NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The blue Minnesota sky provided a picture-perfect backdrop as race day came alive at Brainerd International Raceway. Following the national anthem and a salute from the NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA, the staging lanes filled with racers preparing for one of the most important days of the regular season.

The Sunday gallery captures the many emotions of eliminations. Veterans Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Clay Millican, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman, Tony Stewart, Leah Pruett, and Austin Prock appear locked in and ready for battle, while Jordan Vandergriff and Maddi Gordon brought the energy of a new generation to the starting line.

Pro Stock provided its own collection of memorable moments. Eric Latino’s reaction tells the story of the category’s razor-thin margins, while Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Dallas Glenn shared a moment of mutual respect following their matchup. Cody Anderson’s intense focus reflected a breakthrough day that carried him into his first career Pro Stock semifinal.

The gallery also reaches beyond the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series categories. Christine Foster’s spectacular burnout filled the starting line with smoke and showcased the variety and power that made the Brainerd weekend special.

From the anticipation before a run to the emotion that followed each win light, these images reveal the people, personalities, and powerful machines that defined Sunday at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals.