The first half of the 2026 season of NHRA’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series has been productive for six-time world champion Justin Lamb. At the conclusion of a trio of races on the West Coast, Lamb’s season total had climbed to an impressively perfect three for three in national event finals, as well as one win in three divisional finals. For Lamb, it was a pleasing start, and there’s still plenty to look forward to this year.
Carrying the No. 1 on the window of his RAD Torque Systems Super Stock Chevrolet COPO Camaro, the reigning world champion powered into the new year with momentum. Lamb raced to the final round at the Phoenix divisional, won the Snyder Sportsman Classic divisional event at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, and reached the final again at the first division race of the season at his home track, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
In Stock Eliminator, Lamb was faring even better. Back-to-back victories in his striking LIUNA COPO netted a pair of NHRA’s 75th Anniversary Diamond Wallys, first at Firebird Motorsports Park’s Arizona Nationals and then at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona.
The “Western Swing” started with national events in Sonoma and Seattle and closed with a divisional double header at Oregon’s Woodburn Drag Strip, and the group of notable events started with a bang as Lamb drove his LIUNA COPO to the Stock Eliminator win at the DENSO Sonoma Nationals. The national event victory was the 37th of his career and eighth at the favored facility, tying him with Funny Car legend John Force as the most winning driver in Sonoma history.
Start to finish, the weekend in Sonoma was momentous. On Friday, Lamb was joined by good friend and five-time champion Jimmy DeFrank, as well as the family of the late great Sportsman ace Kyle Seipel, in receiving commemorative coins acknowledging their inclusion on the prestigious list of NHRA’s Top 50 Sportsman Racers.
“I love Sonoma Raceway,” said Lamb, whose good friend Seipel was track manager at the popular facility before he lost his life to cancer in 2021. “It’s Kyle’s house, and I hope I’m making him proud.
“It’s a real challenge to race there with the weather and the wind, but I think the challenge is part of why I really enjoy it. Anytime you enjoy what you’re doing, you have to consider it a success – but we were fortunate to win Sonoma this year, along with Pomona and Phoenix. LIUNA jumped on board this season, and their support has propelled me to some really good luck. I have to thank everyone at LIUNA and LIUNA Local 872, Dan and Tammy at RAD Torque Systems, Goodyear – everybody that helps me. Of course, ‘Pirate’ (Gary Tackett) is a huge part of this, and it’s really special to share it with my wife Jeanine and the kids, plus my parents Chris and Carole. It’s just been a good start to the year, and we still have some really cool races left.”
In addition to a handful of division races and national events remaining on Lamb’s intended schedule, he’ll be cashing in the ticket he earned to race in one of the most prestigious events for NHRA Sportsman competitors: the JEGS Allstars, a bonus race that brings the best of the best from each of the seven divisions together for battle. The special event will take place during the Texas Fallnationals in Dallas, October 13-18.
“I’m really looking forward to the JEGS Allstars,” said Lamb, who has been an Allstar representative for NHRA’s Pacific Division (D7) several times but has yet to win the coveted trophy. “It’s an honor to be the Division 7 representative, and winning the Allstars is definitely on my bucket list. It’ll be tough because these are the best drivers from each division, but it’s high on my list. It would be amazing to bring home that trophy from Dallas.”
Lamb races with the support of LIUNA Local 872, RAD Torque Systems, Stone Chevrolet, Goodyear Racing Tires, Redback Boots, LIQUI MOLY, Sunoco Race Fuels, Palmer Electric, Moser Engineering, Team Acme, and Lafferty Drilling and Blasting.
This story was originally published on August 11, 2026.
The post Justin Lamb Closes First Half With Historic Sonoma Win, Looks Ahead to Allstars Race and Beyond first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
