The NHRA Northwest Nationals arrive to us midseason this year with several contenders vying for a win at Pacific Raceways.
The Pacific Northwest will get a great deal louder this weekend as the NHRA comes to town for the 34th running of the NHRA Northwest Nationals.
Pacific Raceways, located outside of Kent, WA, is known for its beautiful scenery and oxygen-rich atmosphere. With Mt. Rainier as a backdrop, and surrounded by trees, it is always a favorite among drivers and fans. The track, which opened in 1960, has been a regular part of the NHRA schedule since 1988.
There is no shortage of history made here, including John Force’s 150th career win in 2019, and this race looks to add to that storied history. Normally the last of the three-race “Western Swing”, this year the race moves to the middle of the schedule.
Competition For The Countdown to the Championship Heats Up
Robert Hight will be looking to repeat his performance from last year in Funny Car while current points leader Matt Hagan looks to continue his winning ways, and you can never count Ron Capps out as well. In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher looks to repeat as the winner, which would be his sixth career win there.
The Top Fuel field looks stacked, with Justin Ashley, Steve Torrence, and many others looking strong going into the weekend. Last week’s winner Clay Millican is always a contender as well.
This year’s race will also see the absence of the Pro Stock cars, as well as the debut of the Pro Stock Motorcycle class at the track.
Gaige Herrera looks to continue his dominance on his Vance & Hines Suzuki, having won four races in five final round appearances so far this year, and pick up the first-ever pro stock motorcycle Wally.
The weekend will see one round of qualifying in top fuel, funny car, and pro stock motorcycle on Friday. Saturday, qualifying continues for the pros with 2 more sessions, plus the Mission #2fast2tasty Challenge. Fans will also get to see the top alcohol dragster and the top alcohol funny car.
Eight sportsman categories are also competing to round out the action. Sunday sees the drivers compete for points in four rounds of eliminations, with a winner crowned in each category at the end of the day.
John Force has the most career wins at the track, winning eight times in Funny Car. The weather, which should be in the 70s and 80s all weekend, should make for great racing, as it often has. Brittany Force set the track speed record last year in top fuel, running 332.43 mph. Antron Brown holds the track E.T. record at 3.685 seconds.
How To Watch: NHRA Northwest Nationals (All times ET)
- Qualifying 1: Saturday, July 22 – 2:00 p.m. – FS1
- Qualifying 2: Sunday, July 23 – 1:30 p.m. – FS1
- Finals: Sunday, July 23 – 4:00 p.m. – FOX
- Sportsman Series: Thursday, August 3 – 6:30 p.m. – FS2
