NHRA Celebrates the 2025 National Dragster All-Star Team At PRI

If there is one thing that warms up a cold December in Indianapolis, it’s the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show. It’s that time of year when the smell of nitro fades into memory, but the excitement for the sport is kept alive by the people who love it most. Recently, that energy was palpable as the NHRA community came together to honor the best of the best with the unveiling of the third annual National Dragster All-Star Team.

This isn’t just a panel of judges sitting in a boardroom deciding who gets a trophy. This is about the fans. Thousands of votes were cast on NHRA.com, giving the people in the grandstands a direct say in who takes home the hardware. And honestly? They got it right.

Austin Prock Leads the Charge Again

It comes as absolutely no surprise to anyone paying attention that Austin Prock was named the Pro Driver of the Year. For the second year in a row, Prock has cemented his place at the top of the food chain. When you look at the season he put together, the voters really didn’t have a choice. He held off heavy hitters like Doug Kalitta and Jack Beckman to take the top spot on the National Dragster All-Star Team.

Watching Prock evolve has been one of the great storylines of the last few seasons. He brings a level of intensity and precision that reminds you of the legends, but with a modern edge that clearly resonates with the fanbase. Going back-to-back is no small feat in a field this competitive, but Prock made it look like business as usual.

Clay Millican: The Undisputed People’s Champ

If you’ve ever met Clay Millican, you know why he made his way on the National Dragster All-Star Team. The man is pure positivity. It was a big night for the Top Fuel driver, who walked away with two acrylic trophies that perfectly sum up his contribution to the sport.

First, he snagged the Fan Favorite award. This feels right, doesn’t it? Clay has a way of connecting with people that goes beyond just driving a race car. Whether he’s winning or struggling, he wears his heart on his sleeve, and the fans love him for it.

But he didn’t stop there. He also took home the award for Best Social Media Account. In an era where drivers need to be content creators as much as athletes, Clay is leading the pack. He gives us a peek behind the curtain that feels genuine, not manufactured. He beat out the juggernaut that is John Force Racing and the stylish Ida Zetterström, proving that authenticity wins every time.

Speed Kings and Sportsman Heroes

While the drivers get the glory, we all know the race is won in the pits. The National Dragster All-Star Team recognized the absolute wizardry of David Grubnic and John Collins. These two tuned Brittany Force to the first 340-mph Top Fuel run in history. Let that sink in. 340 miles per hour. They breached that barrier 11 more times in what was a historic season. It was a well-deserved nod to the guys turning the screws and making history happen.

Down in the Top Alcohol ranks, Sean Bellemeur proved he’s still the man to beat. Like Prock, Bellemeur secured his second straight Driver of the Year title. He’s a five-time champ for a reason, and holding off talent like Maddi Gordon and Jackie Fricke shows he hasn’t lost a step.

We also have to give a nod to the other category winners who make this sport so diverse:

• Pro Mod: J.R. Gray took the top honors, beating out Alex Laughlin and Rickie Smith.
• Factory Stock: Mark Pawuk earned his spot as Driver of the Year.
• Sportsman: Darian Boesch was recognized as the best of the bracket warriors.
• Rookie of the Year: Spencer Hyde was voted Best New Pro Talent, signaling a bright future for the class.

Why the National Dragster All-Star Team Matters

Events like this matter because they bridge the gap between the track and the stands. It’s easy to get lost in the data—the reaction times, the trap speeds, the points standings. But drag racing is deeply human. It’s about the stories, the personalities, and the emotional connection we have with these teams.

The National Dragster All-Star Team is a reflection of that connection. It tells us not just who was fast, but who mattered. It tells us who made us cheer, who made us scroll on our phones, and who made us believe in the magic of horsepower.

As the lights go down on the PRI show and we settle in for the rest of the winter, we can look back at this roster and say: Yeah, that was a hell of a year. See you in Gainesville.