NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to the Land of 10,000 Lakes for the penultimate race of the regular season, the 35th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int’l Raceway. The stakes will be high as drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle fight for the remaining spots in the top 10 to compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Additionally, the Top Fuel and Funny Car finals from the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil are scheduled to run at this event during Saturday qualifying.

In 2015, unseasonably cool conditions set the stage for all-time great performances, with Shawn Langdon and Matt Hagan recording the quickest elapsed times in class history at the time in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively (Langdon’s e.t. still stands). Richie Crampton won in Top Fuel, earning Morgan Lucas Racing its third Brainerd victory in a span of four years. Robert Hight took home the win in Funny Car by defeating Tommy Johnson Jr. Erica Enders spoiled Jason Line’s homecoming in the Pro Stock final. Pro Stock Motorcycle was an all-Harley affair, with Eddie Krawiec defeating teammate Andrew Hines.

Here’s a look at some of this year’s major storylines:

Double down in B-town?
Steve Torrence (pictured), Antron Brown, Del Worsham, and Ron Capps each have a chance to take home two Wallys on consecutive days. The conclusion of the Seattle event, from which the nitro final rounds were rescheduled due to rain, will take place during Saturday qualifying. The storylines are similar in each class. Torrence and Worsham are the national e.t. record holders in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively, and they both have lopsided losing records in career head-to-head matchups against their opponents, each of whom has exceptional records at this event. Torrence is 1-18 against Brown, and Worsham is 17-39 vs. Capps.

Time running out
With only two events before the Countdown to the Championship begins, teams are giving it all they have to make it into one of those top-10 spots in the points if they haven't already clinched playoff berths. The key battles are Terry McMillen trying to catch No. 10 Leah Pritchett in Top Fuel, Chad Head and Cruz Pedregon trying to make up ground on an absent Alexis DeJoria in Funny Car, Elite teammates Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders as well as Alex Laughlin playing musical chairs for the final spot in Pro Stock, and a whole mess of potential playoff riders trying to rise to the occasion in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

C. Force returns; DeJoria still on the mend
Alexis DeJoria and the Tequila Patron Toyota Camry team are eyeing an Indy return following an accident in Sonoma that left the Las Vegas winner with a fractured pelvis. Meanwhile, Courtney Force will be back in action after making contact with the concrete barrier in Seattle. Force spent time rehabilitating her right knee and will hop back in a Danny Hood- and Ronnie Thompson-tuned Traxxas Chevy Camaro.

Lines everywhere
A homecoming event for Pro Stock points leader Jason Line is unlike those of most racers. Line is from a racing family, which will be competing extensively in Stock eliminator. His mother, brothers, in-laws, and teammates will be racing in Stock along with many entries with motors supplied by his brother, Lance. Line himself will be pulling double duty by driving the Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro Pro Stocker and an F/Stock Automatic entry.

Harleys vs. the world
The competition in Pro Stock Motorcycle has gotten downright chippy off the track. On the track, Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-Rod riders Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec have been collecting several wins, though other teams have them in their sights. LE Tonglet won in Sonoma with one of his best performances on the Nitro Fish Suzuki to end a drought of nearly five years. Angelle Sampey made the quickest run in four years at 6.730 seconds on George Bryce’s Star Racing Buell. The action in the two-wheel class is bound to be thrilling at another venue that particularly embraces them.

Track records
Top Fuel
3.662 seconds by Shawn Langdon, August 2015
332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, August 2015
 
Funny Car
3.879 seconds by Matt Hagan, August 2015
329.58 mph by Hagan, August 2015
 
Pro Stock
6.541 seconds by Erica Enders, August 2015
211.39 mph by Shane Gray, August 2015

Pro Stock Motorcycle
6.788 seconds by Eddie Krawiec, August 2015
197.39 mph by Krawiec, August 2015

Schedule
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3 and 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, and the final two rounds of qualifying Saturday, Aug. 20, at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21.
 
Tickets
Call (800) 824-RACE (7223) or 866-444-4455 or log on to NHRA.com/tickets or www.brainerdraceway.com.
 
Television
Saturday, Aug. 20, FOX Sports 1 will televise a half-hour of live Top Fuel and Funny Car final-round coverage rescheduled from the Seattle event at 3 p.m. ET and two hours of qualifying coverage at 10 p.m. ET
Sunday, Aug. 21, FOX Sports 1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 2 p.m. ET