Friday night’s professional qualifying session at World Wide Technology Raceway will carry extra stakes as NHRA’s quickest qualifiers battle for $7,500 in bonus money during the inaugural “Top Dog” competition, presented by USEDHOTDOGS.com, at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, Oct. 2-4.
The unique new bonus program will add an entertaining twist to Friday night qualifying as the quickest qualifier in each professional category earns the title of “Top Dog” for the evening.
Under the program, the provisional No. 1 qualifier in each professional class will be escorted to the USEDHOTDOGS.com Stage, where they will take their place atop the “Top Dog Throne.”
As each session unfolds, competitors who surpass the previous elapsed time leader will dethrone the current occupant and claim the throne for themselves.
When the final qualifying runs conclude Friday night, the last driver remaining on the throne will officially be crowned the “Top Dog” of their respective class.
The winners will receive a custom Hot Dog Trophy, exclusive USEDHOTDOGS.com swag, a ceremonial winner’s check, and bonus cash awards totaling $7,500.
Prize payouts include:
- Top Fuel: $2,500
- Funny Car: $2,500
- Pro Stock: $1,500
- Pro Stock Motorcycle: $1,000
The program is expected to become a featured element of the Friday night experience, with coverage extending to NHRA’s television broadcast, in-house video programming and event-wide promotional activities.
“This is exactly the kind of creative, fan-focused activation that makes NHRA drag racing so much fun,” said Chris Blair, Executive Vice President and General Manager of World Wide Technology Raceway. “Fans love seeing drivers compete for more than just qualifying position, and the USEDHOTDOGS.com Top Dog challenge adds personality, entertainment and additional stakes to every run on Friday night. It’s going to create memorable moments both on and off the track.”
“Drag racing is about speed, performance and standing on top when the smoke clears,” said Robert Hamm of USEDHOTDOGS.com. “We wanted to create something fans will remember and drivers will want to win. Being named the Top Dog on Friday night is going to come with bragging rights, bonus cash and one of the most unique trophies in motorsports.”
Last year’s Top Hitter qualifying competition added an extra layer of excitement to Friday night qualifying, with Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Eric Latino (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) earning the No. 1 positions in their respective categories.
The NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals returns to World Wide Technology Raceway Oct.2-4, featuring the stars of Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle as the championship battle intensifies in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship.
For tickets and event information, visit WWTRaceway.com or call the ticket office at (618) 215-8888 ext. 1.
This story was originally published on September 29, 2026. 
