Story By: NHRA – KENT, WA – After growing up racing at Pacific Raceways, Pro Stock’s Dallas Glenn will get the chance to race at the track for the first time as a professional driver during this weekend’s 33rd annual Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals.
The reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year is part of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ return to Seattle and it’s an event that means a great deal to Glenn. He raced in several family cars at the track growing up, moving into Stock in the sportsman ranks and in the first NHRA race back at the facility in three years, he’ll perform in front of family and friends in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro.
That brings plenty of anticipation for Glenn, who is currently fifth in Pro Stock points, and while he’s thrilled to get the opportunity to race at Pacific Raceways, he’s determined to keep it business as usual to close out the three-race NHRA Western Swing.
“There’s a lot of people around here that supported me, but it’s going to be a good time and I’m definitely excited to come here, race and take a Pro Stock car down the track,” Glenn said. “I’ve made a lot of laps here in a lot of different cars, and it’s going to be a lot of fun to do it in a Pro Stock car. Racing in front of a hometown crowd, it’s going to be really good, and it’s been great hearing about all the people around here that are fans.
“We’ll have fun and I’ll enjoy seeing everyone, but when there’s a job to be done, you have to put your head down and work. It would be great to win, but if you can’t see yourself winning every race you go to, you probably need to reevaluate what you’re doing. You have to know you can go out there and do it.”
Austin Prock (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) won the race in 2019, the last time the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series raced at Pacific Raceways. This year’s race will be broadcast on both the FOX broadcast network and Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including live eliminations coverage starting at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 31 on FOX. It is the 11th race of the 2022 Pro Stock season and Glenn, who is currently fifth in points, views this weekend as a chance to get his season rolling with the Countdown to the Championship quickly approaching.
His year started in strong fashion, winning the Gatornationals in March, and advancing to the final round of the four-wide race in Vegas, but he’s only been to the semifinals once since then. It’s been a difficult Western Swing thus far, though Glenn saw some positives in Sonoma by qualifying fifth and picking up a round win. That’s a step in the right direction for Glenn and he is set on taking another step this weekend.
Of course, nothing comes easy in Pro Stock, where Glenn has to deal with the likes of points leader Erica Enders, who continues to enjoy a dominant season, picking up her sixth win of the year last weekend in Sonoma. Others to watch include reigning world champ Greg Anderson, Denver winner Matt Hartford, who won the race in 2019, Aaron Stanfield, Kyle Koretsky, and rookie Camrie Caruso, but Glenn is determined to put on a show.
“I feel pretty good about things,” said Glenn, who has four career wins. “Denver is always tough and totally different from anything we race at. At Sonoma, I felt like we did pretty well. All you can do is kind of chip away and the biggest thing is making improvements on our end. You need to take the ball into your own hands, put your head down and keep grinding.
“We’ll keep picking away at it, try some little things and see how the car responds. It’s easy to dig yourself into a hole with these cars, so we just have to keep working. I do feel like I’ve gotten into a better spot than at the beginning of the year, but when the Countdown comes you have to make sure you’re on your ‘A’ game. Time is running out to get everything dialed in, so there is increased pressure that way.”
Prock’s first career victory in the Top Fuel ranks came at Seattle during the 2019 race when he beat four-time defending world champ Steve Torrence in the final round. Prock will look to get back in the win column at Pacific Raceways, but it won’t be easy against the likes of teammate and points leader Brittany Force, who has four wins this season, Mike Salinas, another four-time race winner in 2022, Torrence, Justin Ashley, who has two wins this year, Antron Brown, and Tony Schumacher, who each have four wins at Seattle, Denver winner Leah Pruett, Doug Kalitta, and Josh Hart.
In Funny Car, Force made history at Pacific Raceways in 2019 with his 150th career win. The 16-time Funny Car world champ enjoyed a memorable celebration after the historic win and the legendary driver returns to Seattle looking for his second win this season and the 10th in his career at the track. Nobody has won more than Force at Seattle, but he’ll face plenty of challenges against points leader Robert Hight, Tim Wilkerson, who has three wins in Seattle, defending world champ Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, J.R. Todd, Cruz Pedregon, Sonoma winner Bob Tasca III, and Alexis DeJoria.
The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers, as well as Street Legal exhibition runs. A special cacklefest will take place on the return road after nitro qualifying on Friday and then in the nostalgia pits on Saturday. The race also features the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout, with eight young drivers competing for the win. The final round will take place on Sunday and will be featured during the FOX broadcast.
The Total Seal Tech Talk Engine Seminar takes place at Matt Hartford’s Pro Stock Car Pit at 1 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. Fans can also attend Nitro School at 12 p.m. on Saturday in Clay Millican’s pits to learn more about how the cars operate and reach their thrilling speeds. For autograph-seeking fans, they can attend an autograph session featuring Toyota drivers at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Toyota Display.
Race fans at Pacific Raceways can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite 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 Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals event winners.
As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Seattle. 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 one round at 6:00 p.m. PT on Friday, July 29, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, July 30 at 1:15 and 4:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday, July 31. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, and then eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET Sunday.
NHRA ADDS A/FUEL ENGINE PROGRAM TO TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR CLASS FOR 2023 LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES
In a move designed to strengthen the class, improve participation, and drive innovation, NHRA officials have announced the addition of an A/Fuel engine program for the Top Alcohol Funny Car class beginning in the 2023 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
The Top Alcohol Funny Car class features some of the top drivers in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, with cars capable of reaching speeds of more than 270 mph and covering the quarter-mile in less than 5.4-seconds.
With the addition of the A/Fuel (injected nitromethane) engine program into the class, NHRA will look to increase participation in the class, and give drivers and race teams another viable, efficient option to run in the thrilling category.
NHRA officials have released a full ruleset for the new combination, which can be viewed at NHRARACER.com.
“We’re really excited to introduce the A/Fuel engine program to Top Alcohol Funny Car in 2023,” NHRA Technical Services/ Top Alcohol Rules Committee Chairman Josh Hamming said. “This is something we’ve been working on for several years and it’s all about building new excitement and a sustainable business model for the category. We believe there is going to be strong interest right off the bat, will reduce costs for interested teams and we’re eager to see this class continue to grow.
“The rules committee came up with a rule set that allows racers to enter the class and be competitive, but not dominate. We will evaluate performance from the start and will make adjustments as needed.”
Prior to the announcement, NHRA officials worked closely with teams, drivers, team owners and NHRA Division Directors to develop an A/Fuel engine program that is economically efficient for interested participants. As an added benefit, the ruleset and opportunities afforded by the injected nitro combination can also serve as a viable path for drivers, teams, and crew members to ultimately advance to the nitro Funny Car class in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series.
“We wanted to come up with an option that will be more efficient for teams,” NHRA Vice President of Competition Ned Walliser said. “We’re confident there will be significant savings over the course of a full season running the A/Fuel program. The ruleset will also allow teams to purchase bodies, chassis, engine parts and other items from nitro teams, allowing for a significant reduction in costs.
“It’s also going to provide a better stepping-stone for drivers, crew chiefs crew members if their goal is to race in nitro Funny Car. That is a big development and we’re excited about that. Our goal is to continue to build participation at every level and this addition to Top Alcohol Funny Car should only help that.”
Drivers in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class were also excited about the decision to add A/Fuel to the category, believing it will aid in long-term success and viability. It will also continue to be a marquee class that tracks can promote at NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series regional and divisional events.
“I think it’s going to be a good thing for our class and it’s a step in the right direction to help increase participation,” said 2020 Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion Doug Gordon. “We needed to step out of our comfort zones and come up with some new ideas to add more cars to the class. I’m looking forward to it. I want 16-car fields and I want to have to fight for the win against a full field.
“By bringing in the A/Fuel program, I think it will help someone jump in one of these cars and be competitive right away, and that will bring more people to the class. I think it’s going to be good addition.”
