Exciting Top Fuel Rematches Set as Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Kicks Off at Final NHRA Arizona Nationals

PHOENIX, AZ – March 21, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The final NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series race at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park will also include matchups in the first-ever Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, with an intriguing foursome in Top Fuel set to rematch as part of this weekend’s last NHRA Arizona Nationals.

The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge brings competitive racing to the qualifying schedule on Saturday at 12 regular-season events during the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series campaign, pitting semifinalists from the previous race against each other in a pair of rematches, with the two winners then matching up in the final qualifying session.

That starts in Phoenix, with Gainesville Top Fuel winner Mike Salinas taking on Leah Pruett and Steve Torrence facing off with Doug Kalitta. With a bonus purse and bonus playoff points on the line, Salinas is hopeful for a big weekend in his 11,000-horsepower Scrappers Racing dragster at a track where he won in 2022.

“We’re going to have fun,” Salinas said. “We won in Phoenix last year, and our car runs good there. If the driver comes to work, I think we’re going to have a great year because we haven’t stopped thinking about this stuff. All my guys eat, sleep, and drink this stuff.”

Salinas (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) all won last year in Phoenix. This year’s race will again be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), with Pruett and Kalitta getting a chance at redemption. Pruett posted a solid semifinal finish in her 11,000-horsepower Dodge Direct Connection dragster to open the year and getting a chance to knock off Salinas and get some bonus in the process is a huge incentive this weekend.

“We don’t throw the phrase around the pit with our Dodge Sublime green dragster ‘let’s go get that money’ for nothing,” Pruett said. “These extra points will be nice and possibly pay off when it comes down to positions for the countdown. I want to see my guys be able to get rewarded for their dedication and hard work and this is just a little help in that direction. Also, racing on Saturday is way cool. I love the whole concept.”

Kalitta has enjoyed success in Phoenix over the years, qualifying No. 1 at the track last year. On the verge of his 50th career win in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster, the veteran is thrilled to get to face off with Torrence this Saturday at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports…