NHRA Northwest Nationals Sportsman Preview

Lucas Oil Sportsman event preview for the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.

SEATTLE – The NHRA Northwest Nationals rolls into Pacific Raceways this week for the third and final leg of the famous Western Swing. Most of the sportsman racers will be on their third straight week of racing.

Two weeks ago Division 7 racers competed at Sonoma Raceway at the Lucas Oil Series doubleheader. That event was followed by the Sonoma Nationals last weekend. Racers competing in all four races have the potential to make huge gains in the national points chase.

The Northwest Nationals will showcase over 250 Lucas Oil sportsman racers competing in eight different classes. The schedule includes Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster.

The three-day NHRA schedule will be in effect this week at Pacific Raceways. Sportsman competitors will make qualifying and time trials on Friday before moving into final eliminations on Saturday.

The sportsman classes will run eliminations through the quarterfinals on Saturday before finishing the last two rounds on Sunday. All Lucas Oil sportsman champions will be crowned on Sunday afternoon.

2018 NHRA Northwest Nationals Champions

Competition Eliminator – Brian Hyerstay

Super Stock – Justin Lamb

Stock Eliminator – Ryan Warter

Super Comp – Greg Krause

Super Gas – Gene Kelly

Super Street – Francesca Giroux

Top Sportsman – Bryan LaFlam

Top Dragster – Steve Casner

2019 NHRA Northwest 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 – 12 Car Field

With a small field, racing should be tough in Comp this weekend. Jeff Lane returns to action after taking a break for the last few months. Ryan Warter and Tony Mandella will look to continue their recent LODRS momentum after both doubled up at recent LODRS events.

DragChamp pick to win:

Ryan Warter – Talented driver always seems to find his way to the final round.

Super Stock – 29 Car Field

The talented Super Stock field includes world champ Justin Lamb, Jody Lang, Cody Lane, Brad Burton, Kyle Rizzoli, and many more. The racer lucky enough to win on Sunday will have to outrun some of the biggest names in the class.

Rizzoli will look to go back-to-back after a big win last week at Sonoma.

DragChamp picks to win:

Cody Lane – This guy has enjoyed a huge season. Look for him to continue his winning ways this week.

Kory Alby – Talented racer consistently performs well in the Northwest events.

Stock Eliminator – 38 Car Field

Ryan Warter returns looking for a repeat performance of last year’s big win. Racers will be chasing the W/SA Pinto of Darrick Ellam who’s always a tough out in his 16-second Stocker.

Other top names in action include Randi Lyn Shipp, Justin Lamb, Jody Lang, Jeff Lane, Brad Burton, Joe Sorenson, and more.

DragChamp picks to win:

Joe Sorensen – Veteran west coast class racer is really good, especially at Pacific Raceways.

Scott Burton – Look for Brad’s father to improve on last week’s semifinal finish.

Super Comp – 44 Car Field

I picked Ken Mostowich to win at Sonoma and he almost delivered. Moss came up just short with a semifinal finish. He should be in contention this week along with world champ Steve Williams, Justin Cooper, Tom Bayer, others.

DragChamp picks to win:

Tom Bayer – Driving school instructor know how to turn on win lights.

Randy Beck – Division 6 champ should be in the mix on Sunday.

Super Gas – 33 Car Field

The 33-car 9.90 field is loaded all the way down the entry list. Hitters such as Casey Plaizier, Chris Cannon, Rob Willis, Dan Bain, Steve Williams, and more will compete for the Northwest Nationals Wally.

Bo Butner will look to go two-for-two after winning last week in his Super Gas debut.

DragChamp picks to win:

Casey Plaizier – Could very easily be one of the best drivers in the class right now.

Rob Willis – Washington racer has a knack for finding his way to final rounds.

Super Street – 45 Car Field

The largest field in competition this week is loaded with talent for the second straight weekend. Chris Cannon II will look to improve on his semifinal loss to last week’s champ Ryan Herem.

Division 6 champ Justin Cooper has been on fire recently making three finals at the recent Sonoma LODRS doubleheader.

DragChamp picks to win:

Justin Cooper – Momentum is on his side. Look for a big weekend out of this guy.

Brad Plourd – Because he’s Brad freaking Plourd!

Top Sportsman – 23 Car Field

Joe Mellof could put himself in the national championship discussion with a late round finish this week. Currently sixth in points, Mellof will get full points credit for the Northwest Nationals.

Super class racer Casey Plaizier will dip his toes in the fast doorslammer class this weekend.

DragChamp pick to win:

Don Sefton – GTO driver makes final rounds all over the west coast.

Top Dragster – 32 Car Field

Phil Unruh will look to finish what he started in Sonoma. After making the final round, Unruh broke mid-run to settle for the runner up spot.

World Champ Paul Nero, Steve Casner, and Mike Coughlin should all be in the mix this week. The event has national point implications for Nero, Coughlin, and more.

DragChamp pick to win:

Paul Nero – Reigning world champ has enjoyed a successful season, a win in Seattle wouldn’t surprise anyone.

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