It is one of the most controversial decisions in the history of NHRA drag racing.

Moving the finish line from the traditional quarter-mile distance to 1,000 feet for the nitro categories following the death of Scott Kalitta in 2008 was a move met with overwhelming debate amongst racers and the traditional drag racing community. When the move was made, it was the first time NHRA had conducted racing at any distance other than a quarter-mile at a national event since the first one was held in 1955.

But after nearly a decade and thousands of passes made at the 1,000 foot mark, the debate is once again making headlines. 

Saturday it was Robert Hight. On Sunday, it was Ron Capps’ turn to take a wild ride at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.

During the first round of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout, Ron Capps’ parachute failed to deploy in a win over John Force, sending the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger into the sand, into the catch nets and onto its roof.

With his hands hard on the brake, Capps’ parachutes did not deploy until about 150 feet shy of the sandtrap. Carrying quite a bit of speed, Capps positioned the car in the middle of the track, rolling into the trap and onto its roof as it bumped into the catch net at the top end of the track.

Steve Matusek understands drag racing can be an emotional experience.

Racing this weekend at the Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals, the driving force behind the Aeromotive Fuel Systems name is facing more emotions than ever since he started making passes down the quarter-mile.

A little under a month ago, Steve bid farewell to a gentleman larger than life in his eyes.

It was the most painful month of her life - both literally and figuratively. 

After suffering a broken pelvis during a crash at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Alexis DeJoria knew she would miss some time, she just didn’t know how much. She knew that she would miss the Northwest Nationals one week later in Seattle, so she set her sights on a return in mid-August in Brainerd.

And then that date came and went. Suddenly DeJoria, with a win already this season and a spot comfortably in the Countdown to the Championship, was left wondering just when she would be given the green light to return.

Tony Schumacher pocketed $100,000 in a Don Schumacher Racing show of dominance in the Traxxas Top Fuel Shootout Saturday at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

And Clay Millican grabbed the tentative No. 1 qualifying position in stunning fashion with a track-record 3.692-second pass that was 10th quickest in Top Fuel history, setting himself up for a shot at $100,000 also in Monday’s eliminations of the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.

Tony Schumacher won the Top Fuel portion of the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout and Clay Millican raced to the qualifying lead in the same category on Saturday at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the 18th event of 24 on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is the final race of the regular season.

This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis is presented by JEGS. This is the seventh of 10 Pro Mod events on the 2016 season.

The reigning and two-time world champion Coughlin powered his late model JEGS.com Chevy Corvette to a 5.773-second pass at 254.76 mph to take the qualifying lead on Friday night. No one in the category was able to better his time on Saturday. Coughlin won the fourth event of the year at Englishtown, N.J., in June. He has two No. 1 qualifiers in his career.

In a season that has featured little in the way of surprises in the Pro Stock category, with one team winning all but two races this season, of course it would be a brand new winner that would come out on top first during an unpredictable weekend so far in Indianapolis.

Rain interrupted Aaron Strong’s improbable dream run nearly one month ago at the NHRA Northwest Nationals when the rookie Pro Stock racer upset the best-of-the-best in the class, but saw that amazing run come to an end just shy of finishing the deal.

The importance of the Mopar Hemi Challenge is not lost on second-generation Mopar racer Jimmy Daniels.

Daniels, a second-generation Mopar racer, joined the prestigious list of winners in his first final round by beating second-time finalist Stephen Hebert Friday evening before a packed house at the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park. 

Friday represents class elimination day for the Super Stock racers, and the Mopar Hemi Challenge is a gathering of the Mopar-powered Super Stock/A HEMI (SS/AH) Sportsman entries.