2021 NHRA Menards Nationals Sportsman Preview
2021 Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor Lucas Oil Sportsman Preview from Topeka, Kansas
Cover photo – Shawn Carter & Larry Carter
TOPEKA – After a couple of weeks off following the Western Swing, the NHRA national event tours heads to the heartland of America this week for the Menards NHRA Nationals in Topeka, Kan. The NHRA Lucas Oil competitors are just weeks removed from a huge double divisional at Heartland Motorsports Park so the majority of racers should have a log book full of data for this weekend. The weather at Topeka can be tricky which should give the best top-end racers an advantage this weekend.
The Menards NHRA Nationals will showcase over 300 Lucas Oil sportsman racers competing in eight different classes. The schedule includes Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and Factory Stock Showdown.
Before we look ahead to the 2021 Menards Nationals, let’s look back at the 2019 event champions.
2019 NHRA Heartland Nationals Champions
Competition Eliminator – Bruno Massel
Super Stock – Gene Mosbek
Stock Eliminator – Chris Chaney
Super Comp – Kyle Fickler
Super Gas – Shawn Carter
Super Street – Trevor Larson
Factory Stock Showdown – Stephen Bell
2021 Menards 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 – 19 Car Field
Defending event champ Bruno Massel Jr. warmed up for his title defense with a win at the double divisional a couple of weeks ago. That should be a warning to the rest of the field. Bo Butner will jumps back into the Comp class this week after a long hiatus. He’ll be joined by hitters such as Doug Engels and Greg Kamplain among others.
DragChamp picks to win:
Bruno Massel Jr. – I’m sticking with the defending champion this week.
Super Stock – 44 Car Field
The Super Stock class will be fun to watch this week as the event list includes hitters such as Justin Lamb, Gary Stinnett, Tyler Wudarcyzk, the Emmons Brothers, and Justin Jenkins.
DragChamp picks to win:
Jimmy Hildalgo Jr. – “Cooter” is one of the best in the business and has the top-end talents to get it done this weekend.
Gary Stinnett – Kansas native knows this facility as good as anyone, could be all the advantage he needs on Sunday.
Stock Eliminator – 57 Car Field
Like Super Stock, some of the biggest names in Stock Eliminator are on the entry list for the Menards NHRA Nationals. Four of last years’ top ten are entered including Parker DeVore, Justin Lamb, Scott Burton, and Jerry Emmons. Current national points leader Wes Neely is also on the entry list.
DragChamp picks to win:
Jeff Lopez – Talented Dallas-based racer is great on both ends of the dragstrip, should give him an advantage with Topeka’s ever changing weather.
Justin Lamb – Another fast COPO Camaro driver that can get it done in tricky weather conditions.
Super Comp – 60 Car Field
The Super Comp field includes racers from across the country as they all chase the Menards Wally. This facility places a premium on finish line driving and you should see the best of the best in the finals on Sunday.
DragChamp picks to win:
Austin Williams – Dude has won everything in the last month including a near double at the Topeka divisional race a few weeks back.
Tommy Phillips – Hasn’t raced much in the last few years but don’t let that fool you, TP has owned this facility for years!
Super Gas – 51 Car Field
D4 veteran Shawn Carter looks for a repeat performance of his 2019 victory but will face some stiff competition from a host of 9.90 players including Heidi Robison, Jim Capp, Austin Williams, Steve Williams, and Luke Bogacki. D5 hitters such as Michael Miller, Kevin Moore, Tim Nicholson, and Robert Coleman should also be in the mix over the weekend.
DragChamp picks to win:
Austin Williams – AW is so hot right now that I wouldn’t put it past him to double up, especially considering his track record at Topeka.
Luke Bogacki – Dude has flat out destroyed the Super Gas class this season, would be dumb to pick against him.
Top Sportsman – 24 Car Field
The short Top Sportsman field is heavy on talent this week as five of last season’s top ten players make their way to Topeka this week. I’m sticking with #1 and #2 from last year in my picks as both should be players on Sunday.
DragChamp picks to win:
Darian Boesch – The reigning champ is looking like he may repeat this year. Should be a player on Sunday.
Allen Firestone – Last year’s #2 racer has great equipment and the skill to park his Camaro in the winners circle.
Top Dragster – 32 Car Field
The Top Dragster field will be brutal this week as all the top names are in Topeka this week. Anthony Bertozzi, Danny Nelson, Darian Boesch, JB Strassweg, Ross & Holden Laris, JR & Rusty Baxter, and the Lobner family are sure to make things interesting.
DragChamp pick to win:
JB Strassweg – With a win and a runner-up in the last few weeks, the momentum should carry JB into the late rounds on Sunday.
Danny Nelson – This guy just keeps on turning on win lights. Hard to bet against the former World Champ.
Factory Stock Showdown – 19 Car Field
The relatively small field of Factory Stocker’s includes plenty of COPO Camaro’s and DragPak Challenger’s but only one Cobra Jet. Kevin Skinner continues to carry the blue oval contingent in the factory stock class. Aaron Stanfield and David Barton have been the class of the field this season and I don’t see that changing.
DragChamp pick to win:
Aaron Stanfield – This young man just continues to impress. He was good early in his career but quickly becoming one of the greats.
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