The idea that racers should be able to “race freely” at Indy is at odds with the goal of maintaining fair, factored competition in Stock and Super Stock. In fact, Indy provides some of the best data NHRA can collect. That said, the committee believes the AHFS should remain on for the Indy event, just like any other national or divisional event. Indy is part of the official qualifying/elapsed time (Q/E) data, and horsepower adjustments made are based on the same rules that apply everywhere else.

    If we want fair competition all year long, the system must be consistent, especially at the biggest and most competitive race of the season. Turning the AHFS off at Indy would give a free pass to combinations that may be over-performing and could ultimately make the field less competitive for everyone else moving forward.

    NHRA is not ignoring the concerns. We know a lot of racers work hard for this race. But the solution isn’t to shut off the rules, it’s to continue enforcing them fairly, across the board.

    NHRA appreciates everyone who’s staying involved and passionate about class racing. That’s what keeps our sport strong.

Reasons to Keep AHFS Active at Indy

1. Class eliminations are part of the official Q/E data

Runs at Indy are eligible and valid for the AHFS under current rules.

It’s the largest and most competitive race if anything, this is the best time to use the system.

It’s the exact kind of event the AHFS is designed for.

2. Turning it off would unbalance the system

Indy often produces fast performances. If those runs are excluded, dominant combos may escape adjustment, leading to long-term imbalance. It would let known under-factored combos run wild on the sport’s biggest stage undermining the system’s purpose, that would negatively affect parity and frustrate those who race competitively all year long.

3. Indy is a “scored” NHRA national event with full tech

Every car gets weighed, fuel-checked, and processed by NHRA officials. There’s no reason to doubt data quality the same standards apply here as elsewhere. Indy has already produced AHFS triggering performances in previous years, runs at Indy have contributed to the need for adjustments, even if not acted on immediately. Ignoring that data would mean we are knowingly turning a blind eye to combinations that need to be brought in line.

4. It would appear inconsistent

Suspending the AHFS only for Indy could fuel claims of favoritism or manipulation — especially from racers already skeptical of the system. Many racers do support parity quietly. Especially those racers who’ve been on the wrong end of a 2-second-under combo, not everyone is against the AHFS. The quieter majority just wants fair, even competition, not a free-for-all.