NHRA Drivers Double Down for Ford Performance NHRA National at Penultimate Event of 2024 Season

LAS VEGAS, NV – October 3, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – As the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series nears the finish line, drivers have their sights set on a NHRA world championships as they approach the penultimate event of the year, the 24th annual Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 31 – Nov. 3.

The Ford Performance NHRA Nationals marks the fifth of six races in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs and the 19th of 20 races in 2024, as drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will be focused on every captivating round of racing – which could put them a step closer to championship glory.

Loaded with specialty classes and an electric Las Vegas atmosphere where every 330-mph run is critical, the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals is a thrill ride from start to finish. The race, which always draws a massive crowd, opens with a pair of qualifying runs on both Friday and Saturday, leading to a memorable Sunday of eliminations where the intensity will be at a fever pitch in Sin City.

Last season, Mike Salinas (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock) all won the late-season race in Las Vegas. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 3.

2023 winners Gaige Herrera, Erica Enders, Mike Salinas and Robert Hight

Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown will look for a Las Vegas victory to strengthen his chances for a fourth world title. It’s his first time leading the points since 2017 thanks to two playoff wins, but he’s facing off against a loaded Top Fuel field, including Justin Ashley, who is just 34 points back in second. Other championship contenders include Shawn Langdon, reigning champion Doug Kalitta, who won the spring race in Vegas, and former champions Steve Torrence and Tony Schumacher, who picked up the playoff victory in St. Louis.

The 2024 Funny Car season has been dominated by John Force Racing’s Austin Prock, who took over driving duties for Hight. Prock has seven wins on the season, including two wins in the Countdown. He currently leads the way in the class and has a 105-point lead over his teammate Jack Beckman, who is racing in place of the 16-time champion John Force. Also in the hunt is Bob Tasca III, who won the Las Vegas Four-Wide event, three-time champion Ron Capps and reigning champion Matt Hagan.

Reigning Pro Stock…