Hart, DeJoria, C. Cuadra and Herrera Race to Provisional No.1 Spots at Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

CONCORD, NC – April 29, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Josh Hart put himself in position for his first career No. 1 qualifier, powering to the provisional top spot in Top Fuel on Friday at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

Alexis DeJoria (Funny Car), Cristian Cuadra (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the fifth of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

Hart delivered a run of 3.689-seconds at 328.38 mph in his 11,000-horsepower R&L Carriers dragster, putting together two strong runs as he aims for the first No. 1 in his career and making the only run in the 3.60s on Friday. His second career win in Top Fuel also came at the Charlotte fall race during his rookie season in 2021, and Hart has done well in the four-wide setting, advancing to the final quad the last two years in Charlotte.

“The team deserves it. (Crew chief) Ron Douglas and the crew always give me a great car,” Hart said. “We’ve been learning a lot about each other and gelling properly, and it’s nice to hit that milestone and show what we’re capable of.

It was never a car problem, it was a driver problem, I’ll openly admit that. I can make a bunch of excuses, but I just didn’t get the job done. I learned a lot the last race in Vegas. Overall, you watch these guys busting their butts every single weekend and you just have to focus and do your job. Every day is a new start, but we’ve got a great car and a great team. A lot of good morale over there, and it’s just about surrounding yourself with good people.”

Austin Prock’s 3.707 at 328.70 during the second session gave him the second spot, while points leader Steve Torrence had two strong runs, including a 3.708 at 330.55 that puts him in the third spot.

DeJoria’s stellar start to the 2023 season in Funny Car continued, as she raced to the No. 1 spot to close out qualifying, going 3.876 at 333.08 in her 11,000-horsepower Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra. If it holds, it would give DeJoria her first No. 1 qualifier this season and seventh in her career. She’s qualified second the past three races, putting together a series of consistent results that currently has the standout third in points. The only thing missing thus far is her first victory of the season, something DeJoria looks to change this weekend.

“I have yet to win a four-wide so it’s exciting to be number one right now,” DeJoria said. “Hopefully it stays. God willing we’ll stay No. 1 and make it to the winner’s circle on Sunday, but you can’t think that far ahead.

“We’ve been working towards this, our current success, so we’re really excited about how we’re running. This is the best start to our season; it’s been so consistent, and it’s about getting down the track and quickly when a lot of cars haven’t. Having a good consistent racecar is a huge confidence builder for the entire team. It does a lot for us, and I can tell.

“I want to win this race. It’s time. It’s past time. We need to win this race.”

Cruz Pedregon, who has qualified No. 1 the past two races, is currently second with a 3.879 at 327.11 and Robert Hight’s 3.894 at 330.23 has him third.

Cuadra jumped to the top during the final session in Pro Stock, looking to grab his second career No. 1 qualifier thanks to his run of 6.558 at 208.91 in his Corral Boots Chevrolet Camaro. Cuadra earned his first career No. 1 qualifier earlier this season in Phoenix and made a big jump in the second session on Friday in Charlotte. He’s also one of four members of the Cuadra family racing this season, as his brothers, Fernando Jr. and David, are competing, with his father, Fernando Sr., also racing. David Cuadra is making his first Pro Stock start this season, but everyone is chasing Cristian at the moment.

“I’m really happy about that run,” Cuadra said. “After the (first) run I was nervous; I was first pair out and nervous to shake (the tires), but the guys from Elite, they gave me a really good engine. I put it all together, and I’m number one for the moment. I’m happy. The four wide puts a little bit more pressure on the driver, but I love it. Sometimes it gets confusing for us, but if you’re able to focus on your lane, you can do really, really good.”

Deric Kramer’s 6.566 at 208.46 puts him third, while points leader Dallas Glenn, who has won back-to-back races, is right behind in third after going 6.575 at 209.20.

It’s been nearly two months since Pro Stock Motorcycle opened its season in Gainesville, but Herrera kept rolling with a run of 6.758 at 201.10 on his Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzuki. Herrera qualified No. 1 and won in Gainesville to open the year, earning his first career victory in the category, and continued to impress on Friday in Charlotte. It has the young phenom on track for his second straight No. 1 qualifier as Herrera made a huge run under the lights at zMAX Dragway.

“This feels good. We had a little problem in Q1, but sometimes you’ll have that. I have all the confidence in the world in my Vance & Hines/Mission Foods team,” Herrera said. “We’ve got two more rounds tomorrow and anything can happen, but we’ll see if we can keep It going.”

“There is a lot more to pay attention to (in four-wide racing). I just wanted to make sure I didn’t get timed out, which seems like the biggest thing. I went up and watched Pro Mod before we ran to see how it all went so hopefully, I got a little rhythm going.”

His teammate, Eddie Krawiec, is currently second after going 6.765 at 197.77 and Hector Arana Jr. is third with a 6.825 at 200.80.

Qualifying continues at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

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CONCORD, NC — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 13th annual Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, fifth of 21 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Josh Hart, 3.689 seconds, 329.50 mph; 2. Austin Prock, 3.707, 328.70; 3. Steve Torrence, 3.708, 332.92; 4. Clay Millican, 3.725, 330.63; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.727, 332.18; 6. Mike Salinas, 3.728, 327.74; 7. Brittany Force, 3.730, 328.70; 8. Justin Ashley, 3.733, 331.28; 9. Tony Schumacher, 3.741, 326.79; 10. Dan Mercier, 3.752, 315.34; 11. Leah Pruett, 3.770, 323.19; 12. Doug Kalitta, 3.770, 320.97; 13. Pat Dakin, 3.791, 323.66; 14. Jacob McNeal, 3.801, 319.60; 15. Doug Foley, 3.832, 310.98; 16. Antron Brown, 3.897, 313.73.
Not Qualified: 17. Keith Murt, 4.088, 309.84.

Funny Car — 1. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Supra, 3.876, 333.08; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 3.879, 327.11; 3. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.894, 330.31; 4. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.912, 325.53; 5. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.941, 326.71; 6. J.R. Todd, Supra, 3.971, 327.66; 7. Mike McIntire, Toyota Camry, 4.134, 295.01; 8. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.460, 213.47; 9. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.660, 173.78; 10. John Force, Camaro, 4.966, 772.00; 11. Ron Capps, Supra, 5.355, 139.07; 12. Alex Laughlin, Charger, 5.594, 127.52; 13. Dale Creasy Jr., Charger, 5.749, 122.44; 14. John Smith, Charger, 6.695, 104.71; 15. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 7.369, 96.99.

Pro Stock — 1. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.558, 208.91; 2. Deric Kramer, Chevy Camaro, 6.566, 208.46; 3. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.575, 209.20; 4. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.576, 207.85; 5. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.578, 207.98; 6. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.581, 209.79; 7. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.581, 208.36; 8. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.584, 209.01; 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.589, 209.10; 10. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.589, 207.72; 11. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.591, 207.98; 12. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Mustang, 6.596, 208.23; 13. David Cuadra, Mustang, 6.596, 208.10; 14. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.598, 209.62; 15. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.609, 208.62; 16. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.622, 208.91.
Not Qualified: 17. Fernando Cuadra, 6.633, 207.02; 18. Kenny Delco, 6.661, 208.01; 19. Val Smeland, 6.674, 207.21; 20. Alan Prusiensky, 6.674, 204.54; 21. Shane Tucker, 6.684, 207.88; 22. Larry Morgan, 8.764, 106.90; 23. Brandon Miller, 31.702, 25.73.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.758, 201.10; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.765, 197.77; 3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.825, 200.80; 4. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.836, 199.29; 5. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.854, 197.94; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.860, 195.08; 7. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.900, 195.59; 8. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.901, 191.35; 9. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.902, 193.85; 10. John Hall, Buell, 6.951, 194.41; 11. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.961, 190.11; 12. Marcus Hylton, 7.109, 187.63; 13. Ron Tornow, Victory, 7.314, 180.55; 14. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.458, 179.04; 15. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 8.685, 104.01; 16. Angie Smith, EBR, 13.025, 63.27.

To purchase tickets to the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, please visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 800-455-3267. Children 13 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.

About Camping World Holdings, Inc.

Camping World Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, (together with its subsidiaries) is America’s largest retailer of RVs and related products and services. Our vision is to build a long-term legacy business that makes RVing fun and easy, and our Camping World and Good Sam brands have been serving RV consumers since 1966. We strive to build long-term value for our customers, employees, and shareholders by combining a unique and comprehensive assortment of RV products and services with a national network of RV dealerships, service centers and customer support centers along with the industry’s most extensive online presence and a highly trained and knowledgeable team of associates serving our customers, the RV lifestyle, and the communities in which we operate. We also believe that our Good Sam organization and family of programs and services uniquely enable us to connect with our customers as stewards of the RV enthusiast community and the RV lifestyle. With RV sales and service locations in 42 states, Camping World has grown to become the prime destinations for everything RV. For more information, visit www.CampingWorld.com

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 21 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown™ and Top Fuel Harley Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association

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