POMONA, Calif. — The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge is back in 2024 and the first matchups in the Saturday specialty event are set for next weekend’s 64th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
After a wildly-successful first year in 2023, the unique challenge is back for 2024, bringing competitive racing to the qualifying schedule during the regular season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The Challenge pits semifinalists from the previous race against each other, with the two winners matching up as part of Saturday’s final qualifying session.
There’s a bonus purse and bonus points for the Countdown to the Championship on the line, putting a major importance on Saturday success starting next weekend in Pomona.
“After we got by (Ron) Capps in the second round (at Gainesville), we knew we were in (the Challenge) and that’s great. It’s a nice bonus for us,” said Funny Car’s J.R. Todd, who won in Gainesville to start the 2024 season. “It’s definitely a nice incentive. When we won the deal in Sonoma, that was a cool perk and then we won on Sunday. It definitely gives you a pep in your step.”
Todd makes up one of the 12 drivers competing across three categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock) in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, adding another must-see moment to one of the NHRA’s most historic races.
In the Funny Car ranks, Todd is coming off a thrilling Gainesville victory. He knocked off Bob Tasca III, who set the track speed record at the Gatornationals, meaning those two will face off in Pomona, while the other semifinal rematch includes No. 1 qualifier Austin Prock, who reached the final round, and Chad Green, who won the NHRA Finals in Pomona last year to close out the season.
Shawn Langdon’s Top Fuel victory was a historic one, as it clinched the first double-up for Kalitta Motorsports in team history. He knocked off Antron Brown in the semifinals and those two standouts will meet again in Pomona on Saturday. The other rematch features a father-son matchup, as Billy Torrence, the Gainesville runner-up, takes on his son, four-time world champion Steve Torrence in a pairing that can’t be missed.
The Pro Stock Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge features one of the biggest rivalries in category history, as Erica Enders and Greg Anderson meet again. Enders, the defending world champ, won in Gainesville en route to her first career Gatornationals victory, while the other semifinal rematch features a pair of young standouts in Dallas Glenn and Gainesville runner-up Cristian Cuadra.
Last year in Pomona, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Glenn (Pro Stock) took home top honors on Sunday in their respective categories at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals.
This year’s race will again be broadcasted on FS1, including eliminations coverage on Sunday, March 24 at 7 p.m. ET.
Top Fuel’s Ashley took home his first win of the season when took down Langdon in the final round a year ago. Ashley will be up against reigning champ Doug Kalitta, four-time champ Torrence, Mike Salinas and Brittany Force. Also joining the Top Fuel ranks in 2024 is motorsports legend and NHRA team owner Tony Stewart.
The last time Hagan was in Pomona, he won his fourth Funny Car world championship at the NHRA Finals. Hagan’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals victory gave him his second of six wins in 2023 and his seventh at the historic track. Hagan will again compete against Tasca, three-time champ Ron Capps, and NHRA legend John Force.
Glenn earned four race wins in 2023 including his win at Pomona. He also collected five runner-up finishes as well as two No. 1 qualifier positions. Glenn will be up against the likes of six-time Pro Stock champion Enders, as well as Anderson, Matt Hartford, Troy Coughlin Jr. and NHRA Finals winner Aaron Stanfield.