The last time NHRA’s Camping World Drag Racing Series raced at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park outside Phoenix, it was in February of 2020. The track, which has hosted the second race of the series’ pro tours for more than 35 years, later stated that it was going to make changes to the venue that would negate the option of hosting drag racing.
Apparently, that’s not about to happen quite yet, as NHRA will return to the Phoenix-area dragstrip in 2022 with the NHRA Arizona Nationals expected to take place February 25-27. The track returns to its traditional post as second race of the year – NHRA already announced the Winternationals would be back to its normal mid-February date in its 71st season.
“With over 35 years of NHRA racing history at the Motorsports Park, we are eager for the Arizona Nationals to return to Wild Horse Pass and the Gila River Indian Community,” said Henry Moreno, general manager. “We are dedicated to making the event the best possible experience for the fans and racers alike.”
In 2020, the event marked the return of then two-time Top Fuel champion Steve Torrence, who sat out the 2020 Winternationals due to disagreements with the sanctioning body over minor punishments for his less-than-professional behavior at the 2019 World Finals.
Showing no rust, Torrence won in Top Fuel over Winternationals winner Doug Kalitta, while now-jettisoned Tommy Johnson Jr. secured victory for Don Schumacher Racing in Funny Car, beating out fellow former DSR Funny Car pilot Jack Beckman. Now four-time Pro Stock champ Erica Enders captured the Wally winner’s trophy for Elite Motorsports in Pro Stock over KB Racing’s Bo Butner, who isn’t racing that class at the present time.
Updates for the 2022 Wild Horse Pass event include free parking at the venue with any ticket purchase, which should lessen the load for fans. Speaking for the sanctioning group, “We missed the NHRA Arizona Nationals in 2021,” said Glen Cromwell, NHRA president. “We are thrilled to return to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and put on a great show for the Phoenix fans.”
Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park has seen some record-breaking performances throughout its existence. The 2022 NHRA Arizona Nationals marks the first time the track will hold the Camping World Drag Racing Series competition as the series sponsor had not yet joined with NHRA last February.
NHRA intends to announce the full Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule in the upcoming weeks.
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