The NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by Power Edge kicked off with a bang, showcasing the thrilling world of drag racing. The event, held at Sonoma Raceway, featured a diverse range of categories, from Pro Stock Motorcycles to Top Fuel, each with its own unique excitement. The competition was fierce, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.
One of the standout moments of the day was the Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying. Steve Johnson and Chase Van Sant set the early pace, with Johnson's 6.894 and Van Sant's 6.926. However, it was the Smith team that truly shone, with Matt and Angie Smith taking the top spots. Their performance was remarkable, with Angie's 6.770 being a standout run. The top two qualifiers, Gaige Herrera and Richard Gadson, couldn't match the Smith's pace, finishing with 6.814 and 6.821, respectively.
In the Pro Stock category, Greg Anderson dominated with a strong 6.522 in his HendrickCars.com Camaro. Anderson's performance was a testament to his skill, and he was just barely ahead of defending event winner Greg Stanfield, who posted a 6.534. The rest of the top qualifiers were equally impressive, with Aaron Stanfield, Chris Vang, Erica Enders, Cody Anderson, and Matt Latino all in the 6.5-second zone.
The Funny Car category saw some solid runs early on, with Hunter Green and Jeff Arend both posting impressive times. However, it was Dave Richards who made a name for himself with a 3.966 in the Blue Bird Turf entry. The top spot changed hands multiple times, with Alexis DeJoria and Austin Prock both making their mark. Chad Green and Jordan Vandergriff also made solid runs, but they broke their tires loose before the finish line. Jack Beckman and Ron Capps closed out the round with impressive times, 3.942 and 3.900, respectively.
The Top Fuel category was a thrilling display of speed and power. NorCal native Jasmine Salinas set a brisk early pace with a 3.751, easily covering Will Smith’s 3.893. Shawn Reed and Tony Schumacher also made their mark, but it was Tony Stewart who took over the top spot with a 3.736 in the R+L Carriers dragster. Antron Brown and Maddi Gordon also made competitive runs, with Gordon maintaining the momentum from her recent win in Norwalk. The final run of the session was a close call, with Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon running matching 3.714 elapsed times, Kalitta earning the higher position thanks to a slightly faster speed.
In conclusion, the NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by Power Edge was a thrilling display of speed, skill, and competition. The event showcased the best of drag racing, with each category delivering its own unique excitement. The results were a testament to the hard work and dedication of the drivers and teams, and the event left a lasting impression on all who attended.
