Dodge and Direct Connection will headline one of drag racing’s most popular events, returning as the title sponsor of the 25th annual Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The late-season classic, set for Oct. 30–Nov. 2, marks the fifth of six playoff events in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship and the penultimate stop on the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour.
For a quarter century, the fall race in Las Vegas has been a stage for championship drama. With tight title battles across Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, the 2025 edition promises more than high stakes — it will likely define the championship chase before the tour heads to Pomona.
NHRA officials said Dodge’s continued involvement strengthens the series’ connection to one of the sport’s longest-standing automotive partners. The event will carry the official title of the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals powered by Direct Connection, marking another milestone in a partnership that has spanned generations of drag racing history.
“The 2025 NHRA season is wrapping up, and Dodge is powering up to finish strong, serving as the title sponsor of the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals powered by Direct Connection,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO. “Dodge has enjoyed much success at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with Matt Hagan scoring five career victories and Tony Stewart taking his first Top Fuel win earlier this year, and we’re looking forward to another unforgettable weekend.”
The Strip’s fall race is more than a stop on the schedule — it’s a fan-favorite destination. Each year, Las Vegas attracts some of the largest crowds on the tour, drawn by championship implications, near-perfect racing conditions, and the city’s unmistakable spectacle.
This year’s event will celebrate 25 years of racing at the facility, an anniversary that highlights how Las Vegas has become one of the NHRA’s cornerstone markets.
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Dodge’s reemergence as title sponsor is also a nod to its deep racing roots. The brand’s Direct Connection performance division has been integral to the sport’s development and remains an active presence through its factory-backed partnership with Tony Stewart Racing.
Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion turned NHRA Top Fuel contender, captured the regular-season title in his debut season and added a win at the spring Las Vegas race. He enters the Nevada Nationals fourth in points as he looks to close the gap in the Countdown standings.
In Funny Car, teammate Matt Hagan continues to represent Dodge’s performance pedigree. Fresh off a win in St. Louis, Hagan sits second in the standings and has recorded 53 career victories, including five at The Strip.
“The success Dodge has experienced here speaks for itself,” McAlear said. “From the drivers to the fans, there’s always been a special connection in Las Vegas, and we’re eager to build on that tradition.”
For NHRA officials, securing Dodge’s support underscores the event’s prestige and appeal to manufacturers and marketing partners alike. “We’re thrilled to have Dodge and Direct Connection as the sponsor of our Las Vegas event,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president and chief development officer. “The fall race in Las Vegas is one of the most exciting stops on the NHRA tour, and having Dodge’s iconic brand attached only heightens that excitement.”
He added that the brand’s long history with NHRA reflects an enduring commitment to the sport’s future. “Dodge has a long and storied history of supporting NHRA drag racing and we’re all looking forward to an incredible weekend in Las Vegas,” Gerber said.
Beyond the sponsorship, the Nevada Nationals carry major championship implications. With only Pomona remaining after Las Vegas, drivers in every category will face win-or-bust pressure as they fight for position in the Countdown.
Last season, Brittany Force claimed the Top Fuel title in Las Vegas, while Austin Prock (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) each captured class victories. The track’s high-altitude conditions and smooth surface often make it a venue for both upsets and record-breaking runs.
