Drag racing’s most awe-inspiring spectacle is a week from returning to America’s Home for Racing, as zMAX Dragway plays host to NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series four-wide drag racing in the 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 26-28.
Drag racing’s ultimate thrill ride provides a sensory overload that is unmatched in the sport as a quartet of 11,000-horsepower, nitro-burning machines will ignite the facility known as the Bellagio of drag strips. New for this year is a Friday-night, four-wide Night of Fire which will feature a festival of thrilling Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle action under the lights.
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won last year’s events.
Torrence swept both races at zMAX Dragway and also won the four-wide race in 2017, so the defending Top Fuel world champion will look to continue his reign of dominance at the state-of-the-art facility. Torrence, who won 11 races in 2018, will have to get past points leader Doug Kalitta, who won the opening race in Pomona, and a star-studded field that also includes Leah Pritchett, five-time Charlotte winner Antron Brown, 2017 world champion Brittany Force, Clay Millican and Richie Crampton.
Cruz Pedregon snapped a long winless streak a year ago in Funny Car when he triumphed in the final round at zMAX Dragway. It gave Pedregon his first four-wide victory and second total at the facility, but repeating in the loaded class won’t be easy. Robert Hight has been scorching early in 2019, winning three of the first five events. He has a class-best five wins in Charlotte, including a pair of four-wide wins, but he’ll be pushed by Phoenix winner Matt Hagan, John Force Racing teammate and 16-time world champ John Force, Jack Beckman, Tommy Johnson Jr., 2016 world champ Ron Capps, defending world champion J.R. Todd, Bob Tasca, Tim Wilkerson and Shawn Langdon.
Veteran Jerry Savoie, the 2016 world champion in Pro Stock Motorcycle, grabbed his first four-wide victory a season ago with five-time world champion Andrew Hines finishing as runner-up. Hines started his 2019 season on a strong note with a victory in Gainesville, a welcome sign after going winless in 2018. He’ll look to build on that and earn his third four-wide victory and seventh overall at the track. But Hines, whose six wins at zMAX are the most in NHRA history, will have to deal with the likes of teammates Eddie Krawiec and Angelle Sampey, who have a combined seven world titles, defending world champ Matt Smith, Hector Arana Jr. and Joey Gladstone.
The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service makes the third of 12 stops in 2019 with its appearance at zMAX Dragway. Jose Gonzalez grabbed his first career win in the popular class last year at the event, while Todd Tutterow claimed the season-opening victory in Gainesville.
Additionally, the exciting Mountain Motor Pro Stock class will make its four-wide racing debut next weekend. With dynamic paint schemes and throwback hood scoops, Mountain Motor Pro Stock cars bring maximum entertainment value when they hit the track. The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, showcasing the future stars of the sport.
Along with the exciting on-track action, the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals will honor first responders with NHRA’s “Salute to First Responders” celebration.
As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans should also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 27, at 2:00 and 4:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.
TICKETS:
Weekend passes to the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals include tickets to Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s events as well as a parking pass and access to the pit areas. Weekend passes start at just $99 with single-day tickets and camping packages also available. Visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets or call 800-455-FANS (3267) for more details.
CMS PR
