BRAINERD, MN – August 4, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Known for its unique and memorable atmosphere, as well as plenty of thrilling racing action, Brainerd International Raceway is again set to host a key stop during the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season with the 40th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals on Aug. 18-21.
It is the 15th of 22 races during the 2022 NHRA campaign, marking the penultimate race of the regular season. That means plenty is on the line for the stars in the 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph Top Fuel and Funny Car classes as they get ready for the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
For four decades, Brainerd International Raceway has played host to remarkable racing action, some of the best camping on the NHRA tour and the famed “Zoo,” which provides something unique for fans and racers. This year, fans can enjoy two qualifying sessions on both Friday and Saturday, a specialty shootout in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon, and then Sunday eliminations to cap off a weekend sure to be filled with incredible moments.
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Matt Hagan (Funny Car) won the 2021 event, and this year’s race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and the FOX broadcast network, including eliminations coverage starting at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 21.
Torrence became a first-time winner at Brainerd last year in Top Fuel, which also gave him a victory at every track on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series circuit. It clinched an impressive honor for the Texan, who finished the season with his fourth straight world championship. He’ll look for some more momentum heading into the playoffs this year in Brainerd, but Torrence will need to be on his game against a loaded Top Fuel field. It’s led by Brittany Force, who has four wins and the points lead, and also features a litany of stars like Mike Salinas, another four-time winner in 2022, three-time Brainerd winner Tony Schumacher, Justin Ashley, who has two wins this season, Doug Kalitta, Denver winner Leah Pruett, Josh Hart, Clay Millican, Antron Brown, and Austin Prock
Hagan finally cashed in at Brainerd for the first time in his standout career last year, picking up the Funny Car win in a thriller against Cruz Pedregon in the final round. Hagan, a three-time world champ, has enjoyed a strong 2022 season, picking up three victories and he’ll look to add another in Brainerd as he tries to track down points…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Motor Sports NewsWire…