After coming up just short of the 2024 world title to teammate Greg Anderson, Glenn knows the importance of running well to open six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Coming off a win in Reading, he has confidence on his side, currently holding a 62-point lead over Anderson and a 121-point advantage over Matt Hartford.
“The main thing is as long as I’m prepared, do my job and make sure I get in the car early enough where I can kind of calm everything down and just kind of try to stay focused up there, that’s key,” Glenn said. “With a four-wide, you never know if somebody’s going to go red or get timed out or let their foot slip up and jump through the beams. It just kind of throws a whole chaotic mix into it. At any time, any quad can get kind of really discombobulated really quickly.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Matt Smith is also after his third straight win in Charlotte, all after moving into the points lead in Reading to open the playoffs. John Hall rolled to the victory, claiming his second win of the season and throwing a huge wrench into the title chase. He won his first career playoff race, defeating back-to-back champ Gaige Herrera in the second round and then Smith in the final round.
“I just keep thinking there are way worse things I could be doing on a Sunday afternoon than possibly losing in a final at a national event on a Pro Stock Motorcycle,” Hall said. “So I keep pretty calm. I don’t get all worked up. It’s going to be what it’s going to be — go out there and do your job. We all know how to do it. Sometimes you’re better than others.”
The win sent Hall into a tie with Herrera for second in points, just six back of Smith. With Richard Gadson only nine points out, it should be a thriller in Charlotte as someone in the two-wheeled category attempts to gain an advantage in the championship chase.
In Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta grabbed the points lead in Reading, but he leads regular-season champ Tony Stewart by less than a round. Shawn Langdon, who won the four-wide race in the spring, is right behind in third, while other standouts include Brittany Force, Indy winner Justin Ashley, Clay Millican and reigning world champ Antron Brown.
Prock won last year’s Carolina Nationals when he defeated Matt Hagan. The John Force Racing standout remains in the points lead, but the reigning champ is just 25 points ahead of teammate Jack Beckman. Ron Capps is only 29 points behind, while other stars include Reading winner Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan and Paul Lee.
The NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock and the Pingel NHRA Top Fuel Motorcycle Series.
Fans will be invited to the Nitro Alley Stage all weekend, as the entertainment hub hosts Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at zMAX Dragway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.
As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction in Charlotte. This opportunity gives fans a chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, which includes interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will feature two qualifying rounds at 4 and 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 19, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 21. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10 a.m. ET and then live coverage eliminations at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, please visit www.zmaxdragway.com or call 800-455-FANS (3267). For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com. |