In April at the 4-Wide National, racing fans saw a historic double-up for Tony Stewart Racing, as racing legend Tony Stewart (Top Fuel) and Funny Car (Funny Car) points leader Matt Hagan both claimed victories in front of a roaring crowd at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Previously known as Las Vegas Speedway Park, a quarter-mile drag strip debuted in February 1972, making Las Vegas a racing hub for over fifty years. The Strip is a must-visit destination for racing enthusiasts.
Located just a stone's throw away from the famous "Las Vegas Casino Strip," The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway provides the top professional drivers with the opportunity to reach record-setting speeds. Erica Enders, a six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion, recorded a 6.559-second elapsed time at 210.28 mph. Matt Smith holds the track record for pro stock motorcycle, with a time of 6.840 seconds elapsed time and a speed of 198.64 mph.
As one of the most iconic drag strips in the United States, The Strip expanded to four lanes in 2018 and continues to provide spectators with thrilling racing action. With speeds exceeding 330 miles per hour, this drag strip has been the backdrop for world championships and record-breaking performances throughout the years. The Strip a bad-ass piece of pavement that continued to deliver unforgettable racing over the weekend that left racing fans in awe.
Erica Enders Wins Pro Stock at Las Vegas
In Pro Stock, Kyle Koretsky claimed Number One qualifier at The Strip with a 6.589-seconds elapsed time at 205.66 mph in his KB Titan/Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro. It was the first time this season Koretsky top the field in qualifying. Defending world champion Erica Enders qualified the Elite Motorsports Camaro second overall. In eliminations, Greg Anderson defeated Aaron Stanfield, No. 1 qualifier Kyle Koretsky, and Matt Hartford enroute to the Pro Stock Final.
Enders eliminated Mason McGaha, Troy Coughlin Jr, and Jeg Coughlin Jr to earn her spot in Sunday’s Pro Stock final round. In the Pro Stock Final, Enders had a .012 RT and was gone. After the penultimate event at The Strip, Erica Enders is leaving Las Vegas with a 114-point lead over five-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson. Matt Hartford heads to Pomona trailing by 155 points in third and Dallas Glenn is 179 points down with one race to go.
Gaige Herrera Wins Pro Stock Motorcycle at Las Vegas
Gaige Herrera dominated qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the 23rd annual Nevada Nationals and was the only rider to run in the 6.70s – something the Vance & Hines rider did three times, including a track-record pass on Friday at 6.760-seconds ET. With a 161-point lead over Krawiec, Herrera would need to finish two rounds ahead to clinch the 2023 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship. For starters, Herrera eliminated Angie Smith, Marc Ingwersen, and Jerry Savoie enroute to the Final.
Teammate Krawiec defeated Karen Stoffer, Steve Johnson and Jianna Evaristo to punch his ticket to the showdown against Herrera. Krawiec nails an advantage at the tree but Herrera posts a 6.755 ET and the win. Herrera is leaving Las Vegas with 181-point lead over his Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzuki teammate Eddie Krawiec with defending NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith 269 points back in third place for the Countdown to the Championship.
Artwork courtesy of NHRA
UP COMING:
In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals
Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle teams will return to the famed Pomona Dragstrip for the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Countdown to the Championship Finals on November 9-12. Drag racing fans can expect the intensity to be fever pitch amid the high-stakes, high-speed drama where the 2023 Stock World Champions will be crowned.
