Courtesy NHRA Communications
EPPING, N.H. (May 11, 2023) – As the summer heats up, the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series continues its 2023 season tour and returns to New England Dragway for the 10th annual NHRA New England Nationals on June 3-5.
The NHRA New England Nationals marks the sixth event of the 2023 season. The fan-favorite event promises to continue its tradition of incredible racing action in the New England area. Fans who have packed the facility with sellout crowds year after year will again be treated to thrilling racing from the 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel and Funny Car classes, as well as the debut of the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.
The weekend will also include the new Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday, an exciting new special program that debuts this season. Offering bonus money and bonus points, the challenge will feature the rematch of the semifinalists from Chicago, with the winners meeting up in the finals. It will make for a thrilling Saturday, leading right into the must-see action of Sunday eliminations at the historic venue.
Top Fuel’s Mike Salinas collected his first NHRA New England Nationals win last year in 2022, while Funny Car driver Matt Hagan continued his Epping dominance when he earned his fourth title at the facility. This year’s race will again be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) as the nitro stars look to celebrate a decade of memorable racing at New England Dragway in style.
Salinas will face a field of fierce competitors in the Top Fuel ranks, including reigning champ Brittany Force, former world champs Steve Torrence, who is the current points leader, and Antron Brown, Justin Ashley, who has two wins on the season, Charlotte winner Austin Prock, Leah Pruett and Tony Schumacher.
Hagan, who currently leads the field with three wins so far in 2023, will look to continue his momentum this season as well in Epping and build on his points lead. To do so, he’ll need to get around reigning Funny Car champion Ron Capps, three-time champ Robert Hight, John Force, New England native Bob Tasca, Alexis DeJoria, J.R. Todd and Tim Wilkerson in the highly competitive category.
This year’s event marks the debut of the always thrilling Pro Mod division at New England Dragway. The loyal NHRA fans will be treated to dramatic racing from the stars of the class including Justin Bond, who has won the first two races of the year, JR Gray, defending world champion Kris Thorne and more.
The event also will feature standout competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which features some of the sport’s top drivers, as well as the popular Mountain Motor Pro Stock and snowmobile categories. Prior to nitro qualifying each day, fans will be treated to a Top Fuel Motorcycle exhibition run between Dave Vantine and Micah Fenwick. The Zona Motorsports’ nostalgia cars will also be making exhibition runs and cacklefests throughout the weekend. On Saturday, fans can also attend Nitro School to learn more about how the cars operate and reach their thrilling speeds.
Fans at New England Dragway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan-favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the NHRA New England Nationals event winners.
As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Epping. This unique opportunity gives fans a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, June 2 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 3 at 2 and 5:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 4. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, 9 p.m. on Saturday, and then eliminations action at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the NHRA New England Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
