Top Fuel driver Ron August Jr. will begin his 2026 season at this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona teamed with Larry Antaya Racing and receiving support from Fire Protection Management Inc., Pleasanton Ready Mix, Kleen Blast, CSA Gym, and California Air Inc.
Antaya, whose Fire Protection Management Inc. business joined August’s efforts as a sponsor at the Sonoma event last season, has increased his involvement in drag racing following successful campaigns in sprint car racing, notably scoring wins in the 410 NARC Series. He assumes the racing operations of Ron August Motorsports with a common quality-over-quantity approach of progressing the performance of the 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster throughout their four-race schedule.
“We are going all-in with Ron August,” said Antaya. “We are excited going into Pomona. Everybody here has a full-time job, so our goal is to run hard at the four events we attend this year on the West Coast.”
August’s volunteer team based out of Pleasanton, Calif., is led by crew chief Rick Wilkinson. In his most recent outing at last year’s Sonoma event, August recorded a career-best 3.82-second pass opposite eventual event winner Doug Kalitta during eliminations. He has since acquired parts and pieces to help further his on-track results.
“We can’t wait to get back out there in Pomona,” said August. “It takes a lot of people coming together to make this happen. I’m grateful to be involved with Larry and the crew, John Santos from Pleasanton Ready Mix, Tim Spurgeon from Kleen Blast, and MJ Hamid from CSA Gym.”
August is a national event winner in Top Alcohol Funny Car with experience in a variety of race cars including front-engine Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters, the Pure Hell fuel altered, and a Division 7 championship-winning Super Eliminator dragster.
This story was originally published on April 8, 2026. 
