The NHRA’s Top Fuel class pulled an end-around on the NHRA during Friday night qualifying for the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd, Minn., deciding not to run the second session in the interest of safety and in the wake of what the teams determined was inaction by sanctioning-body officials.

Crew chiefs and team owners sacrificed the best qualifying conditions of the weekend at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) and collectively decided not to run on the 1,000-foot course after a 50-minute oildown clean-up robbed them not only of daylight but also a safe racing surface. BIR doesn’t have lighting along its dragstrip.

Ron Capps came ready to race this weekend.

So when an issue with the wheelie bar on his 11,000-horsepower nitro-powered machine forced him to abort his first round of qualifying Friday at Brainerd International Raceway, he was far from happy.

But instead of allowing a poor start to derail the weekend before it ever began, Capps rallied the troops, sat down with crew chief Dean “Guido” Antonelli and decided this was no time to play it safe.

When Doug Kalitta crossed the finish line first in the opening round of qualifying Friday at Brainerd International Raceway, he was pleased, but not satisfied.

This rocket still had more in the tank.

As fate would have it, however, Kalitta and his Mac Tools team would not find out just how much more it had left as an oildown, a quickly setting sun and a facility sans stadium lighting added up to a canceled second session and a largely unexpected No. 1 for Kalitta at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

Forty years ago this weekend, an incident transpired that would forever change the life of Pro Stock’s winningest driver Greg Anderson.

A 22-year-old Anderson stood on the starting line as his mentor, Mopar Pro Stock racer John Hagen, barrel-rolled his Dodge Charger at 170 miles per hour. He was the last to interact with Hagen before his death in that crash.

Anderson took note of Hagen’s pre-run rituals as he belted him in the car. 

Ron Capps, the reigning Funny Car world champion, made a strong statement on Friday, securing the provisional No. 1 spot at the 41st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. 

Joining Capps, a six-time Lucas Oil Nationals champion, in the provisional No. 1 spots are Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel and Greg Anderson in Pro Stock. The event marks the 14th out of 21 races in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

Capps stopped the clocks at 3.894 seconds at 330.23 mph in his NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra.  If his position holds, it will mark his second No. 1 qualifier this season and his 38th overall in his career. Only John Force has more victories at Brainerd, making it a significant event for Capps.

The heat index was well over 100 degrees, and Robert Hight was making some unpresidential moves on the phone. Hight made multiple calls, and as he spoke, he was cool as the other side of the pillow despite the beads of sweat dripping from his face. 

No, he wasn’t inking deals in his role as President of John Force Racing. Nor was he interviewing with the dozens of media members who call him seeking insight into one of drag racing’s most iconic multi-car teams. 

Hight was, instead, knee-deep and sweating profusely, trying to find an air filter for the rig that pulls his hauler. Sure, he could have delegated the assignment to one of the dozens of crewmembers on his team. Instead, Hight was being Hight. 

The Mission Foods #2FAST2TASTY Challenge, the NHRA's race within a race program during Saturday qualifying at Camping World Drag Racing Series events, will go out with a bang during the completion of the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

Scag Power Equipment has announced its sponsorship of the inaugural PRO Superstar Shootout set to take place from February 8-10, 2024. The event, held at Bradenton Motorsports Park, will feature racers competing in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock, with a prize pool totaling over $1.3 million.

Alan Johnson, President of the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO), expressed his excitement about the partnership. 

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner to join us as we host the inaugural PRO Superstar Shootout,” Johnson said. “Randy Gloede and the Scag Power Equipment team have become huge supporters of drag racing over the last couple of years. It means a lot to all of us that they believe in what we’re trying to do with the PRO Superstar Shootout.”

 Drag racing might be a business to some, but Funny Car racer Paul Lee isn't one of them. Lee is quick to point out that driving his McLeod Funny Car is his fun time.

Lee is even quicker to point out that earlier this season he wasn't having fun. 

Enter championship tuner John Medlen, and now Lee cannot wipe the smile off his face... not that he wants to.