Plourd makes history, James breaks through at NHRA Nationals at The Rock

Brad Plourd made NHRA history with a win in his seventh eliminator while Hayden James earned his first national event Wally at the NHRA Nationals at The Rock.

ROCKINGHAM, NC – Brad Plourd made NHRA history while Hayden James earned his first career national event Wally to highlight Sportsman competition at the NHRA Nationals at The Rock.

Plourd came within one round of a double after advancing to the finals in both Stock Eliminator and Right Trailers Top Dragster. After falling to Cody Phillips in Stock, Plourd returned to defeat Steve Furr in the Top Dragster final.

The victory made Plourd just the third driver in NHRA history to win a national event in seven different eliminators, adding Top Dragster to wins in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.

In Super Comp, Hayden James turned his first national event final into his first Wally. James was .003 at the tree and ran an 8.920 to defeat Mike Robilotto, who broke out with an 8.881.

Joining them in the winner’s circle was Joe Carnasciale (Comp), Bryan Worner (SS), Cody Phillips (STK), and Tim Powell (SG).

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

NHRA Nationals at The Rock

Competition Eliminator

Joe Carnasciale won his fifth NHRA National event Wally, his second this season, after defeating Monty Bogan in the final round. Bogan had the starting line advantage, .012 to .084, but Carnasciale got to the stripe first for the win. He ran an 8.876 at 152 mph on his 9.46 index.

John French and Marion Stephenson were the semi-finalists.

Super Stock

Bryan Worner defeated Dan Fletcher in the final round to pick up his ninth NHRA National event Wally. Fletcher turned it -.002 up front to hand the win over to Worner, who was .014 and ran a 9.940 at 119 mph on his 9.92 dial-in.

Joe Santangelo claimed the semi-finalist spot.

Stock Eliminator

Cody Phillips took home his second NHRA National event Wally after defeating Brad Plourd in the final round. Phillips cut a .000 light in the final round to grab the win from Plourd by .012 at the stripe. He ran a 10.351 at 126 mph on his 10.31 dial-in.

Joe Santangelo claimed the semi-finalist spot.

Super Comp

Hayden James picked up his first NHRA National event Wally after defeating Mike Robilotto in the final round. James had the starting line advantage, .003 to .030, and ran a 8.920 at 167 mph on the 8.90 index to head to the winner’s circle.

Bradley Snowball claimed the semi-finalist spot.

Super Gas

Tim Powell visited the winners circle for the second time this season after defeating Jock Lisenby in the final round, picking up his third NHRA National event Wally! Powell had the slight starting line advantage, .007 to .018, and turned it into a win light with a 9.957 at 157 mph on the 9.90 index. Lisenby broke out with a 9.85.

Scott Lawton claimed the semi-finalist spot.

Top Dragster

Brad Plourd defeated Steve Furr in the final round to take home his first NHRA National event Wally in Top Dragster, making him the third driver to accomplish wins in seven different categories. Furr was -.001 at the hit, giving Plourd the easy ride down the track. He was .021 and ran a 6.202 at 224 mph.

Kenny Carson and Robert May 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