By: NHRA
BRAINERD, Minn. (July 29, 2024) – As the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series regular season winds down, NHRA teams are gearing up for the 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, which takes place at festive Brainerd International Raceway on Aug. 15-18.
The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals serves as the penultimate event of the regular NHRA season before the Countdown to the Championship playoffs and the fan-favorite event and facility always delivers thrilling racing action from the 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro machines that fans have come to expect from the NHRA stars.
It is the 13th of 20 events during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season with all the top stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock looking to win the event and gear up for racing for a world title in the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Of course, Brainerd International Raceway is one of the most unique facilities on the NHRA tour, as it not only serves as the sight of record-breaking performances on the racetrack, but the famed “Zoo” camping facility has had fans flocking to Brainerd for more than 40 years.
It’s a loaded weekend as well, featuring four rounds of qualifying, the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge bonus event on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday.
Last season, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) powered to the winner’s circle at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. This year, the event will again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, including eliminations action on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. ET.
Top Fuel’s Brown earned his second career Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals win when he defeated Leah Pruett in last year’s final round. Brown already has two wins this season as he makes a run for his fourth NHRA world championship. He’ll be up against the likes of reigning Top Fuel champion and points leader Doug Kalitta, as well as Justin Ashley, Shawn Langdon, Seattle winner Steve Torrence, Clay Millican, Tony Schumacher, Brittany Force and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart.
Capps is certainly no stranger to the Brainerd winner’s circle in Funny Car. His 2023 win gave him his seventh Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals title when he won over Robert Hight and the three-time world champ is after his third win of the season. The Funny Car field is loaded with competition this season thanks to the efforts of points leader Austin Prock, Bob Tasca III, reigning champ Matt Hagan, Gainesville winner J.R. Todd, rookie Daniel Wilkerson, Alexis DeJoria and Chad Green.
Glenn currently leads the Pro Stock points thanks to his two wins this season at Pomona and Chicago, as well as three runner-up finishes. The rest of the field includes veterans of the class, including multi-time champs Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders, as well as Aaron Stanfield, who has three wins on the 2024 season, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Jerry Tucker.
The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as action in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown and Holley EFI Factory X.
Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Brainerd International Raceway 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 event winners.
Race fans at Brainerd 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 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals event winners.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4 and 6:15 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 16 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 18. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, as well as coverage of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenges on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on FS1, and eliminations on FOX at 3 p.m. ET Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, fans can call 866-444-4455. For more information on the NHRA, please visit www.nhra.com.
