Heartland Motorsports Park is located on the southside of Tulsa and has played host to some of the best drag racing over the past three decades. Coming off of the NHRA Western Swing, teams rolled into the 700-acre park for the 14th of 22 national events at the 33rd annual Menards Nationals. Over the years, drag racing fans have seen many record-setting runs by the world’s fastest drag racers.
Track officials recently announced the facility’s full support of drag racing's move toward “Going Green”. Heartland Motorsports Park added an Electric Vehicle category to each of its nine ET Racing Series events. Eco-friendly drivers compete in a handicap-style bracket eliminations over the full quarter mile with its 660-foot concrete launch pad.
The 2022 nationals marked the first time since 1997 that all four NHRA pro classes (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycles) saw action at the same event. Joey Gladstone and Troy Coughlin Jr didn’t have to wait long to claim the second win of their career in Pro Stock Motorcycles and Pro Stock classes, respectively, at Heartland Motorsports Park on Sunday.
Gladstone Claims Back-to-Back Wins in Pro Stock Motorcycles
For Joey Gladstone, dreams do come true. After the rider of the J&A Service Suzuki Hayabusa finished Saturday’s rounds as the Number One qualifier in Pro Stock Motorcycles, he didn’t let up. Gladstone posted wins over David Barron and Angie Smith to set the stage for Sunday’s Final against Eddie Kraweic. Kraweic advanced to the Final Round at Topeka by defeating Ryan Oehler, defending world champion Matt Smith, and Jerry Savoie.
Gladstone put the topping on a perfect race weekend with a 6.876 ET at 195.59 mph to defeat four-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Eddie Kraweic. The Vance & Hines team rider took the title in 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2017. Gladstone happily denied Kraweic his 50th career win. His victory in Tulsa gives Gladstone a 64-point lead over three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Angelle Sampey.
Coughlin Jr Denies Anderson His 100th NHRA Win
Troy Coughlin Jr entered the 33rd annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals as the most recent winner in Seattle. His victory at the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals was the first Pro Stock Wally for the third generation drag racer. Coughlin Jr defeated Chris McGaha, Fernando Cuadra Jr, and four-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders to reach his second consecutive final round.
The legendary Greg Anderson was the Number One qualifier and carded wins over Bo Butner III and Kyle Koretsky to reach the Final. Coughlin Jr, whose father won the Pro Stock at the Topeka track back in 2002, was first off the tree with a .038 reaction time and posted the quickest time (6.680 ET) at the faster speed (206.54 mph) to deny Anderson his 100th victory in NHRA Pro Stock competition.
Up Coming:
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action Aug. 18-21 with the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn.
