The 56th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals faced an unexpected hurdle on Saturday as weather conditions led to the cancellation of racing at the Gainesville Raceway. Despite this setback, fans and drivers eagerly anticipate the start of eliminations on Sunday, marking the beginning of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Among the top qualifiers from Friday’s runs were Antron Brown in Top Fuel, Jack Beckman in Funny Car, Greg Anderson in Pro Stock, and Gaige Herrera in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Gates are set to open bright and early at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, with eliminations scheduled to kick off at 9:30 a.m. Spectators who held tickets for Saturday’s events have the option to exchange them for Sunday tickets or put them towards a ticket for next year’s national event at the Gainesville Raceway. The excitement is palpable as fans gear up for a day of high-octane racing action.
Top Qualifiers Shine Despite Weather Setback
Despite the weather-related challenges that led to Saturday’s cancellation, top qualifiers Antron Brown, Jack Beckman, Greg Anderson, and Gaige Herrera showcased their prowess on Friday. Brown, a 51-time No. 1 qualifier, clinched the top spot in Top Fuel with a blistering run of 3.685 seconds at 334.24 mph in his Matco Tools dragster. Beckman’s impressive performance in Funny Car secured him the top qualifier position with a time of 3.832 seconds at 334.65 mph in his PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS.
Anderson, a seasoned veteran, set a world-record time of 6.443 seconds at 212.06 mph in his HendrickCars.com Camaro, earning him his 133rd career No. 1 qualifier title. On the Pro Stock Motorcycle front, Herrera blazed down the track with a time of 6.670 seconds at 202.97 mph on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, claiming the top spot in his category. The skill and precision demonstrated by these top qualifiers set the stage for an electrifying showdown on Sunday.
Excitement Builds for Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout
While the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout was originally slated to take place at the NHRA Gatornationals, the event will now be held at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals from March 27-30 at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. The selection process for this high-stakes race took place in Gainesville on Friday, with the matchups carrying over to Pomona.
The lineup for the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout promises thrilling head-to-head battles, with top seed Steve Torrence facing off against Tony Stewart in the opening round. Other matchups include Doug Kalitta versus Clay Millican, Shawn Langdon against Antron Brown, and Justin Ashley taking on Brittany Force. The fierce competition and high stakes of this event are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
As fans eagerly await the start of eliminations on Sunday, the anticipation and excitement in the air are palpable. Despite Saturday’s weather-related setback, the stage is set for a thrilling day of racing action at the NHRA Gatornationals. Stay tuned for all the latest updates and highlights from the track as the top drivers in the sport go head-to-head in pursuit of victory.
