Four years after the motorsports facility was first proposed, Heartland Motorsports Park opened its doors, and for more than three decades, the track has continued to host adrenaline pumping events on its ¼ mile dragstrip, 2.5-mile road course, and motocross track.
The 700-acre facility features 660 feet of concrete launch pad, 660 feet of asphalt racing surface, and 2600 feet of runoff. Over the years, drag racing fans have seen many record-setting runs and crowds still pour in on weekends at the Kansas track.
Located on the southside of Tulsa, Heartland Motorsports Park is best known as the host track for the Menards NHRA Nationals presented by Pet Armor, which features the top professional classes in drag racing. This year for the 33rd annual Menards Nationals both nitro classes (Top Fuel and Funny Car) and both stock classes (Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycles) took to the track in search of valuable season points following the NHRA Western Swing. As the fourteenth of twenty-two NHRA nationals raced in 2022, the Topeka race marked the first time since 1997 that all four NHRA pro classes saw action at the same event.
Antron Brown Claims First Win as Team Owner
Three-time NHRA world champion Antron Brown had tears of joy when he climbed from his Matco Tools dragster after defeating Steve Torrence to claim the first team win for Antron Brown Motorsports. The new team owner claimed his 53rd Top Fuel Wally after replacing retired legend Joe Amato as the third-ranked Top Fuel driver in NHRA history. Brown also earned sixteen victories in Pro Stock Motorcycles before he became the first driver in history to make the switch to Top Fuel
Defending four-time Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence reached the Final round for the third time this season with wins over Kyle Wurtzel, Seattle winner Tony Schumacher, and Number One qualifier Mike Salinas. Brown started with a Round One win against points leader Brittany Force before eliminating Josh Hart and Justin Ashley. After both drivers nailed the start, Brown posted a 3.902 ET at 309.49 mph to claim his 69th career Wally. After her first round defeat, Force watched as her season lead shrank to 31 points over Salinas.
Tasca III Topples the Legend in Funny Car Final
Bob Tasca III, who has been red hot in his BG Product Ford Mustang, came to Topeka looking for his first ever Funny Car win at Heartland Motorsports Park. In preparation for the Countdown, Tasca III posted wins over Jack Wyatt and Tony Stewart Racing’s Matt Hagan to reach his fourth Final Round in the past five events. Sixteen-time world champion John Force advanced to his second consecutive Topeka final round.
It was Force’s third final of 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and 264th of his Hall of Fame career. Force defeated Cruz Pedregon, defending world champion (and team owner) Ron Capps, and Seattle winner Robert Hight enroute to his matchup with Tasca III. The victory moved Tasca III into fifth place but 413 points behind John Force Racing’s Robert Hight. Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, and John Force are currently second, third and fourth respectively. JR Todd set the stop speed at Heartland at 324.44 mph with Matt Hagan quickest with a 3.944 ET.
Up Coming:
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action Aug. 18-21 with the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, MN.
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