August 23, 2026 — Chris Roe's transition into Top Sportsman has happened quickly.Very quickly.After earning his Top Sportsman license earlier this year, Roe needed just three races in the Right Trailers GT500 to establish himself as a driver to watch. At the NHRA Brainerd Nationals this weekend, Roe reached the Top Sportsman final in his first national event in the car.

In the final round, Roe recorded a -.001-second red light, ending an otherwise remarkable weekend.“It's definitely hard to swallow,” Roe said. “We wanted to win, but when you look at the bigger picture, making the final at my first national event in the car and only my third race in Top Sportsman is something I'm really proud of. I have an amazing team helping at the track and support back at home too.”The Brainerd final was the latest in a string of results that has put Roe's name on the radar.

His first two Top Sportsman races came at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series double divisional at Brainerd International Raceway the previous week. Roe qualified No. 1 in both events, and he advanced to the semifinals in the second race.One week later, he returned to the same track for the national event and drove the GT500 to the final round.The rapid success follows an already strong career in Top Dragster.

Roe opened his 2026 season with a runner-up finish at the South Georgia Nationals in that class.Shortly after, Roe earned his Top Sportsman license, and Michael Scott, President of Right Trailers, selected him to drive the powerful Ford GT500 Mustang. Michael Scott and Scott Taylor, of Street Outlaws, coached him during his license process.The car, formerly known as the Stotts Ford GT500, now competes as the Right Trailers GT500. Scott selected Roe based in part on his experience and reputation for handling high-powered Ford race cars.

“I've been fortunate to have some great opportunities, but this one with Michael and the GT500 is really special,” Roe said. “It's an incredible car, and we're still learning every time we make a pass. To have the results we've had this early gives us a lot of confidence.”Roe's racing program continues to expand across both Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. Right Trailers and Defy Trailers are the primary sponsors of Chris Roe Racing, while Monster Energy has joined Chris Roe Racing as a local sponsor.

The Monster Energy branding debuted this weekend at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals, where Roe delivered one of the strongest performances of his young Top Sportsman career by advancing to the final round of the national event in the Right Trailers GT500.NOS Energy and Full Throttle also provide local support, with JKR Racing Products, AR Elite Studio and PitStop PR + Media supporting the program as well.

Away from the track, 2026 has brought another major milestone for Roe. Earlier this year, he proposed to his longtime girlfriend, and the couple plans to marry in 2027.For now, however, Roe's attention returns to the racetrack.

His next Top Sportsman event will be the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, September 2–7. Three races into his Top Sportsman career, Roe has already collected two No. 1 qualifying positions, a divisional semifinal appearance and a national-event final.