GESi Pro Stock No. 1 Qualifier Award Returns for 2026 Season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – April 6, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – NHRA officials announced today that GESi will extend its sponsorship of the No. 1 qualifier award in Pro Stock as part of a multi-year partnership.

After a successful first year in 2025, the GESi Pro Stock No. 1 Qualifier Award will be handed out at each Pro Stock event during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, including this week’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

The top qualifier in the stacked Pro Stock field will earn $2,000 at each event, adding a special bonus, along with extra intensity, to the two days of qualifying.

“I love being part of this class and seeing the impact we were able to make last season,” GESi CEO Eric Latino said. “The level of competition is incredible and recognizing the No. 1 qualifier is something we believe in. Building on what we started last year, it was an easy decision to come back and continue that momentum. We’re excited to be involved again and see how it all unfolds this season.”

The GESi Pro Stock No. 1 Qualifier Award is another way the company continues to strengthen its relationship with NHRA drag racing. Latino is the CEO of GESi, which specializes in the design, engineering and manufacturing of world-leading global emission systems.

Last season, six-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson dominated in qualifying, earning eight No. 1 positions. Dallas Glenn, who went on to win his first world championship, picked up six No. 1 qualifiers, while Matt Hartford, Cody Coughlin and Latino himself each earned No. 1s throughout 2025.

Anderson leads all Pro Stock competitors with 141 career No. 1 qualifying positions.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with GESi on this award, which adds even more incentive for Pro Stock drivers to chase that No. 1 position,” NHRA Director of Advertising/Sponsorship Sales Jeff Morton said. “GESi has been an outstanding partner across multiple categories and they have a strong passion for NHRA drag racing, especially within the Pro Stock class. This award will once again be a great storyline throughout the season as teams push to qualify No. 1.”

For more information on NHRA, including the full 2026 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association 

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