NHRA Sonoma Nationals begin Friday

With the National Hot Rod Association’s Division 7 Drag Races, including the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, taking place over the weekend at Sonoma Raceway, the stage is set for the NHRA’s main event in the Valley, the Sonoma Nationals weekend.

The 27th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals take place on Sonoma Raceway’s world-class quarter-mile drag strip from Friday, July 25, through Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27, with four race categories of competition, including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Last year’s Sonoma Nationals saw three NHRA racers claim their first class wins in the Valley, including Shawn Langdon, Vincent Nobile Jr. and Hector Arana Jr., with Ron Capps capturing his third Funny Car title in four years (2010, ’11, ’13).

The 2013 NHRA series champions were Langdon (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Five track records were also set in 2013 – Top Fuel and Funny Car race distance is 1,000 feet, while Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle is 1,320 feet – including a 3.743-second burst by Langdon in Top Fuel; Mike Edwards’ 6.512 seconds in Pro Stock; Matt Hagan’s 3.986 seconds in Funny Car; and Hector Arana Sr.’s 6.785 seconds in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Other NHRA Sonoma Raceway record holders include Doug Kalitta, who has won five Top Fuel championships (1998-2000, 2004-’05); John Force’s seven pro wins, all in Funny Car (1990-92, ’94, 2000, ’02, ’07); Greg Anderson’s four Sonoma Pro Stock wins; Andrew Hines as the only repeat Pro Stock Motorcycle winner over 10 events (2005, ’09); and Don Prudhomme as the only driver to win in two pro categories – Funny Car (1989) and Top Fuel (1992).

The Sonoma Nationals weekend schedule for Friday, July 25, includes sportsman qualifying at 8:15 a.m., and professional qualifying sessions at 4:15 and 6:15 p.m.; followed by the Saturday, July 26, sportsman eliminations at 8:15 a.m., and professional qualifying sessions at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m., with ESPN broadcasting at 4 p.m.

On Sunday, July 27, the Sonoma Nationals grace Sonoma Raceway’s drag-strip with pre-race ceremonies taking place at 10 a.m., and final eliminations beginning at 11 a.m., with ESPN2 broadcasting at 6 p.m.

NHRA Sonoma Nationals ticket prices have reserved seats (includes pit pass) for Friday and Saturday ranging from $52 to $60 for adults, and $20 for juniors (12 years and under); while Sunday’s adult cost ranging from $57 to $67, and juniors (12 years and under), $25. Weekend passes cost $135 for adults, and $65 for juniors (12 years and under).

Also available for the Sonoma Nationals is the popular Kids-Free program at Sonoma Raceway, with children ages 12-and-under admitted free with the purchase of any adult ticket.

Saturday will also feature a free kids-only question and answer session on the Raceway Cafe patio at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26, with NHRA star drivers Brittany and Courtney Force, who are the daughters of 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force on Saturday.

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Sunday’s final NHRA Division 7 drag-racing results include: Competition Eliminator – Brian Hyerstay, dragster, G/D, 9.044, 139.70 defeating Mike DePalma Jr., 2000 S-10, C/T, 8.108, 163.43; Super Stock – Jimmy DeFrank, 2010 Cobalt, SS/CM, 8.769, 156.34 beating Jody Lang, 1981 Malibu, GT/IA, 10.781, 119.75; Stock Eliminator – Kyle Rizzoli, 1969 Camaro, A/SA, 10.446, 108.95 defeating Steve Wann, 1973 Roadrunner, I/SA, foul; Super Comp – Val Torres, dragster, 8.914, 169.06 beating Matt Constant, dragster, 8.908, 163.95; Super Gas – Marko Perivolaris (Petaluma), 1967 Corvette, 9.922, 158.28 defeating

Randy Bowers, 1969 Camaro, 9.947, 157.72; Super Street – Allen Macham, 1967 Nova, 10.909, 128.52 beating Scott Brown, 1966 Nova, 10.883, 129.45; Top Sportsman – Jeffrey Gillette, 2006 GTO, 7.092, 191.95 defeating Douglas Crumlich, 1996 Corvette, 7.916, 164.25; Top Dragster – Mike MacBrair (Napa), dragster, 20.775, 75.65 beating Terry White, dragster, broke; Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley Davidson – Brian Jennings 1981 Suzuki GS, 9.580, 127.85 defeating Don DePeel, 1974 Kawasaki KZ, 8.847, 147.33; and West Coast Outlaw Pro Mods – Mike Maggio, 1986 Camaro, 5.776, 254.95 beating Scott Oksas, Santa Clarita, Calif., '70 Camaro, 5.921, 249.72.

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On Thursday, July 24, Sonoma Raceway will honor the memory of Oakdale’s Eric Medlen with the eighth annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity Dinner (presented by PG&E) at the Stone Tree Golf Club on Thursday, July 24.

Tickets for the memorial event are $125, and include wine or beer and dinner, with all proceeds going to qualified youth groups in Sonoma County in Medlen’s name through Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of the raceway.

For more information, visit racesonoma.com, or for tickets to the Eric Medlen Nitro Night Dinner, contact Cheri Plattner at 933-3950 or cplattner@racesonoma.com, or purchase tickets online at http://sonoma.speedwaycharities.org/events.

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For Sonoma Nationals Friday (July 25), Don Schumacher Racing and Sonoma Raceway have teamed to give less than 300 NHRA guest fans the opportunity to purchase an exclusive hospitality package which will put them up-front-and-personal with the 10,000-horsepower, nitro-powered machines and their champion drivers.

Cost of the Team DSR hospitality package is $137 and includes a Friday reserved-seat ticket; Friday access to Thunder Alley; access to both DSR hospitality areas; and a chef-prepared meal and snacks.

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For NHRA Sonoma Nationals tickets, packages and programs, for details on the Wednesday Night Drags, or for general Sonoma Raceway information, call 800-870-RACE (7223), or visit racesonoma.com, racesonoma.com/nhra or ticketmaster.com. Camping is also available around the facility.

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