PHOENIX — The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Problem returns to the NHRA season and the primary matchups within the Saturday specialty occasion are set for March 22 as a part of the fortieth annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, which takes place March 21-23 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Phoenix.
The distinctive problem, which presents a bonus purse and bonus championship factors, enters its third yr in 2025, bringing aggressive racing to the qualifying schedule in the course of the subsequent 13 regular-season occasions within the NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection. The Problem pits semifinalists from the earlier race towards one another, with the 2 winners matching up as a part of Saturday’s ultimate qualifying session, providing added drama and pleasure for followers in attendance the remainder of the common season.
High Gasoline
Reigning world champion Antron Brown is off to a red-hot begin after profitable in Gainesville. With Steve Torrence not racing in Phoenix, which means a matchup with racing legend Tony Stewart within the opening spherical of the Problem. The opposite High Gasoline matchup options defending Phoenix winner Shawn Langdon assembly Jasmine Salinas. She scored her first semifinal look in High Gasoline in Gainesville, which means Salinas may also make her Mission #2Fast2Tasty Problem debut in Phoenix.
“I’m so excited to compete in my first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Problem! We confirmed quite a lot of consistency in Gainesville and I believe it’s going to assist us once we line up towards Langdon for the rematch,” Salinas stated. “He’s a former world champ with killer response occasions. There’s positively an intimidation issue that I’ll want to beat mentally, however that’s what I like about this sport. It’s known as a problem for a purpose and we’re doing every part we will to be prepared for it.”
She is among the 12 drivers competing throughout three classes (High Gasoline, Humorous Automotive and Professional Inventory) within the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Problem at Firebird Motorsports Park, which celebrates 40 years of NHRA motion at this yr’s nationwide occasion.
Humorous Automotive
Within the Humorous Automotive ranks, Chad Inexperienced, who gained his second profession race final weekend in Gainesville, beat four-time champ Matt Hagan within the semifinals, organising a marquee rematch in Phoenix. The opposite semifinal matchup options three-time world champ and Gainesville runner-up Ron Capps and Alexis DeJoria, who gained the first-ever Humorous Automotive Mission #2Fast2Tasty Problem in 2023.
Professional Inventory
The Professional Inventory Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Problem options one of many longest rivalries in class historical past, as defending world champion Greg Anderson meets Jeg Coughlin Jr. The opposite semifinal includes a pair of KB Titan Racing teammates in Gainesville winner Dallas Glenn and rising Professional Inventory star Cory Reed.
Final yr in Pomona, Langdon (High Gasoline), Austin Prock (Humorous Automotive) and Anderson (Professional Inventory) grabbed wins in Phoenix, whereas Tony Schumacher (High Gasoline), J.R. Todd (Humorous Automotive) and Erica Enders (Professional Inventory) gained the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Problem.
Langdon, a former High Gasoline champion, earned his first win final season, whereas contenders to observe embody former champ Doug Kalitta, reigning world champ Brown, Clay Millican, Brittany Power and Justin Ashley, in addition to Stewart.
Prock’s Phoenix triumph marked his first profession Humorous Automotive win. The defending champ struggled in Gainesville, however he’ll look to get on monitor in Phoenix towards John Power Racing teammate Jack Beckman, Hagan and Capps, Inexperienced, Todd and Bob Tasca III.
Anderson earned his sixth world title on the NHRA Finals in a winner-take-all ultimate over Glenn. Final yr’s race featured that very same matchup, with Anderson incomes the win. Different Professional Inventory stars embody Aaron Stanfield and Erica Enders.
