What event is called the 'Super Bowl of Drag Racing'?

The NHRA U.S. Nationals is called the “Super Bowl of Drag Racing.” Known informally as “The Big Go,” it is NHRA’s oldest and most prestigious major event, drawing elite teams and drivers across the professional classes.

The event began in 1955 at Great Bend Municipal Airport in Kansas as the NHRA Nationals. It moved through several venues before settling at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 1961. The race is traditionally held over Labor Day weekend, giving it a prominent place on the American motorsports calendar.

Its reputation comes from more than age. The U.S. Nationals has a large field, a major purse, intense media attention, and deep historical importance. Winning it is a career-defining achievement for many drag racers, much as winning the Super Bowl is a landmark in American football.

The NHRA Finals and Winternationals are also important events, but they are not the standard answer to this nickname. “U.S. Drags” is not the established name for the event.