INDIANAPOLIS — NHRA introduced Tuesday that 4 qualifying classes will return to the racing schedule through the upcoming Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection season.
Followers will get the possibility to get pleasure from 4 classes at each race, apart from the NHRA Virginia Nationals, which can function three qualifying classes on Saturday, June 21 as a part of a singular two-day occasion, and the distinguished Cornwell High quality Instruments NHRA U.S. Nationals, which can have its conventional 5 qualifying classes over Labor Day Weekend.
The opposite 18 nationwide occasions will function 4 qualifying classes, with two happening on Friday and two on Saturday, giving followers ample alternative to see all their favourite NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection stars.
The Saturday qualifying schedule can even see an adjustment, as Prime Gas and Humorous Automobile will now kick off each classes, working earlier than Professional Inventory/Professional Inventory Motorbike, mirroring the Sunday eliminations schedule as nicely. Friday qualifying will stay the identical, with Professional Inventory/Professional Inventory Motorbike working earlier than Prime Gas and Humorous Automobile, which can enable for a number of nitro at evening classes.
“I actually love this new format for the Saturday schedule and I stay up for seeing it happen all 12 months lengthy,” Humorous Automobile standout Bob Tasca III mentioned. “For the followers who’re excited to see nitro racing, it’s an ideal probability to present them an opportunity to see it first on Saturdays through the professional qualifying schedule.”
Added reigning Professional Inventory champ Greg Anderson: “That is useful to Professional Inventory as a result of these are the situations we are going to race in on Sunday. It had been troublesome on Sunday as a result of we don’t have any follow (working after nitro) throughout qualifying. So, this could assist us with our raceday tune-up, which is what’s most vital for the weekend.”
At quite a few races, together with each Charlotte 4-Huge occasions, Epping, Bristol, Norwalk, Seattle, Sonoma, Indianapolis, Studying, St. Louis and Dallas, followers can be handled to primetime qualifying below the lights on Friday evening, because the 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro machines placed on a spectacular evening present.
Beginning in Phoenix and concluding in Indianapolis, Saturday’s qualifying schedule throughout 13 common season occasions, together with each four-wide occasions in April, can even embody the favored Mission #2Fast2Tasty Problem. The bonus occasion brings aggressive racing to Saturday qualifying and has been an enormous hit with a bonus purse and bonus championship factors on the road. Semifinalists from the earlier race will face off in a rematch, with the winners advancing for a must-see Saturday showdown.
“We’re excited to return to 4 qualifying rounds at our nationwide occasions this 12 months. It’s a welcomed transfer by our race groups and can solely improve the aggressive atmosphere of NHRA drag racing, which solely makes for a greater present for our nice followers,” NHRA Vice President of Racing Administration Josh Peterson mentioned. “They get to see extra racing, extra unbelievable performances and it’s an effective way to showcase all of the standout racing groups and drivers throughout the NHRA.”
The NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection season opens March 6-9 with the 56th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway and options 20 complete occasions at standout services throughout the nation.
