{"id":47491,"date":"2024-07-26T23:59:27","date_gmt":"2024-07-27T04:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=47491"},"modified":"2024-07-27T10:29:59","modified_gmt":"2024-07-27T15:29:59","slug":"kalitta-tasca-hartford-and-van-sant-take-provisional-no-1-spots-at-denso-nhra-sonoma-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/26\/kalitta-tasca-hartford-and-van-sant-take-provisional-no-1-spots-at-denso-nhra-sonoma-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Kalitta, Tasca, Hartford and Van Sant take provisional No. 1 spots at Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA<\/em><\/p>\n

SONOMA, Calif. \u2013 Reigning Top Fuel world champ Doug Kalitta made the quickest run of the 2024 NHRA season on Friday at Sonoma Raceway, setting the track record and taking the provisional No. 1 spot at the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel Pro Stock Provisional No. 1 qualifier. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Chase Van Sant (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.<\/p>\n

Kalitta, who has a Top Fuel-best five career wins at Sonoma, powered to a run of 3.649-seconds at 336.40 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools\/Toyota dragster, obliterating the track record and putting the points leader in line for his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 58th in his career. It was a spectacular run under the lights and Kalitta was thrilled to start the weekend in that fashion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was really cool. I got my first win here in Sonoma and I have a lot of cool history here,\u201d Kalitta said. \u201c(Crew chief) Alan Johnson puts a lot of thought into his tune-up and he had a plan. He\u2019s one bad dude.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could tell it was on a run and honestly, I was happy to be the first car out. I knew it would get cooler as the night went on and you never know what conditions might do. I thought it might have rattled a bit but not much. The car was hooked up and I managed to keep it in the middle, as straight as possible. This is one of the nicest tracks on the tour, and I love the layout with the road course. I\u2019d love to get another win this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brittany Force went 3.668 at 335.57 to go to the second spot, while Billy Torrence is third after going 3.684 at 332.92.<\/p>\n

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Bob Tasca III, Funny Car Provisional No. 1 qualifier. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Funny Car\u2019s Bob Tasca III just missed out on history on Friday, rocketing to the top with an outstanding run of 3.839 at 338.43 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft\/Quick Lane Ford Mustang. The goal was a 340-mph run and Tasca just missed out, still delivering a spectacular blast under the lights. The run could give the standout his second No. 1 of the season and the 18th in his career, putting him on track for what could be another great weekend in Sonoma. He won the race in 2022 and will look to replicate that this year, but Tasca had another goal in mind for Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never been so disappointed to run a 3.83 at 338-mph. I really wanted to go 340 for these fans,\u201d Tasca said. \u201cWe would have done it if not for that 15-knot headwind. We were a little concerned about the track, so we also cranked a little more spoiler in it. I\u2019d trade the low qualifier for a 340 run in a second.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ran 338 in Charlotte, and we ran 338 in Seattle and did it again here. I can tell you there won\u2019t be a time when conditions are there that we don\u2019t try and do it. Believe it or not, we run a little different set-up to try and run those speeds. If we tuned the car a little different, it might be a little bit quicker. As for tomorrow, we\u2019ll see what the conditions are like. It all depends on which way the wind is blowing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ron Capps is currently second thanks to his run of 3.864 at 332.43, while defending world champion Matt Hagan is third after going 3.869 at 328.22.<\/p>\n

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Matt Hartford, Pro Stock Provisional No. 1 qualifier. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

In Pro Stock, the early-season slump for Matt Hartford appears to be over, putting down an impressive 6.515 at 210.41 in his GETTRX\/Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro to go to the No. 1 position on Friday. It puts Hartford on track for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and fifth in his career and the veteran hopes it\u2019s a sign that the frustrations from earlier this year are a distant memory. Hartford, who is currently 11th in points, has qualified fourth three of the past four races and Friday\u2019s run is another positive step forward. The next step is turning it around on raceday after Hartford has suffered through five straight first-round losses.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings are starting to come around although this feels like the first race of the season for us,\u201d Hartford said. \u201cIt\u2019s no secret that this hasn\u2019t been a good year for our team but I\u2019m a big believer that it\u2019s not where your start it\u2019s where you finish.<\/p>\n

“The last three or four races it\u2019s started to come together, and we\u2019ve had a fast race car and I\u2019m getting my confidence back. In Seattle, I thought we had a chance to go to the pole and we missed it. Here, we said we could run a 6.51 and we did. I think Chicago was the turning point for us. We brought two cars and let John DeFlorian drive the other one. We were able to compare notes from both cars and we\u2019ve been improving ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defending world champion Erica Enders is currently second with a run of 6.520 at 209.46 and Seattle winner Jeg Coughlin Jr. is third after a 6.524 at 209.82.<\/p>\n

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Chase Van Sant, Pro Stock Motorcycle Provisional No. 1 qualifier. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Still riding high after his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle victory on Sunday in Seattle, Chase Van Sant kept rolling on Friday in Sonoma, taking the provisional No. 1 spot with a run of 6.768 at 197.10 on his Trick Tools Suzuki. Should that hold, Van Sant, the 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year, would pick up his first career No. 1 qualifying spot, which would continue his recent momentum. He made a pair of solid runs on Friday, which could bode well for Saturday\u2019s GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout.<\/p>\n

The bonus race takes place on Saturday after riders made their first-round selections on Friday. Herrera, the top seed, picked Matt Smith, who was seeded second, while Hector Arana Jr. took Steve Johnson as his first-round opponent. Jianna Evaristo will face off with John Hall, with the other first-round matchup featuring Van Sant and Angie Smith.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a whirlwind week to say the least and it\u2019s cool to knock it out and get the provisional No. 1 here today,\u201d Van Sant said. \u201cI know the Vance & Hines team has issues today, so I expect a battle but it\u2019s good to be here. I had my best 60-foot time ever on that run. It\u2019s just reassuring to know we can get the job done and it reaffirms my faith in Tim [Kulungian, crew chief], not that I ever doubted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to run Angie [Smith] tomorrow in the GETTRX All-star Callout and we\u2019ve gone back and forth a few times this season. They\u2019ll be fast too. The wind was a bit tricky, which explains why our mph was down a bit. For me, I really didn\u2019t notice it too much, but the bike just feels a bit more mundane. The win is so unpredictable here in Sonoma because it gusts but it\u2019s usually either a head wind or a tail wind.\u201d<\/p>\n

M. Smith is currently second with a 6.770 at 198.73 and A. Smith is right behind after going 6.784 at 199.26.<\/p>\n

Qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.<\/p>\n

SONOMA, Calif. — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, 12th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.<\/p>\n

Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.649 seconds, 336.40 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.668, 335.57; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.684, 332.92; 4. Shawn Reed, 3.685, 330.39; 5. Antron Brown, 3.688, 329.67; 6. Justin Ashley, 3.697, 331.28; 7. Clay Millican, 3.711, 331.04; 8. Jasmine Salinas, 3.725, 329.10; 9. Tony Stewart, 3.748, 330.72; 10. Josh Hart, 3.766, 324.36; 11. Tony Schumacher, 3.907, 238.01; 12. Steve Torrence, 4.076, 218.05; 13. Shawn Langdon, 4.425, 176.56; 14. Ron August, 4.869, 150.26.<\/p>\n

Funny Car — 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.839, 338.43; 2. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.864, 332.43; 3. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.869, 328.22; 4. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.904, 327.66; 5. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.917, 325.53; 6. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 3.920, 331.28; 7. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.921, 323.19; 8. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.961, 320.89; 9. Steven Densham, Mustang, 4.013, 313.73; 10. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 4.033, 282.24; 11. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.040, 314.24; 12. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 4.057, 289.94; 13. Dave Richards, Camry, 4.078, 305.77; 14. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.272, 219.36; 15. Alex Miladinovich, Mustang, 4.409, 231.40; 16. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 4.659, 173.27. <\/p>\n

Not Qualified: 17. Buddy Hull, 6.544, 98.77; 18. Chris Morel, 12.734, 72.01.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock — 1. Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.515, 210.21; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.520, 209.79; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.524, 210.14; 4. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.525, 210.54; 5. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.536, 209.72; 6. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.538, 209.36; 7. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.543, 209.43; 8. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.562, 209.07; 9. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.566, 209.43; 10. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.575, 210.21; 11. Derrick Reese, Ford Mustang, 6.587, 208.97; 12. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.588, 209.01; 13. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.597, 209.75; 14. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.601, 208.04; 15. Sienna Wildgust, Camaro, 6.609, 209.39; 16. Joey Grose, Camaro, 6.652, 207.50. <\/p>\n

Not Qualified: 17. Kenny Delco, 7.580, 134.36.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.768, 197.42; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.770, 200.47; 3. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.784, 199.26; 4. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.811, 197.97; 5. John Hall, Beull, 6.839, 197.74; 6. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.876, 194.74; 7. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.893, 191.35; 8. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.912, 193.21; 9. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 7.042, 189.42; 10. Eiji Kawakami, Suzuki, 7.055, 188.25; 11. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 8.637, 103.44; 12. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 16.768, 39.92.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA SONOMA, Calif. \u2013 Reigning Top Fuel world champ Doug Kalitta made the quickest run of the 2024 NHRA season on Friday at Sonoma Raceway, setting the track record and taking the provisional No. 1 spot at the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":47494,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[625,944,946,138,582,6,455],"class_list":["post-47491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-bob-tasca-iii","tag-chase-van-sant","tag-denso-nhra-sonoma-nationals","tag-doug-kalitta","tag-matt-hartford","tag-nhra","tag-sonoma-raceway"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Kalitta_MG-2048x1365-1.webp?fit=2048%2C1365&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-clZ","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47491"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47498,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47491\/revisions\/47498"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}