Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals Saturday Preview
Following the success of last weekend’s E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, professional racers in Top Fuel and Funny Car will return to Indianapolis this week for the Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals. Billy Torrence earned his sixth-career Top Fuel win last weekend when he stopped points leader Doug Kalitta in the final while Matt Hagan scored his first victory of the season when he defeated teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. to claim his 34th career Funny Car title. Torrence and Hagan will be among the favorites to repeat. Once again, the Indy event features full fields with 20 Top Fuel dragsters and 18 Funny Cars on the pre-entry list meaning which will place an added importance on Saturday’s two qualifying sessions.
This week’s schedule also features the 2020 debut for the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod series and the SAM Tech.edu Factory Stock Showdown, as well as the continuation of the Mickey Thompson Top Fuel Harley series. The Pro Mod class will feature reigning class champ Steve Jackson, and former champs Mike Janis, and Khalid alBalooshi as well as a special guest appearance by Pro Stock racer Bo Butner, who is filling in for three-time champion Rickie Smith. The Factory Stock Showdown field will be led by defending champion Drew Skillman and his father, Bill, along with Leah Pruett, who will also be racing in Top Fuel.
Recent changes to the season format have resulted in the elimination of the Countdown to the Championship format which means that every round win is critical.
You can catch the action all weekend on Fox Sports 1, FOX and NHRA.tv.
Whether you’re in Pomona, Gainesville, or anywhere else around the world, you can follow NHRA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to get a closer look at the action.
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TELEVISION SCHEDULE:
Saturday, July 18, FS1 will televise qualifying coverage at 10:30 p.m to 11:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, July 19, FS1 will televise qualifying coverage from 11 a.m. to noon.
July 19, Fox TV will televise three and a half hours of live finals coverage starting at noon. (ET).