The 17th Annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will see possibly the biggest Aussie contingent ever, and certainly the largest collection of Aussies this season, competing on track or behind the scenes.
NHRA regulars Richie Crampton (Top Fuel); Dave Grubnic (tuning Clay Millican’s Part Plus Top Fuel Dragster); Shane Tucker (Pro Stock); the duel Australia-Sweden connection of Harker Motorsport and Lindberg Bros Racing (Top Alcohol Funny Car); and Mathew Leonard (Competition Eliminator) make up just half of the invading Australians.
Rapisarda Autosport (Top Fuel) are no strangers to the NHRA and will compete in their sixth straight event on US soil this season. Wayne Newby also returns to the cockpit and will look to build on the solid performances of Larry Dixon in the seat during Newby’s absence.
Fuel Funny Car sees three Aussie owned teams on the entry list with the Russo Racing Funny Car driven by Jeff Arend back in action alongside the Schwab Funny Car piloted by Phil Burkhart Jr. Third on the list is West Aussie Anthony Begley driving the Bailey Brother’s Chemical Warfare machine in a bloated 24 car field.
And finally two-time Super Gas Champion and current Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Modified Champion Matt Forbes will also take up the challenge for the second year in a row in Super Gas.
Forbes is teaming up with his friends Buddy and Karen Wood to race a Corvette Roadster for Sunset Performance Engines.
Following the event we will recap all the Aussies Abroad right here on ANDRA.com.au. But if you want to yell Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi at your screen in real time, check out NHRA All Access.