The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway came alive Thursday as Sportsman racers took center stage at the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals powered by Direct Connection. With temperatures in the low 80s and plenty of sunshine, the day was filled with smoky burnouts, wheels-up launches, and close side-by-side racing that showcased the grassroots backbone of NHRA competition.
Sportsman racers from a wide range of categories lit up the Vegas surface with sharp reaction times and picture-perfect runs. It was the perfect warm-up for what’s shaping up to be a high-horsepower weekend in the desert.
Adding to the spectacle, the U.S. Air Force filled the skies above The Strip with multiple flyovers throughout the afternoon, highlighted by a thrilling demonstration from the world-famous Thunderbirds—an ideal match for the raw horsepower on the ground.
Friday and Saturday bring the nitro and Pro categories to the forefront, with Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Pro Mod all hitting the track as the Countdown to the Championship continues. The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will also crown its 2025 champion this weekend in Las Vegas, adding even more intensity to the slate.
The Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals is the second-to-last stop of the season for the Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle contenders as they battle for critical Countdown points ahead of the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona. Final eliminations are set for Sunday, capping four days of wall-to-wall action at one of the sport’s premier facilities.
With sunshine, flyovers, and championship implications in play, the stage is set for an unforgettable weekend of NHRA action at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
This story was originally published on October 31, 2025. 
The post Sportsman Racers Set the Stage at the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
