NHRA Returns to Brainerd International Raceway for Penultimate Race of 2024 Regular Season

BRAINERD, MN – July 29, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – As the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series regular season winds down, NHRA teams are gearing up for the 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, which takes place at festive Brainerd International Raceway on Aug. 15-18.

The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals serves as the penultimate event of the regular NHRA season before the Countdown to the Championship playoffs and the fan-favorite event and facility always delivers thrilling racing action from the 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro machines that fans have come to expect from the NHRA stars.

It is the 13th of 20 events during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season with all the top stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock looking to win the event and gear up for racing for a world title in the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Of course, Brainerd International Raceway is one of the most unique facilities on the NHRA tour, as it not only serves as the sight of record-breaking performances on the racetrack, but the famed “Zoo” camping facility has had fans flocking to Brainerd for more than 40 years.

It’s a loaded weekend as well, featuring four rounds of qualifying, the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge bonus event on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday.

Last season, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) powered to the winner’s circle at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. This year, the event will again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, including eliminations action on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. ET.

Top Fuel’s Brown earned his second career Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals win when he defeated Leah Pruett in last year’s final round. Brown already has two wins this season as he makes a run for his fourth NHRA world championship. He’ll be up against the likes of reigning Top Fuel champion and points leader Doug Kalitta, as well as Justin Ashley, Shawn Langdon, Seattle winner Steve Torrence, Clay Millican, Tony Schumacher, Brittany Force and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart.

Capps is certainly no stranger to the Brainerd winner’s circle in Funny Car. His 2023 win gave him his seventh Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals title when he won over Robert Hight and the three-time world champ is after his third win of the season. The Funny Car field is loaded with competition this season thanks to the efforts of points leader Austin Prock, Bob Tasca III, reigning champ Matt Hagan,…