The Big GO!

The Big GO! The US Nationals in Indianapolis is one of the most iconic, famed and historic races of the NHRA Season, this year though, it’s the 70th Anniversary! Fans, Racers & Crew Members and The NHRA transcend on the Racing Capital of the world for 6 days of racing. Fans hoping to witness history, the racers and crew grasping for the prestigious Wally and the NHRA hoping to put on a show for the ages.

I haven’t been to the US Nationals since early in my High School days. Dad brought me with him and I was absolutely in awe. The magnitude of this event I could tell back in the day as well, I just don’t think I noticed the impact that would have on my life today. Dad had let me use his camera and was teaching me about shooting and I couldn’t be happier. The shot below was a project I did for a Photography Class at the time and was the very first Print I ever sold!

Now we fast forward to 2024… the 70th Running of the US Nationals! I felt I had many photos I wanted to post and with every moment I tried to capture I found myself thinking 10 Year-Old Me would be in shock…

Walking the Staging Lanes… Something I truly enjoy no matter the race but you could feel the difference at Lucas Oil Raceway Park. Racers getting Fire Jackets on, checking the find of the American Flag flying above the famed Arch, last minute Air Pressure adjustments and calculations. I watched hundreds of racers, in categories from Stock to Fuel, do this throughout the weekend… all seemed to know the stakes were simply higher.

Standing under The Arch… I found myself in a couple specific spots just taking it all in. As the racers made their way around the corner from the Staging Lanes then under the arch you could feel the shift… Crew Members started to get in their head space, tow vehicles started to clear our of the way and the racers had their helmets on and focused on their pair and that was it. The Term “If Looks Could Kill” is so very well but the eyes of racers I observed could have cut through the thickest of steel.

The Waterbox… Watching the racers pull get guided up into the water by their trusted Crew Members. The racer tightens their shoulder straps while watching the car in front of them stage then from the center of the starting line they see the familiar arms of the Race Master motion to begin their burnout.

The Starting Line… You could see the racers take their deep breaths. Grab their belts and pull them tighter one more time. Glance at the racer in the next lane and slowly roll forward. This wasn’t just another time to stage their cars. This was THE US Nationals. The Big GO. The cars are staged, the racers are laser focused on the Tree, Crew Members are getting ready to film or document a pass that will go down in history and our NHRA Starter flips that switch.

The Top End… A location that is always filled with both the celebration of championships and the agony of defeat all in the same close quarters but you add the weight of The US Nationals on and every pair of cars that enter the top end of the track are filled with emotions… both Highs and Lows. The racers seem to be greeted with fist bumps, high fives and congrats if they move onto the next round or a sympathetic filled hug from the Saftey Safari Team that works up there.

The Wally… What I feel is one of the most sought after trophies in motorsports. Seeing a racer win a wally will never get old to me but seeing them win a US Nationals Wally is breathtaking. Seeing our NHRA Team give them to a racer is a moment that almost seems to be happening in slow motion, as if our brains want us to enjoy this moment, remember the feeling and see the full emotions of the racer. Watching a racer who has earned multiple Wallys clinch this Wally just proves the value, prestige and honor that the Wally holds.

History… I feel that in our hectic and crazy lives it’s hard for us to realize the moments we are living in are in fact one day going to be the history that later generations talk about as significant moments in our sport, new achievements, tributes to the past and more. Being able to witness Division 7 Comp Racer Kayla M bring the US Nationals Wally to Arizona, First Time US Nationals Winner Clay Millican, Ron Capps honor Living Legend Don Prudhomme with a tribute paint scheme and

I am so thankful for the opportunity to attend this historic racer, capture moments in history and share moments with the racers and their family. Getting to share the wall with photographers I have looked up to for years was a great honor as well, they were fun, caring and not afraid to share insight with me when I needed it!

I had a great chance to chat and hangout with more of our racers, friends and NHRA Team that makes these events happen. See you all down the road at the next track!