NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

After a 66-year absence, NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series action returned to Michigan on Friday, and the opening day of the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar delivered a spectacular combination of history, horsepower, and packed grandstands at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.

From the first cars down the track to the header flames illuminating the Michigan evening, Friday provided plenty for NHRA’s photographers to capture.

For Michigan race fans, the event represents a long-awaited homecoming. The state that helped create many of the engines, transmissions, and performance machines that have defined American drag racing once again played host to the quickest and fastest racing on the planet.

But Friday was about much more than elapsed times. The return to Michigan brought together generations of race fans, competitors, manufacturers, and families who have helped make the region one of the most important places in American automotive and racing history.

NHRA’s photographers were positioned throughout U.S. 131 Motorsports Park to document it all — from the intensity on the starting line and action in the pits to the fans filling the facility for the opening day of this historic weekend.

Check out our Friday photo gallery from the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar, and stay with NHRA.com throughout the weekend for qualifying, eliminations, news, results, and more from Martin.