NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to New Hampshire for the 4th annual NHRA New England Nationals, the ninth of 24 races in the 2016 season. Historic New England Dragway, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016, sits about an hour north of metro Boston and will play host to the kind of adrenaline-pumping excitement only NHRA Drag Racing can deliver.

Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock will pilot their machines in fierce competition for a chance to stand in the winner’s circle and hoist Wally trophies at New England Dragway, the only quarter-mile dragstrip in the New England region. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event.

In Top Fuel, eight-time world champion Schumacher raced his U.S. Army dragster to the No. 1 qualifying position and rode the momentum to the race victory, defeating three-time world champ Larry Dixon in the final. Schumacher, who finished second in points last season, is off to a bumpy start in 2016 without a final-round appearance through the season’s first eight events. However, Schumacher has a history of success in Epping and will be looking for his third consecutive win at New England Dragway and a turnaround to his season.

Current points leader Doug Kalitta is on a three-race hot streak, having claimed consecutive victories in Houston, Atlanta, and Topeka. He also has a runner-up finish at the season-opening Winternationals and semifinal finishes in Phoenix and Charlotte.

Defending world champ Antron Brown is in second place on the strength of his win in Las Vegas and runner-ups in Charlotte and Houston. Brittany Force, who claimed her first Top Fuel victory in Gainesville and another at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods, is third in points.

Other top contenders for the victory include two-time season finalist Steve Torrence, who has claimed four No. 1 qualifiers this season; Clay Millican, who has three semifinal finishes in pursuit of his first Top Fuel victory; Atlanta runner-up J.R. Todd; and Terry McMillen, who is looking for his first Top Fuel victory after finishing as the runner-up at the Gatornationals.

In Funny Car, 16-time world champion John Force piloted his Peak Antifreeze Chevrolet Camaro to the 2015 New England Nationals victory over Tommy Johnson Jr. for his second win of the season. The 2015 NHRA New England Nationals is Force’s most recent victory. He has started the 2016 season off with a runner-up finish in Phoenix and two semifinal appearances in Pomona and Las Vegas. Force is currently ninth in the points standings after a series of first-round exits. His daughter Courtney Force, who won in Houston, is the points leader.

Several other pre-race favorites in Funny Car are back-to-back Atlanta and Topeka winner Matt Hagan; Gatornationals winner Robert Hight; Ron Capps, who opened the season with a win at the Winternationals and finished as runner-up to Hight at the Gatornationals; defending world champion Del Worsham; Las Vegas event winner Alexis DeJoria; and national record holder Jack Beckman.

Four-time Pro Stock world champion Anderson raced his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro to his third victory of season at the 2015 NHRA New England Nationals by defeating 2012 world champion Allen Johnson in the final. Anderson has opened the 2016 season with three victories and looks to be in championship-winning form once again.

Anderson’s teammate, two-time world champion and current points leader Jason Line, has been setting the pace for the category. He has appeared in the first seven final rounds and hasn’t qualified outside of second with victories in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Charlotte. Line will be racing for his first Epping victory.

Others to watch in the 200-mph factory hot rod category are two time and defending world champion Erica Enders, two-time season runner-up Bo Butner, Phoenix runner-up Chris McGaha, 2014 top rookie Drew Skillman, 2012 world champ and 2013 Epping winner Allen Johnson, five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., Vincent Nobile, Shane Gray, and Gas Monkey Garage driver Alex Laughlin. 

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand how the highly skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

As part of NHRA’s ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Funny Car class, one legendary Funny Car driver will be honored during the pre-race ceremony.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 3 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 4 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 5.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.