At the 42nd Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Justin Ashley secured his third win of the season in Top Fuel, defeating Shawn Langdon with a time of 3.745 seconds at 329.34 mph. Blake Alexander and Dallas Glenn also took victories in the Funny Car and Pro Stock categories, respectively. Steve Torrence achieved the provisional top position in Top Fuel during qualifying with a time of 3.688 seconds, tying with Tony Stewart, but surpassing him in speed. Weather conditions caused delays, yet the event proceeded smoothly thanks to the NHRA Safety Patrol's efforts. Ashley's consistent performance throughout eliminations positions him well for the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs. The competition remains tight as racers jockey for points and positioning ahead of future events.