Fri, 26 Jul 2013, 17:23 PM 26th NHRA Sonoma Nationals Pit Notes

Courtesy of Diana Brennan

SONOMA, Calif. -- Sonoma Raceway will host the 26th NHRA Sonoma Nationals this weekend, July 26-28. Below are some notes of interest from past NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events in Sonoma:

• All eight track records were set in 2012. Speed and elapsed time records were both reset in Top Fuel by Spence Massey (328.62 mph, 3.777 seconds) and by Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle (198.35, 6.785)

• The 2012 NHRA Sonoma Nationals boasted three first-time Sonoma winners: Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

• Erica Enders is the only female to hold a current track record, which she holds for low ET in the Pro Stock class (6.512).

• Doug Kalitta is one of two NHRA drivers to three-peat in Sonoma. Kalitta did it from 1998-2000 in Top Fuel, and John Force from 1990-92 in Funny Car. Kalitta has five total victories, most recently in 2005.

• John Force holds the record for most NHRA career victories in Sonoma, with seven in the Funny Car class (1990-92, 1994, 2000, 2002 and 2007).

• Greg Anderson became the all-time winningest Pro Stock racer in Sonoma with his fourth-career victory in 2011, breaking a deadlock with Darrell Alderman, Jim Yates and Warren Johnson

• Joe Amato won the first-ever NHRA Top Fuel final at then-Sears Point Raceway in 1988. Other winners in the first year were Mark Oswald (Funny Car) and Harry Scribner (Pro Stock).

• Warren Johnson was the first Pro Stock driver to eclipse the 200 mph barrier in Sonoma, turning the quarter-mile at 201.16 mph in 2000.

• Don Prudhomme is the only driver to win in Sonoma in two different professional divisions - Funny Car in 1989 and Top Fuel in 1992.

• Andrew Hines holds the record for most wins in Pro Stock Motorcycle with two (2005, '08). There have been nine different winners in 10 years of Pro Stock Motorcycle competition in Sonoma.

• Antron Brown has reached the finals in both Top Fuel (2008) and Pro Stock Motorcycle (2004, '06). The only other racers to reach finals in two categories are Don Prudhomme (Top Fuel, Funny Car) and Gary Scelzi (Top Fuel, Funny Car).

• Tony Schumacher has reached the final round in Top Fuel five of the last seven years in Sonoma.

NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ]

Nov 06- LAS VEGAS - Top Alcohol Funny Car Final, Round 4 Eliminations
Nov 06- LAS VEGAS - Competition Eliminator Final, Round 5 Eliminations
Nov 06- LAS VEGAS - Top Dragster Final, Round 5 Eliminations
Nov 05- POMONA 2 - Event Preview
Nov 02- LAS VEGAS - Summary of Eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car
Nov 02- LAS VEGAS - Summary of Eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster
Nov 02- LAS VEGAS - Summary of Eliminations in Competition Eliminator
Nov 02- LAS VEGAS - Summary of Eliminations in Super Stock
Nov 02- LAS VEGAS - Summary of Eliminations in Stock Eliminator
Nov 02- LAS VEGAS - Summary of Eliminations in Super Gas