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Inside the NHRA U.S. Nationals: Winners, Highlights, and Big Moments

Pete Ward . July 31, 2026 . Drag Racer
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Ringling Bros. Circus, You Ain’t Got Nothin’ on Us!

Indy, U.S. Nationals, The Big Go, no matter what name’s attached, it’s always been the highlight of the racing calendar and the 59th edition upheld that tradition.

If you think this one was great, just wait to see what NHRA has in store for the U.S. Nationals’ 60th Anniversary!

Please note that all winners are in the near lane.

NHRA U.S. Nationals
Robert Hight picked this auspicious event to score his first victory of the season. He sent reigning F/C World Champ Jack Beckman packing with a 4.11/312.64. “Fast Jack” looped the hoops and shut ’er off.
NHRA U.S. Nationals
Mike Edwards was experiencing severe shoulder pain throughout the race, having difficulty merely entering and exiting his racer, but did that slow him down? No siree, Bob! He parlayed three holeshots, including in the final against V. Gaines (6.63/208.37 to 6.62/208.78), to score his fortieth Pro Stock national event win.
NHRA U.S. Nationals
In an all-Team Viper finale, John Hall defeated team leader Matt Smith.
NHRA U.S. Nationals
In a classic Pro Mod blower vs. nitrous battle, Mike Janis broke Ricky Smith’s three-race win streak to take the Wally. The final, featuring a pair of 5.95s, was whisker thin in the lights.
NHRA U.S. Nationals
Two double-digit national event winners and the #1 and #2 qualifiers faced off for the Top Alcohol Dragster Championship. Jim Whiteley defeated Chris Demke, 5.35/268.81 to 5.37/267.85.
NHRA U.S. Nationals
The Whiteley family almost double-dipped in alcohol competition. Unfortunately, Jim’s wife Annie (#2 qualifier) faced off against Frank Manzo (#1 qualifier) in the final. “Ace” scored his eleventh Indy win with a 5.56/261.25 to Annie’s 5.57.257.78.
A pair of zoomie little roadsters faced off for the Comp crown. Jason Coan defeated Mike Farrell for his third national event championship.
Indy Comp champ for 1997, Todd Frantz added the Super Stock championship to his résumé by defeating Jeff Dona.
In a rare heads-up Stock Eliminator final, Brad Plourd’s H/SA defeated Mike McGinley, 11.41 to 11.56. This was Mike’s first national event final and Brad’s fourteenth victory.
Frank Kohutek, the ’99 Super Comp world champ, driving for Texan Tommy Phillips, added this Indy S/C victory to his résumé by defeating Troy Stone.
Two-time Super Comp national event winner Phillip Smida II proved his shift to S/G was a shrewd move, defeating Marlin Snyder in the final S/G go.
Jack Beckman’s Traxxas Nitro F/C Shootout was dramatic, to say the least. He drilled Cruz Pedregon on the tree, then blew his Dodge body into little tiny shards of carbon fiber, just as he crossed the stripe.

 

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