Written by Rob Knoll
Lucas Oil, the world leader and distributor of high-performance automotive additives and lubricants, is proud to announce that its founder, Forrest Lucas, has been awarded the prestigious NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor was presented at the Annual Sportsman Appreciation Dinner during the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #191, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November / December of 2024.]
Forrest Lucas, the innovative pioneer behind Lucas Oil Products, is celebrated worldwide for his exceptional contributions to the automotive industry and motorsports. For more than 20 years, Lucas Oil has been one of NHRA’s most prominent supporters, serving as the title sponsor of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which features the best and most decorated sportsman competitors in drag racing. Lucas Oil is also the “Official Oil of NHRA” and the event title sponsor of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, and the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California. The company’s support to NHRA also includes naming rights for Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, home of the World’s Biggest Drag Race™, the NHRA U.S. Nationals.
“I can’t say enough about Forrest Lucas; he truly embodies the spirit of drag racing, sharing the same resilience and passion that runs deep in our sport,” said NHRA President Glen Cromwell. “His connection to the NHRA is historic. From supporting greats like the Arana family, Frank Manzo, Del Worsham, and Antron Brown to numerous racing teams, including his son and wife behind the wheel, Forrest and Lucas Oil’s unwavering support and dedication have elevated drag racing and motorsports to new heights. The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which has enjoyed a two-decade-long title sponsorship, is just one of many examples of Lucas’ commitment to the sport.”
Forrest, alongside his wife Charlotte, founded Lucas Oil in 1989 with a mission to develop high-performance oil and fuel treatments aimed at reducing mechanical failures and increasing mileage, particularly within the trucking industry. His innovative solutions quickly gained the respect of American truck drivers, who valued his honest and straightforward approach. Over the years, Lucas Oil has expanded to provide a wide range of engine oils, additives and fuel treatments for a variety of machines, solidifying a reputation for reliability and performance.
Lucas Oil has also built an incredible reputation on the track with its robust line of racing-specific products. Hundreds of race teams and drivers, representing nearly all forms of motorsports, rely on Lucas Oil Racing products to perform flawlessly under the most extreme conditions. The confidence placed in Lucas Oil’s racing formulas underscores Forrest’s passion for motorsports and for the NHRA.
“There are few in the racing community who don’t know Forrest, his family, or haven’t seen a Lucas Oil banner at a racetrack,” added Cromwell. “His contributions have touched the lives of countless individuals in this sport and we are honored to present him with the NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award. I wholeheartedly congratulate Forrest on this well-deserved recognition. His leadership, passion for racing, and unwavering support for the motorsports community exemplify the qualities that the Lifetime Achievement Award seeks to honor.”
Beyond his business acumen, Forrest has been a generous philanthropist and sports marketing giant. His strategic sponsorships span amateur and professional sports, from the iconic Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, to high-profile partnerships like Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. Lucas Oil’s presence is also prominent in events like Monster Jam and through sponsorships of the Dallas Cowboys.
This story was originally published on December 27, 2024. 
