American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals Saturday Race Preview

Fans of drag racing are preparing for an exciting weekend as the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals arrives at Virginia Motorsports Park. This event, part of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, marks the halfway point of the regular season and features top names in the sport.

The Virginia Nationals will be run with a two-day race format in professional classes for the second consecutive year, providing three rounds of qualifying for Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock Motorcycle on Saturday. The high-stakes elimination rounds are set for Sunday, bringing added drama to the summer event schedule.

As competition heats up, Saturday will also deliver the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. Four-time Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence is fresh off a win in Bristol and now takes part in this challenge, matched against the current points leader, Tony Stewart.

Second in points, Shawn Langdon, is also set for a showdown with Justin Ashley. The spotlight remains on elite competitors who are aiming to collect crucial points and momentum as the season moves forward.

Prock’s victory at this track last season gives him confidence, but his lead in the current standings is slim, with Paul Lee—2025’s breakout star—close behind.

Jack Beckman, another John Force Racing contender, already has two wins under his belt in 2025. This field includes Matt Hagan, a four-time world champ, three-time champ and recent Bristol winner Ron Capps, and Epping winner J.R. Todd, making this race especially competitive in the Funny Car ranks.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera leads the standings as a two-time champion. Herrera has already secured two wins this season and holds off six-time champion Matt Smith.

The lineup also features Bristol winner Richard Gadson, Angie Smith, Chase Van Sant, Steve Johnson, and Jianna Evaristo, making the motorcycle class one to watch. Last year’s event winners in Virginia included Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel, Austin Prock in Funny Car, and Gaige Herrera in Pro Stock Motorcycle, showing the caliber of talent returning for 2025.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera captured a 6.703-second record in June 2024, with Angie Smith hitting 201.37 mph in May 2022.

National records remain impressive, with Brittany Force holding a 3.623-second Top Fuel pass, Robert Hight blistering to 3.793 seconds in Funny Car, and a 6.627-second Pro Stock Motorcycle run by Gaige Herrera.

The event also welcomes action from the Lucas Oil Series, Pro Mod Drag Racing, Holley EFI Factory X, and Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle categories. Qualifying and eliminations across all classes pack the schedule from Friday through Sunday, leading to a full weekend of high-speed excitement.

Fans can catch televised coverage on FOX Sports 1, with Saturday qualifiers and Sunday finals set for national broadcast. Richmond’s event underlines the depth and competitiveness of the NHRA circuit as big names and up-and-coming talents line up for critical midseason points.

As the season’s second half approaches, every session and every round counts in the race to the championship.

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.