LAS VEGAS, NV (October 30, 2022) — Closing out his first full season on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster are holding their own in the top ten working to race their way into the top five. The toughest and closest Top Fuel battle is underway and Hart, who raced to the final round at the St Louis Midwest Nationals, was looking to close the gap at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway today. The second-year driver, who raced just a partial schedule in 2021, was looking for his first round win at the Nevada Nationals. After two days of qualifying Hart entered race day as the No. 10 qualifier.
Josh Hart and R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery
In the opening round Hart drew four-time and reigning Top Fuel champion Steve Torrence. The two team owners and drivers have faced each other four previous times with Hart securing a win just once in those matchups. Prior to their first round race the tandem had to wait nearly 20 minutes for the NHRA Safety Safari to clean up a sizable oil down in Hart’s lane following Leah Pruett’s pass. Once the drivers were given the signal to fire Hart and Torrence burned out and rolled to the starting line.
Hart launched hard and was right with Torrence all the way down the track but the 3.719 second run at 331.77 mph by the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster was not quite enough to outrun Torrence’s 3.690 second, 331.85 mph pass. It was Torrence’s quickest run of the weekend. Hart made a nearly identical pass to his quickest qualifying effort.
“We just need to find a little more power,” said Hart. “This R+L Carriers dragster has been running really well all season and we are just a young team. These are the best teams in the world and we are holding our own. I am proud of every person working on this R+L and TechNet team and I am so thankful for everyone’s effort. Today didn’t go our way but we have one more race to finish the season on a high note.”
Josh Hart, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery
The final race of the season will be contested in two weeks at the picturesque Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Hart and the rest of the Top Fuel field will be battling for their Top Ten positions at an event distributing points and a half for every round win.
“I am excited to close out the season in Pomona and points and half will be a big deal to move around in the top ten,” said Hart. “I truly believe ‘Anything’s Possible’ and we are looking to have a big race in two weeks.”
Qualifying Results
Q1: 3.741 sec, 324.75 mph; Qual. 6
Q2: 13.466 sec, 50.10 mph; Qual. 7
Q3: 3.714 sec, 332.34 mph; Qual. 7
Q4: 3.833 sec, 318.84 mph; Qual. 10
Bonus Points: 0
Race Results
First Round
Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Capco dragster, 3.690, 331.85 mph def. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers dragster, 3.719, 331.77 mph
Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Top Fuel
1. Brittany Force 2468
2. Justin Ashley 2461
3. Mike Salinas 2402
4. Antron Brown 2390
5. Steve Torrence 2381
6. Austin Prock 2342
7. Josh Hart 2307
8. Shawn Langdon 2290
9. Doug Kalitta 2284
10. Clay Millican 2269