Brad Plourd claims September’s Peak Performance Sportsman Racer award after winning Top Dragster at the inaugural NHRA Nationals at Rockingham. The result caps a month defined by precision and range.

Rockingham adds Top Dragster to his NHRA wins in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. He joins Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Bo Butner in rare company.

Earlier in 2026, NHRA names Plourd among its Top 50 Sportsman Racers, recognizing sustained performance despite no world title. He also reaches the U.S. Nationals Stock semifinals.

He nearly replicates that U.S. Nationals form at Rockingham, finishing runner-up in Stock alongside the Top Dragster win. The package efficiency across categories stands out.

Trey Vetter strengthens his Super Comp lead with a win and quarterfinal at Bakersfield’s Division 7 event. With more than 700 points, he controls the 2026 title picture.

Joe Carniscale continues a dominant Comp Eliminator campaign. Eight wins this season, including a September Rockingham victory, put him on course for the 2026 Comp crown.

Sam Pourciau rewrites the record book at Tulsa’s Division 4 event, winning Stock on his 86th birthday. He nails a perfect .000 reaction to beat two-time champion Austin Williams.

Consistency also tells for Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. at the Tulsa doubleheader. He wins in Stock, adds a Super Stock victory, and finishes runner-up in Super Stock to secure top-10 positions.

Jordan Pratt rebounds from a U.S. Nationals near-miss, taking Super Gas at Earlville, Iowa. That win keeps his world title prospects very much alive.

Hunter Pierdolla converts momentum into hardware, claiming the U.S. Nationals Stock title. He then adds a 75th anniversary NHRA diamond Wally in Super Stock at Tulsa.

Plourd’s September underscores adaptability, execution, and racecraft across contrasting rule sets. With the season unfolding, he and key rivals push for championships that could define their careers.

Visual Summary

Miles Carter

Miles Carter covers grassroots and regional drag-strip action, from bracket racing to street-legal shootouts. His event previews and performance-upgrade guides keep local racers up to speed on timing-slip trends, tire tech, and weekend race highlights.