2024 NHRA Virginia Nationals Hit With Rain, But Finish By End Of Weekend: Event Recap

On June 21, 2024 the NHRA returned to Virginia Motorsports Park (VMP) outside of Richmond, VA for a weekend of racing. The NHRA Virginia Nationals did not happen in 2023 and it was good to see the Old Dominion State back on the schedule. 

I attended all three days and witnessed some thrilling racing. I snapped some pretty sweet photos too. In my camera bag, I took a Panasonic Lumix GH5 with a 100-300mm lens (micro four-thirds).

2024 NHRA Virginia Nationals Event Winners

• Top Fuel: Doug Kalitta (3.752 ET @ 333.41 MPH)
• Funny Car: Austin Prock (3.921 ET @ 327.90 MPH)
• Pro Stock: Aaron Stanfield (6.614 ET @ 207.15 MPH)
• Pro Stock Motorcycle: Gaige Herrera (6.755 ET @ 199.26 MPH)
• Top Fuel Motorcycle: Larry McBride (5.003 ET @ 235.89 MPH)
• Pro Mod: Rickie Smith (5.702 ET @ 253.37 MPH)
• Mountain Motor Pro Stock: John Pluchino (6.335 ET @ 222.00 MPH)

Full winner list on the NHRA website.

John Force’s Wreck 

It was unbelievable to watch in person. I specifically wanted to see a NHRA race in 2024 to see a 75 year old John Force race again before he retired. Some of his comments earlier in the year indicated he was contemplating whether or not to continue his NHRA Career. What I did not want to see was the legendary drag racer wrecking after a 300+ mph pass.

The crowd was in shock. Many fans had donned their Force t-shirts for John’s return to Virginia Motorsports Park. Force has had a solid history of impressive runs at the location including setting the elapsed time record in 2019.

Force was transported by helicopter immediately to a nearby hospital where they discovered his main issue to be a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  

More details on John and the wreck When I post the video on YouTube.

Wild Weather

The whole weekend was blazing hot. I got a nice sunburn, but it was worth it to see the nitro racing. During the Saturday qualifying runs the air temperature got up to 96 degrees and track temps topped 147 degrees!

After 4PM on the day of finals, the area saw a big rainstorm come through. Both fans and eliminated competitors packed their bags and headed out. But a good amount of diehard fans stayed through the downpour. We sought cover under the bleachers until after 5PM when the sun came out again. Less than two hours later VMP was fully dry and prepped for 330 mph drag racing. It was quite impressive how fast they cleared the water off the track.

Fortunately all the final races were able to finish on Sunday evening in VA. I was worried for a little while that we would see a repeat of the 2024 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA. That event ended early due to hail and the final rounds in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock had to be finished at the following event (NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix).

Event Photos

Meeting Top Fuel Driver Clay Millican

I enjoy meeting drivers when they are out signing autographs for fans. And at the VA Nats my brother and I met Top Fuel Driver Clay Millican. Millican has been drag racing professionally since 1998 and I witnessed him take 1st place and win a Wally trophy at the Final NHRA event for Bandimere Speedway in Colorado (before it closed down).

Sadly we are familiar with what Clay has gone through when he lost his son Dalton in a motorcycle accident in 2015. My siblings and I lost our youngest brother, Garrett to an unfortunate motorcycle accident in 2022.

As life moves on, we strive to keep their memories alive and strong. Clay remembers his son by perpetually repeating one of Dalton’s favorite sayings: “Stomp on that loud pedal!” and keeping Dalton’s truck named Dently in tip top shape. Clay is someone I admire for not only his racing skills but also his ability to always smile and keep a positive outlook regardless of what life has dished out.

If you are craving even more details from this event you can also read the Event Notebook from Competition Plus. 

Check out more articles on NHRA events and other types of racing.

Thanks for reading,

– Will