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Annual NHRA Nitro Spring Training test session in Arizona set for February 3

NHRA Nitro Spring Training begins Jan. 31 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., where a large number of teams from Top Fuel all the way to Pro Stock are expected to engage in pre-season testing in advance of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona.
16 Jan 2018
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
J.R. Todd

When NHRA Nitro Spring Training testing gets underway at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Arizona on Jan. 31, it will look very similar to the annual national event hosted at the same desert track. That’s because an unusually high number of cars from Top Fuel all the way to Pro Stock will hit the track at the end of the month. 

If you’re looking to get a taste of the testing action, all that’s required is a full event ticket to the NHRA Arizona Nationals (or a one-day ticket plus a $15 add-on). Those tickets, for the event which runs Feb. 23-25, are on sale now. Testing is open to fans on February 3, and is closed to the public the rest of the week. 

Drivers from Don Schumacher Racing, John Force Racing, Kalitta Motorsports are all expected to show up and get some work in before the season-opening Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com. First-time event winners Clay Millican and Terry McMillen also plan to test at the Arizona-based facility. 

In addition to the smell of nitro, you can expect to see plenty of Pro Stock vehicles in action. Defending champion Bo Butner will test, along with reigning Auto Club Road to the Future award winner Tanner Gray, and the vast majority of the doorslamming contingent. 

Both Leah Pritchett and Courtney Force made the quickest unofficial runs in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively, during testing a year ago, and incredible performance may be on tap once again. Pritchett followed up her great testing experience by officially setting what was then the elapsed time record at the NHRA Arizona Nationals later that month. 

While the big numbers are certainly a highlight, teams are primarily looking to dial in tune-ups ahead of the grind that is the Mello Yello NHRA Drag Racing season. That goes for teams that have been together for a long time, and those that still need to work in new crew chiefs and crew members. 

Regardless of the team-specific goals at play, the event is one of the most unique, and entertaining for fans of NHRA Drag Racing. It offers a casual atmosphere, phenomenal views of the action and the opportunity to see new cars live before anyone else. This is an opportunity you won't want to pass up.