CONCORD, N.C. — One of the most unique spectacles in motorsports will include a historic moment for the NHRA’s Top Fuel category this year at zMAX Dragway.
The 15th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals takes place April 25-27 and a jam-packed weekend will include an incredible moment in NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series history: the 1,000th Top Fuel race.
The Top Fuel category made its first appearance at the 1963 NHRA Winternationals, with the legendary Don Garlits winning the opening race. More than 60 years and hundreds of races later, someone in the loaded Top Fuel category will make history at the amazing four-wide event at the Bellagio of Dragstrips.
The last three world champs in the class have been part of the rich history in Top Fuel, with Brittany Force winning the 900th race in 2019. Reigning world champion Antron Brown won No. 800 a decade ago at the fall race in Charlotte, while Doug Kalitta, the 2023 world champion, won the special 500th Top Fuel race in 2002 at the Texas Motorplex.
Will one of the trio add another history-making moment in Top Fuel’s incredible history, or will the likes of points leader Shawn Langdon, racing legend Tony Stewart, Clay Millican, four-time world champ Steve Torrence, defending event winner Justin Ashley, Josh Hart, and rising stars Jasmine Salinas and Ida Zetterstrom be the one to attach themselves to history as the winner of the 1,000th Top Fuel race?
To add to the moment, legends from the landmark races in Top Fuel history – including Garlits – will all be on hand in Charlotte to add to the celebration. The winners of 1st, 100th, 200th, 300th, 400th, 500th, 600th, 700th, 800th and 900th Top Fuel races will gather together for a special autograph session during the event and it will include an event-exclusive hero card, as fans will be invited to be part of history at one of the most unique events on the NHRA tour. The winner of the 1,000th Top Fuel race in Charlotte will also receive a special trophy and the Wally to close out a momentous weekend.
