U.S. Street Nationals...The best time of the year!

In the drag racing community, there is one time of year that everyone looks forward to, and that time is less than a week away. It’s the kickoff to the 2020 racing season.

While I know that there are those of you that don’t consider anything but NHRA the official kickoff to the season, for the rest of us the U.S. Street Nationals in Bradenton, Florida is our launchpad for the season. This race has been a staple on the racing schedule for more than a decade and a half now. Starting next Tuesday, the tire frying, heart-pounding, ear-piercing excitement that is drag racing will put a smile on the face of someone who hates the offseason.

Pro Mod, Radial vs. The World, Pro 275, X275, Ultra Street, Heavy Street, Outlaw 632, and so much more is on tap for us in Bradenton. Victor Alvarez has been spending the “off-season” getting ramped up for what is expected to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest U.S. Street Nationals in the history of the event. Our readers have already seen what Victor has been doing to get ready and putting in so many track improvements. From added paved pit space to a new scale, to an entirely new high-tech timing system.

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For me personally, this is a must-attend event. I know that there will be new cars debuted, and based on the forecast, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a record or two broken next weekend. Besides that though, what in this world is better than being at the race track after a month off? Those of us that work in the industry look forward to time off, but by time off, we usually mean about a week, not a month! Add to that the fact that it is going to be Florida in January as well. Growing up in the midwest for 38 years, you have no idea how amazing the idea of Florida in January really is.

To say that some interesting things are happening in drag racing right now might be understating it. World Record MPH holder Mark Micke, who is the only driver to eclipse 220 MPH in the 1/8th on a radial, has since made the switch and will be competing in Pro 275 at this event. There is an RvW driver that has made a combo switch and debuting it this event also. Add to that, the expected debut of El Diablo II, along with Jason Harris’ new Procharger/Proline combo in Pro Mod, and you have two debuts that are worth the price of admission.

If you are really anywhere in the United States and love drag racing, Bradenton, Florida is exactly where you should be next week! If you can’t make it in person, then you should be glued to E3xtreme for photo, video, features, and news coverage from our opening race of the season.