The 2026 NHRA North Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season came to a memorable close at World Wide Technology Raceway as the annual Equal-i-zer Sway Control Hitches Top Dragster and Top Sportsman Shootouts delivered an exciting showcase of the Division's premier sportsman racers. Featuring the top eight qualified competitors in both VP Racing Fuels Top Dragster and Top Sportsman, the specialty event rewarded season-long excellence and offered competitors one fin

BYRON, Ill. — Chad Isley is headed back to the championship stage. Chad Isley Sportsman Wild Card & NHRA.tv Challenge Winner Isley captured the Sportsman Wild Card Race at Byron Dragway on September 27, earning a trip to Las Vegas and the opportunity to compete for a World Championship at the Summit Racing Equipment ET Bracket Finals presented by Hoosier at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For Isley, this won't be unfamiliar territory. It will mark his sixth opportunity

Landmark, multi-year agreements will enable largest reach for NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events in NHRA’s 75-year history INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 30, 2026) – NHRA officials announced it has reached new, landmark multi-year media rights agreements for the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with three standout distributors – FOX Sports, The CW Network and FloSports – positioning NHRA to enjoy the largest household reach in its 75-year history. Starting during the 2027

The stage is nearly set for the 2026 Equal-i-zer Sway Control Hitches Top Dragster & Top Sportsman Shootouts, and with only eight spots available in each category, the battle around the final transfer positions is coming down to the wire. Now in its third season, the program rewards qualifying excellence throughout the NHRA North Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season, culminating with the special eight-car Shootouts during the upcoming LODRS Doubleheader at Wor

WEST POINT, Ky. – The wait is finally over! After Mother Nature prevented the inaugural 2025 Law Chevrolet Super Quick Series Shootout from being completed as scheduled, the eight qualified competitors finally had their opportunity to settle the unfinished business at Ohio Valley Dragway. When the final win light came on, Jay Oakley was standing as the inaugural Law Chevrolet Super Quick Series Shootout Champion and taking home the long-awaited Wally. Unfinished Business from

LYONS, Ind. – After a change of plans earlier in the summer, the North Central Division's Jr. racers finally had their opportunity to compete for championship glory at Wagler Motorsports Park during the 2026 Summit Racing Equipment JDRL ET Division Finals. Originally scheduled for August, the event was postponed, creating the difficult task of finding a new weekend that worked for the many key stakeholders involved in producing the Division Finals. With an already crowded lat

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 5, 2026) – NHRA officials announced today that Lucas Oil Products, the world leader and distributor of high-performance automotive additives and lubricants, has signed a long-term extension to continue as the title sponsor of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and “Official Oil of NHRA.” This season, NHRA and Lucas Oil celebrated a partnership that started 25 years ago as Lucas Oil remains a cornerstone and premier partner of NHRA, which is celebratin

The wait is finally over—NHRA is back in Michigan, and it’s bringing one of the most exciting sportsman racing events of the season with it. US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin will play host to a thrilling National Open and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Doubleheader, giving racers two chances to take home the prestigious 75th Anniversary Diamond Wally trophies that’s drawing competitors from across the country. A Full Week of on Track Time The event kicks off Tuesday with Test

The 16th and final spots in each of the four categories – Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle – will be awarded to competitors at four different tracks selected during a blind draw during the upcoming DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge, with results announced during the second qualifying session of the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series on Friday evening, July 17. The winning tracks will have the option of how to select their representative, with options in

Based on feedback received from Top Dragster and Top Sportsman competitors across the country regarding field sizes, qualifying, and maximum dial-ins, NHRA will implement the following changes for the 2027 season. Field Sizes Field sizes will remain consistent with historical precedent, with each Division continuing to determine the field size for its LODRS events. For specific information regarding field sizes at individual events, please contact your Division Office or visi

VP Racing Fuels and the NHRA North Central Division have announced a multi‑year partnership beginning with the 2026 season, highlighted by the continuation of the VP Racing Fuels Run for the Drum, a program exclusive to the North Central Division. The VP Racing Fuels Run for the Drum rewards racers who execute a perfect package a .000 reaction time combined with running exactly on their index or dial‑in to the thousandth during eliminations at any NHRA North Central Division

To help ensure all competitors have an opportunity to receive updates and participate in polls or discussions, the NHRA Sportsman Racer Advisory Council (SRAC) has created a simple way for competitors to stay connected. Competitors can now submit their contact information for the SRAC group most relevant to their category. Sign up here to stay connected: SRAC – Stay Connected | Competitor Sign-Up Being involved and active whether through conversations at the track or away

This past weekend, during the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Divisional Event at World Wide Technology Raceway, a meaningful new chapter was added to the 75th Anniversary celebration of NHRA competition. The Jr. Street class made its official debut, marking the next evolution of youth participation within the NHRA and reinforcing the organization’s long-standing commitment to developing the future of motorsports. The Jr. Street program was contested in a single-day format on Sa

The NHRA North Central Division proudly announces the third consecutive year of the Equal‑i‑zer Sway Control Hitches Top Dragster and Top Sportsman Shootout and Low Qualifier Program, continuing a successful initiative that rewards outstanding qualifying performance throughout the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season. ​ Recognized for producing some of the quickest and most competitive Top Dragster and Top Sportsman fields in the country, the North Central Division has once ag

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The NHRA North Central Division is proud to announce a new partnership with GMPartsNow.com , bringing added support and excitement to Stock and Super Stock competition during the 2026 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season. GMPartsNow.com , a trusted source for genuine General Motors replacement and performance parts, will award $200 to the No. 1 qualifier in both Stock and Super Stock at each of the eight NHRA North Central Division events . This new prog

The NHRA North Central Division has released the final update to the 2026 Chassis Inspection Seminar schedule, providing Sportsman racers with multiple remaining opportunities to complete their NHRA Chassis Certifications before the upcoming season. This is the LAST CALL for all remaining Chassis Inspection Seminars. If you happened to miss one earlier in the year, these upcoming seminars represent your final chance to complete new or renewal inspections before the season get

The NHRA is proud to announce that nominations are now officially open for the “51 Legends of the Divisions” program, presented by Quarter-Max Racing, as part of the organization’s 75th Anniversary celebration in 2026. This special initiative honors the racers, track operators, and innovators who have made a lasting impact on the sport of drag racing at the divisional level. Rooted in NHRA’s founding year of 1951, each of the seven divisions will recognize 51 individuals wh

The Oakley Motorsports Super Quick Series enters an exciting new era in 2026, expanding its championship lineup, unveiling new junior categories, and awarding NHRA 75th Anniversary Wally trophies to event winners throughout the season. With a strong multi‑track schedule and increased opportunities for competitors of all ages, the 2026 season further establishes the Oakley Motorsports Super Quick program as one of the premier specialty racing series in the NHRA Sportsman lands

NEW ALEXANDRIA, Pa. (April 3, 2026) – NHRA officials are excited to announce that Keystone Raceway Park has returned to the NHRA Member Track Network in NHRA’s North Central Division (Division 3). Located in New Alexandria, Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh, Keystone Raceway Park is a standout 1/4-mile dragstrip with a large group of local racers. Keystone Raceway Park boasts a long history dating back to the 1980s and offers a full schedule and a variety of events. The tr

DULUTH, Ga. (March 17, 2026) – Fendt® , a leading provider of advanced agricultural machinery and smart farming solutions, today announced a targeted regional sponsorship with the National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) North Central Division 3. The sponsorship expands Fendt’s relationship with the NHRA and introduces the Fendt Championship Bonus Award , a program designed to recognize top-performing sportsman racers in the Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street classes duri

Date: March 28 Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (includes a scheduled lunch break) Location: TEC Building – Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Course Fee: $40 per individual Registration Deadline: March 20 at 5:00 PM RSVP / Questions: wtharpe@nhra.com When seconds matter, skill, preparation, and clear decision-making save lives. To help safety teams meet that moment, the NHRA North Central Division is hosting a specialized, one‑day Incident Response Training Course built spec

The 2026 season is underway, and with it begins the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the NHRA . To honor the racers, track operators, and innovators who helped build the sport of drag racing, NHRA is launching the “51 Legends of the Divisions” program, presented by Quarter-Max Racing . Why 51? It celebrates 1951 , the founding year of NHRA. Each division will recognize 51 Legends , nominated and voted on by their peers. Honorees will receive a special-editio

Hoosier Racing Tire has been named the presenting sponsor of the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Series, the world’s largest motorsports program when it comes to racer participation, as part of an impressive expansion for the 2026 season. Hoosier Racing Tire has been named the presenting sponsor of the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Series, the world’s largest motorsports program when it comes to racer participation, as part of an impressive expansion for the 2026 season. The popu

One of the most prestigious and anticipated events in sportsman drag racing, the JEGS Allstars, is gearing up for its return to the historic Texas Motorplex, taking place October 13–18, 2026, during the NHRA FallNationals and the Motorplex’s renowned Stampede of Speed. The JEGS Allstars remains a celebrated race‑within‑a‑race for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, bringing together the best racers from 10 categories across all seven NHRA geographic division s . Competitor

The NHRA North Central Division proudly announces its 2026 racing schedule, launching during the NHRA’s historic 75th Anniversary season . This milestone year will include special events, commemorative celebrations, and the awarding of exclusive 75th Anniversary Wally trophies at select races. As North Central Division Director William Tharpe noted, the 2026 season will showcase some of the most competitive racing in the country, supported by a loyal community of NHRA compet