Pre-Race Report Event 04: Las Vegas NHRA Nationals The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas

 

Kalitta looking for first Vegas spring race win

Las Vegas Highlights: Two wins (Fall 2015, Fall 2004); Four finals (Spring 2014, Fall 2007, Spring 2005, Spring 2003); Two no.1 qualifiers (Spring 2005, Spring 2003)

Last Event Recap (Gainesville): Qualified second; Semi-finalist (Defeated Ike Maier in the first round and Leah Pritchett in the quarter-finals, lost to Antron Brown in the semi-finals)

2016 Las Vegas Nationals Recap: Qualified second; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Steve Faria in the first round, lost to Dave Connolly in the quarter-finals)

Quotable: “The Mac Tools team had a solid Gatornationals, but I would really love to pick up that first win of the season this weekend in Las Vegas. The Mac Tools Toyota dragster has performed strong here in the past, and I am confident in our chances.”

Career Stats: 437 starts, 594 round wins (10th all-time), 42 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel), 88 finals, 47 no.1 qualifiers (13th all-time)

2017 Season Stats: One final (Pomona-I); 5 round wins; fourth in the standings

2016 Season Stats: Four wins (Houston, Atlanta, Topeka, Pomona-II); Four no.1 qualifiers (Phoenix, Atlanta, Norwalk, Charlotte-II); Two finals (Pomona-I, Charlotte-II); 44 round wins; second in the final standings

Noteworthy: With a win, Kalitta would pass Bob Glidden for ninth all-time in total round wins; Could become the ninth driver to hit 600 round wins this season; also will reach 1,000 career rounds competed early this year (currently at 989)

Coughlin Jr. planning for strong Vegas debut

Noteworthy: National event win at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Super Comp in 2009 (first career national event win); Fourth career pro event; a leading candidate for Auto Club Road to Future trophy (best rookie driver); father is former Pro Mod champion (Troy Coughlin Sr.); uncle is former Pro Stock champion (Jeg Coughlin Jr.)

Last Event Recap (Gainesville): Qualified sixth; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Pat Dakin in the first round, lost to Antron Brown in the quarter-finals)

Quotable: “The learning continues and what better place to get back on track than Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The SealMaster Toyota dragster is fresh and ready to go thanks to my guys.”

2017 Season Stats: Three starts; Two round wins; seventh in the point standings

Career Info: Five national event wins (Three in Super Gas, Two in Super Comp); 2013 Division III Super Gas Champion; 2015 NHRA Pro Mod Rookie of the Year

 

Last fall’s finalist, Todd desires Vegas trophy

Las Vegas Highlights: Three finals (Fall 2016, Fall 2014, Fall 2006); Two No.1 Qualifiers (Spring 2015, Fall 2014)

Last Event Recap (Gainesville): Qualified seventh; First round defeat (Lost to Jonnie Lindberg in the first round)

2016 Las Vegas Nationals Recap (Top Fuel): Qualified ninth; Semi-finalist (Defeated Tony Schumacher in the first round and Steve Chrisman in the quarter-finals, lost to Troy Buff in the semi-finals)

Quotable: “Team Kalitta machines always run well in Las Vegas and we hope to keep the trend going with the DHL Toyota Camry.”

Career Stats: 151 starts, 151 round wins, 9 wins, 19 finals, 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 3 starts, 2 round wins)

2017 Season Stats: Three starts; Two round wins; Ninth in the point standings

2016 Season Stats: One win (Sonoma); Three finals (Atlanta, Norwalk, Chicago); One no.1 qualifier (Pomona-II); 37 round wins; fourth in the finals standings

Noteworthy: Attempting to become the 16th driver in NHRA history with a Top Fuel and Funny Car win; DHL celebrating 10th season of NHRA sponsorship

Media Availability & Special Guest: On Thursday, Todd will be a part of the Las Vegas pre-race Press Conference at Joe’s Seafood, Steak and Stone Crab. On Friday, Todd will welcome GRC star Alex Keyes to Las Vegas. Todd and Keyes are participating in a crossover event with Todd making laps in a GRC machine the following Tuesday.

 

DeJoria Las Vegas pre-race notes

Las Vegas Highlights: Reigning event champion; Two wins (Spring 2016, Spring 2014)

Last Event Recap (Gainesville): Qualified 11th; First round defeat (Lost to Ron Capps in the first round)

2016 Las Vegas Nationals Recap: Qualified sixth; Event Winner (Defeated Tommy Johnson Jr. in the first round, Robert Hight in the quarter-finals, John Force in the semi-final and Del Worsham in the final )

Career Stats: 119 starts, 82 round wins, 4 wins, 7 finals, 4 no.1 qualifiers

2017 Season Stats: Three starts; 12th in the point standings

2016 Season Stats: One win (Las Vegas-I); One semi-final (Bristol); One No. 1 qualifier (Charlotte-I); 13 round wins; 10th in the final standings