Courtesy of the NHRA

LAS VEGAS – With Leah Pritchett and Brittany Force claiming the last two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series victories, fans have witnessed the very rare occurrence of having back-to-back first-time winners in the 10,000 horsepower Top Fuel category.

Clay Millican would be more than happy to extend that statistic to three in a row, and on the strength of an impressive start to his 2016 season, his first NHRA Top Fuel victory doesn’t seem far off.

It could be next week when the NHRA powers back to Las Vegas, April 1-3, for the 17th annual DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With DENSO Spark Plugs being one of Millican’s sponsors on his 10,000-horsepower Parts Plus/Great Clips dragster, a victory in Las Vegas would be extra meaningful.

“I don’t really look at the other first-timers, but what I see on this team is a group that keeps getting better and better each and every race,” said Millican, who is currently second in the Top Fuel points standings. “Our group of guys are becoming real impressive and they’re really maturing. It’s a young group but everyone is so tight and that excites me. I can see it in their faces of how bad they want it.”

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including three hours of live finals coverage starting at 5 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. It is the fourth of 24 events during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and Millican’s fast start could pay major dividends down the road.

Millican saw potential all along in his young team a year ago and things started to come together late last season. After finishing 11th in the regular season and just missing the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, Millican bounced back and advanced to back-to-back semifinals late in the year. The team managed to bring that momentum into the new season and with crew chief David Grubnic leading the way, Millican has been remarkably consistent.

He has semifinal appearances in back-to-back races and has done in it in a way that has opened some eyes. Millican has qualified in the top half of the field at the first three races and being consistently quick makes him a threat at any time this year. He enters the Las Vegas race second in points.

“It’s a good feeling to know we can run with anybody no matter who is in the other lane,” Millican said. “There’s no reason that can’t continue. It makes me focus more and has me excited. This is really just carry-over from the end of last year and we just continue to finesse what we’re doing. We’re really starting to see the results we want.”

Millican’s qualifying numbers have been impressive, putting up a 3.727 in Pomona and following it up with a 3.722 at 326.71 at Gainesville to take the second spot. He’s put together big runs during eliminations as well and Millican doesn’t see that stopping anytime soon.

“(Grubnic) is putting us in a good position and we’re starting to go rounds a lot,” Millican said. “That’s such an important thing. They continue to grow, mature and get better and they want to do well. They know we’ve got a car that can win. Everyone on this team knows that.”

That enthusiasm from his team has carried over to the already excitable Millican as well. There’s more time in the gym, more time on the practice tree and more work being put in by everyone to make sure this run turns into a season-long theme.

There’s a host of Top Fuel stars trying to make sure that doesn’t happen, starting with defending world champion Antron Brown. Millican will also face off against eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher, who has eight career victories at the facility, Doug Kalitta, Winternationals winner Steve Torrence, J.R. Todd, Shawn Langdon, Richie Crampton, Phoenix winner Pritchett and points leader Force.

But Millican sees something special with this group and considering Millican’s vast experience in the sport, that means something big could be coming soon.

“I love what I do and I’ve done it for a long time,” Millican said. “I feel like we’re going to be in a hunt for this championship. Our goal is to get in the top 10 and hopefully go on a run. The guys really want to get that first win. But my goal is to get in the top 10 and then get some wins. I know the rest of the team really wants to get that first one. Ultimately, though, your goal is to get in the top 10 and then win six races.”

The Funny Car class continues to get tighter, with everyone chasing current points leader Robert Hight, who won at Gainesville. Others to watch include red-hot Ron Capps, John Force, defending world champion Del Worsham, Phoenix winner Tim Wilkerson, Alexis DeJoria, Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan, Courtney Force, Cruz Pedregon and Tommy Johnson Jr.

In the all-new Pro Stock class, Enders will look to get back to her championship-winning ways after suffering two first round losses to open the season in Pomona and Phoenix. Standing in her way, though, will be her teammates Drew Skillman and Jeg Coughlin Jr., the Summit Racing duo of Greg Anderson and Jason Line, who have combined to win the first three races, including two by Anderson, Phoenix No. 1 qualifier Bo Butner, Vincent Nobile, Shane Gray and Phoenix runner-up Chris McGaha.

The sleek new Pro Stock cars feature fuel-injected engines, shorter wheelie bars, flat hoods and a 10,500 RPM rev-limiter.

The DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals is always a big weekend for Pro Stock drivers as the all-star K&N Horsepower Challenge kicks off the Pro Stock event in style. Eight of the best Pro Stock drivers will duel it out for bragging rights and a hefty paycheck on Saturday of race weekend. Enders has won the last two K&N Horsepower Challenge races.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds 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 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 3.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.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.

DENSO SPARK PLUGS NHRA NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 17th annual DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, the fourth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The race also will feature competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series.

WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of downtown Las Vegas off Interstate 15.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 1-3

SCHEDULE:        

FRIDAY, April 1 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 2- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:10 and 4:05 p.m.

K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE at 1, 4 and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 3 – Pre-race ceremonies, 11:15 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at noon

TELEVISION:      

SATURDAY, April 2, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 11 p.m.  (ET)

SUNDAY, April 3, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 9 p.m.  (ET)

SUNDAY, April 3, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 5 p.m. (ET)

2015 EVENT WINNERS: Richie Crampton, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Erica Enders, Pro Stock; Enders, K&N Horsepower Challenge.

MOST VICTORIES: Larry Dixon, 4, TF; Tony Schumacher, 4, TF; Robert Hight, 3, FC; Greg Anderson, 3, PS; Jeg Coughlin, 3, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 2, TF; John Force, 2, FC; Cruz Pedregon, 2, FC; Mike Edwards, 2, PS; Erica Enders, 2, PS; Allen Johnson, 2, PS.

MOST K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE VICTORIES: Greg Anderson, 4; Kurt Johnson, 4; Jeg Coughlin, 3; Bob Glidden, 3; Warren Johnson, 3; Larry Morgan, 3; Bruce Allen, 2; Erica Enders, 2; Allen Johnson, 2; Jim Yates, 2;

TRACK RECORDS:            

Top Fuel – 3.722 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ’15 and 332.67 mph by Shawn Langdon, Oct. ’15.

Funny Car – 3.931 sec. by Tommy Johnson Jr., Oct. ’15 and 325.92 mph by Del Worsham, Oct. ’15.

Pro Stock – 6.559 sec. and 210.28 mph by Erica Enders, Oct. ’15.

NATIONAL RECORDS:    

Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.

Funny Car – 3.879 sec. by Jack Beckman, March ‘16, Gainesville, Fla. and 331.45 mph by Matt Hagan, Nov. ’15, Pomona, Calif.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C. and 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 644-4444. Tickets also available online at www.lvms.com/tickets.

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings following the third of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel: 1.  Brittany Force, 251; 2.  Clay Millican, 210; 3. Doug Kalitta, 205; 4. Steve Torrence, 199; 5. Terry McMillen, 178; 6. Leah Pritchett, 166; 7. J.R. Todd, 157; 8. Tony Schumacher, 155; 9. Richie Crampton, 153; 10.  Antron Brown, 149.

Funny Car: 1.  Robert Hight, 280; 2.  Ron Capps, 279; 3. John Force, 221; 4.  Jack Beckman, 205; 5.  Courtney Force, 201; 6.  Del Worsham, 189; 7.  Tim Wilkerson, 183; 8.  Chad Head, 162; 9.  Alexis DeJoria, 119; 10.  Matt Hagan, 118.

Pro Stock: 1.  Jason Line, 337; 2.  Greg Anderson, 331; 3.  Bo Butner, 233; 4.  Drew Skillman, 205; 5.  Chris McGaha, 161; 6.  (tie) Jeg Coughlin, 160; Allen Johnson, 160; 8.  Vincent Nobile, 138; 9.  Alex Laughlin, 121; 10.  Erica Enders, 97.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1.  Eddie Krawiec, 129; 2.  Hector Arana, 99; 3.  Andrew Hines, 79; 4.  LE Tonglet, 74; 5.  Chip Ellis, 62; 6.  (tie) Michael Ray, 52; Jerry Savoie, 52; Jim Underdahl, 52; 9.  Angelle Sampey, 35; 10.  (tie) Scotty Pollacheck, 33. Melissa Surber, 33.