No. 1 Clawifier Award Ignites Excitement This Friday in Epping

Nitro at night is taking on an extra New England twist during the Friday session of the 2025 NHRA New England Nationals, thanks to the introduction of the No. 1 Clawifier Award presented by NAPA. This special award will be up for grabs during Friday’s second round of qualifying at New England Dragway, scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on May 30.

Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock teams will battle for the top qualifying spots, knowing that a coveted lobster dinner and major bragging rights are on the line. Drivers aiming to lead the session will find even more motivation this year, as the No. 1 Clawifier Award brings together local New England flavor and the excitement of nighttime qualifying.

The top driver of each session will be invited to sit in a chair crafted from lobster pots at the top end of the track. They will hold this spot and receive a giant lobster, with their teams celebrating with lobster dinners if they hold onto the No. 1 spot through the end of qualifying.

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The award fits the region’s tradition and gives Friday’s primetime session a unique energy. Fans will be able to watch all the action unfold with live coverage on Facebook, YouTube, and NHRA.tv.

Many eyes will be on the drivers and crews as they go after fast passes under the lights, knowing those top spots carry extra rewards this year. The excitement of earning the No. 1 qualifier position will play out in real time, giving both fans at the track and at home a new reason to follow every run closely.

Event winners won’t just take home the classic Wally trophy this season. On Sunday, winners in Epping will also receive a lobster pot buoy trophy to mark their accomplishment at the seventh stop on the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series calendar.

Last year’s event sold out, with standout victories by John Force (Funny Car), Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), and Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock). The Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, which rewards strong performances in Saturday’s final qualifying rounds, will return again, adding even more competition across the weekend.

The New England Nationals in Epping have built a reputation for big crowds and competitive races since first joining the calendar 12 years ago. In 2024, Doug Kalitta’s victory meant he had finally won at every NHRA track.

Tony Stewart, the motorsports legend, enters this year’s race as the current Top Fuel points leader with two wins. Other title contenders include reigning champ Antron Brown, Brittany Force, Clay Millican, and Shawn Langdon.

Over in Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn and Greg Anderson continue to dominate by reaching every final this year. Glenn holds the points lead thanks to wins at Gainesville, Las Vegas, and Charlotte.

Image credit: www.nhra.com

Fans in attendance will find much more than racing, with interactive experiences like the Nitro Alley Stage, meet and greets, and pre-race ceremonies. Each race weekend includes Nitro School, autograph sessions, the popular SealMaster NHRA Track Walk, and the celebration at the winner’s circle on Sunday.

Every ticket doubles as a pit pass, giving fans a look inside the intense work of the teams and the fun of sponsor displays. Qualifying for the 2025 NHRA New England Nationals kicks off Friday, May 30, with rounds at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by two more sessions on Saturday.

Final eliminations are set for Sunday, June 1, at 11 a.m. ET. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, with Sunday eliminations broadcast live on FOX from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

The arrival of the No. 1 Clawifier Award adds a fresh layer of excitement to Friday night’s qualifying, blending fast racing with a regional tradition that highlights New England’s unique character. As drivers and teams chase the top slot, fans can expect a lively atmosphere and some of the best drag racing action of the year.

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.