Robert Hight goes in search of his Third Victory in 2022. This time at The Strip in Vegas

Robert Hight and his Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS team have waited a long two weeks to get back to the track at this weekend’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Just the fourth event out of 22 on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, the Four-Wide Nationals is the first of two events where competitors will line-up four across instead of two.

Hight is off to the best start of his career after winning the season opening Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Calif. and the Arizona Nationals at Phoenix. Hight went onto secure the No. 1 qualifying position at the most recent Gatornationals in Gainesville. He enters the Vegas Four-Wide as the Funny Car points leader. With his back-to-back wins, Hight extended to 17 the number of seasons in which he has won at least one tour event for Auto Club. That is every season in which he has contested the championship. Hight also has recorded at least one No. 1 start in those 17 seasons.

“It’s been a great start to the season. We’ve been really consistent. Gainesville was tough for everyone and having two weeks off is just brutal,” Hight said. “This Auto Club team, we’re feeling good. We took things back to how we were running in 2019 and it’s paying off. Hopefully that continues and we get some win lights in Vegas.”

Hight has won five times previously at The Strip (2007, 2011 and 2012 in the spring; 2009 and 2015 in the fall), but has not yet raced in a final quad since the spring race went to four-wide in 2018. That said, he has won twice in four-wide competition, hoisting the trophy at Charlotte in 2012 and 2014. At Vega, he has started No. 1 eight times overall, five times in the spring race including last year when he and Brittany both were No. 1. His other No. 1s in this race came in 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2013. He was No. 1 at the fall race in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

“Four-Wide is really entertaining for the fans. Four cars lined up, the power, the speed. There’s a lot going on but as the driver, I just choose to worry about what I can control. Focus on my tree and run the race,” Hight said. “Sunday, eliminations, you get some help, just have to be top two of the first two rounds and there’s only three rounds. It’s a great weekend to gain some points, build our lead.”

Qualifying at the NHRA Four-Wide NHRA Nationals takes place Friday and Saturday with two sessions at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (PT) on each day. Eliminations are slated to begin at noon on Sunday. Racing action will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and begins with qualifying Friday at 7 p.m. ET and continues Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.