At the historic approaching 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, a lot will be at stake.
In addition to honoring its illustrious past, the 70th annual U.S. Nationals will be jam-packed with thrilling race events, thrilling character appearances, and plenty of fan-friendly activities.
The NHRA U.S. Nationals, which will take place in 2024 at the famed Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, are set to become the biggest and most prestigious drag race in the world for the first time in its 70-year history.
The 70th NHRA U.S. Nationals, which is the 14th of 20 events in the 2024 season, will take place over the customary Labor Day Weekend of August 28–September 2. The stars of Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle will all be aiming for a historic Indianapolis victory and securing their playoff spot as drivers in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will be competing on the track to secure their spot for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
There will also be a Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout at the exciting event. On Sunday, September 1, the eight premier Funny Car drivers will compete in a unique callout style event. The grandest stage for drag racing will host the season’s final Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge bonus race the day before, and Friday’s thrilling pro qualifying session will get the weekend underway.
The largest drag race in the world truly lives up to its moniker. Drivers from the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, and the McCandless Collection’s exclusive Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge will also be competing in Indianapolis.
There’s undoubtedly something to commemorate The Big Go’s 70th birthday for every drag racing enthusiast, including these exclusive items:
NHRA U.S. Nationals winners from the previous season included Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock), and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle). The race will once more be televised on FOX and FS1, with additional coverage starting at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 2 and a special Callout broadcast on FOX on Sunday, September 1 at 5 p.m. ET.
Brown is looking for his fourth Top Fuel world title after winning three races in the 2024 season. He has also won back-to-back NHRA U.S. Nationals. Doug Kalitta, the current Top Fuel champion, is leading the points after three victories and two second-place finishes. Along with Tony Schumacher, who has an amazing ten Indianapolis wins, Justin Ashley, and former champions Shawn Langdon and Steve Torrence are also in the running. Watch out for racing great Tony Stewart, who will be making his Indy Top Fuel debut in 2024, and Brittany Force as well.
Capps, a three-time Funny vehicle world champion, had a Don Prudhomme Hot Wheels tribute vehicle last year that had one of the most recognizable paint jobs in NHRA history. Capps has won the NHRA U.S. Nationals twice in a row, and the other drivers in the Funny Car class will be desperate to break that record. While three-time 2024 winner Bob Tasca III, current champion Matt Hagan, Daniel Wilkerson, and Gainesville winner J.R. Todd will all be prepared for combat, Funny Car rookie Austin Prock is leading the points. Returning to The Big Go will be Jack Beckman, who will be competing for John Force in the Indianapolis 500.
Over Fernando Cuadra Jr., Hartford won the NHRA U.S. Nationals last season for the first time. With his sights set on the grandest stage of the NHRA, the eight-time event winner is searching for his first victory of the year. Pro Stock point leader Dallas Glenn leads the field, followed by multiple champions Greg Anderson and Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, and Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Six-time NHRA champion Smith overcame Hector Arana Jr. to earn his third NHRA U.S. Nationals championship last season. Smith is aiming to unseat current world champion Gaige Herrera, who has won six of the eight Pro Stock Motorcycle events this season. Smith started the 2024 season with a victory at the most recent race in Sonoma. Along with Angie Smith, Steve Johnson, Richard Gadson, Jianna Evaristo, John Hall, a past winner of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, and Chase Van Sant, the winner of Seattle, are also included.
The Nitro Alley Stage, the primary gathering place for entertainment in the pits, will be open to fans all weekend long and will feature Nitro School, meet and greets, music, and much more. Fans of motorsports may take in the unique pre-race traditions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which feature the much-loved SealMaster Track Walk and recognize and honor each of the drivers competing for the famous Wally on Monday. The winner’s circle celebration, which takes place on Monday following the conclusion of racing and invites spectators to celebrate the event victors, is the last must-see experience of every NHRA event.
Fans receive an exclusive pit pass to the world’s most potent and sensory-rich motorsports experience in Indianapolis, as per usual. In addition to getting signatures from their favorite NHRA drivers, fans have the rare opportunity to watch teams in action, work on their hot rods in between races, and more. Additionally, they can visit the well-known NHRA Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, which offer a thrilling environment with food, goods, interactive displays, and entertainment for the whole family.
