2025 15th Annual FABO NHRA "Pick 'Em" Game - I Can't Wait!!!

-
Congratulations to 'GTXDAN' (FBBO) and 'stroked340' (FABO) for sharing the "Top Picker Eliminator" title for the 2025 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals with outstanding totals of 158.5 points each. They each picked the class winners in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock. Their point totals were also helped with ET bonus points in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock, and speed bonus points in Funny Car.
'TT5.9mag' (FABO) was next at 122.5 points.
Way to go!

Here's where the bonus points were earned if you picked the right drivers:

Top Fuel
E.T. - Doug Kalitta, 3.655 during qualifying
Speed - Brittany Force, 341.25 during Round 2 of eliminations

Funny Car
E.T. - J.R. Todd, 3.852 during Round 2 of eliminations
Speed - Austin Prock, 335.98 during Round 1 of eliminations

Pro Stock
E.T. - Greg Anderson, 6.521 during Round 1 of eliminations
Speed - Matt Hartford, 209.01 during Round 1 of eliminations

Here are the game point standings after the 13th event of the 2025 season:
1520.5 - stroked340 (FABO) +1 in the point standings
1475.0 - GTXDAN (FBBO) +3
1473.5 - alsant (FBBO) -2
1459.0 - TT509mag (FABO) -1
1430.0 - ocdart (FABO) -1
1425.5 - Budnicks (FBBO) no change
1388.5 - 64BEL (FBBO) no change
1323.0 - johnnycuda (FABO) no change
1276.0 - Back in Time (FABO) no change
1239.5 - Yunick13 (FABO) no change
1199.5 - cuda20 (FABO) +1
1193.0 - memike (FABO) -1
1145.5 - Outlawd (FBBO) no change
872.5 - Nick2317 (FBBO) no change
764.5 - MomsDuster (FABO) no change


Remember, the game points will reset after the U.S. Nationals according to the same protocol used since 2022. I will post the specific point reset protocol and the special game rules for the 2025 "Countdown" just prior to the U.S. Nationals.
It looks like the reset points are going to be closer than ever.
Also remember that the game points for the U.S. Nationals will be "points-and-a-half" with 15 points awarded for each elimination round win. This has always resulted in a lot of position change.


The next race event of the 2025 NHRA season is the 43rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd ernational Raceways in Brainerd, MN, scheduled for August 14-17.

As of this morning, nhra.com currently shows the following entries:
15 Top Fuel
19 Funny Car
20 Pro Stock
14 Pro Stock Motorcycle

The entry deadline for the 2025 U.S. Nationals is 4:00pm EDT (1:00pm PDT) on Monday, August 27, so the above entry counts are sure to change.

As always, please check to verify your picks are participating before posting your picks.

GOOD LUCK!
 
Update to Post #257...

Following completion of the recent Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, the following drivers have locked their berths in the 2025 Countdown to the Championship:

Top Fuel

  • Shawn Langdon - 1044 points
  • Tony Stewart - 999
  • Doug Kalitta - 993
  • Justin Ashley - 911
  • Brittany Force - 817
  • Antron Brown - 815
  • Clay Millican - 704
  • Josh Hart - 571
  • Steve Torrance - 569
Funny Car
  • Austin Prock - 1140 points
  • Jack Beckman - 898
  • Matt Hagan - 871
  • Ron Capps - 840
  • Paul Lee - 767
Pro Stock
  • Dallas Glenn - 1146 points
  • Greg Anderson - 1137
  • Matt Hartford - 715
  • Cory Reed - 658
  • Aaron Stanfield - 582
Pro Stock Motorcycle
  • Gaige Herrera - 794 points
  • Richard Gadson - 724
  • Matt Smith - 672
  • John Hall - 473
  • Angie Smith - 445
  • Chase Van Sant - 362

All others will be working harder to fight their way inside the top 10 to get a spot in the Countdown.
Only one race left before the Countdown: the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis.
Remember, the U.S. Nationals is a "points-and-a-half" race.
Which of the remaining top dozen of current point winners will fight their way into the final 10 of each class for the Countdown?

Top Fuel

  • #10 Shawn Reed - 475
  • #11 Ida Zetterstrom - 307
  • #12 Jasmine Salinas - 271
Funny Car
  • #6 J.R. Todd - 720
  • #7 Daniel Wilkerson - 664
  • #8 Spencer Hyde - 620
  • #9 Alexa DeJoria - 568
  • #10 Bob Tasca III - 567
  • #11 Cruz Pedregon - 565
  • #12 Chad Green - 562
Pro Stock
  • #6 Eric Latino - 577
  • #7 Jeg Coughlin Jr. - 516
  • #8 Greg Stanfield - 506
  • #9 Cody Coughlin - 462
  • #10 Deric Kramer - 447
  • #11 Mason McGaha - 379
  • #12 Erica Enders - 377
Pro Stock Motorcycle
  • #7 Jianna Everisto - 360
  • #8 Chris Bostick - 335
  • #9 Steve Johnson - 278
  • #10 Marc Ingwersen - 237
  • #11 Brayden Davis - 203
  • #12 Ryan Oehler - 184

 
Here's your 'Tuesday before the race' notice for the 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, August 27-September 1, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis, IN.
Please check the driver entries and post your picks before Pro qualifying starts so you will be eligible for all event bonus points.

The entry cutoff was at 4:00pm EDT (1:00pm PDT) yesterday.
As of this morning nhra.com currently shows the following entries:
17 Top Fuel
19 Funny Car
21 Pro Stock
19 Pro Stock Motorcycle

I suggest you double-check to make sure all of your driver picks are racing. There are new names competing at this event. There have also been some no-shows at recent race events of the season. If your posted driver skips the event and you do not select a replacement prior to the start of eliminations, I will use your posted driver from the most recent completed event. Unfortunately, any replacement driver after the start of qualifying will not be eligible for any event bonus points.


The current weekend weather forecast shows:
* Friday currently shows sunny with a temperature of 75F at the start of Q1
* Saturday forecast is for sun and temps in the low 70s at the start of Q2 going up to mid 70sF for Q3
* Sunday weather forecast is for sun and temps in the 70s at the start of Q4 going up to upper 70s for Q5
* Monday weather forecast is more sun and temps in the upper 60s for the start of eliminations going up to a high of 82F about 4:00pm

The current television schedule for the U.S. Nationals...
* Qualifying Show 1: 12:30-2:00pm EDT (9:30-11:00am PDT), Sunday, August 31 on FS1
* Funny Car All-Star Callout: 5:00-6:30pm EDT (2:00-3:30pm PDT, Sunday, August 31 on FS1
* Qualifying Show 2: 6:30-8:30pm (3:30pm-5:30pm PDT), Sunday, August 31 on FS1
* Eliminations Round 1: Noon-2:00pm EDT (9:00-11:00am PDT), Monday, September 1 on FS1
* Eliminations Rounds 2-4: 2:00-5:00pm EDT (11:00am-2:00pm PDT), Sunday, September 1 on FOX
All television coverage will also re-air at later times. Check www.nhra.com.


Don't miss out!
 
So, are you a huge fan of four-wide drag racing?
If you are then you're in for a disappointment next year since there is only a single four-wide event on the 2026 NHRA calendar. zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, NC, is the only four-wide event on the 2026 schedule with the 16th annual 4-Wide Nationals slated for April 24-26.
Both zMAX and The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will only have one national event rather than two next year.
Replacing them are two new national event venues:

  • South Georgia Motorsports Park, Adel, GA, will host the NHRA Southern Nationals on May 1-3
  • Maryland International Raceway, Mechanicsville, MD, will host the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals on May 29-31
Here is the 2026 NHRA schedule so you can plan ahead:
  • 3/05-08 - 57th annual NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL
  • 3/20-22 - 41st annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Firebird Motorsports Park, Phoenix, AZ
  • 4/09-12 - 66th annual NHRA Winternationals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, CA
  • 4/24-26 - 16th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte, NC
  • 5/01-03 - NHRA Southern Nationals, South Georgia Motorsports Park, Adel, GA
  • 5/14-17 - 26th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Peak Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago, IL
  • 5/29-31 - Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, Maryland International Raceway, Mechanicsville, MD
  • 6/05-07 - 13th annual NHRA New England Nationals, New England Dragway, Epping, NH
  • 6/12-14 - 25th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, TN
  • 6/25-28 - 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, OH
  • 7/17-19 - 38th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA
  • 7/24-26 - 37th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals, Pacific Raceways, Seattle, WA
  • 8/20-23 - 44th annual NHRA Nationals, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN
  • 9/02-07 - 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis, IN
  • 9/17-20 - 41st annual NHRA Reading Nationals, Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, PA
  • 9/25-27 - TBD
  • 10/02-04 - 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis, MO
  • 10/14-18 - 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, Texas Motorplex, Dallas, TX
  • 10/29-11/01 - 26th annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV
  • 11/12-15 - 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, CA
 
T.F. Kalitta
F.C. Austin Prock
P.S .Anderson
P.S.M Herrera
Looks like we all are in agreement
 
U.S. Nationals picks:
TF Tony Stewart
FC Jack Beckman
PS Dallas Glenn
PSM Brayden Davis
 
Last edited:
50th Anniversary tribute at 2025 U.S. Nationals...

1756481839386.png



 
The pinnacle of Mopar A-body drag racing: the 2025 U.S. Nationals Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge...

Elimination Round 1 results
Eldon Baum, 8.387 @158.17 def. Terry Earwood, 9.488 @136.07
Stephen Comella, 8.343 @158.76 def. David Barton, 8.558 @155.72
Eric Bell, 8.385 @ 159.27 def. Jim Pancake, 12.407 @ 68.15
Bucky Hess, 8.317 @ 157.83 def. Ben Holt, 20.517 @ 37.47
Charlie Westcott, 8.349 @ 159.97 def. Doug Fazzolare, 8.752 @ 151.82
James Daniels, 8.312 @ 160.81 def. Rick Johnson, 8.656 @ 153.26
Jason Line, 8.273 @ 160.84 def. David Bogner, 8.625 @ 153.54
Anthony Rhodes, 8.577 @ 158.58 def. Jack Peterson, 8.683 @ 154.63

YouTube NHRA channel coverage was cool because both Herb McCandless and Buddy Martin joined Joe Costello on the coverage and told some great stories during some down time.

Elimination Round 2 results
Stephen Comella, 8.286 @161.50 def. Bucky Hess
Anthony Rhodes, 8.336 @ 159.16 def. Eldon Baum
Jason Line, 8.315 @ 160.56 def. Charlie Westcott
James Daniels, 8.373 @ 159.14 def. Eric Bell

Elimination Round 3 results
James Daniels, 8.373 @ 159.91 def. Stephen Comella
Jason Line, 8.332 @ 159.82 def. Anthony Rhodes

Championship results
Jason Line, 8.280 @ 160.92 def. James Daniels, 8.334 @ 160.77
 
Last edited:
The point reset protocol and special rules for the end-of-season 6-event "Countdown" was last posted during the 2024 "Pick 'Em" game. So, for both new NHRA "Pick 'Em" game players and those who forgot, here they are:


PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL "COUNTDOWN" GAME RULES (effective following the U.S. Nationals):
* The "pick carry over" is not in effect for the end-of-season 6-event "Countdown". You MUST either post picks for each event or "lock" your picks if you feel you may forget to post new event picks or you want to guard against your computer going down for any reason. Of course, you can always override your "locked" picks for any event or change your "locked" picks at any time.
* If your picks are currently "locked" then they will continue to be "locked". If your picks are not "locked" or they are "carry over" picks from previous events, then you MUST post picks for the next event and each following event in order to stay in the "Countdown" for the remainder of the 2025 NHRA season. Of course, you can post new picks for the first event of the "Countdown" and "lock" them.
* If you override your "locked" picks for a single event, your picks will revert back to the "locked" picks for the next event unless you post otherwise
* Following the completion of the U.S. Nationals I WILL NOT BE SENDING ANY REMINDERS TO POST PICKS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2025 NHRA SEASON. To use a classic drag racing saying, "If you snooze, you lose"!
*If your picks are not "locked" and you fail to post picks for any event during the "Countdown", then you will be "parked" for the rest of the 2025 NHRA season with the points you have earned up to that time.


Here's how the game points will be re-set following the completion of the U.S. Nationals:

2000.0 - "Pick 'Em" game point leader after the U.S. Nationals
1970.0 - second place player unless the point separation from the first place position is less than 30 points. If you are only separated from the first place player by less than 30.0 points, then you will maintain that lower-than-30.0 point separation.

All player positions below the second place score will be separated by 10.0 points unless a player is less than 10 points from the player in the position in front of them. If you are only separated from the player immediately in front of you by less than 10.0 points, then you will maintain that lower-than-10.0 point separation.
Example:
In the 2019 game, '64BEL' (FBBO) was only 4.5 points behind the player in front of him so he started the "Countdown" separated by only 4.5 points.

By the way, the 30-point lead at the beginning of the "Countdown" is not insurmountable. In the 2019 game, the game leader following the U.S. Nationals had a 30.0 point lead at the beginning of the "Countdown", but did not win the game.


GOOD LUCK ALL!
 
Last edited:

71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals qualifying leaders (per nhra.com event 'Detailed Results'):

Q1
Weather: 66F, 59% relative humidity, barometer 30.08", adjusted altitude 1,718', track temp. n/a
TF: Brittany Force, 3.666 @ 339.79
FC: Jack Beckman, 3.865 @ 332.26
PS: Greg Anderson, 6.491; Greg Anderson and Deric Kramer @ 210.44
PSM: Gaige Herrera, 6.739 @ 200.98

Q2

Weather: 71F, 52% relative humidity, barometer 30.13", adjusted altitude 2,022', track temp. n/a
TF: Brittany Force, 3.666 @ 339.79
FC: Jack Beckman, 3.865 @ 332.26
PS: Greg Anderson, 6.491; Erica Enders @ 211.39
PSM: Gaige Herrera, 6.739 @ 200.98


Q3
Weather: 76F, 50% relative humidity, barometer 30.09", adjusted altitude 2,400', track temp. n/a
TF: Brittany Force, 3.666 @ 339.79
FC: Jack Beckman, 3.865 @ 332.26
PS: Greg Anderson, 6.491; Erica Enders @ 211.39
PSM: Gaige Herrera, 6.739; Richard Gadson @ 201.01


Q4
Weather: 75F, 45% relative humidity, barometer 30.20", adjusted altitude 2,121', track temp. n/a
TF: Brittany Force, 3.666 @ 339.79
FC: Jack Beckman, 3.865 @ 332.26
PS: Greg Anderson, 6.491; Erica Enders @ 211.39
PSM: Gaige Herrera, 6.739; Jianna Everisto @ 201.73


Q5
Weather: 75F, 44% relative humidity, barometer 29.27", adjusted altitude 2,211', track temp. n/a
TF: Brittany Force, 3.666 @ 339.79
FC: Jack Beckman, 3.865; Austin Prock @ 333.00
PS: Greg Anderson, 6.491; Erica Enders @ 211.39
PSM: Gaige Herrera, 6.739; Jianna Everisto @ 201.73
 
Last edited:
Wow I like that qualifying order can we keep it there please.
 
The pinnacle of Mopar A-body drag racing: the 2025 U.S. Nationals Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge...

Elimination Round 1 results
Eldon Baum, 8.387 @158.17 def. Terry Earwood, 9.488 @136.07
Stephen Comella, 8.343 @158.76 def. David Barton, 8.558 @155.72
Eric Bell, 8.385 @ 159.27 def. Jim Pancake, 12.407 @ 68.15
Bucky Hess, 8.317 @ 157.83 def. Ben Holt, 20.517 @ 37.47
Charlie Westcott, 8.349 @ 159.97 def. Doug Fazzolare, 8.752 @ 151.82
James Daniels, 8.312 @ 160.81 def. Rick Johnson, 8.656 @ 153.26
Jason Line, 8.273 @ 160.84 def. David Bogner, 8.625 @ 153.54
Anthony Rhodes, 8.577 @ 158.58 def. Jack Peterson, 8.683 @ 154.63

YouTube NHRA channel coverage was cool because both Herb McCandless and Buddy Martin joined Joe Costello on the coverage and told some great stories during some down time.

Elimination Round 2 results
Stephen Comella, 8.286 @161.50 def. Bucky Hess
Anthony Rhodes, 8.336 @ 159.16 def. Eldon Baum
Jason Line, 8.315 @ 160.56 def. Charlie Westcott
James Daniels, 8.373 @ 159.14 def. Eric Bell

Elimination Round 3 results
James Daniels, 8.373 @ 159.91 def. Stephen Comella
Jason Line, 8.332 @ 159.82 def. Anthony Rhodes

Championship results
Jason Line, 8.280 @ 160.92 def. James Daniels, 8.334 @ 160.77

Line and Daniels were both disqulified after post race inspection so the split the purse among the other drivers
 
Wow I like that qualifying order can we keep it there please.

Congratulations to 'TT5.9mag' (FABO) for winning the 2025 Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals Top Qualifier title with a PERFECT total of 32.0 bonus points. He correctly picked the #1 qualifier in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
'cuda20' (FABO) and 'johnnycuda' (FABO) were right behind with 30.5 bonus points.
'GTXDAN' was the highest FBBO qualifier with 30.0 bonus points.

More great picks!

We have 17 players this week and 12 different driver combos made up of:
* 6 different Top Fuel drivers with one Round 1 head-to-head matchup between #5 qualifier Antron Brown (1 pick) and #12 qualifier Justin Ashley (1 pick). There is also a possibility of one head-to-head matchup in Round 2 if both drivers survive.
* 4 different Funny Car drivers with no Round 1 head-to-head matchups. The earliest possibility of a head-to head matchup is in the semi-Final round of eliminations if both drivers survive.
* 3 different Pro Stock drivers with no Round 1 head-to-head matchups. The earliest possibility of a head-to-head matchup is in the semi-Final round if both drivers survive.

* 3 different Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers. The earliest possibility of a head-to-head matchup is in the semi-Final round of eliminations if both riders survive until then.

Good luck all!
 
So, are you a huge fan of four-wide drag racing?
If you are then you're in for a disappointment next year since there is only a single four-wide event on the 2026 NHRA calendar. zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, NC, is the only four-wide event on the 2026 schedule with the 16th annual 4-Wide Nationals slated for April 24-26.
Both zMAX and The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will only have one national event rather than two next year.
Replacing them are two new national event venues:

  • South Georgia Motorsports Park, Adel, GA, will host the NHRA Southern Nationals on May 1-3
  • Maryland International Raceway, Mechanicsville, MD, will host the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals on May 29-31
Here is the 2026 NHRA schedule so you can plan ahead:
  • 3/05-08 - 57th annual NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL
  • 3/20-22 - 41st annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Firebird Motorsports Park, Phoenix, AZ
  • 4/09-12 - 66th annual NHRA Winternationals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, CA
  • 4/24-26 - 16th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte, NC
  • 5/01-03 - NHRA Southern Nationals, South Georgia Motorsports Park, Adel, GA
  • 5/14-17 - 26th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Peak Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago, IL
  • 5/29-31 - Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, Maryland International Raceway, Mechanicsville, MD
  • 6/05-07 - 13th annual NHRA New England Nationals, New England Dragway, Epping, NH
  • 6/12-14 - 25th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, TN
  • 6/25-28 - 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, OH
  • 7/17-19 - 38th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA
  • 7/24-26 - 37th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals, Pacific Raceways, Seattle, WA
  • 8/20-23 - 44th annual NHRA Nationals, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN
  • 9/02-07 - 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis, IN
  • 9/17-20 - 41st annual NHRA Reading Nationals, Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, PA
  • 9/25-27 - TBD
  • 10/02-04 - 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis, MO
  • 10/14-18 - 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, Texas Motorplex, Dallas, TX
  • 10/29-11/01 - 26th annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV
  • 11/12-15 - 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, CA
They could get rid of that one in Charlotte too as far as I'm concerned .Dog N Pony show .
 
-
Back
Top Bottom