From the Director's Chair

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 experience. The experience of competing head-to-head against the best in the world. The experience of traveling across the country and building memories with friends and family. The experience of doing what you love alongside the people who matter most. Regardless of whether you are competing at a National or Divisional event, an ET Finals, or the homegrown series at your local track, it’s not the wins that keep you going, it’s the experience.

Everything that we are building in 2026 and beyond is centered around that experience.

This season, we will be awarding over 120 commemorative 75th Anniversary Wallys across the West Central in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, National Open Series, ET Finals, JDRL Team Finals, and Heritage Series. The race to get your hands on one will elevate the level of competition throughout the Division. That same intensity will extend to all of our Member Tracks, where some of the hardest working track operators in the business will be giving their loyal racers the opportunity to take home the coveted 75th Wally throughout the season.

One of our biggest off-season announcements has been the expansion of the Summit ET Finals and World Finals in Las Vegas. With the help of our new presenting sponsor, Hoosier Racing Tire, and Summit Racing Equipment’s long-standing commitment to NHRA’s ET Series, the West Central has the opportunity to return to its roots and host two ET Finals in 2026 at Tri-State Raceway and SRCA Dragstrip.

In 2025, Division 5 proudly hosted the largest ET Finals event in the country with more than 550 competitors, despite several of our racers traveling more than 600 miles to attend. That statistic speaks to the unmatched passion and dedication within the West Central. By hosting two events in 2026, we can significantly reduce travel expenses and time away from work and family while also opening new opportunities for racers who have been unable to attend in the past. Thanks to the support of Summit Racing Equipment, Hoosier Racing Tire, and all of our Member Tracks, this expansion positions us to continue growing the ET Finals, provide a better all-around experience for participants, and create more opportunities for our racers to compete on the biggest stage in bracket racing.

In the drag racing world, we are a family. We’re a family that we all chose to be a part of. We may not always see things the same way or agree on the exact path forward, but at the end of the day, we are in this together. We have been since Wally Parks helped define this sport 75 years ago, and it took on a life of its own inside each of us. Our family is passionate about what we do, and we are protective of what we have built. That passion is part of what makes the NHRA West Central special. It is also what makes drag racing unique from nearly every other sport in the world. This isn’t a hobby. It’s our way of life.

As we look to the future, remember to keep that passion alive and to recognize that our goals and experiences are shared. While we may have different ideas on how to protect, preserve, and promote drag racing, we all want the same thing. We want this sport we love to continue thriving for the next generation. We want this to be around for another 75 years.

I am excited about what is ahead, both in 2026 and beyond. The world has changed drastically since Wally started this in 1951, yet we are still here doing what we love. We have adapted. Drag racing has adapted, and it will continue to grow and change as the years pass. We may not know the specifics, but a bright future lies ahead with such a passionate foundation.

As the season begins, take time to enjoy the journey. Celebrate the experiences with your friends and family, even when the day doesn’t end in the Winner’s Circle. Welcome a new racer. Thank a member of the track crew on a hot afternoon. Support your local facility whenever you can, even when things don’t go perfectly. Together, we are what makes drag racing great. We are what makes the West Central great. It is our entire family that makes NHRA Drag Racing the greatest sport in the world, and one that I am honored to be part of.

Good luck, High and Mighty racers. Let’s make 2026 a season full of experiences we’ll never forget.

Nick Duty

NHRA West Central Division Director