The NHRADrag Racing schedule for 2023 is a testament to the sport’s popularity and the dedication of its passionate fans. The season began at the historic Gainesville Raceway in Florida, known for its rich racing heritage. This event, the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, set the stage for an adrenaline-fueled season opener that showcased the best of the Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock categories.

From Gainesville, the NHRADrag Racing Series ventured to different iconic raceways across the country, including the Route 66 NHRA Nationals at the famed Route 66Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, to theNHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. Fortunately, there’s still many more raceways for 2023 racers (including one familiar to NASCAR fans) to leave their mark.

Though the countdown is over to the 2023 season, there are still many more events to look forward to, including some in the Midwest, such as theLucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, August 17-20 (not to be confused with the following Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at the Lucas OilIndianapolisRaceway Park, in Indianapolis Aug 30-Sept 4th.) 

For those in the Wisconsin area, there’s an even closer drag racing event that you can attend to feel part of the exciting drag racing season.

Wisconsin’s Own Badger Classic

The Badger Classic, sponsored by CTech Manufacturing, is not officially part of the 2023 NHRADrag Racing season, but for those in the Wisconsin area, the Badger Classic is a drag event that takes center stage. With CTech Manufacturing’s support, this 8th annual dragster event promises unparalleled excitement, fierce competition, and exceptional performances. The Badger Classic is an opportunity for racers to showcase their skills and leave an indelible mark on the drag racing community. And it’s a great chance for racing enthusiasts to get in on the drag racing action for a good cause, as all raffle proceeds go to Joshua’s Camp, a camp for children affected by cancer. 

Inaugural NHRA Open

There’s another chance to be a part of this season’s excitement with an electrifying showdown at the Inaugural NHRA National Open at Rock Falls Raceway! This highly anticipated event, taking place from Friday, July 7th, to Sunday, July 9th, 2023, will feature a thrilling grudge match race that has fans buzzing with excitement. In a battle of titans, 5-time NHRA Pro Stock World Champion Erica Enders will go head-to-head against the talented Troy Coughlin Jr., creating a clash of skill, power, and sheer determination. 

The Inaugural NHRA National Open at Rock Falls Raceway is a must-attend event for all drag racing enthusiasts, and witnessing the race between Erica Enders and Troy Coughlin Jr. adds an extra layer of intensity and anticipation. Be sure to mark your calendars and secure your spot at this unforgettable event, where history will be made on the drag strip.

The Remaining Events

June:

NHRANew England Nationals

New England Dragway in Epping, NH

NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Bristol Dragway in Bristol, TN

Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals

Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH

July:

Dodge Power Brokers NHRAMile-High Nationals

Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, CO

Flav-R–PacNHRANorthwest Nationals

Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA

DENSO NHRASonoma Nationals

SonomaRaceway in Sonoma, CA

Aug:

Menards NHRA Nationals Presented By PetArmor

Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, KS

Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, MN

Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals

Lucas OilIndianapolisRaceway Park in Indianapolis, IN

Sept:

Pep BoysNHRA Nationals

Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, PA

NHRA Carolina Nationals

zMAX Dragway in Concord, NC

NHRA Midwest Nationals

World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, IL

Oct:

Texas NHRA FallNationals

Texas Motorplex in Ennis, TX

NHRA Nevada Nationals (Which will feature Legends NitroFunny Cars)

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV

Nov:

In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals

In-N-Out Burger PomonaDragstrip in Pomona, CA

A Familiar Face

Nascar legend, Tony Stewart, made his NHRA driving debut at the NHRA Nevada Nationals last year in a Top Alcohol Dragster. Now, with teammates Matt Cummings and Jasmine Salinas, he is prepared to embark on a full-time journey in the NHRALucas Oil Drag Racing Series with McPhillips Racing.

In his inaugural NHRA event at The Strip last October, Stewart showed how impressive of a sportsman he is by reaching the finals. There, he narrowly missed first place by a minuscule margin of two-ten-thousandths of a second, intensifying his determination to reclaim the driver’s seat for future races. However, he said, “There was no disgrace in finishing second to her because she is a great race car driver. It was an honor to be as close to her as we were in our first event.” 2023 may very well be the year Stewart goes from 13 titles to 14.

An Excitement-Packed Drag Season

The 2023 NHRADrag Racing season promises to captivate fans with its thrilling schedule. For those who can’t make it to those races, or who simply can’t get enough, other drag events like the Badger Classic and the Inaugural NHRA Open are a great way to join in on the fun. 

From iconic raceways like Gainesville and Pomona to adrenaline-charged eliminations and qualifying sessions, NHRADrag Racing brings the perfect blend of speed, power, and precision to motorsports enthusiasts worldwide. Strap in and prepare for an unforgettable season as the NHRADrag Racing Series lights up drag strips across the nation, leaving fans in awe and drivers chasing their dreams of victory. For more information and to stay updated on all the latest NHRADrag Racing action, visitnhra.com. And don’t forget to secure your spot at the Badger Classic and the NHRA Open.