The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout is a unique non-points specialty race that took center stage Saturday at the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Initially introduced during the 2022 drag racing season, the fan-favorite event features eight of the NHRA’s most elite Top Fuel drivers pitted against each other in a “callout” format.
With big money ($80,000 to the winner) and season-long bragging rights at stake, the one-day shootout featured reigning NHRA Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force, defending 2022 callout winner Steve Torrence, Justin Ashley, Mike Salinas, Doug Kalitta, Josh Hart, Austin Prock, and Clay Millican.
As defending class champion, Force had honors and picked eight-seed Clay Millican for her round one matchup. Last year’s callout winner Steve Torrence picked long-time foe Doug Kalitta as his opening round challenger. With the last official pick, Justin Ashley picked Mike Salinas leaving the final pairing of R+L Carrier’s Josh Hart against Pomona winner Austin Prock.
Ocala’s Josh Hart Wins $80,000 Top Fuel Callout
Brittany Force nailed the tree with a .049 reaction time and posted a 335.48 mph victory over Clay Millican. Steve Torrence saw his callout strategy go up in smoke when Doug Kalitta left the defending Pep Boys Top Fuel champion at the start. Mike Salinas laid down the second fastest ET to beat Justin Ashley to the finish line. Ocala-native Josh Hart defeated Austin Prock to advance to the semifinals.
Josh Hart proved he was definitely up for the challenge with a holeshot and win over Force, who was the pre-event favorite. Team owner and driver of the Valley Scrappers top fuel dragster, Mike Salina outran Kalitta to the finish. In the Callout Final, Hart was ready to defend his home turf in front of friends and family with a .041 RT and 3.748 elapsed time to claim the winner-take-all $80,000 top prize.
photo courtesy of Gainesville Raceway
UP COMING:
Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout
Reigning NHRA Funny Car world champion Ron Capps will have first pick for his round one opponent as the NAPA driver looks for his second specialty event win at Indy. The Pep Boys All-Star Callout will be a Saturday feature as part of the prestigious Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Sunday, September 3rd.
