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Mon, 01 Feb 2016, 15:57 PM

Drag Racing's Best Head to Phoenix for CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals

Courtesy of NHRA Communications
Photo copyright 2016 NHRA

CHANDLER, Ariz. -

There's only one word to describe the atmosphere produced when a pair of richly-tuned, nitro-burning dragsters cackle at the starting line, awaiting the green light to flash: magical.

When the two 10,000-horsepower dragsters take off with a thunderous roar and spit fire as they march side-by-side down the dragstrip, the transcendent moment provides an extreme shot of adrenaline for even the most conservative attendees.

This will be the scene for three spectacular days at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the 450-acre multi-purpose motorsports facility located just minutes east of downtown Phoenix, as thousands of drag racing fans will flock to the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Feb. 26-28. With valuable NHRA Mello Yello Series championship points up for grabs, drivers and teams will put it all on the line at the second of 24 races in the 2016 NHRA season.

The excitement and energy on the track will be as adrenaline-pumping as ever, but in 2016, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is shifting gears and venturing boldly into a brand new era. It's one of the most eagerly anticipated seasons for the NHRA community in many years.

New TV partner FOX Sports will aim its cameras at the exciting side-by-side racing on the dragstrip and showcase the sport with live coverage of Sunday eliminations at 17 events - including the Phoenix race - and provide more than 500 hours of NHRA programming on its family of networks. There are new rules for the Pro Stock category that will help the factory hot rods recapture the 200 mph thrills that makes the class a fan-favorite. There are many new rules in place to improve competition in other classes, and there's even a bold new NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series logo.

In addition, NHRA will ask its legion of fans and highly-skilled drivers what they love about the sport in the new "MY NHRA is." marketing campaign. NHRA's celebration of the 50th anniversary of Funny Car is sure to be a fan-favorite attraction as well.

While there will be a lot of newness floating around the Phoenix track during the event, one thing fans can count on is the same high-intensity, drama-filled competition that they have become accustomed to.

The best in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will once again attempt to get off to a lightning quick start at the circuit's annual visit to the Valley of the Sun. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Rodger Brogdon (Pro Stock) were last year's winners of the race. For fans watching at home, the race will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including Saturday qualifying coverage as well as live coverage of Sunday's finals at 5 p.m. (ET).

Matt Hagan, Rodger Brogdon and Tony Schumacher
celebrate last year's wins.
In Top Fuel, defending world champ and three-time Phoenix winner Antron Brown will battle against a tough field of contenders including U.S. Army dragster pilot Schumacher, the defending and five-time CARQUEST Nationals winner. Other challengers include talented Aussie Richie Crampton, Brittany Force, Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence, J.R. Todd and Quaker State dragster driver Leah Pritchett.

Defending Funny Car world champ Del Worsham is a former Phoenix winner and is opening his title defense against a strong lineup of challengers, including national record holder and seven-time 2015 winner Jack Beckman and 16-time world champ John Force, the winningest driver in NHRA history at Phoenix with eight victories. Others to watch include Tommy Johnson Jr., Ron Capps, defending event winner Hagan, Courtney Force, Cruz Pedregon, Alexis DeJoria and Robert Hight.

Competition is expected to be fierce in the new-look NHRA Pro Stock category and two-time defending world champ Erica Enders and her new Dodge Dart teammate, five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin, are both past winners at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Others expected to challenge for the victory in the 200-mph factory hot rod class include last year's top rookie, Drew Skillman, tough Texan Chris McGaha, Shane Gray, Vincent Nobile, Bo Butner and veteran racers Allen Johnson, Greg Anderson, Jason Line, Larry Morgan and V. Gaines.

The sleek new Pro Stock cars will feature fuel-injected engines, shorter wheelie bars, flat hoods and a 10,500 RPM rev-limiter.

As part of the Funny Car 50th anniversary celebration, several nostalgic Funny Cars will be on hand for displays and exhibition runs. Funny Car racing legends will participate in autograph and fan Q&A sessions and one legendary Funny Car driver will be honored during pre-race ceremonies.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they're granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA's popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:30 and 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Feb. 27, also at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult.