With five rounds of qualifying and special events, followed by four rounds of racing on the actual Labor Day holiday, the U.S. Nationals are always the biggest straight-line race in the United States – and perhaps the world.
Ken Black, the maestro who began and nurtured KB Titan Racing, passed August 26 at the age of 79.
2026 marks NHRA’s 75th anniversary as the premier entity in the USA sanctioning straight-line racing. And while date equity and returns to familiar tracks is always a good idea, the addition of two new facilities and the promise of a third – to be announced – date on the upcoming 20-race season for the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series makes the anticipation even sweeter.
Preparing to run the race “every racer wants to win” at Lucas Oil Raceway Park with a host of other activities filling the weekend.
The American motorsports world lost two giants the weekend of August 22-24.
Wheeler was more than a showman and more than a promoter. He had an innate ability to understand what fans wanted and how to get the experiences they desired to come to life for them.
The 43rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals was an opportunity for many to evaluate their standing in the straight-line community before the close of the “regular” season of Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competition.
On a cool and cloudy day that started late after morning showers, the conditions merited extra-quick lap times and that’s exactly what the enthusiastic fans in the stands and The Zoo received.
With funds available – in addition to added points – for the No. 1 seed after this weekend’s race in Brainerd MN and the 71st Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals two weeks hence at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP), there’s a lot on the line for everyone.
After earning eight championships and taking 234 checkered flags Schatz has been relieved of his driving duties in favor of Australian Kerry Madsen, who will wheel the No. 15 sprint car.
