It’s been a three-week hiatus for NHRA’s Camping World Drag Racing Series, which last competed at Houston Raceway Park the third week of May. Now headed to Epping, NH for the TascaParts.com New England Nationals presented by Bandero Premium Tequila, the event will be a triumphant return to his hometown race for Funny Car points leader Bob Tasca III, who has parlayed two victories into the points lead for the first time in his long career.
Tasca’s desire to add a third Wally winner’s trophy at this race might have something to do with his sponsorship of the event. But then, one of his toughest competitors, Alexis DeJoria’s sponsor, Bandero premium tequila agreed to be presenting sponsor and she’ll be tough to beat. They say momentum is what wins these events, so this duo will have to contend with Robert Hight, the Houston victor, with 16-time champ John Force, who won the second and last 2021 four-wide competition in Charlotte, defending world champ Matt Hagan, who has claimed the last two Epping races, two-time event victor Ron Capps (both with Don Schumacher Racing) and Gainesville victor J.R. Todd.
There are only 13 Funny Car entries, comprised of four Dodge Charger SRT Hellcats or derivatives, four Ford Mustangs, the two John Force Racing Chevrolet Camaro SS racecars and DeJoria andTodd’s pair of Toyota Camrys. Cory Lee, from Vail AZ is the sole non-regular on the entry list.
Numerically, it’s a light entry for Top Fuel too, with12 dragsters registered for a trip through the lights in New Hampshire. Is chasing Steve Torrence’s freight train of victories that much of a downer for competitors? Second-year racer Justin Ashley, from New York, considers this one of his home races – the other being Reading, and the 2020 Rookie of the Year is aiming to secure his first victory of the emerging 2021 campaign close to home, as he makes his Top Fuel debut at this track, which did not hold an event in 2020.
Torrence has a 140-point grip on the balance of the field, with DSR’s Antron Brown in second and Todd’s Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon third, followed by record-setting Brittany Force, Doug Kalitta, Josh Hart, Billy Torrence, Ashley, Clay Millican and Leah Pruett comprising the top 10. Mike Salinas, currently 11th, sees opportunity at this race to move up, as he’s just 53 points out of that top 10, which would allow him to make a run for the championship.
Pro Stock is oversubscribed – by one – so there will be an unhappy member of the door slammer brigade come Sunday. While Greg Anderson leads the standings, it’s Arizona’s Matt Hartford who has the momentum in hand following his Houston victory. Deric Kramer still holds second place due to his consistency and his victory in @@@@@@ while reigning, four-time champion Erica Enders is third, followed by second-ten racers Mason McGaha andAaron Stanfield. Hartford’s in sixth, rookie Dallas Glenn is seventh, Kyle Koretsky, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Chris McGaha, Mason’s dad is holding tenth place in the standings. All of the above race Chevy Camaros, The Cuadra family is sitting out this one, leaving the only competition to the two Dodge Darts of Alan Prusiensky and Mike Callahan.
The weekend’s scheduling has these three Pro classes qualifying late afternoon on Friday, with double sessions on Saturday. Saturday is forecast to be the coolest day, with temps in the low 70s following Friday night’s likely showers. Pro Stock Motorcycle remains on hiatus until Norwalk in two weeks, but the three pro classes should provide ample entertainment, as will the nostalgia Funny Car exhibition all three days.
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