The road to NHRA’s first-ever regular-season championship heats up at the 43rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, August 14-17, at historic Brainerd International Raceway – one of the most pivotal and iconic stops on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour.
Marking the 13th of 20 events on the 2025 schedule, the Brainerd weekend arrives with championship implications across Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock, just ahead of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Fans can catch the action live on FS1, with Sunday eliminations airing on FOX.
Known for its legendary “Zoo” campground, party atmosphere, and record-shattering speeds, BIR has delivered unforgettable moments for over four decades — and this year promises more of the same.
Last year’s Brainerd winners included Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Blake Alexander (Funny Car), and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock), while Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge victories went to Antron Brown, Austin Prock, and Greg Anderson.
Top Fuel: Justin Ashley returns as defending event champ, but it’s Shawn Langdon who leads the standings with three wins. Hot on his heels is Tony Stewart, just 48 points back, while contenders Brittany Force (fresh off a 343-mph blast in Sonoma), Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown, and Clay Millican are all in the mix.
Funny Car: Austin Prock, the reigning world champ, continues to dominate with five wins and a shot to clinch the regular-season title in Brainerd. Other standouts include Jack Beckman, J.R. Todd, Paul Lee, Matt Hagan (fresh off a Seattle win), and Ron Capps, BIR’s most successful active driver with seven career wins.
Pro Stock: Dallas Glenn aims for a three-peat in Brainerd but will face pressure from Greg Anderson, a Minnesota native and three-time Brainerd winner. The KB Titan teammates are separated by just 37 points. But don’t count out Elite Motorsports, as Greg Stanfield ended their 11-race win streak in Sonoma.
The event also features competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Mountain Motor Pro Stock, and the Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle Series.
Fans will enjoy full access to the pits, Nitro Alley Stage programming, the SealMaster Track Walk, driver meet-and-greets, and Sunday’s winner’s circle celebration. From autographs to 12,000-horsepower pit thrashes, this is NHRA up close and unfiltered.
Event Schedule (CT):
• Qualifying: Friday, Aug. 15 – 4:00 & 6:15 p.m.
• Qualifying: Saturday, Aug. 16 – 12:00 & 2:30 p.m.
• Eliminations: Sunday, Aug. 17 – 10:30 a.m.
TV Coverage:
• Friday Qualifying – FS1, 10:00 p.m. ET
• Saturday Qualifying – FS1, 7:00 p.m. ET
• Sunday Eliminations – FOX, 3:00 p.m. ET
🎟️ For tickets, call 866-444-4455 or visit NHRA.com
This story was originally published on July 29, 2025. 
