In 2024, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won at a race that will again be broadcast on FOX and FS1 in 2025, including eliminations coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET on FOX on Sunday.
It is the 10th of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA season and the race in Norwalk is always a premier stop on the NHRA tour. The weekend includes two rounds of qualifying on Friday, including a must-see night session and fireworks, two rounds of qualifying – and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge – on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday. The race also plays host to the GETTRX Pro Stock NHRA All-Star Callout for the first time, as the specialty event features eight Pro Stock drivers battling for the win.
The race finishes off a busy four race in five week stretch, but Hyde has enjoyed the back-to-back race weekends this month. He’s built consistency and made improvements, which should only help this weekend in Norwalk when he takes on the likes of points leader and defending world champion Austin Prock, Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and J.R. Todd.
It’s a group with plenty of Funny Car experience, which is something every first-year driver lacks. But Hyde can see his confidence building and he hopes it translates into more positive results in Norwalk
“Just less time out of the seat,” Hyde said of the back-to-back weekend. “You take a few days off and you’re right back in the seat and you really don’t have to think about anything,” Hyde said. “I’m sure these guys who have done it for many years don’t have to think about much when they get in there. I’m still relatively new and it’s still a thought process for me. So, the back-to-back weekends definitely help.”
Brown is after a repeat Top Fuel win in Norwalk, but it won’t be easy against a field that includes points leader and racing legend Tony Stewart, former champs Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence, Doug Kalitta and Brittany Force, Justin Ashley and Clay Millican.
Pro Stock standout Stanfield took home his first Norwalk win last year, but this season has been dominated by points leader Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn. Anderson has four wins and the points lead, while Glenn has three victories in what has been an impressive season by the KB Titan Racing teammates.
The GETTRX Pro Stock NHRA All-Star Callout field features reigning six-time champion Anderson, who will have the first pick of the eight-car field made up of Glenn, Matt Hartford, standout Stanfield, multi-time champions Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin, Eric Latino and Troy Coughlin Jr.
Two-time reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champ Herrera took the win last year over his rival Matt Smith. Herrera continues to lead the field, while others to look for at Norwalk will be Gadson, who won in Bristol, Angie Smith, Jianna Evaristo and Chase Van Sant.
Also on the track will be the standouts in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock.
All weekend, fans will be invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits. The stage hosts Nitro School, meet and greets, autograph sessions and more. Norwalk race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. Fans are also invited to congratulate the winners at the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday.
As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 27, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 28 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 29. The first round of the GETTRX Pro Stock All-Star Callout takes place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, with the semifinals at 1:20 p.m. and the finals at 3:50 p.m.
Television coverage includes qualifying action at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and 11 a.m. on Sunday on FS1, leading into eliminations on FOX at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. The Callout will be broadcast at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday on FS1.
To purchase tickets to Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com. |