Dodge NHRA Nationals Sportsman Preview

The Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil comes to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. DragChamp has your Sportsman event preview.

LAS VEGAS – As the 2019 NHRA season comes into the final three events of the season (including next weekend’s LODRS event), racers come to Vegas for two weeks of competition. The Dodge NHRA Nationals roll into town this week while the The Strip also holds the Division 7 LODRS event next weekend.

The Dodge NHRA Nationals will showcase over 300 Lucas Oil sportsman racers competing in five different classes. The schedule includes Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, and Super Gas.

While some racers are looking to claim season championships, others are looking to add a win to the ledger before the season ends. The schedule this week follows the NHRA four-day national event format. This includes time trials, qualifying, and class eliminations on Thursday with round one on Friday.

Saturday’s schedule includes several rounds of competition which will narrow the fields to the semifinals by the end of day. The last two rounds will be contested on Sunday to determine the event champions.

2018 NHRA Toyota Nationals Champions

Competition Eliminator – David Billingsley

Super Stock – Justin Lamb

Stock Eliminator – Chris Stephenson

Super Comp – Kevin Wright

Super Gas – Matt Blodgett

2019 Dodge NHRA Nationals Predictions

With each NHRA national event DragChamp’s sportsman preview includes an overview of each class. In addition, we select the DragChamp Picks to win the race. Here are this week’s picks.

Competition Eliminator – 25 Car Field

The 25 car field includes class champ Frank Aragona, David Rampy, Ryan Warter, Tony Mandella, and Doug Lambeck.

DragChamp pick to win:

Ryan Warter – Division 6 super star has won everything else this season, a national event Wally would make a great finale.

Super Stock – 73 Car Field

Vic Penrod and Kyle Rizzoli roll into Vegas locked in a tight battle for the Super Stock world championship. Vic leads by 22 points and can add to his total with a win this weekend. Rizzoli can also add to his total but will need a win if he expects to pass Penrod.

Aaron Stanfield could play the spoiler if he can string together a couple of wins over the last three events.

DragChamp picks to win:

Dan Fletcher – It’s been too long since he’s stood in the winners circle. I can’t imagine him going winless this season.

Jimmy DeFrank – This guy always comes up big at the final two events of the season. Should be a player at Vegas.

Aaron Stanfield – Coming off a runner up at the Fall Nationals which put him in contention for the championship. Would be cool to see him win and put pressure on the top two guys.

Stock Eliminator – 77 Car Field

Slate Cummings heads to Vegas with a shot at catching points leader Allison Doll. Although he’s still in contention for the championship, the Division 4 hitter will need to win a couple of races to have a chance.

DragChamp picks to win:

Ryan Mangus – Over the last few seasons, only Justin Lamb has won more events out west than this guy. This just in, he’s pretty good!

Jeff Taylor – The JEGS Sportsnationals champ always does well on the west coast.

Steve Wann – Diehard Mopar racer is always a tough out. He should make some noise at the Strip.

Super Comp – 70 Car Field

Brian Preszler heads to Vegas in search of a world championship. He’s currently 64 points behind current leader Ray Miller 3 but can claim points at the final three events of the season. If he wins this week, he’ll be the 2019 world champ. Anything less and the chase will move to the Divsion LODRS the following week.

DragChamp picks to win:

Marko Perivolaris – He’s won just about everything he’s entered this season. Another national event win can’t be far away.

Kevin Wright – The defending event champ wins alot in Vegas!

Tom Stalba – Division 1 veteran is really good!

Super Gas – 73 Car Field

Jim Rod Capp enters the event with a shot at the national title. To catch current leader Jeremy Mason, Capp will need late round finishes at the next two races. Bo Butner also has a shot at the title but like Capp, will need at least two great showings to have a chance.

DragChamp picks to win:

Casey Plaizier – Coming off a win at the Fall Nationals should provide some momentum in Vegas.

Ray Miller 3 – Ray Ray has been on fire lately!

Bo Butner – Would be really cool to see him make a run at the championship.

DragChamp is your source for NHRA Lucas Oil sportsman drag racing news and drag race results. Follow DragChamp for daily updates throughout the weekend.