NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

In a spot where timing is everything, Chad Webber’s timing was spot on in September. Needing to make a big move in order to have a shot at the Super Comp title, Webber delivered a dominant performance at the Division 7 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series doubleheader in Bakersfield.

Webber, the brother of 2024 Top Dragster champ Cody, went the distance in the first event, winning seven rounds to claim the win. In the final, Webber was at his every best with a .002 light and an 8.900 to stop Justin Morris, who lost even though he had a perfect light.

In race two, Webber tacked on six more round-wins to reach the final again, where a narrow double-breakout loss against Michael Lane ended his shot at perfection. All told, Webber collected 13 of 14 possible wins and scored enough points to move into fourth place in the Super Comp standings. Webber trails leader Kris Whitfield by 52 ponts, so he’s got his work cut out for himself, but he can still claim points at two national and two divisional events.

Honorable Mentions

One racer who equaled Webber’s great result is Comp driver Kevin Carter, who also grabbed a win and a runner-up in Bakersfield behind the wheel of his front-engine A/Nostalgia Dragster. Carter, the son of two-time champion Dean, has now been to four finals this season with two wins, and he’s solidly in the Top 10.

Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. enjoyed a solid month as he pursues titles in both Super Stock and Stock. In Super Stock, Hidalgo won the Division 5 event in Tulsa, Okla., and then reached the semifinals of the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals. In Stock, Hidalgo won the St. Louis event, and he’s currently third in the standings.

Evan Kowalski also had success in Bakersfield with a win and a semifinal in Super Stock to help solidify his spot in the Top 10. In Super Gas, Kowalski is also among the leaders thanks to a semifinal showing in race two in Bakersfield.

Russ “Bubba” Linke is currently leading the battle for the Stock title, and his results in September have helped him immensely. Linke was a runner-up at the Division 1 Lucas Oil Series event in Richmond and then went to the semi’s a week later in Reading.