2021 NHRA Sonoma Nationals Sportsman Preview
2021 NHRA Sonoma Nationals Lucas Oil Sportsman Preview from Sonoma, California
Cover photo courtesy of NHRA.tv
SONOMA – The second leg of the NHRA Western Swing plays out this week as the Sonoma Nationals take place at the picturesque Sonoma Raceway. After racers battled the thin mountain air at the Mile-High Nationals in Denver last week, they now move to the much preferred sea-level conditions in Sonoma, Calif. Look for great performances and beautiful views in the heart of wine country.
In addition to the scenic views, racers will also look to cash in on the Right Trailers Right on the Number award. The bonus, currently at $2,000, is available to racers running dead on their dial-in during eliminations. Racers must also display the decal to be eligible.
The NHRA Sonoma Nationals will showcase over 240 Lucas Oil sportsman racers competing in seven different classes. The schedule includes Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster.
Before we look ahead to the 2021 Sonoma Nationals, let’s look back at the 2019 event champions.
2019 NHRA Sonoma Nationals Champions
Super Stock – Kyle Rizzoli
Stock Eliminator – Mark Kirby
Super Comp – Justin Morgan
Super Gas – Bo Butner
Super Street – Ryan Herem
Top Sportsman – Steve Galileo
Top Dragster – George Prather
2021 NHRA Sonoma Nationals Predictions
With each NHRA national event DragChamp’s sportsman preview includes an overview of each class. In addition, we select the DragChamp Picks to win the race. Here are this week’s picks.
Competition Eliminator – 15 Car Field
The small Comp field is full of talented Division 7 racers including Doug Lambeck, Cody Lane, John Edwards, and Ralph Van Paepeghem.
DragChamp picks to win:
Cody Lane – Should carry tons of momentum into Sonoma after his recent double in Woodburn.
Super Stock – 34 Car Field
While defending event champ Kyle Rizzoli looks for a repeat of his 2019 performance, Justin Lamb, Jimmy DeFrank, Brian Brossart, and Jeff Lane will try to prevent a double.
DragChamp picks to win:
Jody Lang – The 2020 Stock Eliminator World Champ is looking like he may add a Super Stock title to his mantle after winning three times in three races.
Justin Jerome – Talented Mopar racer knows his way to the winners circle.
Stock Eliminator – 42 Car Field
Mark Kirby won the last national at Sonoma and will battle racers such as Hal Sorensen, Jeff Taylor, Phil Mandella Jr., and Larry Gilley this weekend in his chase for another Sonoma victory.
DragChamp picks to win:
Doug Lambeck – Talented Comp veteran is also a handful in his Stocker.
Shelby Williams – Has won big money bracket races off the bottom, could make some noise in Stock this week.
Super Comp – 48 Car Field
The Super Comp field includes a host of Division 6 & 7 veterans looking to add a Wally to their trophy case. Val and Gabe Torres lead the way with Wade Archer, Dylan Hough, and Evan Kowalski rounding out a list of hitters this weekend.
DragChamp picks to win:
Justin Morgan – The defending event champ should be a player on Sunday.
Tanner Hiatt – A win waiting to happen, mark my words.
Super Gas – 48 Car Field
Bo Butner will not return to Sonoma to defend his title so we’ll crown a new champ on Sunday. Mike Boehner, David Ruff, Val Torres, and Rob Willis will lead the charge to the winners circle.
DragChamp picks to win:
Mike Boehner – 2x Division 7 Super Gas champ grabbed his first national event win at Vegas in the Fall, the second one should come much quicker than the first.
Marko Perivolaris – Talented young racer has won at Sonoma multiple times and would to win at Kyle’s track this weekend.
Top Sportsman – 25 Car Field
The 25 car Top Sportsman field is so talented this week. Former national event winners Ed Olpin, Mike Ferderer, Monte Green, and Jeff Gillette headline the talented field.
DragChamp picks to win:
Paul Mitsos – Former national event champ looks to capitalize on a recent runner-up as he chases a third Wally.
Ed Olpin – Multi-time champ is overdue for another big day.
Top Dragster – 31 Car Field
Former Top Dragster World Champ Paul Nero leads the field into battle this week along with hitters such as Steve Casner, Dan Naylor, John Richardson, and 2019 event champ George Prather.
DragChamp pick to win:
Hannah Cook – Super talented young racer lays down great laps.
Paul Nero – Consistently one of the best Top Dragster racers on the West Coast.
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