The stars of NHRA are back in wine country! This weekend, July 28-30, there’s no better place to be than Sonoma Raceway as the dragsters descend upon the track for a thrilling race weekend. Take a look at five can't-miss storylines to watch out for this year’s race.
Racin’ Under The Lights: Two Rounds of Nitro Qualifying is Back
The much-anticipated return of two rounds of Top Fuel & Funny Car qualifying returns to Sonoma this weekend! With limited night races on the annual Sonoma Raceway schedule, Friday, July 28 is a can’t-miss evening of fire-burning 22,000+ horsepower machines on full display.
NHRA West Coast Swing History To Be Made
For the first time in NHRA history, a Pro Stock Motorcycle racer will finally have a shot to make a clean sweep of the famed Western Swing, which includes Denver, Seattle, and Sonoma. NHRA has never had its Pro Stock Motorcycle class run all three events, largely due to its 16-race annual schedule. As the final stop on the swing approaches, Gaige Herrera is looking to be the first Pro Stock Motorcycle racer to win all three. Don’t miss a chance to watch history be made!
Records Are Meant to be Broken
In 2022, Brittany Force put on one of the most memorable Top Fuel displays in Sonoma Raceway history, breaking her track record multiple times on Elimination Sunday. Needless to say, Sonoma has the pedigree and is known for record-breaking performances. Any standing track record won’t have a chance against the action yet to come.
Callouts are New for Pro Stock Motorcycle Class
The competition is steep as NHRA introduces Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout! Taking place this Saturday during the final race of the NHRA Western Swing, the callouts work by allowing the first seed to make the first selection to call out their opening round opponent, getting their choice of the seven other drivers.
The second seed gets the next pick, followed by each lower seed until all first-round matchups are set.
The semifinal matchups are decided by allowing the driver who makes the quickest winning run in the first round to select their semifinal opponent, automatically locking in the other matchup
Mike Salinas Gunning For Win in Home State
Top Fuel veteran and San Jose native Mike Salinas will look to snag his first ever victory here at Sonoma when he takes to the track this upcoming weekend.
2Fast2Tasty
Adding to the drama of matchups is the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, which pits the semifinalists from the previous race against one another for a rematch. In this exciting bonus event, there’s plenty on the line with cash and valuable Countdown to the Championship bonus points that will come into play in critical timing after the points are reset and the six-race playoffs begin. The winner of the two semifinal rematches will race one another in the final qualifying session for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty title.
Tickets
Weekend and single-day tickets to NHRA weekend in Sonoma start at just $70. Kids 12 and under get in for just $25/day and only $75 for the entire weekend. For more information, visit sonomaraceway.com or call 800-870-RACE (7223).
