NHRA Nationals 2015: Dates, Race Schedule, TV Coverage and Live Stream Info
The NHRA Nationals have been bringing out the very best drag racers in the world for 31 years, and that tradition promises to continue with the 2015 edition this weekend.
Everything from Top Fuel and Funny Car to Pro Stock and Super Stock will be contested on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Phoenix area. The season is just one event old thus far, but there is no question that this meet will be huge in terms of positioning for a championship run.
As the anticipation for the NHRA Nationals continues to build, here is everything you need to know about when and where to catch all of the racing action.
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When: Friday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, Feb. 22
Where: Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona
Watch: ESPN2
Live Stream: NHRA.com (Audio only)
TV Schedule
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 1 a.m. - 3 a.m. (Tape Delay) | Qualifying |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Tape Delay) | Qualifying Re-Air |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. (Tape Delay) | Eliminations |
Event Schedule
| Friday, Feb. 20 | 10 a.m. | Sportsman Qualifying |
| Friday, Feb. 20 | 3:30 p.m. | Pro Stock Qualifying |
| Friday, Feb. 20 | 4 p.m. | Nitro Qualifying |
| Friday, Feb. 20 | 5:30 p.m. | Sportsman Qualifying |
| Friday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. | Pro Stock Qualifying |
| Friday, Feb. 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Nitro Qualifying |
| Saturday, Feb. 21 | 10 a.m. | Sportsman Eliminations |
| Saturday, Feb. 21 | 3:30 p.m. | Pro Stock Qualifying |
| Saturday, Feb. 21 | 4 p.m. | Nitro Qualifying |
| Saturday, Feb. 21 | 5:30 p.m. | Sportsman Eliminations |
| Saturday, Feb. 21 | 6 p.m. | Pro Stock Qualifying |
| Saturday, Feb. 21 | 6:30 p.m. | Nitro Qualifying |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 11 a.m. | Sportsman Eliminations |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 1 p.m. | Nitro Eliminations - Round 1 |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 2 p.m. | Pro Stock Eliminations - Round 1 |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 2:30 p.m. | Sportsman Eliminations |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 3 p.m. | Nitro Eliminations - Round 2 |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 3:30 p.m. | Pro Stock Eliminations - Round 2 |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 3:45 p.m. | Sportsman Eliminations - Semifinals |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 4:30 p.m. | Nitro Eliminations - Semifinals |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 4:45 p.m. | Pro Stock Eliminations - Semifinals |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 5 p.m. | Sportsman Eliminations - Finals |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 5:55 p.m. | Nitro Eliminations - Finals |
The beauty of NHRA is that so many different types of cars and events are represented over the course of one weekend, and that will certainly be the case at the NHRA Nationals.
There is an especially great deal of excitement surrounding the hugely popular Funny Car division. Matt Hagan is currently atop the standings after winning the Winternationals, and he figures to have a great chance to repeat on Sunday.
He has plenty of momentum on his side, and he is clearly excited to get down to business and put on a show for the fans in Phoenix:
With that said, Hagan will have plenty of competition on his hands. Hagan is a two-time Funny Car points champion, including last year, but he'll have to keep a close eye on Tommy Johnson Jr.
Johnson returned to full-time action in 2014 and was among the best Funny Car drivers in NHRA. Per NHRA.com, Johnson feels as though he has an excellent opportunity to thrive at the nationals despite sitting in sixth place after Winternationals.
"We had a really good weekend in Pomona. The results didn't show how great of a weekend it was, but we were very encouraged as far as momentum and gaining confidence on how our car is going to perform this year. We made some really good runs, and that is just a sign of what's to come. Our Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger is going to be one of the cars to beat if we just keep this up.
"
Pro Stock also promises to be hotly contested on the heels of Jason Line's win to start off the season. Defending points champion Erica Enders-Stevens is lurking in third place currently, and she is determined to return to her winning ways:
There are so many storylines to follow entering the NHRA Nationals that it is essentially impossible for drag racing fans to not be entertained and intrigued by the proceedings.
The NHRA Nationals have served as a launching pad for many of the all-time greats in the past, and it figures to serve the same purpose this weekend.
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