Night qualifying is back for a second straight year at Pacific Raceways, while three sessions of nitro qualifying on Saturday is also set for the upcoming 36th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals.
The epic weekend in Seattle takes place July 18-20, as NHRA and Pacific Raceways officials revealed a pair of exciting schedule announcements for the longtime NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event. Tickets are currently on sale for the race, which is the 11th of 20 during the 2025 season.
After an incredibly-successful debut of night qualifying a year ago, a Friday Primetime session is back by popular demand as fans will again be treated to all the amazing sights and sounds of 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars at night under the Musco Lighting
The excitement doesn’t stop there, as the next day fans can take in three rounds of Top Fuel and Funny Car action as part of a loaded day filled with fun for the whole family. The nitro sessions take place 12:30, 2:45 and 5 p.m. PT on Saturday, with a jam-packed schedule giving fans multiple chances to see the fastest and most powerful cars on the planet.
Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will qualify twice on both Friday and Saturday, leading into eliminations on Sunday, July 20, where winners will be crowned at the historic race.
“Nitro qualifying under the lights on Friday night will be back this year and we are extremely excited to have that again be part of our NHRA national event,” said John Ramsey, Pacific Raceways General Manager. “Fans who were here last year saw an incredible show on a perfect summer night and the feedback we received was overwhelming. Adding a third qualifying session for Top Fuel and Funny Car will be over-the-top on Saturday and making that unique afternoon a must-see for our Northwest race fans.”
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will take place at 6:40 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. PT on Friday, July 18, with some special exhibition classes set to run following the first session. Those details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Before the second PS/PSM session and nitro at night, fans will get to take part in a special pre-race ceremony, including a track walk, cackle fest and more. That leads to Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying under the lights starting at 9:15 p.m. PT, where fans will see massive nitro header flames and an evening of incredible performances.
On Saturday, July 19, qualifying in Top Fuel and Funny Car will happen at 12:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m., PT with the final two rounds of Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle taking place at 3:45 and 6:05 p.m. The Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, which offers a bonus purse and championship points, will take place during the final two qualifying sessions in every category on Saturday, bringing even more intense competition to close out a jam-packed qualifying day.
Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday, July 20, marking the culmination of what will surely be one of the biggest events in Pacific Raceways history. The scenic facility has played host to NHRA national events for nearly four decades, with this year’s race shaping up to be a monumental weekend.
“It’s exciting to work with Pacific Raceways and present a unique weekend with night qualifying on Friday and three rounds of nitro the next day,” NHRA Senior Vice President Evan Jonat said. “Their team is eager to try different things, which we successfully saw last year with the introduction of Friday night qualifying. We’re thrilled to see that continue and there will be a great show leading up to those night runs to keep the fans excited. We’ve got a terrific race partner with Muckleshoot Casino Resort and it all adds up to a big weekend and one we can’t wait to share with all the amazing NHRA fans in the Pacific Northwest.”
Last year’s winners in Seattle included Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Chase Van Sant (Pro Stock Motorcycle). The race will again be broadcast on the FOX broadcast network.
In the Top Fuel ranks, Torrence has won back-to-back years at Pacific Raceways, while defending world champion Antron Brown has four victories at the track. Others to watch include Tony Stewart, Brittany Force, Doug Kalitta and Clay Millican.
Prock earned his first Funny Car victory at Seattle in 2024 en route to his first world title and he’ll take on a loaded class that also features Jack Beckman, who is driving for John Force, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan and Bob Tasca III.
Reigning Pro Stock world champ Greg Anderson leads all active Pro Stock drivers with three wins at Pacific Raceways, while Van Sant earned his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle win last year in Seattle, stopping Gaige Herrera in the final round to also end his record-breaking 11-race win streak.
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