Story By: NHRA – LAS VEGAS, NV – Dallas Glenn’s first season in the NHRA Camping World Drag Series was filled with several impressive moments, including winning in just his fourth career start and getting a late-season victory at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway en route to being named the 2021 NHRA Rookie of the Year.
Three races into his second Pro Stock season, the young standout continues to raise the bar as his own expectations grow early in his career. He won the most recent race in Gainesville in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro, and Glenn will try to become the first multi-event winner in the class in 2022 at this weekend’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. His first Pro Stock victory came in the four-wide format last year in Charlotte, and coupled with the Vegas success he’s already had, it gives Glenn high hopes for the weekend.
“That first season there’s pressure to do well and then you get a season under your belt, it’s almost a different pressure,” said Glen, who now has four career victories. “You want to keep doing well and I have to prove this new car we’re in is just as good. This season is going to be just as tough and we’ve already had three different winners in three races, but it should be a really fun season.”
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) all picked up wins at last year’s four-wide race in Las Vegas. This year’s race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including eliminations coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, and is also the fourth race of the 2022 season. For Glenn, it’s a chance to close the gap on points leader Aaron Stanfield and build momentum on what he believes is a championship-caliber team.
He finished third in his rookie campaign and is currently fourth in points behind Stanfield, four-time world champ and defending event winner Enders and KB Racing teammate Kyle Koretsky. But it’s a class loaded with talent, including reigning world champ Greg Anderson, Mason McGaha, Troy Coughlin Jr., and Deric Kramer, so Glenn knows plenty of challenges await in Las Vegas.
But he’s also proven to be a quick learner in the four-wide format, taking an impressive victory in Charlotte a year ago. With his new car starting to come around, Glenn thinks the best is yet to come this season.
“Our team does an awesome job and we’ve been working on it a lot, and I think it’s going to be a really good hot rod,” Glenn said. “The car is working fantastic. Everyone was questioning why we were getting in a different car, but our team was like, ‘just wait.’ Once we get it figured out, we know it’s going to be a handful and I think we’re getting to that point. I can’t wait for the rest of the season, and I feel like this car is just going to keep getting better and better.”
Top Fuel’s Torrence, the four-time defending world champ, is after more four-wide dominance in Las Vegas, but will have to ward off a serious list of challengers, including points leader Mike Salinas, Pomona winner Justin Ashley, Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, and Brittany Force.
In Funny Car, Tasca will try to pick up his first victory of the 2022 season in a class loaded with marquee challengers. That includes points leader Robert Hight, who has two wins this year, as well as defending world champ Ron Capps, Gainesville winner Matt Hagan, J.R. Todd, Alexis DeJoria, John Force and Cruz Pedregon.
The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which features some of the sport’s top drivers. After nitro qualifying on both days, fans take watch a thrilling jet car display featuring the “Muy Caliente” jets, as well as the “Volcano” jet dragster.
On Saturday, Toyota-sponsored drivers will be signing autographs at 10:30 a.m. at the Toyota Midway Display, while throughout the weekend fans can attend Nitro School to learn more about how the cars operate and reach their thrilling speeds.
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and also includes the SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals winners.
As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Las Vegas. This unique opportunity gives fans a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family. The new Pep Boys midway display will include tire change challenges, oil change challenges, a slot car track and much more, adding even more excitement to the midway.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12:30 and 3 p.m. PT on Friday, April 1 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 2 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 3. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, and then eliminations action at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.