NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The adrenaline-pumping excitement of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to New Hampshire in 2017 for the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals, June 2-4 at New England Dragway, which sits about an hour north of metro Boston.
 
It is the ninth of 24 events during the 2017 season and also kicks off a string of four consecutive race weekends. The huge fanbase in the New England area have an event to call its own and they have responded in resounding fashion over the previous four years, bringing a packed house to New England Dragway to witness the incredible thrills of the ground-shaking 10,000-horsepower machines.
 
Teams in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock will again battle for victories and world championship points as the season nears the halfway mark. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including finals coverage starting at 4:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, June 4.

Antron Brown

Brown continued Don Schumacher Racing’s dominance at the track in Top Fuel a year ago, winning the race for the first time en route to his second straight world championship. DSR drivers have posted Top Fuel wins all four years at New England Dragway, highlighted by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher’s back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015. That dominance has extended to the entire 2017 Top Fuel season, as points leader Leah Pritchett, a three-time winner this year, Schumacher, and Brown have combined to win six of the first eight races of the season.

Ron Capps

Capps’ second career Funny Car win at the facility was one of a number of memorable moments in 2016 for the longtime standout, as Capps finished the season with his first world championship. Capps enters the event on a personal-record tear of four straight wins to knock teammate Matt Hagan from the top spot. Challenging that duo will be a number of drivers including previous Epping winners John Force, who won in 2015, and Courtney Force, who won the inaugural race in 2013. Other marquee Funny Car talent includes Las Vegas winner Tommy Johnson Jr., J.R. Todd, rookie Jonnie Lindberg, and Jack Beckman.

Greg Anderson

Anderson’s second straight Pro Stock win at New England Dragway a year ago came during an incredible string that included eight straight final round appearances and four wins. Anderson, who had eight wins in 2016, has an early-season win in Phoenix this season, but there has been impressive parity in the class, Defending world champ Jason Line and Shane Gray have each won once while rookie Tanner Gray and Bo Butner each have a pair of wins. Other challengers in Epping include five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin, two-time world champ Erica Enders, Vincent Nobile, Chris McGaha and Drew Skillman.

The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, showcasing the future stars of the sport. After Nitro qualifying on Friday, fans can watch the spectacular Hanna Motorsports jet cars. Jet cars are thrust driven propelled by jet engines with exciting pre-run flame shows.
 
Along with the exciting on-track action, the NHRA New England Nationals will honor first responders with NHRA’s “Salute to First Responders” celebration.
 
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
 
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
 
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 2 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 3, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 4.
 
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate.