Courtesy NHRA Communications
POMONA, Calif. (March 13, 2024) – The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge is back in 2024 and the first matchups in the Saturday specialty event are set for next weekend’s 64th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
After a wildly-successful first year in 2023, the unique challenge is back for 2024, bringing competitive racing to the qualifying schedule during the regular season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The Challenge pits semifinalists from the previous race against each other, with the two winners matching up as part of Saturday’s final qualifying session.
There’s a bonus purse and bonus points for the Countdown to the Championship on the line, putting a major importance on Saturday success starting next weekend in Pomona.
“After we got by (Ron) Capps in the second round (at Gainesville), we knew we were in (the Challenge) and that’s great. It’s a nice bonus for us,” said Funny Car’s J.R. Todd, who won in Gainesville to start the 2024 season. “It’s definitely a nice incentive. When we won the deal in Sonoma, that was a cool perk and then we won on Sunday. It definitely gives you a pep in your step.”
Todd makes up one of the 12 drivers competing across three categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock) in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, adding another must-see moment to one of the NHRA’s most historic races.
In the Funny Car ranks, Todd is coming off a thrilling Gainesville victory. He knocked off Bob Tasca III, who set the track speed record at the Gatornationals, meaning those two will face off in Pomona, while the other semifinal rematch includes No. 1 qualifier Austin Prock, who reached the final round, and Chad Green, who won the NHRA Finals in Pomona last year to close out the season.
Shawn Langdon’s Top Fuel victory was a historic one, as it clinched the first double-up for Kalitta Motorsports in team history. He knocked off Antron Brown in the semifinals and those two standouts will meet again in Pomona on Saturday. The other rematch features a father-son matchup, as Billy Torrence, the Gainesville runner-up, takes on his son, four-time world champion Steve Torrence in a pairing that can’t be missed.
The Pro Stock Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge features one of the biggest rivalries in category history, as Erica Enders and Greg Anderson meet again. Enders, the defending world champ, won in Gainesville en route to her first career Gatornationals victory, while the other semifinal rematch features a pair of young standouts in Dallas Glenn and Gainesville runner-up Cristian Cuadra.
Last year in Pomona, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Glenn (Pro Stock) took home top honors on Sunday in their respective categories at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals. This year’s race will again be broadcasted on FS1, including eliminations coverage on Sunday, March 24 at 7 p.m. ET.
Top Fuel’s Ashley took home his first win of the season when took down Langdon in the final round a year ago. Ashley will be up against reigning champ Doug Kalitta, four-time champ Torrence, Mike Salinas and Brittany Force. Also joining the Top Fuel ranks in 2024 is motorsports legend and NHRA team owner Tony Stewart.
The last time Hagan was in Pomona, he won his fourth Funny Car world championship at the NHRA Finals. Hagan’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals victory gave him his second of six wins in 2023 and his seventh at the historic track. Hagan will again compete against Tasca, three-time champ Ron Capps, and NHRA legend John Force.
Glenn earned four race wins in 2023 including his win at Pomona. He also collected five runner-up finishes as well as two No. 1 qualifier positions. Glenn will be up against the likes of six-time Pro Stock champion Enders, as well as Anderson, Matt Hartford, Troy Coughlin Jr. and NHRA Finals winner Aaron Stanfield.
Along with racing in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, fans can also see the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Legends Nitro Funny Cars and Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, while the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department will hold a special racing exhibition. Following nitro qualifying on Friday and Saturday, the “Walking Tall” P.T. Cruiser Wheelstander driven by “NitroMike” Kunz will put on a can’t-miss show.
The Nitro Alley Stage is a huge attraction all weekend and is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, Total Seal Tech Talk, the NHRA Insider Live, meet and greets, and much more. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun.
Race fans at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features one round at 4:30 p.m. PT on Friday, March 22, and the final two rounds on Saturday, March 23 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The finals of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge take place at the end of final qualifying in each category. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, March 24. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, leading into eliminations at 7 p.m. ET.
To purchase tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.
Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Matchups at the 64th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals:
TOP FUEL
Shawn Langdon vs. Antron Brown (Langdon won in Gainesville)
Billy Torrence vs. Steve Torrence (B. Torrence won in Gainesville)
FUNNY CAR
Austin Prock vs. Chad Green (Prock won in Gainesville)
J.R. Todd vs. Bob Tasca III (Todd won in Gainesville)
PRO STOCK
Erica Enders vs. Greg Anderson (Enders won in Gainesville)
Cristian Cuadra vs. Dallas Glenn (Cuadra won in Gainesville)
