The 2016 season will mark the 15th anniversary for visionary sponsor Lucas Oil in support of NHRA’s Sportsman drag racing…

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series returns for a 15th season with premier events taking place across the country in all seven NHRA divisions, it was announced today by NHRA officials. The 2016 schedule will feature 43 divisional events with a minimum of five in each of the seven divisions. There will also be 25 regional events featuring the 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes.

“Sportsman racing forms the foundation of NHRA and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is the pinnacle of sportsman racing,” said Peter Clifford, NHRA president. “The Lucas Series allows for fans to watch some of the best drag racing action at any level, and features high-level racing where many pro racers begin. We look forward to another thrilling season of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series across the U.S. in 2016.”

The 2016 season will see a return to zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. and Spokane County Raceway in Airway Heights, Wash. The 2016 season will begin in Houston, Feb. 26-28, and concludes in Las Vegas, Nov. 3-6.

The season will include two doubleheader weekends at Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kan., July 28-31 and Rocky Mountain Raceways in West Valley City, Utah, Sept. 22-25. In addition, Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Ore., and The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, will both host two events.

“As always, the NHRA has done a great job incorporating some of the most historic racetracks in the country into the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule,” Morgan Lucas said. “We are proud to use the Lucas Oil name to support all of these events and wish participants from all four corners of the country the very best in 2016. Sportsman level drag racing remains a cornerstone of our sport and it’s vital for these racers to be given all of the tools necessary to safely race and participate in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which starts with these wonderful NHRA approved facilities.”

Bonus programs available to competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series include the $100,000 JEGS Allstars. Individual divisions may also have additional bonus programs available to racers.

In addition to Lucas, some prominent graduates of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series who have gone on to successful careers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series include Brandon Bernstein, Shawn Langdon, Courtney Force, Erica Enders, Brittany Force, Alexis DeJoria, and Jeg Coughlin.

Headquartered in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products was founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket. The Lucas Oil product line features engine oils, greases, gear lubes and problem-solving additives for everyday cars and trucks. In addition, Lucas Oil continues to be directly involved in the American racing industry at all levels through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing events. More information on Lucas Oil Products can be found by visiting www.LucasOil.com.

2016 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Schedule

Northeast Division
Virginia Motorsports Park April 29-May 1
Maple Grove Raceway May 27-29
Lebanon Valley Dragway July 1-3
New England Dragway July 22-24
Atco Dragway Aug. 5-7
Cecil County Dragway Aug. 19-21
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park Sept. 9-11

Southeast Division
Auto Plus Raceway at Gainesville March 11-13
Atlanta Dragway May 20-22
zMax Dragway Sept. 23-25
Silver Dollar Raceway Oct. 8-9
Rockingham Dragway Oct. 28-30

North Central Division
Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis April 29-May 1
Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park May 20-22
Route 66 Raceway June 3-5
National Trail Raceway July 22-24
Gateway Motorsports Park Aug. 5-6
Beech Bend Raceway Park Aug. 26-28

South Central Division
Royal Purple Raceway Feb. 26-28
No Problem Raceway Park April 8-10
Texas Motorplex April 22-24
Osage Casino Tulsa Raceway Park June 10-12
Thunder Road Raceway Park Sept. 16-18
Thunder Valley Raceway Park Oct. 7-9

West Central Division
SRCA Dragstrip June 3-5
Bandimere Speedway June 17-19
Heartland Park Topeka July 28-29
Heartland Park Topeka July 30-31
Brainerd International Raceway Aug. 13-14
Tri-State Raceway Sept. 9-11

Northwest Division
Firebird Raceway April 29 – May 1
Spokane County Raceway May 20-22
Mission Raceway June 3-5
Woodburn Dragstrip July 15-17
Pacific Raceway s Aug. 19-21
Woodburn Dragstrip Sept. 16-18

Pacific Division
Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park March 4-6
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 8-10
Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway May 20-22
Sonoma Raceway July 22-24
Rocky Mountain Raceways Sept. 22-23
Rocky Mountain Raceways Sept. 24-25
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Nov. 3-6

2016 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Regional Schedule

East Region
Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville March 11-13
Virginia Motorsports Park April 29-May 1
Maple Grove Raceway May 27-29
Lebanon Valley Dragway July 1-3
New England Dragway July 22-24
Atco Dragway Aug. 5-7

North Central Region
Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis April 29-May 1
Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park May 20-22
Route 66 Raceway June 3-5
National Trail Raceway July 22-24
Gateway Motorsports Park Aug. 5-6
Beech Bend Raceway Park Aug. 26-28

Central Region
No Problem Raceway Park April 8-10
Osage Casino Tulsa Raceway Park June 10-12
Bandimere Speedway June 17-19
Heartland Park Topeka July 30-31
Tri-State Raceway Sept. 9-11
Thunder Valley Raceway Park Oct. 7-9

West Region
Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park March 4-6
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 8-10
Mission Raceway June 3-5
Woodburn Dragstrip July 15-17
Pacific Raceway s Aug. 19-21
Woodburn Dragstrip Sept. 16-18
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Nov. 3-6

Posted by Eric Lotz

DragRaceCanada file photos