Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The 2024 Ford Performance NHRA Nationals roared into The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from October 31 through November 3, and fans were treated to one of the most exciting weekends of the entire season. As the penultimate stop on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series calendar, the race carried massive weight in the Countdown to the Championship, with titles still very much on the line.
The atmosphere was electric in Las Vegas. Fans packed the stands as a record-setting nitro field – 20 Top Fuel dragsters and 21 Funny Cars-stormed down the track, the largest entry list in nearly a decade. Add in Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Factory X, and the grassroots heroes of the NHRA Summit Racing Series, and the stage was set for a weekend filled with speed, drama, and history-making moments.
When it was all said and done, it was a weekend of milestones and dominance:
Brittany Force snapped a 39-race winless streak in Top Fuel, taking down championship leader Doug Kalitta in the final.Austin Prock added to his incredible season with his eighth Funny Car victory of 2024.Aaron Stanfield muscled his way to the winner’s circle in Pro Stock.Gaige Herrera kept his near-perfect season rolling with his 10th win in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
But no storyline was bigger than Force’s long-awaited return to victory lane—one that unfolded in dramatic fashion, round by round.
Top Fuel
Round One
The action opened with heavy hitters setting the tone early. Brittany Force made her intentions clear, outrunning Josh Hart with a 3.721-second blast at 329.26 mph. Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence, Clay Millican, and Shawn Reed also advanced with strong runs, tightening the tension as points implications loomed.
Quarterfinals
The intensity ramped up as favorites collided. Kalitta laid down a stunning 3.692 at 336.23 mph to defeat Antron Brown, reminding everyone why he’s the championship front-runner. Force kept her momentum alive by taking out Shawn Reed in a tight side-by-side duel, 3.701 to 3.722. Elsewhere, Clay Millican squeaked past Steve Torrence, while Shawn Langdon handed Justin Ashley a rare holeshot loss in another razor-close matchup.
Semifinals
The path to the finals came into focus. Force delivered her best run of the weekend—a blistering 3.666 at 331.85 mph—to take down Millican. On the other side of the ladder, Kalitta advanced over teammate Langdon, who stumbled with mechanical woes.
Final
In a showdown that felt like it carried the weight of the entire season, Brittany Force lined up against points leader Doug Kalitta. When the lights dropped, Kalitta’s machine smoked the tires, opening the door for Force to storm to victory with a flawless 3.703-second pass at 332.59 mph. The crowd erupted as she claimed her first win in 39 races and the 17th of her career—a triumphant return to the winner’s circle at the same track where she last tasted victory in 2022.
Ida Zetterström is one of the most exciting rising stars in drag racing. Already a European Top Fuel Champion and now making waves in the NHRA. She’s proven her talent, determination, and ability to inspire fans across continents. As she continues her journey in the world’s fastest motorsport, Ida is actively seeking sponsorship partners who want to align with speed, innovation, and breaking barriers. Supporting Ida means fueling not just her dragster, but her story of ambition and success.
If you can help then contact Ida through the JCM website or her social media platforms. https://www.jcmnitro.com/ida-zetterstrom
Funny Car
If Top Fuel brought the emotion, Funny Car delivered the power and once again, the spotlight fell on Austin Prock, who has been the class of the field all season long. With 21 Funny Cars making up part of Las Vegas’ record-setting nitro field, the eliminations were a showcase of both raw horsepower and playoff pressure.
Round One
The opening round saw some big names flex early muscle. Austin Prock made a statement right away, blasting to a 3.866-second pass at 332.84 mph to send Tim Gibbons home. Blake Alexander, Paul Lee, and Jack Beckman also laid down solid numbers, while veterans like Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon, and Bob Tasca III advanced to set up a stacked quarterfinal round.
Quarterfinals
Things tightened up as the competition grew tougher. Prock rolled past Cruz Pedregon, who was disqualified for crossing the centerline, while Blake Alexander stayed sharp by taking out Tasca. Paul Lee and Jack Beckman both advanced with near-identical runs, highlighting just how razor-thin the margins were on race day.
Semifinals
Prock once again proved why he’s been the Funny Car driver to beat in 2024. He powered to a 3.859 at 328 mph to easily handle Alexander, whose car stumbled to a 10-second pass. On the other side of the ladder, Paul Lee kept his dream run alive, edging out Beckman with a 3.834 at 330 mph versus Beckman’s 3.827 at 323 mph—a nail-biting matchup decided on speed at the top end.
Final
It all came down to Austin Prock vs. Paul Lee, and the young star didn’t flinch. Prock laid down a clean 3.830-second pass to secure his eighth win of the season, while Lee’s 3.982 at 297 mph fell short. The win not only added another Wally to Prock’s collection but also reinforced his momentum heading into Pomona, keeping him firmly in the championship conversation.
Pro Stock
As the countdown to the championship entered its critical phase, the Pro Stock class continued to embody the perfect blend of precision, speed, and factory-born muscle. The 2024 Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway saw Aaron Stanfield rise to the pinnacle of competition, combining flawless execution with raw horsepower to notch another crucial win in the playoffs.
One of the biggest highlights of the meeting was the return of John Force. John arrived on Friday and watched his teams qualify; he was present through the weekend and witnessed his daughter and his team capture big wins, wrapped up on Monday with dramatic race results in his first appearance since the crash.
