Paul Lee didn't need to see the NHRA's press release on Tuesday announcing the eight contestants for the Funny Car portion of the Pep Boy All-Star Callout to get excited. He already knew he had a berth in the race-within-a-race next weekend at the NHRA U.S. Nationals. However, when the release did come out, it made it all real for him.

Lee earned the eighth and final spot in the field; this is the first time he has participated in a specialty event in his career.

"It's pretty exciting," Lee said. "This will be my first time in any of the specialty races in Indianapolis. I've been in the #2Fast2Tasty; that's been fun. I remember watching the Big Bud's Shootout back in the day, so being part of this is pretty exciting."

It pays to have connections when it comes to getting hotel rooms at a reasonable rate during an NHRA Mission Series event weekend. This dilemma is where former Top Fuel team owner Laurie Frazier comes in. 

Frazier, whose Motorsports Travel services all the major drag race teams and your favorite e-magazine at CompetitionPlus.com, let us know if they still have rooms available. Because of the lure of the 70th running of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, Frazier is opening up her connections to help all teams and race fans get good lodging for what promises to be an incredible event. 

The NHRA raced this weekend in Brainerd, Minn., but for a moment, it looked like the 1986 NHRA U.S. Nationals all over again. J.R. Todd rolled to the starting line in the semifinals sporting a Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Toyota body, albeit with a few DHL Toyota decals. 

Those who have been around the sport for more than a couple of decades were teleported to 1986 when Billy Meyer disintegrated a Ford Tempo body in qualifying at the Big Go. He then received a loaner body from Kenny Bernstein, when both drivers were part of a Ford factory team.

On Aug. 19, the NHRA Technical Department released additional 2024 Rule Amendments for Funny Car teams in regard to parachutes.

Competition Plus’ Water-Cooler Topics From The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.

Seeking to repeat as an event champion from a year ago, Pro Stock point leader Dallas Glenn and the KB Titan NHRA team entered the 42nd running of the Brainerd Nationals with two victories of the 2024 season and his last coming in Chicago at the Route 66 Nationals earlier this year. Needless to say, the team was hungry for another race victory. 

Glenn qualified No. 7 with a  6.628 second elapsed time at 205.47 mph and opened the first round against teammate, Eric Latino. The win not only produced a victory but also stood as low elapsed time of the event. The success aside, the win over Latino eliminated one of the KB Titan entries, who all lost in the first rounds.

Glenn was indeed the last man standing for KB Titan. 

Justin Ashley captured his third Top Fuel victory of the season on Sunday at Brainerd International Raceway, defeating Shawn Langdon in the final round of the 42nd Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. 

Blake Alexander (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) also took wins at the 13th of 20 races in the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

Ashley led from start to finish against Langdon, posting a 3.745-second run at 329.34 mph in his dragster to earn his 14th career win. The victory, Ashley’s first since April, moved him to third in the points standings.