Doug Kalitta, Greg Anderson, and Austin Prock retained their top positions and swept Saturday’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge.
Top Fuel Highlights
Doug Kalitta, the points leader in Top Fuel, set a new track record at Summit Motorsports Park on Saturday, securing his win in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and maintaining his No. 1 qualifier spot at the 18th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
Other Category Leaders
Austin Prock (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Richard Gadson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also emerged victorious in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Prock, Anderson, and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) secured the top qualifying positions in the 10th event of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
Kalitta’s victory in Top Fuel was marked by a 3.703-second run at a record 337.16 mph in his Applied Innovation/Toyota dragster, defeating Antron Brown’s 3.755-second effort. Kalitta’s performance, highlighted by a 3.692-second track-record run on Friday, earned him his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season and 57th in his career. He will face Kyle Wurtzel in the first round of eliminations.
Kalitta remarked, “Saturday’s events get us ready for racing. We’re enjoying the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty race and its format.”
Funny Car Highlights
Austin Prock continued his impressive season by winning his third consecutive Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, setting a new track record with a 3.853-second run at 330.55 mph in his AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS. Despite a strong challenge from Bob Tasca III, Prock maintained his lead and achieved his seventh No. 1 qualifier position in ten races this season. Prock aims for his third straight event win, starting eliminations against Joe Morrison.
Prock commented, “This year has been fantastic. The hard work of my team makes it easy for me to believe in my car and perform well.”
Pro Stock Highlights
Greg Anderson won his second consecutive Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and secured the No. 1 qualifier position with a 6.592-second run at 207.69 mph. Anderson aims to sweep the weekend, opening eliminations against Larry Morgan. He expressed pride in his team’s performance and excitement for the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Highlights
Richard Gadson celebrated his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win with a 6.819-second run at 196.87 mph on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, defeating John Hall. Matt Smith set a track record with a 6.748-second run at 201.31 mph, securing his third No. 1 qualifier position in the past four races.
Smith said, “We’ve been No. 1 a few times, but we need to win on Sunday. We’re prepared and ready to perform.”
Final Qualifying Results
Eliminations for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday at Summit Motorsports Park.
Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Results
**Top Fuel Challenge:** Doug Kalitta, 3.703 seconds, 337.16 mph def. Antron Brown, 3.755 seconds, 328.22 mph.
**Funny Car Challenge:** Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.853, 329.10 def. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.882, 329.50.
**Pro Stock Challenge:** Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.595, 204.94 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.619, 205.54.
**Pro Stock Motorcycle Challenge:** Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.819, 196.87 def. John Hall, Beull, 6.857, 197.86.
Sunday Elimination Pairings
Eliminations are based on qualifying results from Saturday.
**Top Fuel:**
1. Doug Kalitta, 3.692 seconds, 337.16 mph vs. 16. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.801, 304.39.
**Funny Car:**
1. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.853, 330.55 vs. 16. Joe Morrison, Dodge Charger, 4.764, 177.60.
**Pro Stock:**
1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.592, 207.69 vs. 16. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.674, 206.95.
**Pro Stock Motorcycle:**
1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.748, 201.31 vs. 14. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.516, 177.11.
