With NHRA 4-Wide Nationals just hours away, NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series Drivers Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, and Austin Prock are ready to hit the jackpot at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Brown, the reigning NHRA 4-Wide Nationals champion, Langdon, currently leading in points, and Prock, fresh off a stellar start to the season, are ready to unleash their horsepower in Top Fuel and Funny Car categories. The three spoke with local media ahead of scheduled events, providing insights and anticipations for the upcoming drag racing spectacle.
From dreaming of driving iconic racecars to winning three world championships, Antron Brown's drag racing journey embodies perseverance and excellence. This allowed Brown to become the first African American to win a major U.S. auto racing season championship in 2012 and secure seven wins at LVMS.
As the reigning champion contender on the track, Brown shares his preparations for the high-stakes competition ahead at The Strip. "When we come to this track, every lane is pretty kilter, where every lane is good. That levels the playing field out.", Brown mentions. "That's where the teams that have the knowledge, or the laps, or data, they can rely on, and that's what we do with Toyota Racing Development, where they give us all the great information where we can go out there and be consistent and hit it hard."
With an illustrious career marked by groundbreaking achievements, Brown's focus remains on harnessing his team's power and his vehicle's performance to secure victory once more at The Strip.
Langdon arrives at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals with momentum from his recent Gatornationals win at the NHRA season opener. Langdon's success in Gainesville and his strong start to the 2024 season position him as a top contender in the upcoming competition.
Preparing to take on The Strip at LVMS, Langdon emphasizes the importance of perseverance and teamwork in the competitive world of NHRA drag racing. "Fortunately for me, being over here at Kalitta Motorsports after the year we had last year, they [Team Owner Connie Kalitta and GM Chad Head] decided to give Brian Hughes his first opportunity as crew chief, so I worked with Brian; he was the assistant crew chief in the car I won the championship with, says Langdon. "For him to get that opportunity, it's pretty neat for me to be the driver; I'm really happy for Brian and all of the guys on the team. They've been working really hard to get such good results at such an early part of the season, it shows all the hard work they put in."
With his sights set on the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternational's in Pomona, Langdon remains focused on pushing the limits and moving forward as a team.
Prock is set for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at The Strip at LVMS with a promising start to his Funny Car career following a standout performance at the season-opening Gatornationals. Despite coming close to victory in the final, Prock's impeccable performance throughout the weekend received praise from fellow racers and those within the racing community.
Prior to heading to Vegas, Prock secured victory in Phoenix, further solidifying his position as a formidable contender in the Funny Car scene.
Reflecting on his debut in the Funny Car category, Prock remains optimistic about the road ahead, emphasizing his gratitude for the opportunity to take on this challenge. "These funny cars, they're animals, and they're a huge challenge to get down the racetrack, and I'm enjoying it," Prock states. "I like the pressure; I think the pressure pushes me to be better, and every time I get in the car, I want to improve and learn and just absorb as much as I can."
Ready for the weekend ahead, Prock remains focused on honing his skills and making further strides in his fledgling Funny Car career with his dad and brother as crew chief and assistant crew chief.
Nitro action at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals kicks off on April 12th, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. For more information on race weekend and ticket packages, visit www.lvms.com or call 1-800-644-4444. The first four children 12 and under are free with an adult ticket purchase.
