NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

For the third consecutive year, the NHRA Sportsman Appreciation Dinner was held on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, ahead of the opening day of the 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

This dinner once again celebrated the dedication and accomplishments of more than 800 Sportsman racers, crews, and guests competing in the World’s Biggest Drag Race — the Big Go! 

Generous Giveaways Worth More Than $80,000

Attendees had the chance to win more than $80,000 in door prizes and giveaways, including a chance for one Sportsman competitor to win an 84‑inch Cornwell Tools toolbox valued at $17,000, fully installed.

All Sportsman drivers in attendance received a 10‑piece Cornwell Quality Tools screwdriver set with distinctive yellow handles. Additional raffle prizes included: Deecell Solar Power System (below), Racetech composite style racing seat, MSD Power Grid & controller, Holley Dominator carburetor, Racepak data logger, Simpson Helmet, Simpson Hybrid head-and-neck restraint, and a HANS device, 7100-watt remote start generator from A-iPower, and Carlyle Tools four‑drawer carts.

Plus merchandise or certificates from Summit Racing, BlueDEF/OWI, Racing Electronics, K&N, JEGS, ABRO, Gen‑Y Hitches, Speedmaster, CP Carillo, Red Line Oil, Moser Engineering, Harvest Hosts, ATI, Cordova Coolers, Jesel, Moduline Cabinets, Weldon Racing Pumps, Portatree, Callies Performance, Strange Engineering, Mickey Thompson Tires, Auto Rod Controls, Calvert Racing, Ohio Crankshaft, among others.

NHRA announcer Jason Galvin (above left) and NHRA Sportsman Racing Manager Matt Larner (above right) served as emcees and hosts for the evening, with ice cream provided by Performance Racing Industry (PRI) and drinks supplied by Laris Motorsports Insurance.

“This event is one of the most important events of the year for the NHRA," said Galvin, "a way for the companies that support NHRA and its racers to give back, and a way to celebrate as we head into the most important week of racing this season.”

On behalf of the NHRA, we would like to thank all the racers who attended the dinner and everyone who came to the U.S. Nationals. We wish you the best of luck this week, and it was an honor to serve you and be in the presence of so much excellence and so many champions. We all felt like we had already won Indy.