NHRA Sonoma Nationals
The NHRA Sonoma Nationals is a drag racing event in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, that has been held annually at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California since 1988.
In 1987, the raceway signed a contract with the National Hot Rod Association for an event that was initially named the California Nationals, set to begin in 1988.
NHRA has held National events at Sonoma every year since, with exception for 2020 due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty about weather if the event were to be rescheduled to a date later in the year.
Race history
In 2004, Angelle Sampey became the first woman ever to win at a Sonoma Nationals event, competing in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category.At the 2015 Sonoma Nationals, all 4 drivers that were the number one qualifiers went on to win the race in their respective categories, the first time in NHRA history that had ever happened at an event.
Also at the 2015 event, Jack Beckman piloted his Funny Car to 323.43 mph, which at the time was the quickest run in NHRA history. Two years later at the 2017 Sonoma Nationals, Robert Hight broke the record again going 339.87 mph.
J.R. Todd's win in 2017 marked the first time an African-American won in NHRA Funny Car.