West Central Division News

The start of the 2026 season is already building excitement as tires finally hit the track at Gainesville Raceway, signaling the opening of a historic year for the National Hot Rod Association. The 2026 season marks the 75th Anniversary of the NHRA, and the celebration begins with the first National Event of the season in Gainesville this weekend.    Adding to that excitement, NHRA is proud to announce a brand-new marketing partnership with Quarter-Max, a highly respected man

With the recent announcement of the expansion of the Summit ET Finals, presented by Hoosier Racing Tire, we have some exciting changes coming to the West Central in 2026. Returning to the roots of the ET Finals, Division 5 will host two identical events this year. September 17th - 20th, we will be at Tri-State Raceway in Earlville, Iowa and the following weekend, September 24th - 26th, we will be in Great Bend, Kansas at SRCA Dragstrip. In addition to adding a second event,

As we begin the 75th anniversary season of the National Hot Rod Association here in the West Central Division, we do so with pride, momentum, and tremendous opportunity ahead in 2026. The future of NHRA, the West Central, and the sport of drag racing is strong. The D5 team and our Member Tracks are dedicated to leading with passion, strength, and commitment to all our racers while providing the best experience in drag racing. And now, more than ever, drag racing is about the

The NHRA Summit Racing Equipment E.T. Series is getting even bigger in 2026! NHRA has officially announced that Hoosier Racing Tire has been named the presenting sponsor, and this expansion brings huge opportunities for NHRA member racers. With the 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟐 𝐄.𝐓. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 across the United States, racers will have more chances to compete closer to home and advance to the NHRA Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier World Championship, set for Oct. 2

Here is the full lineup of NHRA Chassis Certification Seminars, and this is your chance to get your car certified and race-ready for the season! MARCH 21 • Kearney Raceway Park (9 AM–1 PM) — 📞 Joe (308) 999-0245 / David (308) 440-5374 • Flying H Drag Strip (9 AM–3 PM) • SRCA Dragstrip (10 AM–2 PM) — 📞 (620) 792-5079 APRIL 11 • Kansas International Dragway (9 AM–2 PM) — 📞 (316) 737-6846 • Rapp Motors / Thunder Valley Dragways (9 AM) — 📞 (605) 648-3605 APRIL 18 (Appointmen

During the 2025 season, Michael Chitty was on a mission. Not only did he represent the West Central Division as the JEGS Allstars representative, but he also traveled the country in pursuit of a bigger goal—capturing the Circus Motorsports Top Sportsman Championship for West Central Division 5. Chitty set the tone early in the season with a commanding victory at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at No Problem Raceway. He followed that performance with a runner-up finish

Defending Fineline Graphics/Madcap Racing Engines Top Dragster Champion Trevor Larson entered the 2025 season on a clear mission: defend his 2024 title—and if possible, add to it. By season’s end, Larson had done exactly that, capturing not one but two West Central Division 5 championships. Along with successfully defending his Fineline Graphics Madcap Racing Engines Top Dragster title, Larson added the 2025 Super Gas Championship to an already impressive résumé.  Larson’s Su

The celebration begins Friday night as the 2025 West Central Division 5 Champions Weekend  officially kicks off with the Laris Motorsports Insurance Happy Hour & Practice Tree Race  at the Overland Park Marriott Hotel. This fun, laid-back evening is designed to bring racers, families, and friends together before a weekend dedicated to honoring the very best in the West Central Division. The event is proudly supported by Laris Motorsports Insurance , whose continued commitment

During the 2025 NHRA season, the West Central Division 5 once again lived up to its High & Mighty reputation, producing champions who consistently performed at the highest level of competition. Among those standouts was Kris Whitfield of Littleton, Colorado, whose season was defined by consistency, determination, and elite performance in NHRA’s Super Comp category.  Whitfield put together an outstanding Super Comp campaign, capturing the 2025 NHRA West Central Division 5 Supe

The Super Stock category in the NHRA West Central Division 5 delivered one of the most thrilling points battles of the 2025 season, making it one of the most exciting classes to watch from start to finish. With tight margins and constant pressure among the top contenders, every round carried championship implications, and the title fight remained undecided until the final events of the year. When the dust settled, just 23 points separated the top three finishers, highlighting

The 2025 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season in the West Central Division 5 delivered another thrilling championship battle in Stock Eliminator, and when the final points were tallied, Logan Wernet of Mason City, Iowa, emerged as the division champion. Piloting his wheel-standing ’62 Plymouth Belvedere (E/SA), Wernet put together an impressive and consistent season. His championship run included one divisional victory, one semi-final appearance, and two quarterfinal fini

Reminder to verify grade points for 2026 With entries to the 2026 Gatornationals and FMP Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs opening on January 7 and NHRA offices closed December 22-January 2, racers are urged to verify their grade point level prior to the holiday break. Any discrepancy should be brought to the attention of your division office for verification.

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 11, 2025) – Heading into its 75th anniversary season, NHRA has announced the full category schedule for all racing classes that will compete in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national events during the highly anticipated celebratory 2026 campaign.   Along with the full category schedule, NHRA also announced purse increase payouts of nearly 15 percent at national events for racers in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

In advance of NHRA’s 75th Anniversary celebration in 2026, NHRA has created commemorative new logos for each of its seven geographical divisions, the first update to iconic logos in decades and one that represents a unified design without losing the individuality that racers and fans have associated with their home divisions for decades. Each of the logos still continue the division’s familiar mottos – “We Are #1 for Division 1; Second to None” for Division 2; “Land of the Wi

The 2025 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season in the West Central Division delivered unforgettable moments, fierce competition, and a championship battle defined by perseverance. At the center of it all was Dan Smith , who refused to let adversity derail his championship pursuit. With 408 points , Smith secured the 2025 Division 5 Super Street Championship , overcoming one of the most challenging paths of any racer in the category. A Season Defined by Determination Smith’

As we reach the end of the 2025 race season, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the great sponsors in the West Central Division that help make this all possible. Across our Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Summit ET Series, Jr. Drag Racing League and our Champion’s Banquet, we have so many great companies dedicated to growing the sport of drag racing across Division 5. Combining their passion with that of our amazing D5 Member Tracks and some of the hardest working

Update- November 12th, 2025 at 2:51pm (PST) Good Afternoon Lucas Series Racers,  Due to the unfavorable forecast this weekend, the decision has been made to go directly into Round 1 of Eliminations tomorrow morning, November 13th, for STK, SS, SC, and SG. The intention is to run the event to completion tomorrow in these categories. While an unpopular decision for all concerned, we feel this is the best course of action to complete the event and championships in your categorie

NEW EVENTS, DIVERSE SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHT ACTION-PACKED 2026 SEASON IN NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 7, 2025) – Set to celebrate its 75th anniversary season in 2026, NHRA is thrilled to announce the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule for the upcoming year. The series, which showcases the best and most decorated sportsman drivers in drag racing, will compete at standout facilities across the United States and Canada, and the schedule features several exc

NHRA, working in conjunction with our SRAC representatives and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series host facilities, will be implementing a series of format and scheduling changes for the 2026 season.  These updates will help ensure the long-term success of TAD & TAFC racing across the country by creating opportunities for race teams of all budgets to compete for National and Regional Championships and increase field sizes for our Member Tracks and fans. Highlights include a 24-race

West Central Division 5’s own Nick Engler  — a paramedic and racer — became a true hero in the lanes at the NHRA Summit Racing  Series World Championship in Las Vegas. When a fellow racer was unresponsive, Nick immediately responded to the calls for help, found the racer then began CPR, and saved his life. Thanks to his quick actions and training, the racer has since made a full recovery. Nick was rightfully recognized as the Fire Department Coffee “Hero of the Race” for his