****** INJURY UPDATE ******
Pro Stock Motorcycle contender Angie Smith encountered a near 200-mph get off during Saturday qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway while trying to put her DENSO Buell into the show for the 12th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals. The 44-year old veteran and wife of six-time world champion Matt Smith barrel rolled into the runoff area. Smith suffered fractures to both feet and will need skin-graft surgery on her arm but is expected to make a full recovery.
Over the weekend, drag racing fans experienced the excitement of the NHRA Midwest Nationals. The annual event was a key stop on the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series as the host of the third round of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship chase. The Midwest Nationals feature the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction with both nitro and stock pro classes.
Fans witnessed the biggest names in professional drag racing compete for the coveted Wally trophy and Countdown points. As part of the thrilling Camping World series, the NHRA Midwest Nationals feature record-quick runs with wild on-and-off track moments, such as the legendary John Force securing his 1,000th round win on his 59th birthday and his daughter Brittany setting the Top Fuel speed record at 338.43 mph at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Fans flocked to the former Gateway International Raceway to enjoy three days of engaging with the world’s fastest race teams with an opportunity to get up close and personal. From watching skilled mechanics service the incredible 12,000-horsepower machines that cover the 1,000-foot racing surface to getting autographs from their favorite drivers, promoters made certain this year’s Midwest Nationals were memorable moments.
Greg Anderson Tops Pro Stock at WWT Raceway
Behind the wheel of the KB Titan Racing CIP 1 Chevrolet Camaro, Pro Stock veteran Matt Hartford entered the NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway with four wins and the Countdown to the Championship points lead. But, five-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson won the last event at zMAX Raceway to claim his 102nd class win and five-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders, who hasn’t lost at St. Louis in three years, looms four points back in her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro.
Aaron Stanfield defeated Camrie Caruso, Chris McGaha, and Bo Butner III enroute to the Final at World Wide Technology Raceway. The driver of the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro defeated Jerry Tucker, Deric Kramer and defending Pro Stock champion Erica Enders to earn a spot in the Final. With a slight advantage at the tree and a faster ET, Anderson claimed his 103rd Wally. Anderson has gone from eighth in playoff points to second just 25 points behind Enders.
Gaige Herrera Tops Pro Stock Motorcycles at WWT Raceway
Gaige Herrera entered the weekend at St. Louis with a 52-point lead over six-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith and a 54-point lead over the red-hot Hector Arana Jr who handed Herrera a redlight win at the last Countdown to the Championship event at the betway NHRA Carolina Nationals one week ago. Herrera has claimed seven national wins aboard the Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzuki (fastest Andrew Hines-tuned bike ever) Gen 3 Hayabusa during his brilliant rookie season.
With lots of chatter about Angie Smith’s qualifying crash on Saturday, Matt Smith eliminated Chris Bostick and Cory Reed before losing to Vance & Hines rider Eddie Krawiec in the semifinal matchup. Number one qualifier Gaige Herrera eliminated Smith’s teammate Joey Gladstone aboard her DENSO Suzuki and Chase Van Sant enroute to a final round matchup. Both Herrera and Krawiec were aboard Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzukis but Herrera continued his Cinderella season posting a slight advantage over his teammate from start to finish earning his eighth Wally during his rookie season.
Artwork courtesy of NHRA
UP COMING:
Texas NHRA FallNationals
Pro Stock teams will return to action at fourth of six Countdown to the Championship rounds at Texas Motorplex for Texas NHRA FallNationals. The event delivers some of the best racing action and off-track festivities for loyal drag racing fans. Top Pro Stock drivers will take to the track on October 12-15 to battle for valuable championship points at the first race of the second half of the Countdown.
