2026 West Central Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Champions Crowned

The 2026 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series has drawn to a close and it's time to celebrate the Champions in the West Central Division across our nine categories. This season brought us some of the most competitive racing we have seen, with many categories being decided by just a couple of winlights. We're excited to formally introduce your 2026 Champions and we look forward to honoring them in person at our banquet on January 16th at Harrah's Casino - Kansas City! Pat Nahan - Competition Eliminator

Pat had a great year behind the wheel of E/DA Competition Eliminator dragster, picking up wins at both Earlville races and one in Brainerd. He was able to hold off a late season charge by Brian Stufflebeam to earn the championship by just 21 points in a great battle in Division 5. Jack Beutler - Super Stock

In his rookie season of LODRS competition, Jack Beutler drove his Oldsmobile like a seasoned veteran. Not only did he earn 75th Anniversary Wallys at Member Tracks and National Opens, but he was able to grab a Divisional win in Earlville and capped it off with victory at the NHRA Nationals in Brainerd. Jack needed every winlight he could get, narrowly edging out former champion Tyler Wudarczyk for the championship by just 10 points. Russ Speer - Stock Eliminator

The second-closest battle across all categories in the West Central was in Stock Eliminator, where Russ Speer picked up the championship by just 3 points over Ben Line. In his first full season of Stock racing, Russ was able to get an event win at his home track in Brainerd and make deep runs in Earlville and Great Bend.

Jordan Pratt - Super Comp & Super Gas

Jordan is no stranger to success on the racetrack, but 2026 has been a banner year for the young, Minnesota racer. Event wins came across the midwest in both categories, as Jordan hoisted Wallys in Earlville, Great Bend, Brainerd and St. Louis, along with runner-ups in Las Vegas and the U.S. Nationals. Going into the final National Event at Pomona, he currently sits #1 in the World in Super Gas and #3 in Super Comp. An absolute stellar season for Jordan, who also represented D5 in SC at the Jeg's Allstars.

Logan Diggs - Super Street

After years of success bracket racing in the Midwest, Logan set his sights on Super Street in 2026 with two goals; win the SST championship and win the Jeg's Allstars. He came up just a few thousandths of a second of achieving both in his first year of LODRS racing, falling just short in the finals of the Allstars in Dallas. Logan picked up an Anniversary Wally in Brainerd, along with a runner-up in Earlville and Dallas, along with his Division Championship by just two points over Kris Thies.

Kevin Haack - Fineline/MadCap Top Dragster

Kevin's late season charge propelled him to the championship in Top Dragster this season, with less than a two round victory over Les Feist. The weather postponed event from Earlville worked out well for Kevin, with double-up win in Top Dragster and Super Street when the event finished in September. After that win and knowing he had a shot at the title, he headed down to Tulsa to get the points he needed to secure the narrow victory and cap off a great season.

Tom Patterson - Circus Motorsports Top Sportsman

Tom has been a staple of LODRS racing in Division 5 for many years, and 2026 proved to be his most successful to date. Not only did Tom pick up his first event win and Wally at SRCA Dragstrip, but he was able to hold on for the season championship over the 2025 champion, Mike Chitty. Alongside his wife, Donna, who not only races Top Dragster, but is also his Crew Chief, Tom made three final rounds this year, including at the Baby Gators.

Donnie Durenberger - Sportsman Motorcycle

After multiple years of finishing in the Top 5 in both Super Street and Sportsman Motorcycle, it all came together in 2026 for Donnie to earn his first SMC championship. He went home with the Anniversary Wally at his home track event in Brainerd, along with a final round appearance in Great Bend. Donnie battled former champion, Jim Paulson, throughout the season and was able to hold off the end-of-year charge in Earlville.

Join us in congratulating our champions and their hard-earned victories in the West Central!