Courtesy of the NHRA
LAS VEGAS – The fan voting process is heating up to determine the final driver who will be racing for a $50,000 payday during the K&N Horsepower Challenge on Saturday, April 2 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The lucrative event, held during the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, April 1-3, is open to eight drivers, seven of whom have already guaranteed their starting spots by qualifying points earned at NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. The eighth spot will be decided by the fan vote, which ends this Sunday night, March 27, at 11:59 p.m. (PT).
Until then, fans who haven’t yet voted still have time to select their favorite Pro Stock driver not already qualified for the lucrative all-star event. Fans can vote at this link: www.NHRA.com/knhpchallenge.aspx.
The following drivers listed in alphabetical order are eligible for the fan vote: Bo Butner, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Kenny Delco, V. Gaines, Joey Grose, Matt Hartford, Jeff Isbell, Deric Kramer, Alex Laughlin, Larry Morgan, Vincent Nobile, Alan Prusiensky and Aaron Strong.
The winner of the fan vote will meet No. 1 seed Greg Anderson in the first round of the three-round shootout in Las Vegas. The champion of the K&N Horsepower Challenge race will win $50,000. The runner-up will receive $10,000, the two semifinalists will earn $3,000 and $2,500 will go to the four first-round finishers. If a driver doubles up by winning the K&N Horsepower Challenge and the national event, that driver will win a $25,000 NHRA Double-Up bonus.
With an additional $25,000 on the table for winning the Pro Stock title at the DENSO Spark Plug NHRA Nationals, one Pro Stock driver could walk away from the event pocketing more than $100,000 in official race winnings, making this the most lucrative Pro Stock event on the NHRA circuit.
In addition to top seed Anderson, drivers who have already clinched a spot in the K&N Horsepower Challenge are defending winner Erica Enders, Jason Line, Chris McGaha, Drew Skillman, Shane Gray and Allen Johnson. They officially secured their starting positions following the end of qualifying during last Saturday’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Nationals in Gainesville, Fla.
The K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes also gives fans an exciting opportunity to win. Eight fans who enter the K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes will be selected to win a trip for two to the K&N Horsepower Challenge. Each winner will be paired with one of the eight Pro Stock finalists, and the fan paired with the 2016 K&N Horsepower Challenge champion will win a 2016 K&N Horsepower Challenge Edition Toyota Tacoma. The K&N Horsepower Challenge Edition Tacoma features an intake system, cat-back exhaust system, off-road bead-lock-style wheels, and custom graphics. K&N will also be giving away some great prizes instantly. Fans can enter the sweepstakes at http://tiny.cc/NHRAKNChallenge.
K&N Horsepower Challenge rounds are scheduled for Saturday, April 2 at 1, 4 and 5 p.m. NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying takes place at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 1 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 2, at 1 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, April 3.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 644-4444 or visit www.LVMS.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
