After racing under the lights, having Funny Cars explode and feeling the rush and smell of those nitro cars, the NHRA Northwest Nationals has come to a close at Pacific Raceways.
The continued dominance of Austin Prock on the Funny Car circuit was on full display at the Kent racetrack as he took home the crown for John Force racing. Prock is just the fourth driver ever to win Funny Car and Top Fuel at Pacific Raceways.
Prock’s first career win also came in the Pacific Northwest back in 2019 on the Top Fuel side.
Prock defeated Paul Lee, who reached the finals after defeating 2023 champion Matt Hagan.
On the Top Fuel side, it was Steve Torrence who won his first race in a calendar year. He has now won the last two races held at Pacific and now is sitting in fifth in the Top Fuel driver standings.
Torrence and Prock were both the top seeds after qualifying. They held serve and took home the trophies. Torrence did knock off reigning champion and current points leader Doug Kalitta.
There was more history made on the straightaway at Pacific, with the 100th female driver in NHRA history to win an event. Maddi Gordon, the daughter of Doug Gordon, climbed to the top of the podium in the Top Alcohol Funny Car division.
She took over the car that her dad had recently handed to her after his retirement. The first woman to win a race was Shirley Shahan back in 1966, and now Gordon is the 100th female winner 58 years later.
Elite Motorsports on the Pro Stock circuit won its fifth race in a row, this time behind Jeg Coughlin Jr. The win marked his 68th National Event win and his second in his last five races. On two wheels, Chase Van Sant recorded his first career win, dethroning Gage Herrera.
Herrera had won the last 12 Pro Stock Motor Cycle races and won his last 46 consecutive rounds. But that all came to a stop when Van Sant ran 6.270 at 201.31 mph.
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Fans packed the stands on Friday evening, July 19, in anticipation of the night races at Pacific Raceways. Ben Ray / The Reporter
A pair of Top Fuel cars racing in the first round preliminary races. Ben Ray / The Reporter
NHRA Northwest Nationals hosted at Pacific Raceways. Ben Ray / The Reporter
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