Josh Hart put himself in position for his first career No. 1 finish, earning the top Top Fuel provisional spot on Friday at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Alexis DeJoria (Funny Car), Cristian Cuadra (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the top provisional qualifiers in the fifth of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Top Fuel
Hart delivered a 3.689-second run at 328.38 mph in his 11,000-horsepower R&L Carriers dragster, putting together two strong runs as he aims for the first No. 1 of his career and make the only run in the 3, 60 Friday His second career Top Fuel win also came at Charlotte’s fall race in his rookie season in 2021, and Hart has fared well on the four-wide stage, advancing to the last quad the last two years in Charlotte.
“The team deserves it. (Crew chief) Ron Douglas and the crew always give me a great car,” Hart said. “We’ve been learning a lot about each other and we’ve gelled well, and it’s nice to reach this milestone and show what are we capable of
It was never a car problem, it was a driver problem, I’ll openly admit that. I can make a lot of excuses, but I haven’t finished the job. I learned a lot at the last race in Las Vegas. In general, you see these guys get ripped every weekend and you just have to focus and do your job. Every day is a new start, but we have a great car and a great team. A lot of good morals there, and it’s just about surrounding yourself with good people.”
Austin Prock’s 3.707 at 328.70 during the second session gave him second place, while points leader Steve Torrence had two good results, including a 3.708 at 330.55 that puts him in third.
Funny Car
DeJoria’s stellar start to the 2023 Funny Car season continued, as he raced to the top spot to close out qualifying, going 3.876 at 333.08 in his 11,000-horse Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra. If it holds, it would give DeJoria his first No. 1 ranking this season and the seventh of his career. He has finished second in the last three races, putting together a series of consistent results that currently has him third in points. The only thing missing so far is his first win of the season, something DeJoria is looking to change this weekend.
“I haven’t won one out of four yet, so it’s exciting to be number one right now,” DeJoria said. “Hopefully it stays. God willing, we’ll stay No. 1 and get to the winner’s circle on Sunday, but you can’t think that far ahead.
“We’ve been working towards this, our current success, so we’re really excited about how we’re running. This is the best start to the season; it’s been so consistent, and it’s about getting down the track and fast when a lot of cars don’t they’ve done. Having a good, consistent race car is a huge confidence builder for the whole team. It does a lot for us, I can tell.
“I want to win this race. It’s time. The time has passed. We have to win this race.”
Cruz Pedregon, who has been ranked No. 1 the last two races, is currently second with a 3.879 at 327.11 and Robert Hight’s 3.894 at 330.23 has him in third.
Pro Stock
Cuadra jumped out to the top during the final session in Pro Stock, looking to earn his second career No. 1 qualifier thanks to his 6.558-208.91 run in his Corral Boots Chevrolet Camaro. Cuadra took his first career No. 1 qualifying earlier this season in Phoenix and made a big jump in the second session on Friday in Charlotte. He is also one of four members of the Cuadra family racing this season, as his brothers, Fernando Jr. and David, are competing, with their father, Fernando Sr., as well. David Cuadra is making his first Pro Stock start this season, but everyone is chasing Cristian at the moment.
“I’m very happy with this race,” said Cuadra. “After the (first) race I got nervous; I went out the first pair and was nervous about shaking (the tires), but the Elite guys gave me a really good drive. I’ve put it all together, and I’m number one right now. I’m happy. The four wides put a bit more pressure on the driver, but I love it. Sometimes it gets confusing for us, but if you can focus on your lane, you can do really, really well.”
Deric Kramer’s 6.566 at 208.46 puts him in third, while points leader Dallas Glenn, who has won back-to-back races, is right behind in third after posting a 6.575 at 209.20.
Moto Pro Stock
It’s been nearly two months since Pro Stock Motorcycle opened its season in Gainesville, but Herrera continued with a 6.758 run at 201.10 on his Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzuki. Herrera was ranked No. 1 and won in Gainesville to open the year, earning his first career win in the category, and continued to impress Friday in Charlotte. He has the young phenom on track for his second straight No. 1 finish as Herrera had a great run under the lights at zMAX Dragway.
results
Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
Classification Friday
Top Fuel — 1. Josh Hart, 3.689 seconds, 329.50 mph; 2. Austin Prock, 3.707, 328.70; 3. Steve Torrence, 3.708, 332.92; 4. Clay Millican, 3.725, 330.63; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.727, 332.18; 6. Mike Salinas, 3.728, 327.74; 7. Strength of Brittany, 3.730, 328.70; 8. Justin Ashley, 3.733, 331.28; 9. Tony Schumacher, 3.741, 326.79; 10. Dan Mercier, 3.752, 315.34; 11. Leah Pruett, 3.770, 323.19; 12. Doug Kalitta, 3.770, 320.97; 13. Pat Dakin, 3.791, 323.66; 14. Jacob McNeal, 3.801, 319.60; 15. Doug Foley, 3.832, 310.98; 16. Antron Brown, 3.897, 313.73. Not qualified: 17. Keith Murt, 4.088, 309.84.
funny car — 1. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Supra, 3.876, 333.08; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 3.879, 327.11; 3. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.894, 330.31; 4. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.912, 325.53; 5. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.941, 326.71; 6. JR Todd, Supra, 3.971, 327.66; 7. Mike McIntire, Toyota Camry, 4.134, 295.01; 8. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.460, 213.47; 9. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.660, 173.78; 10. John Force, Camaro, 4.966, 772.00; 11. Ron Capps, Supra, 5.355, 139.07; 12. Alex Laughlin, Charger, 5.594, 127.52; 13. Dale Creasy Jr., loader, 5.749, 122.44; 14. John Smith, Charger, 6.695, 104.71; 15. Blake Alexander, Mustangs, 7.369, 96.99.
Pro Stock — 1. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.558, 208.91; 2. Deric Kramer, Chevy Camaro, 6.566, 208.46; 3. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.575, 209.20; 4. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.576, 207.85; 5. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.578, 207.98; 6. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.581, 209.79; 7. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.581, 208.36; 8. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.584, 209.01; 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.589, 209.10; 10. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.589, 207.72; 11. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.591, 207.98; 12. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Mustang, 6.596, 208.23; 13. David Cuadra, Mustang, 6.596, 208.10; 14. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.598, 209.62; 15. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.609, 208.62; 16. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.622, 208.91. Not qualified: 17. Fernando Cuadra, 6.633, 207.02; 18. Kenny Delco, 6.661, 208.01; 19. Val Smeland, 6.674, 207.21; 20. Alan Prusiensky, 6.674, 204.54; 21. Shane Tucker, 6.684, 207.88; 22. Larry Morgan, 8.764, 106.90; 23. Brandon Miller, 31.702, 25.73.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.758, 201.10; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.765, 197.77; 3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.825, 200.80; 4. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.836, 199.29; 5. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.854, 197.94; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.860, 195.08; 7. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.900, 195.59; 8. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.901, 191.35; 9. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.902, 193.85; 10. John Hall, Buell, 6.951, 194.41; 11. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.961, 190.11; 12. Marcus Hylton, 7.109, 187.63; 13. Ron Tornow, Victoria, 7.314, 180.55; 14. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.458, 179.04; 15. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 8.685, 104.01; 16. Angie Smith, EBR, 13.025, 63.27.
