NHRA Sportsman Racing Updates!

The latest in the world of NHRA sportsman racing!

Welcome to the NHRA Sportsman Roundup, your one-stop-shop for the latest in the world of sportsman racing – including programs like the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Summit Racing Series and more!

Each month we will bring you the latest sportsman-centric content from NHRA, from news stories and video features to announcements on contingency additions and the latest from our Racer Advantage program!

  JEGS SPORTSnationals Sponsorship Extended as Event Moves to SGMP

  Bob Bender’s Emotional Trip West Captured the Hearts of Stock Racers

  Delightful Dozen: 12 New Member Tracks Joined NHRA in Recent Months 

  The Future Is Bright: Summit Racing Equipment Extends JDRL Backing 

  Fitzgerald Motorsports Park Joins NHRA Division Three Family 

  McPhillips Family Part of Movers, Shakers and Deal Makers in 2025

  Greco Family Scores Upset in Top Alcohol Dragster at Charlotte 

  MORE NHRA NEWS 

SECOND LODRS EVENT ADDED TO LUCAS OIL IRP IN AUGUST Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park will play host to a second NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event in 2025. The Division 3 event will roll into the historic facility August 8-10, and will feature the full contingent of LODRS categories with the exception of the Top Alcohol competitors. The event, added to fill out the North Central Division calendar after a mid-season schedule change, sets up an exciting month of August for racers in middle America.

The event falls on the same weekend as a double divisional event for Division 5 competitors at Brainerd International Raceway, leading into the annual Lucas Oil Nationals August 14-17. From there, competitors can tow back south to Beach Bend Raceway Park for the LODRS Divisional/Regional combo August 22-24, and finally culminate the month at the historic 71st Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals back in Indianapolis.

  Read more on NHRA.com here

RETURN OF THE CHAMP: DOUG GORDON BACK IN 2026 Doug Gordon traded in his fire boots for a throttle stop when he handed the wheel of the family’s three-time world championship winning Top Alcohol Funny Car to daughter Maddi in 2024. What was supposed to be a smooth ride into funny car retirement, filled with weekend racing in super comp and helping Maddi and daughter Macie, a rising star in Top Dragster, pursue their championship dreams instead will turn into a comeback tour, as the three-time world champion will return to the family entry tuned by his father, Mike, in 2026.

Of course, it’s not all bad news for Maddi, who captured her second national event win in Las Vegas last month and is considered a top threat to Sean Bellemeur’s reign as king of the TAFC class. The 20-year-old, who last year became the 100th female to win an NHRA national event when she won Top Alcohol Funny Car in Seattle, announced her intentions to join the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series behind the wheel of a Ron Capps Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster in 2026.

  Read more on NHRA.com here 

JEGS EXTENDS SUPPORT OF ALLSTARS PROGRAM JEGS continues to support NHRA sportsman racers in a big way, and the extension of sponsorship of the annual Allstars event in Dallas is proof sportsman racing is strong and growing across the sport. Several milestone anniversary’s will be celebrated at the 41st running of the Allstars event, now annually held as part of the Texas Motorplex Stampede of Speed. The Motorplex celebrates 40 years in 2025 with an event over a week in length, with racing, concerts and a block party to celebrate. It’s also the 65th anniversary for JEGS, and will be one of the must-see events for sportsman racers this year.

  Read more on NHRA.com here

DIVISION 6 SEASON IGNITES AT FAMOUS BOISE EVENT Firebird Raceway – May 16 – 18, 2025

NHRA’s Northwest Division 6, the Land of the Leaders, finally kicks off its 2025 schedule at one of the great events in drag racing. Firebird Raceway’s Ignitor combines not only the best of what the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series has to offer, but a full field of NHRA Heritage Series Nitro Funny Car’s is expected on hand to celebrate the occasion.

Set to begin Friday, May 16, registration is now open and can be purchased through the Firebird Raceway website. The event also features a compliment of events for the hardcore bracket racer, making it one of the most unique races in the country!