NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

On Sept. 2-7, nearly 1,000 of NHRA’s best racers will gather at historic Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for the 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. For racers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, there is more incentive than ever to compete at the sport’s most prestigious event, as the weeklong celebration of speed continues to build on eight decades of tradition.

“This is shaping up to be one of the most memorable U.S. Nationals in history. What makes this event special are the Sportsman racers, and the NHRA is proud to once again be celebrating them all week,” said Jason Galvin, NHRA Sportsman Racing manager. “Indy is a grind, and our job is to honor the racers who dedicate well over a week to participate in this amazing race and make sure they know how much the NHRA appreciates them."

While on-track action does not begin until Wednesday, Sept. 2, the real fun begins a day earlier on Tuesday with the annual NHRA Racer’s Appreciation dinner held in the Top Eliminator Club. This year, the affair will feature an enhanced menu, goodie bags, and a raffle that will award lucky racers more than $100,000 in merchandise and prizes.  

For racers in Super Stock and Stock, Thursday, Sept. 3, is perhaps the most anticipated day of the year as it features class eliminations for those two categories. A tradition that is as old as the event itself, Super Stock and Stock racers will compete in a heads-up, no-breakout battle for bragging rights in each individual class.

This year, class winners will be richly rewarded as they will each earn one of the special edition 75th anniversary diamond NHRA Wallys and a newly designed class winner decal celebrating NHRA’s 75th Anniversary. All class winners also get to visit the hallowed ground that is the class racers' winner’s circle located just past the finish line at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

“We’re excited about the continued celebrations of the NHRA’s 75th anniversary,” said Galvin. “What better way to celebrate the epitome of class racing than by giving the racers something they can proudly display to the world? If you win class at Indy, you’re the best of the best, and now everyone will know that.”

The action continues on Friday, Sept. 4 with the very popular Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection. The Hemi Challenge is a special event featuring a fleet of Hemi-powered '68 Dodge Dart and Plymouth Barracuda factory race cars competing in the class eliminations format. A staple of Indy since their introduction in 1968, the SS/AH entries are capable of mid-eight-second runs at speeds in excess of 160 mph.

“The Hemi Challenge continues to be a marquee event. It’s a slugfest,” Galvin said. “One day, bring your best stuff, with some of the absolute most amazing drag cars ever produced. Fans love it, and the Friday night final is a moment every Sportsman racing fan looks forward to all year."

Monday’s eliminator champions will also benefit from an enhanced payout structure with winners in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Right Trailers Top Dragster, and Right Trailers Top Sportsman each winning $5,000 plus applicable contingency awards. The payout represents the largest U.S. Nationals purse in history.