NHRA has announced the return of four qualifying sessions during the 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Fans can expect to enjoy four sessions at every race, except for the NHRA Virginia Nationals, which will have three qualifying sessions on Saturday, June 21, and the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, which will feature five sessions over Labor Day Weekend.
For the other 18 national events, two qualifying sessions will take place on Friday and two on Saturday, giving fans ample opportunities to see their favorite NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series stars in action. The Saturday schedule will also see a change, with Top Fuel and Funny Car now running first in both sessions, preceding Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, mirroring the Sunday eliminations.
“I really love this new format for the Saturday schedule, and I look forward to seeing it take place all year long,” said Funny Car standout Bob Tasca III. “For the fans who are excited to see nitro racing, it’s a great chance to see it first on Saturdays during the pro qualifying schedule.”
Reigning Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson added, “This is beneficial to Pro Stock because those are the conditions we will race in on Sunday. It had been difficult on Sunday because we don’t have any practice (running after nitro) during qualifying. So, this should help us with our raceday tune-up, which is what is most important for the weekend.”
Fans will enjoy primetime qualifying under the lights at several races, including both Charlotte 4-Wide events, Epping, Bristol, Norwalk, Seattle, Sonoma, Indianapolis, Reading, St. Louis, and Dallas. The 11,000-horsepower nitro machines are expected to deliver a spectacular night show.
The Saturday qualifying schedule will start in Phoenix and conclude in Indianapolis, featuring the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. This bonus event brings competitive racing to Saturday qualifying, offering a bonus purse and championship points. Semifinalists from the previous race will face off in a rematch, with winners advancing to a Saturday showdown.
“We’re excited to return to four qualifying rounds at our national events this year,” said NHRA Vice President of Racing Administration Josh Peterson. “It’s a welcomed move by our race teams and will enhance the competitive environment of NHRA drag racing, making for a better show for our great fans.”
The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season opens March 6-9 with the 56th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway and features 20 events at various facilities across the country.
