What’s better than one NHRA National Event? Two Nationals at the same time.
And that’s pretty much what we got in Bristol, Tennessee after soaking rain postponed the final rounds of the New England Nationals until this past weekend during the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
Suffice it to say, we’ve got a lot to cover today—so let’s hop to it in this week’s NHRA Wrap-Up.
2023 NHRA New England Nationals Results
As mentioned, both Top Fuel and Funny Car wrapped up their New England contests in Tennessee. Which meant after waiting all season for his first win, Bob Tasca III had to wait just a little while longer. But in the end, he grabbed the New England Nationals Funny Car Wally by besting none other than the legendary John Force in the Finals.
As for Top Fuel, the name of the day(s) is Justin Ashley. And much like Tasca III, he faced an icon during the Finals in Tony Schumacher. But Ashley got a thrilling holeshot victory against Schumacher on his way to the win. And, as it turns out, it was only the beginning of his good weekend…
2023 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Top Fuel Results
…Because Justin Ashley would soon find himself hoisting another Wally for the Thunder Valley Nationals. Lined up against a hard-charging Antron Brown in the Finals on Sunday, Ashley cut a quick light and Brown smoked the tires early, giving Ashley the win with a 3.718 second, 336.49 mph run.
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2023 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Funny Car Results
Bob Tasca III wouldn’t follow Ashley’s path of repeating victories however. Instead, we saw Alexis Dejoria and Ron Capps paired up in the Final Round of Funny Car on Sunday. And it was fantastic finish as both put down good passes, before Capps ultimately came up victorious with a 3.998 second, 325.45 mph run. All told, Capps’ margin of victory was a slim 0.0652 second.
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2023 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Pro Stock Results
It’s hard to believe we haven’t mentioned Erica Enders much this year. But the five-time Pro Stock champ was back to her winning ways in Bristol over the weekend. Facing Derek Kramer in the finals, Enders cut the quicker light and dashed to her 44th career victory with a 6.680 second, 204.08 mph run.
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2023 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Pro Stock Motorcycle Results
Gaige Herrera has been nothing short of dominant this season in PSM, but as George Harrison famously said, “All Things Must Pass.” On Sunday, Hererra found himself facing Steve Johnson and the two were poised for an epic faceoff. But Herrera redlighted off the line, allowing Johnson to dash to a 7.174 second, 158.63 mph victory.
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THE 2023 NHRA SEASON CONTINUES WITH THE Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals June 22 -25 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
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Current 2023 NHRA Championship Points Standings
PRO STOCK
- Dallas Glenn, 638
- Deric Kramer, 499
- Matt Hartford, 445
- Troy Coughlin Jr., 430
- Aaron Stanfield, 425
- Greg Anderson, 388
- Camrie Caruso, 387
- Christian Cuadra, 369
- Erica Enders, 369
- Bo Butner, 344
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TOP FUEL
- Justin Ashley, 633
- Steve Torrence, 569
- Brittany Force, 511
- Austin Prock, 511
- Antron Brown, 499
- Leah Pruett, 499
- Mike Salinas, 448
- Josh Hart, 433
- Doug Kalitta, 404
- Shawn Langdon, 367
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FUNNY CAR
- Ron Capps, 612
- Matt Hagan, 580
- Robert Hight, 555
- Chad Green, 540
- Alexis DeJoria, 529
- Bob Tasca III, 497
- Tim Wilkerson, 472
- John Force, 451
- Cruz Pedregon, 372
- J.R. Todd, 345
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PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
- Gaige Herrera, 488
- Eddie Krawiec, 272
- Steve Johnson, 264
- Hector Arana Jr., 246
- Matt Smith, 240
- Angie Smith, 237
- Chase Van Sant, 222
- Joey Gladstone, 194
- Chip Ellis, 190
- Jianna Evaristo, 168
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