Sat, 25 Oct 2025, 10:38 AM World Championships on the Line for NHRA Summit Racing Series Competitors

Courtesy of NHRA Communications At The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

LAS VEGAS - It all comes down to Las Vegas for 32 standouts in the NHRA Summit Series, as world championships will be on the line for competitors in the Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle categories as part of the upcoming Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals powered by Direct Connection, which takes place Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The "Road to Vegas" featured eight hotly-contested Summit Racing Series E.T. Finals across the seven NHRA divisions and Canada, crowning E.T. Finals winners and setting the stage for a thrilling world championship battle in Las Vegas.

This year's annual event features an incredible lineup of standout drivers in the NHRA Summit Series from the United States and Canada, and the stakes are at an all-time high in Las Vegas. For the first time, winners in each category will receive $6,000, while the runner-up in each class earns $2,000 and semifinalists earn $500. Along with the purse, winners get a national championship Wally trophy, a championship jacket and more.

"It was a fantastic season in the NHRA Summit Series and we're extremely excited to see world champions decided in Las Vegas," said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports & Events Manager. "There continues to be incredible growth and participation in this series, extending to the first E.T. Finals in Canada this year and everyone at Summit Racing Equipment is thrilled to be part of this amazing program with so many talented drivers. The new team aspect to this year's world championship is an added bonus for racers and we look forward to another huge weekend in Las Vegas."

The festive weekend in Las Vegas includes a first-time team competition, which includes all seven NHRA divisions and a Canadian team. Team points are accumulated by round wins and the winning team earns $2,000. There will also be the opportunity to win a piece of an extra $2,000 in bonus awards on-track during the weekend.

The must-see world championship features a diverse group of drivers competing in many types of vehicles, including dragsters, roadsters, sedans, coupes and motorcycles, offering thrilling action as part of the national event.

It all starts with a welcome dinner on Thursday, Oct. 30, which will also feature a chip draw for the first four positions, who will then call out the remaining drivers to set the first-round matchups.

Special prizes and experiences will be raffled off during the welcome dinner as well, including:

• A chance to warm up Daniel Wilkerson's 12,000-horsepower Funny Car
• Joining Clay Millican's crew and ride along with the crew during a qualifying run
• A VIP experience with the Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle team
• A VIP tour of the KB Titan Racing Pro Stock team with Greg Anderson

All finalists will have marquee access during Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying sessions in Las Vegas, too, along with a parade in front of the grandstands and introductions during the official pre-race ceremonies.

"When it comes to bracket racing within the NHRA, this is the pinnacle," NHRA Sportsman Manager Jason Galvin said. "To earn a trip to Las Vegas means you were the best of the best in your division, and for the first time, in Canada as well. We look forward to celebrating these racers all weekend, not just the four who will hold the Wally on Sunday, but the other 28 who fought for the right to be here and earned the VIP treatment the NHRA and Summit Racing Equipment will provide over the course of four great days in Las Vegas."

Summit E.T. Series Champions in 2024 included Zach Meziere (Division 6) in Super Pro, Alvie Merrill (Division 4) in Pro, C.W. Hoefer (Division 7) in Sportsman, James Paulson (Division 5) in Motorcycle and Omar Leon (Division 7) in Street Legal EV.

2025 NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITORS

DIVISION    NAME               CLASS 
Canada      Gianni Cantusci    Pro ET
Canada      Cody levasseur     Super Pro
Canada      Michael Konopacki  Motorcycle
Canada      Dennis Boyko       Sportsman
Division 1  Mark Schwalm       Motorcycle
Division 1  Matt Witkowski     Super Pro
Division 1  Mike Fornwalt      Pro ET
Division 1  Bill Hakucsa       Sportsman
Division 2  Austin Logan       Super Pro
Division 2  Daniel Salyers     Sportsman
Division 2  Pablo Gonzalez     Motorcycle
Division 2  Tim Butler         Pro ET
Division 3  Luke Wiseman       Sportsman
Division 3  Bob Cireddu        Super Pro
Division 3  MK Schmalle        Motorcycle
Division 3  Austin Tewell      Pro ET
Division 4  Gage Wilson        Sportsman
Division 4  Robert Sanders     Motorcycle
Division 4  Jimmy Denham       Pro ET
Division 4  Talon Farmer       Super Pro
Division 5  Nick Engler        Pro ET
Division 5  Tim Blatchford     Super Pro
Division 5  Pat Finder         Motorcycle
Division 5  Grant Pesola       Sportsman
Division 6  Toby Peterson      Super Pro
Division 6  Devin Froud        Sportsman
Division 6  Cody Cumpton       Motorcycle
Division 6  Brian McGinnis     Pro ET
Division 7  Jeremy Bates       Motorcycle
Division 7  Dennis Paz         Super Pro
Division 7  Luis Ortiz         Pro ET
Division 7  Mike Williams      Sportsman