ROE RACING TAKES TOP QUALIFYING SPOT AT BRAINERD

BRAINERD, Minn. — August 13, 2026 — One pass was all Chris Roe needed to show the NHRA Top Sportsman field that he came to Brainerd International Raceway ready to compete.

After traveling from Florida to Minnesota for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series West Central Division event, Roe made his official competition debut in the new Ford GT500 Mustang Thursday.

And after a difficult first qualifying attempt, he turned his very next opportunity into a statement.

Roe’s opening qualifying pass did not make it all the way down the track, sending the Chris Roe Racing and Right Trailers team back to the drawing board.

The team made adjustments. Roe climbed back into the Mustang.

Then he delivered.

On his next qualifying attempt — his first full pass down the track — Roe posted a 6.378-second time at 219.26 mph, moving him to the top of the 24-car Top Sportsman field and securing the No. 1 qualifying position heading into Friday’s eliminations.

For a driver making his first official competition passes in the new car, the result was anything but ordinary.

“After the first pass, we knew we had some things to work through,” said Roe. “The team made some adjustments, and we went back out there. To make that first full pass and have it put us No. 1 is pretty special. There’s still a lot of racing left, but it’s a great way to start.”

The performance comes as Roe enters a new era in his racing career.

Roe recently announced a new partnership with Monster Energy and was selected by Right Trailers President Michael Scott to drive the team’s new Mustang. Known for his experience and ability to handle high-horsepower Ford combinations, Roe was brought into the program to pilot the new-to-the-team car.

Now, after making the trip from Florida to Brainerd, Roe and the Right Trailers team will head into Friday’s competition with the best possible starting position: No. 1 qualifier.

But the work isn’t finished.

Chris Roe Racing is officially on the board — and the Mustang is starting from the top.

QUALIFYING AT A GLANCE

Chris Roe — Lecanto, Florida

Class: NHRA Top Sportsman

Event: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series — West Central Division

Track: Brainerd International Raceway — Brainerd, Minnesota

Qualifying position: No. 1 of 24

Elapsed time: 6.378 seconds

Speed: 219.26 mph

Car: Ford GT500 Mustang

Team: Right Trailers

WHAT’S NEXT

Roe heads into Friday’s competition as the No. 1 qualifier, with eliminations beginning at Brainerd International Raceway.

After traveling more than 1,500 miles from Florida, the first chapter of the new Chris Roe Racing era has already delivered a headline.

The next chapter begins tomorrow.