NAPA NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS AT WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY
By: NHRA
ST. LOUIS (May 22, 2025) – World Wide Technology Raceway and NHRA officials announced today that NAPA has been named the title sponsor of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ annual race in St. Louis as part of an exciting new multi-year agreement.
The 14th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals will take place Sept. 26-28, serving as the third of six races in the NHRA’s thrilling Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Tickets for the race are currently on sale. With strong ties in the St. Louis area, NAPA was thrilled to support the popular race in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, one that annually draws capacity crowds to the standout facility.
“NAPA has always been synonymous with racing, so having a presence at one of the biggest and best NHRA events in the country is a natural fit,” said Earl Flack, owner of multiple NAPA Auto Parts throughout the Midwest. “We’re proud to support the fanbase at World Wide Technology Raceway and continue our commitment to motorsports at every level.”
NAPA has enjoyed a storied history in NHRA drag racing, serving as the primary sponsor for three-time world champion Ron Capps and his 12,000-horsepower Funny Car since 2008. That footprint grew before the start of the 2025 NHRA season as NAPA was named “Official Auto Parts Store of NHRA” for the first time.
Now, it will serve as the title sponsor of the 17th of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA season, one that marks the halfway point of the intense championship playoff race and gives fans the chance to see unforgettable 12,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro machines in action.
“This event partnership is the next step in a longstanding relationship between WWT Raceway and the local, regional and national NAPA dealer network,” said Chris Blair, WWT Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager. “It’s a testament to the strong friendships that come from working within the sport of NHRA Drag Racing that are a cornerstone to the principles of both NAPA and WWT Raceway. We have always relied heavily on the NAPA team and Funny Car Driver Ron Capps to promote our events and now, with us having an official entitlement in place, we plan on further growing the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals as one of the showcase events in championship countdown.”
In 2024, Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all picked up event wins at World Wide Technology Raceway. The must-see playoff event has carved out a strong tradition in late September, drawing huge crowds and putting on spectacular shows.
This year’s race will be loaded with excitement, including a Friday night session, four qualifying sessions (two each on Friday and Saturday) and eliminations on Sunday.
Schumacher and Beckman’s victories last year gave each of the championship drivers three wins in St. Louis. Top Fuel’s reigning world champion Antron Brown has five St. Louis wins, which are the most in the loaded class, while Capps’ and his NAPA Funny Car have won four times at World Wide Technology Raceway, the most in the category.
Reigning Funny Car world champion Austin Prock went a blistering 3.814-seconds a year ago to set the track record, while teammate Brittany Force’s monumental Top Fuel blast of 338.43 mph in 2022 set the speed record in that class. Erica Enders’ six Pro Stock wins are the most of any NHRA driver at the standout facility, while Matt Smith’s five victories lead the way in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
“It’s exciting to see NAPA partner with World Wide Technology Raceway to serve as the title sponsor of the NHRA Midwest Nationals, an event that continues to be a standout race on the NHRA tour,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “NAPA has been a pivotal partner in NHRA drag racing and we’re thrilled to see that continue and grow in new ways. With a great team at World Wide Technology Raceway, our annual stop in St. Louis has always been an amazing race and with the addition of NAPA as the title sponsor, we can’t wait to get there in 2025.”
Tickets for the 14th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway are currently on sale. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com. For more information on World Wide Technology Raceway, visit www.wwtraceway.com.
