Gambling has officially arrived in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). While there have been options to bet on drag racing before, the NHRA officially launched its gaming initiative, PlayNHRA, in May. 

[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #190, the State of Drag Issue, in September/ October of 2024.]

As part of PlayNHRA, NHRA’s partnerships with sports books and fantasy sports providers give fans the opportunity to sign up for free and legally wager on national events and other outcomes in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

With the launch of PlayNHRA, the hope is to attract more fans and engage them in the sport while providing a safe and regulated place to play fantasy games, gaming, and betting.

Winlights Bets’ Founder, Rex Simmermaker, who has been in the gaming space since 2023 and is on the cusp of releasing its real-money product, acknowledges the polarizing nature of sports gambling but highlights its potential to enhance fan engagement. 

“This could bring an air of integrity to our sport that’s been lacking for a while,” says Simmermaker. “If people can make legal wagers on drag racing, it will bring in a lot of people who aren’t necessarily diehard fans. When you see someone win $700 because they picked the right driver, it creates a buzz and raises awareness.”

Odds are released before every NHRA national event, allowing fans to analyze the data and place their wagers on drivers. As a by-product of PlayNHRA, Drag Illustrated’s own JT Hudson saw the opportunity to start Who Ya Got, the first NHRA gaming and fantasy show, as part of DI’s original content line-up. Who Ya Got provides everyone the opportunity to engage and a reason to love drag racing.

If gambling isn’t your thing, the first dynamic online drag racing bracket competition, Drag Race Bracket Bonanza (DRBB), has started a cult-like following within the sport. DRBB, launched in August 2023 by media expert Elon Werner, operates in the fantasy space and is free to sign up and play. 

“My goal is for drag racing fans to fill out their brackets and encourage their non-drag racing friends to try their luck. Drag racing is unpredictable, and the excitement of seeing your favorite driver win rounds should be recognized and celebrated,” says Werner. 

DRBB is user-friendly and can be played on a phone or laptop. Picks are made round by round for all four professional classes, and points are earned with every correct pick until there is one overall event winner. In an exciting conclusion, at the end of every national event, DRBB prizes are given to its players.

This story was originally published on November 11, 2024.