Event Overview
Friday, Oct. 28 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Saturday, Oct. 29 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Sunday, Oct. 30 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
TV coverage on FS1
Notes of Interest
Leah Pruett, Driver of the Dodge Power Brokers Top Fuel Dragster
In the series’ last event at Dallas, you and your team made significant improvements to your dragster, and you continue to be competitive each time you hit the track. What’s your confidence level heading into Las Vegas?
“It’s the type of confidence that’s stronger than just knowing that we can do it and more so the confidence of knowing we’ve finally unlocked the initial findings of what it takes to be throw-down fast. I’m looking forward to bringing our Dodge Power Brokers dragster to Las Vegas and giving it all we have.”
You’ll be testing at Las Vegas after the NHRA Nevada Nationals. How valuable will that track day be as you start to prepare for 2023?
“This test day will most likely be as valuable as the first time we hit the track, as this particular test session will have implications of what wholesale changes we move forward with next year. Our potential changes require strategy and time, which is why we have to start now and not wait for the standard pre-season test.”
Following the NHRA Nevada Nationals, you’ll get the unique opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds. What are your expectations?
“I often get asked what it feels like to drive a Top Fuel dragster and whether we pass out from the g-forces. I always hit them back with an explanation of our sudden g-swings compared to the sustained g-forces that the Thunderbirds pilots experience. I look forward to not only experiencing the physical rush of the ride, but being in the presence of the Air Force servicemen and women while learning about their skills and how they’re used to keep America safe. I’m extremely appreciative of this opportunity, as it’s one I’m getting ready to cherish for my entire life. I’m also doing everything that’s recommended to prevent getting sick up there and seeing how long I can sustain eight to nine g-forces before experiencing tunnel vision.”
Matt Hagan, Driver of the Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car
You’ve won the NHRA Nevada Nationals three times in the last five years. What makes you so successful in this event?
“Just like we’ve done well in races at the beginning of the season, I think we always do well in races at the end of the season. It’s favorable conditions as far as what Dickie (Venables, crew chief) is comfortable with and being able to push hard. Our Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car is making a lot of power and as those tracks cool down, our car is able to maintain that power. Here at the end of the year, these obviously count a lot. We’re 78 points out and have a lot of ground to make up. (Robert) Hight and (Ron) Capps have to have two bad races and we have to have two good races. We’re going to go into Las Vegas and work hard and do our best to race our racecar.”
By advancing to the finals at Dallas, you were able to chip away at the gap to Funny Car leader Robert Hight. With only 78 points separating you and him, what is your outlook heading into Las Vegas?
“Being 78 points back, we have to have two good races. We kind of backed ourselves into a corner and have to come out swinging and win these next two races to have a shot at the championship. We have to be aggressive. We still have a shot at this, but things have to line up a bit. We have to scoop up those little points and turn win lights on.”
You’ll be testing at Las Vegas after the NHRA Nevada Nationals. How valuable will that track day be as you start to prepare for 2023?
“Testing will be very valuable for next year. We won’t be making wholesale changes for the last race, but it’ll allow us the opportunity to gear up for the following season. As a driver, I always learn something by being in the car, and it’ll help the team by also learning some things for next year.”