Lucas Oil Nationals Sportsman Preview

NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals Sportsman class event preview.

BRAINERD, MINN. – The NHRA travel road show rolls into Brainerd International Raceway this week for the Lucas Oil Nationals. The four-day race is the 17th event on the 24-race schedule.

Lucas Oil sportsman class racers will run time trials, qualifying, and Stock/Super Stock class eliminations on Thursday. Racers will move into final eliminations on Friday before the Pro classes take over on Friday evening.

Saturday and Sunday will be busy days as sportsman eliminations continue until the champions are crowned on Sunday afternoon.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals will showcase over 315 Lucas Oil sportsman racers competing in seven different classes. The schedule includes Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster.

2018 NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals Champions

Super Stock – Brian Johnson

Stock Eliminator – Ben Line

Super Comp – Don Nichols

Super Gas – Jeff Crooks

Top Sportsman – JR Lobner

Top Dragster – Todd Fleck

2019 NHRA Lucas Oil 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 – 13 Car Field

DragChamp pick to win:

Bruno Massel – Look for Bruno to build momentum heading into Indy! His last outing resulted in a win at the Heartland Nationals.

Super Stock – 59 Car Field

The Super Stock field is loaded with talent this weekend as racers prepare for the upcoming U.S. Nationals. Joe Santangelo, Dan Fletcher, Chris Chaney, Tyler Wudarcyzk, Brad Zaskowski, Mike Mans, and more are on the grounds this weekend.

DragChamp picks to win:

Brad Zaskowski – Look for Brad to out shift the competition in Brainerd.

Wyatt Wagner – Talented Kansas runner has been really close lately.

Tyler Wudarcyzk – Tyler makes tons of rounds, seems overdue for a big win.

Stock Eliminator – 60 Car Field

Another deep field can be found in the Stock ranks. Randi Lyn Shipp will be looking to avenge her final round loss last year while Ben Line is chasing the three-peat.

DragChamp picks to win:

Brett Speer – Minnesota native is very familiar with the Brainerd winners circle.

Joe Santangelo – He’s won everything else this year and I don’t see him slowing down.

Randy Mans – Talented racer should be in the mix on Sunday.

Super Comp – 61 Car Field

The out-of-division racers are raiding BIR this week which will put the pressure on the Division 5 group to defend their territory. Fletcher, Bogacki, Laris, Anderson, Bohannon, and more will look to grab the Wally on Sunday.

DragChamp picks to win:

Gary Stinnett – Multi-time world champ has been too quite lately.

Trevor Larson – Topeka S/ST winner should be in the mix for a second win this week.

Luke Bogacki – Would love to start another 27 round win streak like he did a few years ago. Find more on Luke’s 2019 success here and here.

Super Gas – 62 Car Field

Jim Rod Capp and Tim Nicholson will look to continue their success after a win and runner up at the divisional last week. They’ll be challenged by a tough group of racers from across the country.

DragChamp picks to win:

Bo Butner – Bo will look to remain unbeaten in the 9.90 class after his big win at the Sonoma Nationals.

Tim Nicholson – He may have a clutch and a slow MPH but Tim has this combo dialed in.

Mark McMasters – Minnesota racer knows how to get to the winners circle at BIR.

Top Sportsman – 29 Car Field

After a win last weekend at the LODRS event in Brainerd, Allen Firestone will chase the double this weekend. He’ll have to fight off some of his Division 4 competitors along with a host of D5 campaigner’s to do so.

DragChamp picks to win:

Lance Rutland – Noble LODRS winner has been in three finals this year.

Michael Chitty – Talented driver that’s due for a big weekend.

Top Dragster – 35 Car Field

Ross Laris is back after breaking in the final round last season. He’ll look to improve on his runner up finish. With 35 cars on the list, we’ll see if the full field results in a fast bump spot.

DragChamp picks to win:

Ken Moses – After a double at the New England Nationals, Ken is chasing points at BIR.

Luke Bogacki – I don’t get alot of opportunities to pick Cool Hand Luke so I’m doubling down this week.

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