Thunder Road Raceway set to Join NHRA Member Track Network

STURGIS, SD – May 8, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – NHRA officials are excited to announce that newly-reopened Thunder Road Raceway has joined the NHRA Member Track Network in NHRA’s West Central Division (Division 5)

Located in Sturgis, S.D, Thunder Road Raceway is preparing for an exciting new chapter as the historic facility, which closed in 2023, has reopened under new ownership and management, bringing 1/8-mile drag racing back to the Black Hills region for the 2026 season and beyond.

Formerly known as Sturgis Dragway, the facility first opened in 1987, originally serving as a racing destination during the world-famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The track is in the middle of significant updates and renovations under the leadership of William Lippold and Scott Flockhart, with day-to-day operations led by Jene Hammond.

With a shared vision focused on long-term growth, racer experience and community engagement, the new team is committed to restoring and elevating the facility’s presence in the region.

“Although I grew up at Bandimere Speedway, my second home track has always been Sturgis Dragway. Its closure in 2023 left a real void in our racing community,” said Jene Hammond, Operations Manager for Thunder Road Raceway. “Thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and the racing community, we now have the opportunity to bring it back. Being part of this effort and giving back to a place that means so much to me is incredibly special. This marks a new chapter for both the track and the city of Sturgis.”

The revitalized 1/8-mile facility will host a variety of racing programs, including the popular Summit E.T. Series, presented by Hoosier, alongside additional events designed to serve both seasoned competitors and new racers entering the sport.

As final touches continue, the team is working to finalize plans for a full season of competition and events, youth programs and education, signaling a strong return for one of the region’s most recognizable racing venues.

With a renewed focus on safety and accessibility, the track aims to provide a welcoming environment for both racers and fans. Thunder Road Raceway is also expected to play a key role in supporting regional motorsports and motorcycle culture, offering opportunities for community involvement and continued growth of grassroots drag racing in South Dakota and the surrounding areas.

“This project is a testament to the strength and passion of the Sturgis drag racing community,” said Nick Duty, NHRA West Central Division Director. “The group behind this effort refused to let the facility sit idle. They’ve taken on the challenge of revitalizing the track with the right priorities in mind — serving racers and fans. We’re excited to welcome Thunder Road Raceway back into the Division 5 family.”

For more information on NHRA, including the full 2026 schedule, visit www.nhra.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 presented by Hoosier 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, Twitter, and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association 

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