The Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals is undoubtedly the most prestigious race on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour. Legends are made at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park every year during Labor Day Weekend, making a victory and a Wally at The Big Go so coveted.
Some drivers have multiple Indianapolis wins, while others work their whole careers to secure the coveted Wally at The Big Go. Regardless, a first victory at Indy is always special and what dreams are made of.
Last year saw a unique winner’s circle with four first-time Indy winners, as Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) forged their Indy legacy with victories.
Heading into 2025’s Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals on Aug. 27-Sept. 1 and with several big names still without their trademark moment in Indy, will we see a new group of first-time winners at the world’s biggest drag race?
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Gaige Herrera won his first Indy last season and once again leads the points this season.
But second place belongs to his Vance & Hines teammate Richard Gadson, who has won a pair of races in his second year in the category. It’s been a breakout year for Gadson and an Indy victory would be another major accomplishment for the championship contender.
Other riders looking for a first-time Indy win include standouts Angie Smith, Jianna Evaristo and Chase Van Sant.
This year’s race will once again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, with Monday’s eliminations broadcast on FOX beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
For more than 70 years, the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals has been the focal point of the NHRA season. Racers flock to Indy for their chance at drag racing glory, and NHRA greats, including Tony Schumacher, Bob Glidden, Don Garlits, Greg Anderson, Dave Shultz, and John Force have solidified themselves as Indianapolis royalty with multiple wins on drag racing’s grandest stage.
Top Fuel’s Schumacher has an amazing 10 victories at The Big Go, the most of any driver in NHRA history, while Force’s five Funny Car wins are tied with Ed “The Ace” McCulloch for the most in class history. Reigning Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson won his seventh Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in 2022, giving him his 100th career win. Reigning Top Fuel champ Antron Brown has five career wins across two classes at The Big Go in Top Fuel as well as Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Indy offers something for every racing fan, including:
- Fans at the event who renew their tickets for the 2026 race will be given a special 75th anniversary replica championship ring. They will also be given the option to buy a commemorative ticket featuring several NHRA legends as NHRA looks to celebrate its diamond anniversary next season.
- The Deecell NHRA Competition Eliminator Cash Clash is back at Indy, giving Comp Eliminator drivers a shot at a big payout on drag racing’s biggest stage.
- The Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge returns as the longest-running continuous specialty race in NHRA history, and features exciting heads-up, wheelstanding, side-by-side racing of Hemi-powered ’68 Super Stock Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas competing in the NHRA SS/AH class.
- Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park will see more than 800 race cars competing for U.S. Nationals glory. From Top Fuel to Super Stock, there is a race car on track for any racing fanatic.
- Free parking for all fans in attendance for the entire weekend.
- SealMaster Track Walk before Monday’s eliminations.
- Autograph sessions throughout the weekend and a can’t-miss Hot Rod Junction.
- Children 12-and-under get in free to an event offering all-day entertainment for the entire family.
Also on the schedule is the final Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge race of the season, as drivers look to earn a bonus purse and bonus points for the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Indy also features the world’s best in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown and NHRA Holley EFI Factory X.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 29, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 30 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 1.
Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.
The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 31, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 4 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FS1 at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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