196.39; 13. John Hall, Buell, 7.027, 193.27; 14. Chris Bostick, EBR, 7.068, 189.55; 15. Bud Yoder II, Buell, 7.114, 191.40; 16. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 7.210, 181.25. Not Qualified: 17. Wesley Wells, 7.226, 185.10; 18. Odolph Daniels, 7.324, 181.59.

INDIANAPOLIS — Saturday’s final results from Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge — Justin Ashley, 3.714 seconds, 334.73 mph def. Antron Brown, 3.856 seconds, 321.50 mph.

Mission #2Fast2Tasty Funny Car Challenge — John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.989, 328.78 def. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 4.844, 163.75.

Mission #2Fast2Tasty Pro Stock Challenge — Aaron Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.630, 207.56 def. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.644, 207.05.

Mission #2Fast2Tasty Pro Stock Motorcycle Challenge — Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.759, 199.11 def. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.822, 199.29.

INDIANAPOLIS — Final round-by-round results from Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY TOP FUEL CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Justin Ashley, 5.891, 108.81 def. Leah Pruett, Foul – Red Light; Antron Brown, 3.858, 321.50 def. Mike Salinas, 3.820, 304.74;

FINAL — J. Ashley, 3.714, 334.73 def. A. Brown, 3.856, 321.50.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY FUNNY CAR CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.012, 321.96 def. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.976, 319.07; Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 4.016, 317.87 def. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.141, 255.77;

FINAL — J. Force, 3.989, 328.78 def. R. Capps, 4.844, 163.75.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY PRO STOCK CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Kyle Koretsky, Chevy Camaro, 6.603, 207.11 def. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.648, 206.20; Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.625, 208.10 def. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.624, 207.27;

FINAL — A. Stanfield, 6.630, 207.56 def. K. Koretsky, 6.644, 207.05.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.800, 199.29 def. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.877, 198.55; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.760, 199.11 def. Angie Smith, Foul – Red Light;

FINAL — G. Herrera, 6.759, 199.11 def. E. Krawiec, 6.822, 199.29.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Robert Hight

Funny Car Provisional No. 1 Qualifier

Cornwell Tools / AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS

3.853 seconds, 329.67 mph

NOTE: Robert Hight took over the Funny Car provisional No. 1 when he clocked a 3.853-second pass at 329.67 mph on Saturday at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

Steve Torrence

Top Fuel Provisional No. 1 Qualifier

CAPCO Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster

3.708 seconds, 329.42 mph

NOTE: Steve Torrence stayed in the Top Fuel provisional No. 1 spot on Saturday at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals when his 3.708-second pass at 329.42 mph held strong for best of the category in Indianapolis.

Matt Hartford

Pro Stock Provisional No. 1 Qualifier

Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro

6.569 seconds, 209.23 mph

NOTE: Matt Hartford stayed atop the Pro Stock category at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals when his 6.569-second lap at 209.23 mph held strong for the provisional stop at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Gaige Herrera

Pro Stock Motorcycle Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Winner, Provisional No. 1 Qualifier

Vance & Hines Mission Foods Suzuki

6.759 seconds, 199.11 mph

NOTE: Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Gaige Herrera earned the final Pro Stock Motorcycle Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge win on Saturday when he went 6.759 seconds at 199.11 mph to beat Eddie Krawiec at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Aaron Stanford

Pro Stock Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Winner

Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro

6.630 seconds, 207.56 mph

NOTE: Aaron Stanford secured the Pro Stock Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge season title on Saturday at the final specialty race of the year. Stanford clocked a 6.630-second pass at 207.56 mph to claim the win over Kyle Koretsky at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Gaige Herrera

Pro Stock Motorcycle Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Winner, Provisional No. 1 Qualifier

Vance & Hines Mission Foods Suzuki

6.759 seconds, 199.11 mph

NOTE: Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Gaige Herrera earned the final Pro Stock Motorcycle Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge win on Saturday when he went 6.759 seconds at 199.11 mph to beat Eddie Krawiec at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Justin Ashley

Top Fuel Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Winner

Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel

3.714 seconds, 334.73 mph

NOTE: Top Fuel points leader Justin Ashley secured the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge season title when he scored the final win of the season with his 3.714-second pass at 334.73 mph to defeat Antron Brown.

John Force

PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS

Funny Car Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Winner

3.989 seconds, 328.78 mph

NOTE: Funny Car driver John Force collected his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge win on Saturday at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals when he defeated reigning champion Ron Capps with his 3.989-second pass at 328.78 mph in Indianapolis.