Mon, 04 Feb 2019, 14:58 PM NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Thrills Returning to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

CHANDLER, Ariz. - The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series powers back to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, bringing plenty of adrenaline-filled action early to the 2019 season with the 35th annual Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Arizona Nationals, Feb. 22-24.

The race marks the second of 24 stops during the 2019 NHRA season, giving all the top competitors in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock the chance to enjoy success and momentum to start the year. The race has been an early-season fixture for Southwest race fans for more than three decades, as the stars of the NHRA deliver high-intensity excitement with their 10,000-horsepower, nitro-breathing machines. Fans can expect more thrilling 330-mph action in 2019, as the duel in the desert will provide plenty of sensory-filled excitement and incredible moments.

The best in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will all look to get off to a quick start in 2019 at the circuit's annual visit to the Valley of the Sun. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) were last year's winners of a race that will once again be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including finals coverage on Sunday, Feb. 24.

Steve Torrence's season in Top Fuel started with a victory at Phoenix and finished with his first career world championship, as the talented Texan dominated the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. He swept all six races of the playoffs, taking his season win total to 11 and he'll look for repeat success at Phoenix after picking up 19 victories over the past two seasons. He'll go against a star-studded Top Fuel field that includes five-time race winner Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican, Leah Pritchett, who picked up back-to-back wins at the race in 2016 and 2017, three-time race winner Antron Brown, Brittany Force, Mike Salinas, Terry McMillen, and Doug Kalitta.

Steve Torrence, Courtney Force and Chris McGaha celebrate 2018 wins.

In Funny Car, Courtney Force won four events during the course of a successful year. J.R. Todd was able to win his first Funny Car world championship and will be hunted as the defending category champion during the year. Others to watch include three-time race winners Jack Beckman and Ron Capps, 2017 race winner Matt Hagan, John Force, who has an NHRA-best eight wins at Phoenix, Shawn Langdon, 2016 race winner Tim Wilkerson, Tommy Johnson Jr., Cruz Pedregon, Bob Tasca III, and Jonnie Lindberg.

Pro Stock's Chris McGaha earned his first career win at Phoenix a year ago, knocking off Jason Line in the final round. After each finished short of a championship in 2018, both standouts will look to start 2019 on the right note. Line has two career wins at the track, while longtime teammate Greg Anderson also has two Phoenix victories. Five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has two wins at the facility, while others to watch include two-time world champ Erica Enders, Deric Kramer who won two races in 2018, Alex Laughlin, and Matt Hartford.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where future stars of the sport hone their skills.

Those in attendance will also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with some of the biggest names in drag racing during the NHRA Legends Tour. This includes meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, and a variety of other activities. Legends scheduled to attend the NHRA Arizona Nationals will be announced soon.

Along with the exciting on-track action, the NHRA Arizona Nationals will honor first responders with NHRA's "Salute to First Responders" celebration.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they're granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA's popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Feb. 23, also at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate.