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NHRA Gatornationals Recap

The start of the 2024 NHRA Drag Racing Season is here, and with that, it's also the start of the Mission Foods era of professional drag racing. This 2024 season has kicked off the same way as the last few seasons, pushing the traditional opener of the Pomona Winternationals back a few weeks in favor of starting in the Sunshine State of Florida. It was not all sunshine however as rain delays and oil down became the theme of the weekend leading to the appearance of the elusive Top Fuel night run which is not too common here in Florida. But enough intro, let's look at the results of the historic 55th Annual Gatornationals:

In Pro-Stock Motorcycle the #1 Qualifier of Gaige Herrera took on the #2 qualifier and multi-time champion rival Matt Smith. Gaige and Matt had dominated all weekend however, none were surprised when Gaige Herrera turned on his fourth win light on during Sunday earning him his 12th National Event win in only his second full-time season.

Pro-Stock car saw a race between teammates and once again the number 1 and 2 qualifiers stage up being Erica Enders and Cristan Cuadra respectively. There was a lot on the line as despite being one of the most successful active Pro-Stock drivers Erica had never hoisted a wally at the Gators and after several heartbreaking losses here in years past Enders knew she had to lock in and win the round. However, the burning desire was also there for Christan Cuadra who was in his first ever 2-wide final round and had his first opportunity at an NHRA race victory. They staged and went but early tire shake for Cuadra signaled that yes indeed, Erica Enders would host her first-ever Gatornationals Wally.

Nitro Funny Car saw one of the best drivers in the class win in the strangest ways possible. #1 Qualifier Austin Prock was making his first official start in the Mission NHRA Drag Racing series and was on a tear. Just a few weeks before in Bradenton he won 250,000 in dominating fashion beating the reigning champion Matt Hegan in the final round. Now in Gainsville, Prock looks poised for an easy victory against JR. Todd in the DHL Kalitta Funny Car. Todd hadn't run in the three-second range or anywhere near 300 mph all weekend, he spun and smoked the tires every round before this and yet somehow continued to turn on win light after win light. The Yellow Fellas knew that to beat the best and most consistent car on the property this weekend they would have to put in not a blazingly fast tune-up, but one that could get them safely down track under power and hope that the John Force Racing Funny Car of Austin Prock had issues. Prock Prestages, then Todd, they both full stage, the lights flash yellow then green, Todd is first off the line by 0.004 seconds and by the 60-foot mark Austin Prock goes into tire shake. Making his best run of the weekend JR. Todd goes 3.889 at 329 MPH making the unlikeliest win of his NHRA Drag Racing Career.

Top Fuel Had a bit more of a straightforward narrative, the #1 Qualifier of Shawn Langdon raced the #6 Qualifier of Billy Torrence. Don't let those numbers have you make up your mind about this final, Billy Torrences teammate and son Steve Torrence was the number two qualifier, and with Steve out both crews were working in tandem to give Billy the best possible car. However, in the other land was Shawn Langdon in the second Kalitta Motorsports top fuel dragster, having seen his teammate JR, win his final, there was immense pressure to deliver the first-ever Kalitta motorsports double up 17 times it had been tried but never to be as both cars would make it to the finals only for one or both of them to lose. Billy reacts quicker on the tree by 6 one thasounths of a second however not to be denied was Shawn Langdon who surged ahead and completed the illustrious Kalitta Motorsports double up having a car of the same team win in both nitro categories.

Overall the 55th Annual NHRA Gatornationals was worth the wait and despite a huge amount of tire spin from all the rain reducing the grip of the track, it was an amazing event with some crazy storylines. Thanks for reading and I'lll see you in Pamona for the NHRA Winternationals.

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