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National Dragster Sportsman Racer of the Month: Kris Whitfield

Almost everyone who visits Las Vegas dreams of hitting it big, but the harsh reality is that few actually do. Meet Kris Whitfield, who not only hit the jackpot in Las Vegas but did it on three consecutive weekends.
05 May 2025
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Feature
Kris Whitfield

Almost everyone who visits Las Vegas dreams of hitting it big, but the harsh reality is that few actually do. Meet Kris Whitfield, who not only hit the jackpot in Las Vegas but did it on three consecutive weekends.

What might well be the most memorable month of Whitfield’s career began at the Spring Fling Million big-money bracket event in Las Vegas, where he turned on a few win lights, gained a bit of confidence, but ultimately wasn’t able to capture the enormous winner’s payout.

Whitfield

A week later, Whitfield returned for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, where he scored his fifth career national event win in Super Comp. Whitfield was brilliant in the final with a .005 light and a 9.055 on the 9.05 index to close out Cooper Chun, winner of the Spring Fling event.

As it turns out, that was just the beginning, as Whitfield remained in Las Vegas for the Division 7 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series doubleheader and nearly ran the table with a runner-up in race one and a win in the second race.

All told, Littleton, Colo.-based Whitfield won 20 of 21 possible rounds. His only blemish was a breakout loss to former champ Steve Williams in the race one final. Whitfield still has a long way to go before he can make plans to attend the NHRA champion’s banquet in November, but for now, he’s solidly in the Top 10 and has competed in just four scored events.

Honorable Mentions

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Comp racer Taylor Chomiski nearly duplicated Whitfield’s feat with a pair of wins in Las Vegas. Chomiski won the 4-Wide Nationals and the first race of the Lucas Oil Series doubleheader before a round-two loss in the second event. He’s currently ranked No. 2 in the Comp standings.

In Super Stock, Justin Lamb scored a runner-up finish at the 4-Wide Nationals at his home track in Las Vegas and followed with a victory at the divisional.

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In Right Trailers Top Sportsman, add Bryan Warr and Ed Olpin to the list of racers who scored both a win and a runner-up during the three events. Warr is ranked No. 2 in the class, while Olpin is No. 6.