According to a story seen on Cycle Drag, written by Jack Kropela, Top Fuel Motorcycle racing will be returning to NHRA, not just on an exhibition basis, but competing for Wallys and prize money, with the addition of Pingel Enterprise as a class sponsor. Top Fuel Motorcycles will compete at four NHRA Mission Food national events in 2024.
Larry “Spiderman” McBride and Dave Vantine appeared on the NHRA tour in 2022 as an exhibition act after more than a 20-year hiatus for the nitro, four-cylinder bikes from the NHRA. In 2023, the number of exhibition motorcycles increased from two to four. Now, thanks to Wayne and Donna Pingel, the NHRA Top Fuel Motorcycles have officially earned the status of a full race class.
According to Cycle Drag’s story, the race will be open to any Top Fuel Motorcycle or supercharged Nitro Harley with the proper safety modifications. The class will have purse money, championship points will be awarded, and a class champion will be crowned at the end of the season with Wally trophies given out. The final rounds will be covered on the NHRA Fox Sports broadcasts.
The 2024 NHRA Top Fuel Motorcycle schedule:
Chicago – May 17-19 – Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL
Virginia – June 21-23 – Virginia Motorsports Park, Dinwiddie, VA
Brainerd – Aug 15-18 – Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN
Charlotte – Sep 20 – 22 – ZMax Dragway, Concord, NC
