Finding the pay window in Vegas, Ron Capps, Brittany Force and Erica Enders all pick up wins.
The first of two NHRA 4-Wide events took place in Las Vegas this weekend at the other ‘Strip.’ Familiar names graced the trophy stand. For the first time in 2022 and going into his title defense, Ron Capps picked up the crown in the Funny Car final over three other heavy hitters. Brittany Force continues to cruise in the desert in Top Fuel. No one loves Las Vegas more than Erica Enders, she wins Pro Stock.
Capps grabbed the win in Funny Car while taking down former teammate Matt Hagan. He also had to overtake Robert Hight and Alexis DeJoria. It was not only his first win of the year but first win as an owner. After winning the title in 2021, Capps entered into the ownership role this year and picks up his first win of the year.
In the final, Capps goes 3.91 at 321 MPH for the win. Hagan was second across the line at 3.92. Hight ran a 3.94 and DeJoria went 3.95 in a great side by side by side by side drag race! Probably the best final we have seen in a long time. A big win for the California native, Capps. Consistency was the key for Capps. He went 3.97 in the first round and 3.90 in the semifinal.
Order Car# Lane Driver Car Qual RT ET Speed 1. 1 1 Ron Capps, '21 Charger 1 0.053 3.914 331.20 2. 14 3 Matt Hagan, '22 Charger 4 0.056 3.924 324.44 3. 8 2 Robert Hight, '21 Camaro 6 0.052 3.943 328.94 4. 6 4 Alexis DeJoria, '22 Supra 10 0.088 3.954 321.35
Brittany Force qualified 2nd and ran it all the way to a win on Sunday. It is the 12th career win for Force and second 4-wide win ever. The 2017 Champion took down the only other champion in Top Fuel since Force’s victory, Steve Torrence. As well as Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown in the 4-wide final.
A 3.71 was good enough for the win over Torrence’s 3.75. Force’s 3,71 was the quickest pass of the weekend and 338 MPH was the fastest lap of the weekend. There was no better time for that pass than the last one and a winning one. Crew Chief David Grubnic propelled the Force dragster to her first win in 2022. Throughout the day her car was consitently in the 3.7s. She ran 3.72 in the semifinal and 3.74 in the opening round. That’s what they call a bracket car and she had it dialed in.
Order Car# Lane Driver Qual RT ET Speed 1. 2 2 Brittany Force 2 0.065 3.718 338.00 2. 1 1 Steve Torrence 7 0.039 3.756 326.71 3. 356 3 Tony Schumacher 9 0.075 4.713 169.47 4. 6 4 Antron Brown 8 0.050 5.086 154.65
The Queen of Las Vegas, Erica Enders, continues her winning ways in Sin City. Of her 35 career wins, Enders has taken 9 of those in Las Vegas. This is her third 4-wide win and does it in dominating fashion. In her final, it was 16th qualified Christian Cuadra and 15th qualified Mason McGaha as well as Dallas Glenn.
Two Cinderella stories strike midnight as the Queen of Vegas cruises to the win. Glenn broke after staging and Cuadra or McGaha didn’t have anything for the locked in Enders. Enders went 6.66 in the final round as well as going 6.67 in the opening round. A big race win yet again coming in Las Vegas for Enders. Something about this facility that she just loves.
Order Car# Lane Driver Car Qual RT ET Speed 1. 2 3 Erica Enders, '21 Camaro 4 0.019 6.668 206.32 2. 409M 2 Cristian Cuadra, '19 Mustang 16 0.005 6.702 196.13 3. 7 4 Mason McGaha, '21 Camaro 15 0.064 6.684 205.85 4. 3 1 Dallas Glenn, '22 Camaro 6 NT-Broke After Staging
It’ll be a three week hiatus for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Then the teams will head to Houston, Texas for the SpringNationals and expect to see some fast times once again.