The righteously challenging NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series category of Comp Eliminator is one that demands a thoughtful, strategic approach and a capable, quick-thinking driver. On Sunday, second-generation racer Taylor Chomiski and his team emphasized their ability to rise to the challenge as they claimed a second consecutive victory at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Chomiski, driving the Blind Frog Ranch/CIP1.com Chevrolet Cobalt, won the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals last fall and turned on five win lights this weekend to earn the 25th anniversary commemorative trophy at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Chomiski, whose previous triumph in Las Vegas marked the first national event win of his career. “I still don’t think it’s set in yet; this is just amazing.”
The incredible road to victory this weekend started on Saturday at The Strip when Chomiski faced seasoned racer Joe Mozeris in the opening act. Chomiski was off the starting line first in .016-second to his opponent’s .092, and he won the round with an 8.318-second pass at 155.27 mph that was -.592 under the C/SM index. Mozeris raced to a 7.039, 189.26 (-.581).
“I didn’t do a very good job in the first round, I took way too much stripe, but it’s so fast at the top end – and it happens so quick, and I want to win,” admitted Chomiski, who received a temporary index penalty for the next round. “Even though I knew I had him covered, I wanted to turn the win light on, and I took too much.”
That set up a tough scenario for round two, where Chomiski came up against No. 1 qualifier Ryan Priddy. Chomiski stayed on high alert and was again a crisp .016 in his starting line launch. Priddy, on the other hand, gave Chomiski his first break of the weekend when left the starting line too soon, fouling out by -.040 and illuminating the dastardly red light. It was another red light – this time by Mike Dahl – in the third round that sent Chomiski ahead to the semifinals, and there he met Brooke Heckel and her dragster. Chomiski left first, .023 to .048, and played the finish line stripe better to advance.
“I left the starting line, and I felt good,” recalled Chomiski. “I was rowing through the gears, put it in high gear, and I looked up at the scoreboard. There was no win light [yet], so I knew we were both green. After a couple more feet in high gear, I looked over and didn’t see her, so I whomped it a couple times at the finish line and dad came on the radio and said, ‘We got it.’ I was ecstatic to be going to back-to-back finals in Las Vegas.”
But as he stopped at the top end, he noted that the officials were huddled around the live feed television watching with wonder. Chomiski was to have met Jeff Lane in the final because Lane had a semifinal bye run on the other side of the ladder. However, as Lane did his burnout, fluid leaked from his racecar and onto the track. He was not allowed to stage, and therefore, he was shut off and could not make the run that would have sent him ahead to the final.
“In Dallas a couple of years ago, I was the No. 1 qualifier. Second round, the same thing happened to me on a bye run – oil and I couldn’t stage, and that was the end of my weekend,” shared Chomiski. “I hate it for the Lanes; they’re great racers. I know how it feels, but I’m happy to be on the other side of that today.”
With a single in the final round, all Chomiski had to do was stage his car, and thankfully, he was able to do so. As he pulled back from the staging beams, a rush of fellow racers and friends were there to congratulate him, along with fiancée Ally, stepmom Shavon, dad and crew chief Gary, and car chief David “Chief” Trujillo.
“What a great weekend,” he said. “My guys give me the opportunity to win before we leave the pit area – Chief gives me a safe race car, and my dad builds unbelievable horsepower and makes wonderful calls on our program. I just try to do the best I can every time on the tree, stage the same, shift well, and give my guys the opportunity to win. We had some huge breaks this weekend, but I feel like anytime we drive through the gates, we have a really good shot. I think we can contend for a championship, and I think we’re well on our way to doing that. I can’t wait to let the clutch out again.”
Chomiski thanked Blind Frog Ranch Outpost and Tours; California Import Parts Ltd. – CIP1.com; Scott Seed; NC Machine and Tool Co.; Watson Concrete; Associated Concrete Inc. (ACI); Maxima Performance Auto; Lone Star Gasket and Supply; Do Good International; and Chomiski Performance.
The next race for Chomiski and the Blind Frog Ranch/CIP1.com Comp Eliminator team will be the Lucas Oil Series double divisional event held at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 16-19.
This story was originally published on April 14, 2025. 
