After a solid but sometimes disappointing 2024 season in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Dubbin Motorsports is looking to improve and create more success in 2025. The Minnesota-based A/Fuel Dragster team is ready for a strong start this weekend at the NHRA Gatornationals, with Kirk Wolf back as the lead driver for the 2025 campaign.
“We ran strong at times but never had the consistency we needed to compete for wins last year – we are looking for better results this season,” explained Dean Dubbin, owner of Dubbin Motorsports. “In 2024, we had some glitches that hurt us early in the year, but we should have those kinds of problems out of the way so we can focus on the performance I know this car has.”
Dubbin continued, “We have a talented driver in Kirk Wolf and an equally talented crew that can make this car fly. Gainesville is fast, and you really have to be on your game if you are going to win this race.”
The Gator Nationals is a large and important race on the NHRA Schedule. It is arguably the third most prominent race on the NHRA tour, eclipsed in stature by only the US Nationals and the NHRA World Finals. Winning the Gatornationals carries the extra prestige and immortality that every driver wants, including Krik Wolf.
“Kirk has become a strong and experienced driver and is hungry to win another national event – we all are,” said Dubbin. “You never forget that feeling of winning an NHRA National event, and it’s important for us to start the season strong and get some round wins and maybe another Wally.”
Many Top Alcohol Dragster teams are still thinking about the missed opportunities of the 2024 NHRA Lucas Oil Championship season as they arrive at the Gatornationals. They are reminded of the significance of each round, considering that six teams were in contention for the championship with just a few races remaining in the 2024 season. Every team, including the Dubbin Team, is looking for early-season success.
The Dubbin A/Fuel Dragster, overseen by Dean Dubbin, with tuning help from Clay and Chase Copeland and clutch specialist Trevor Jelinski, is well suited for the sea-level conditions that are forecast for this weekend’s racing. The series’ top running teams, including the Dubbin machine, will be running in the 5.15 to 5.25-second range while pushing 280 MPH in the quarter mile.
This story was originally published on March 6, 2025. 
