NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Sixteen-time world champion John Force remained in the intensive care unit at a Virginia hospital Monday following an on-track incident during Sunday’s PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Driving his Feather Lite Batteries Ford, John Pluchino rallied to win the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock title at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

In addition to the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series action at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals, champions were also crowned in six Lucas Oil Series classes at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Three brutally hot days, hardcore fans, track-record runs, a devastating crash, and history in the making: The PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals had it all as the NHRA returned to Virginia Motorsports Park after a short absence. Here’s our five big takeaways from the race.

Legendary multi-time NHRA Pro Mod champ Rickie Smith picked up yet another victory in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.

Funny Car points leader Austin Prock won his second straight race on Sunday for John Force Racing while Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the ninth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

The National Dragster photographers were all over Virginia Motorsports Park on Sunday of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals to capture all of the action on and off the racetrack.

During the first round of Funny Car eliminations at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals, John Force’s Funny Car suffered an engine explosion at the finish line and then crossed the centerline, striking both guard walls. Force was alert and was examined onsite by the NHRA Medical Team before being transported to a local medical facility for further evaluation.

News, notes, quotes, and photos from final eliminations at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals. Updated throughout the day.

After a successful three-session Saturday, it’s time to crown champions at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. The event is the eighth of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

John Force Racing swept the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge for the first time on Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park, as Brittany Force won in Top Fuel and Austin Prock picked up the victory in Funny Car. Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the specialty race.

Top Fuel’s Shawn Langdon, Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) closed out qualifying with the quickest runs of the day on Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park, taking the No. 1 spots at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.

The National Dragster photographers were all over Virginia Motorsports Park on Saturday of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals to capture all of the action on and off the racetrack.

News, notes, quotes, and photos from the opening day of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. Updated throughout the day.

Chasing history has been nothing new for Gaige Herrera the past two seasons, but the reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion has a chance to add another incredible mark at this weekend’s PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.

NHRA Rookie of the Year Award candidate Sienna Wildgust has been added to the Elite Motorsports team roster. Wildgust will make her debut with the Elite Motorsports team at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, July 19-21. 

NHRA’s Professional racing teams will face a grueling crucible as the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series returns to Virginia Motorsports Park where, for the first time, three qualifying sessions will be held on Saturday of the two-day event.

The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ returns to Virginia Motorsports Park as part of this weekend’s PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals, and the stakes are as massive as the huge car count heading to Richmond.

Bo Butner will make a return to the 500-inch Pro Stock category driving the yellow Corral Boots/Cuadra/Columbia Impex entry while also continuing his pursuit of the first Mountain Motor Pro Stock championship at this weekend’s PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.

Ron Capps vs. John Force, "Beer Wars" between Kenny Bernstein and Larry Dixon, and more highlighted the action at the 2000 national event at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Winning is, for most, the point of the game. An easy win, though, seldom seems to have the same sense of reward that comes with winning an intense, honest battle. Pro Stock points leader Dallas Glenn believes the challenge itself is where much of the reward can be found.

On this episode of the NHRA Insider, Jiana Evaristo joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about the recent Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and Tony Pedregon joins to talk about what will be a sweltering weekend at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals. 

Austin Prock was in a Top Fuel dragster two years ago at Virginia Motorsports Park, but at this weekend’s PlayNHRA Virginia NHRA Nationals, he’ll be looking for his third Funny Car win of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

The last time Brittany Force was at Virginia Motorsports Park, she was obliterating track records en route to a victory in 2022 and, ultimately, her second world championship, and she hopes to recreate some of that magic this year.

Virginia Motorsports Park was the scene of a lot of early drama at the 1997 NHRA Virginia Nationals, with wheelstands, pedalfests, and a barn-burning Funny Car fire spicing up the opening rounds.

There are times when the size and scope of the NHRA Drag Racing universe can escape us until we find ourselves in the middle of something truly special. Such was the case last weekend.

On the heels of a successful rollout in Bristol, the PlayNHRA initiative will continue this week at the PlayNHRA Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. Once again, NHRA fans will have the opportunity to engage in fantasy games, gaming, and betting for the ninth of 20 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events.

Beech Bend Raceway Park came alive over Father’s Day weekend with the roaring engines and thrilling races of the 2024 Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals.

After a successful return in Chicago, Geno Scali, the 2003 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, plans to compete in the final seven events of the season aboard a Vance & Hines prepared Suzuki.