Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals roar into area this weekend

BANKS CROSSING — The Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals have arrived at Atlanta Dragway near Commerce for the event’s 2017 run.

One of the oldest on the NHRA schedule, the event is held Friday through Sunday, with qualifying Friday and Saturday and final eliminations on Sunday.

A Top Fuel driver who has gained a lot of attention already in 2017 is Leah Pritchett of Avon, Ind. Coming off a nearly 322-mph Top Fuel win at the NHRA SpringNationals in Texas on April 23, her third of the season, Pritchett finished third at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in North Carolina last weekend.

The former Pro Mod driver has six career wins, including four in Top Fuel. She has five career Top Fuel final rounds, and four in Pro Mod, and her career best elapsed time is 3.658, while her career best speed is 329.91.

Driving for Don Schumacher Racing in the Papa John’s Top Fuel dragster, 28-year-old Pritchett met with fans at Papa John’s on Banks Crossing Drive Thursday night, signing autographs, posing for photos and talking cars.

For more information, a schedule or ticket information for this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals, visit NHRA.com.  

Tenley Bradshaw, 4, of Jefferson waits anxiously as NHRA Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett signs an autograph for her at Papa John's at Banks Crossing.

Don Schumacher Racing's Leah Pritchett, who pilots the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster, takes time to meet and talk with fans, signing autographs at Papa John's at Banks Crossing.

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