Doug Kruse of nearby Rockford, Illinois captured the $10,000 warm-up race Thursday to open the weekend at the Autoland Door Car Challenge at Byron Dragway.
Nick Engler of Becker, Minnesota earned a $1,500 payout as the warm-up race runner-up. Engler, who is the reigning NHRA West Central Division Champion, competes as a no box, bottom-bulb entry.
In the final, Kruse had an .029 reaction-time and ran a 6.539 elapsed-time on his 6.49 dial-in. Engler’s had an .048 reaction-time and ran a 6.181 elapsed-time on his 6.15 dial-in.
This final round captured a special sentiment that is unique to door car bracket racing as the cars themselves are a critical part of the story. A “late bloomer” to being behind the wheel of a race car, Kruse only assumed the driving duties of his Chevrolet Camaro in memory of his late-brother Ken “The Duz” Kruse, whom the car belonged to. And Engler’s Dodge R/T belonged to his late-grandfather and has been in the Engler family since it was new in 1969.
These are the meaningful and deeply personal stories that make door car bracket racing extra special.
The racing continues Friday with a $15,000 to race. Saturday is highlighted by a $50,000 to win main event. Sunday will conclude with another $15,000 finale.
The Autoland Door Car Challenge is at Byron Dragway in Byron, Illinois May 14-17, 2026.
This story was originally published on May 15, 2026. 
