Celebrate NHRA’s 75th Anniversary at Drag Racing’s Biggest U.S. Nationals

NHRA’s 75th anniversary focus shifts to its flagship event, the 72nd Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals, running September 2-7 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

The Big Go draws hundreds of entrants chasing the sport’s most valued prize and serves as the regular-season finale after the penultimate stop at Brainerd.

Pro categories Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle share the stage with standouts from the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. The 75th year adds ceremonial weight through a special Diamond Wally trophy.

Legendary names add historical depth. Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, Joe Amato, Shirley Muldowney, and Darrell Gwynn are set for appearances.

Friday and Sunday exhibitions include Rat Trap and Bradford’s Fiat Fuel Altereds plus push-start cackle cars, complemented by a refreshed Nitro Mall with exclusive merchandise.

Track action follows a clear arc. Night qualifying opens Friday, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge features Saturday, and the Funny Car All-Star Callout headlines Sunday.

Final eliminations run Monday, with television coverage shifting from FS1 to FOX for the decisive sessions.

Top Fuel’s competitive picture is tight. Points leader Shawn Langdon faces pressure from defending champion Doug Kalitta. Tony Stewart holds one 2026 win, while Leah Pruett also has victory form.

In Pro Stock, six-time champion Erica Enders leads the standings on three wins. Gaige Herrera carries the Pro Stock Motorcycle regular-season crown and targets another Indy statement.

Last year’s winners were Austin Prock (Funny Car), Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Enders (Pro Stock), and Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle). Prock swept Indy with the Callout, regular-season title, and Monday victory.

Now at Tasca Racing, Prock seeks to build on a single 2026 win, with Ron Capps and Matt Hagan providing established Funny Car benchmarks and Jordan Vandergriff emerging for John Force Racing.

Heritage remains central through the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge, NHRA’s longest-running specialty race, featuring ’68 Super Stock Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas known for launch drama and tight margins.

Fan access is extensive. The Top Eliminator Club offers driver appearances, food and drinks, starting-line seating, and gifts, while free parking and the SealMaster Track Walk enhance Monday’s build-up.

With a packed entry list, milestone celebrations, and decisive championship implications, Indy again provides NHRA’s sharpest competitive lens and its most atmospheric weekend.

Visual Summary

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.