Toyota has been a staunch supporter of NHRA drag racing, first entering the arena in 2002 with the introduction of its Toyota Celica Funny Car body. Their involvement expanded into team sponsorship and then NHRA event title rights. In 2014, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) became the official vehicle of the NHRA, a program that was renewed last year.

NHRA has confirmed a marketing homerun for the manufacturer of all the activation properties it has in place. Toyota has been named the title sponsor of the world’s biggest drag race, the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
 
The 70th anniversary of the event, traditionally referred to as “The Big Go,” takes place on Aug. 28-Sept. 2 in Indianapolis, with the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals marking the final race of the regular season during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series campaign. 
 
This year’s event promises to be the biggest ever. 
 
“Toyota has been a proud partner of the NHRA for over a decade, and we are thrilled to grow that partnership with the naming rights to the 70th annual running of the U.S. Nationals,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager, motorsports, TMNA. “This is an iconic race weekend, full of incredible tradition, and everyone at Toyota looks forward to amplifying that with our activation plans. We have been fortunate to win the U.S. Nationals in both Top Fuel and Funny Car the last two seasons, and we hope to be celebrating with one of our talented drivers in the winner’s circle with the Toyota U.S. Nationals Wally in a few short weeks.”
 
Toyota-supported teams have over 200 victories in NHRA competition, including 12 in 2024. Currently, Toyota’s roster of sponsored teams includes Antron Brown (Top Fuel) and Ron Capps (Funny Car), as well as reigning Top Fuel world champ and current points leader Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, J.R. Todd, Billy and Steve Torrence, Justin Ashley and Alexis DeJoria.
 
“Toyota has been a wonderful partner with the NHRA, and we’re thrilled to now have them as the title sponsor for the biggest race in our sport, the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “Their commitment to NHRA drag racing and the race teams has been incredible, and we’re proud to celebrate 70 years of The Big Go this year with Toyota, our racers, partners, and all of our amazing fans.”
 
The 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals will also feature the final Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the year and the Pep Boys Funny Car All-Star Callout, as well as the special Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection and racing in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Additionally, 16 of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series’ best Competition Eliminator racers will participate in the $50,000 RoofTec Comp Cash Clash.