Payne, Firestone win at NHRA Arizona Nationals at the Phoenix

Madison Payne and Allen Firestone visited the winner’s circle at the NHRA Arizona Nationals to top the leaderboard at Firebird Motorsports Park.

PHOENIX, AZ – Madison Payne and Allen Firestone led the winners at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, picking up the NHRA Wally in Super Comp and Top Sportsman. This was Payne’s first win in the Super Comp category, after visiting the winner’s circle multiple times in her Top Alcohol Dragster.

Joining them in the winner’s circle was Ryan McClanahan (SS), Tony Marconi (STK), Evan Kowalski (SG), Keith Manogue (SST), Thomas Bayer (TD), and Allen Firestone (TS).

Read the race recap below to learn more about the winners!

2024 NHRA Arizona Nationals

Super Stock

Ryan McClanahan took home his 12th NHRA National event Wally after defeating Brad Burton in the final round. McClanahan had the starting line advantage, .004 to .021, and turned it into a .005 total package and locked out Burton at the hit. He ran a 8.741 at 154 mph on his 8.74 dial-in.

Johnny Diekema was the semi-finalist.

Stock Eliminator

Tony Marconi took home his first NHRA National event Wally after defeating Mike Cotton in the final round. Marconi had the starting line advantage, .030 to .091, and ran a 10.927 at 166 mph on his 10.89 dial-in to pick up the trophy.

Larry McClanahan was the semi-finalist.

Super Comp

Madison Payne picked up the NHRA National event Wally after defeating Timothy Parker in the final round. Parker had issues on the startling line and gave Payne a freebie to the winner’s circle. She was .011 at the hit and coasted to the finish line.

Bill Dennis was the semi-finalist.

Super Gas

Evan Kowalski visited the winners circle after defeating John Dexter in the final round. Kowalski had the slight starting line advantage, .018 to .022, and ran a 9.926 at 156 mph on the 9.90 index to pick up the win over Dexter’s 9.966 run.

Brad Pierce was the semi-finalist.

Super Street

Keith Manogue defeated Matthew Bong in the final round to take home his third NHRA National event Wally. Manogue had the starting line advantage, .016 to .054, and ran a 10.892 at 140 mph on the 10.90 index to pick up the win on a double-breakout.

David Thompson was the semi-finalist.

Top Dragster

Thomas Bayer defeated Dylan Hough in the final round to take home his 12th NHRA National event Wally. Bayer had the starting line advantage, .011 to .050, and ran a 6.151 at 211 mph on his 6.14 dial-in to pick up the win.

Prescott Dean and Chad Axford were the semi-finalists.

Top Sportsman

Allen Firestone defeated Bryan Warr in the final round to take home his fourth NHRA National event Wally. Warr had the starting line advantage, .005 to .077, but took too much stripe to breakout and give Firestone the win. He ran a 6.420 at 207 mph on the 6.40 dial-in.

Curt Fredrich and Sandy Wilkins were the semi-finalists.

An avid racer herself, Megan Strassweg, 28, sees her two worlds collide with DragChamp – journalism and drag racing. Megan resides in Evansville, IN, and she pilots a 2015 American Dragster in the NHRA North Central Division 3 Super Comp series, along with some local bracket racing on the side. Her passion for racing began early, having grown up at the racetrack, and she remains committed to the sport.

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com