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LAS VEGAS - Top Fuel's Mike Salinas powered to the No. 1 qualifying position on Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, taking the top spot on the final run of the session at the 23rd annual NHRA Nevada Nationals. Robert Hight (Funny Car), Kyle Koretsky (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also qualified No. 1 at the 20th of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, and the fifth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
"We were trying to run a 3.67 but Rob [Flynn, crew chief] backed down it a little bit because he saw something that wasn't right, so he did a great job," Salinas said. "Don't underestimate anybody in this class. Everybody is good and you have to be on your 'A' game. Our car has been there recently, but I've been distracted as a driver. This weekend, I fixed that. We have a lot on our plate, and we took care of it, just compartmentalizing everything and with the right people around us, we'll be just fine." Torrence ended up in second with his 3.683 at 331.69 and Prock qualified third thanks to a 3.696 at 328.66. Heading into eliminations, Leah Pruett leads Doug Kalitta by just one points and Steve Torrence by only six points.
That bumped Hight back into the No. 1 spot, with Tasca now moving to second with his 3.853 at 335.73 from Friday. Points leader Matt Hagan took the third spot with a 3.871 at 322.58. Hagan has won the last two playoff races.
"We didn't give up after making a good run Q1, they kept digging and trying to get better and better every round, and that just shows the dedication of KB Titan," Koretsky said. "The last few races, we've been behind - but they keep pushing, keep pushing me, and keep trying to make me better. We just keep on going. "They believe in me, and that gives you a lot of confidence as a driver. That's real important. The last few races I've been down and out, but we didn't give up. A win tomorrow would do a lot for me personally. I think we have a shot, I really do. I never enter the property thinking we don't have a shot. I think I need this. I really do. I know everyone wants to win out here, but I think this weekend's mine. Vegas has been somewhat good to me in the past, so I'm going to try to get the win." Enders, who is also the defending event winner and world champion, qualified second, going 6.592 at 208.07. Cristian Cuadra also made a big jump in the final session, taking third with a 6.604 at 206.80.
"I'm thrilled with how we ran all weekend," Herrera said. "I'm glad to get our 13th No. 1 qualifier so far this season out of 14 races. That right there is just a big accomplishment for Andrew [Hines, crew chief], all the guys back at the shop, and me just being consistent on the motorcycle. From Friday to today, my bike is basically a bracket bike. It's consistent and fast, and that's what we want. I'm excited for tomorrow. As long as we go A to B I think we'll continue gaining little points over my teammate and getting closer. "We're making changes in between each round chasing the weather trying to keep the bike running the same no matter the conditions. That's helping us out a lot as far as our tuning window - and as far as me riding it. The bike always feels like the same bike no matter the conditions. I think it helps me and Andrew out a lot as far as him tuning, me riding, and it's paying off." Herrera's teammate, Krawiec, qualified second with a 6.830 at 198.85 and defending world champion Matt Smith is a spot behind after going 6.842 at 196.53. Eliminations for the NHRA Nevada Nationals begin at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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