MIKE RICE NAMED NHRA SR. DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION, MATT DeYOUNG NAMED PACIFIC DIVISION DIRECTOR
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 28, 2022) – NHRA officials announced the promotion of Mike Rice to Senior Director of Competition and the addition of Matt DeYoung as Division Director of the Pacific Division (Division 7).
Rice, who started with NHRA in 2001, served as the Division Director of Division 7 for 16 years. In his new role as NHRA Sr. Director of Competition, Rice will lead tower operations at all NHRA national events, coordinate and maintain daily on-track schedules, and communicate with race teams. Mike will also be instrumental in guiding the Division Directors with his years of experience.
With Rice in his new role as NHRA Sr. Director of Competition, DeYoung will step into the Division 7, working with the NHRA member tracks in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Hawaii. Prior to his new role, DeYoung managed Tucson Dragway for five years.
“I’m excited to continue working with our racers, track operators, Division Directors and NHRA personnel to move drag racing forward,” said Rice. “Facing and overcoming the challenges we face each week to complete a successful event for all of our stakeholders is something I relish.”
“I am excited to step into the Division Director role,” said DeYoung. “D7 has always been close to my heart. This is the division I grew up in and the division that I spent so much time with while at Tucson Dragway. I look forward to building more community in our division, growing with our member tracks and showing the Motorsports world what the NHRA can do for our racers, fans and families!”
“During his time as the Division Director of the Pacific Division, Mike Rice has been instrumental in the growth of the division,” said Josh Peterson, NHRA Vice President of Racing Administration. “In this new role, Mike will help provide continuity across each national event. We are thrilled to welcome Matt to the team. His passion for racing and background in track management will be a great addition to the team of division directors and the NHRA Pacific Division.”
The Pacific Division sees several Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events throughout the season as well as NHRA national events at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and the newly named In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
Paul Lee from Anaheim, California USA (Comp Number: 116) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 7 "FTI / McLeod Clutches" Owned by Paul Lee from Anaheim, California USA 2020 Dodge Charger by Paralax Race Cars | Powered by a 500 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at […]
Dave Richards from Wellington, Florida USA (Comp Number: 139) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 2 "Bluebird Turf" Owned by Dave Richards from Wellington, Florida USA 2018 Ford Mustang by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 500 cubic inch AJPE Hemi with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at Unknown […]
Cruz Pedregon from Indianapolis, Indiana USA (Comp Number: 71) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 3 "Snap-On" Owned by Cruz Pedregon from Indianapolis, Indiana USA 2021 Dodge Charger by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 500 cubic inch Keith Black Hemi with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at Unknown […]
Daniel Wilkerson from Springfield, Illinois USA (Comp Number: 348) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 3 "SCAG / Levi, Ray & Shoup Inc." Owned by Tim Wilkerson & Maynard Family from Springfield, Illinois USA 2024 Ford Mustang by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 500 cubic inch AJPE Hemi with […]
JR Todd from Indianapolis, Indiana USA (Comp Number: 373) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 3 "DHL" Owned by Connie Kalitta from Ypsilanti, Michigan USA 2022 Toyota Supra by Kalitta | Powered by a 500 cubic inch AJPE Hemi with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at Unknown | 1/4 Mile MPH: […]
Matt Hagan from Christiansburg, Virginia USA (Comp Number: 2814) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 3 "Johnson\'s Horsepowered Garage/Direct Connection" Owned by Tony Stewart from Columbus, Indiana USA 2024 Dodge Charger SRT by DSR | Powered by a 500 cubic inch DSR Hemi with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at Unknown […]
Bob Tasca III from Cranston, Rhode Island USA (Comp Number: 77) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 1 "Ford/Motorcraft/QuickLane/PPG" Owned by Bob Tasca from Hope, Rhode Island USA 2023 Ford Mustang by Murf McKinney | Powered by a 500 cubic inch Ford with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at Unknown | […]
Ron Capps from Carlsbad, California USA (Comp Number: 28) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 3 "NAPA Auto Parts" Owned by Ron Capps from Carlsbad, California USA 2023 Toyota Supra by DSR | Powered by a 500 cubic inch DSM Hemi with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at Unknown | 1/4 […]
Austin Prock from Danville, Indiana USA (Comp Number: 374) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 3 "Cornwell Tools/AAA" Owned by John Force from Yorba Linda, California USA 2022 Chevrolet Camaro by JFR | Powered by a 500 cubic inch JFR Hemi with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at Unknown | 1/4 […]
Jack Beckman from Norco, California USA (Comp Number: 2) 2025 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FN, Class: AA/FC, Div: 7 "Peak" Owned by John Force from Yorba Linda, California USA 2023 Chevrolet Camaro by JFR | Powered by a 500 cubic inch JFR Hemi by JFR with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at Unknown | […]