Big Money, Big Wins: Champions Crowned at the 31st Annual Million Dollar Drag Race

Willenborg, Rallinson, Chun, Gulitti, and Grams claimed victories during the 31st Annual Mickey Thompson Million Dollar Drag Race at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Photos & Recap provided by the Million Dollar Drag Race

MADISON, IL- The 31st Annual Mickey Thompson Million Dollar Race took place September 22-26, 2026, at World Wide Technology Raceway, continuing more than three decades of history for one of the biggest and most prestigious events in bracket racing.

For 31 years, the Million has brought together some of the best bracket racers in the country, all chasing the opportunity to make history and add their name to an elite list of Million Dollar Race champions. Year after year, the event remains one of the most anticipated stops on many racers schedules.

The nearly weeklong event featured the TBM Brakes $25K Tuesday, three Summit $50Ks, No Box Bonuses, and, of course, the legendary Mickey Thompson Million Dollar Friday main event.

See full event results and more below!

TBM Brakes $25K Tuesday

A field of 548 entries rolled under the tower first round, and when the dust settled, a hometown favorite was holding the big check! Eric Willenborg picked up the $25,000 victory at World Wide Technology Raceway, defeating Heath Davis in an all-door-car final round.

Racing close to home, Willenborg earned his first-ever Million Dollar Drag Race event win after a day where he said everything finally came together. His car was on point, he caught a few breaks when he needed them, and the same round-by-round routine with his crew carried him all the way to the winner’s circle.

Willenborg had a long list of people to thank, but highlighted his family, friends and his girlfriend for being behind his self-described “little man racing” operation.

From 548 entries to one winner — Eric Willenborg is your TBM Brakes $25K Tuesday champion! Congrats to Eric and Heath both on an incredible day of racing!

Summit Racing Equipment Wednesday $50K

Dylan Rallinson found his way to the champagne winner’s circle Wednesday night, capturing the Summit Racing Equipment $50,000 Main Event during the 31st Annual Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels Million Dollar Race at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Rallinson, behind the wheel of his American Race Cars dragster, worked his way through a massive field before meeting Cullman, Alabama’s Hunter Whitehead in the $50,000 final round.

The final was decided at the starting line when Whitehead turned it just -.002 red, handing the victory to the young gun Rallinson and sending him into the winner’s circle for one of the biggest victories of his career.

For Rallinson, the moment carried a little extra meaning after remembering how his previous opportunity on a big stage ended.

“In my last big final round winner’s circle, I turned it red, so it was a great improvement from my last time,” Rallinson said.

Rallinson thanked his parents along with everyone at Monroe, crediting the racers he competes alongside for continuing to push him and make him better with every lap down the racetrack.

John DiPiazza was the lone semifinalist, putting together an impressive run of his own through Wednesday’s enormous field.

When the long day of racing finally came down to one last pair, it was Dylan Rallinson standing in the winner’s circle — $50,000 richer and with some champagne to celebrate a much different ending to his latest big-money final round.

Summit Racing Equipment Thursday $50K

The young guns continue to take over at the 31st Annual Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels Million Dollar Race.

Cooper Chun captured Thursday’s Summit Racing Equipment $50,000 Main Event at World Wide Technology Raceway, defeating Rocky McLain in an all-dragster final round.

Driving Dylan Guy’s dragster, Chun was ready when McLain left the starting line just a little too soon with a -.009 red light, handing Chun the $50,000 victory.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Chun said after the win. “I’ve made 60 runs in six days. I want to thank Hoosier, my dad, my girlfriend and her parents back home. I’ve made over 100 runs in this car over the last six months, so that has helped.”

This marks Chun’s second win at the Million Dollar Race, after also winning the TBM Brakes Tuesday 20k Race in 2024 at the 29th Annual Million.

And one thing has become very clear this week — the young guns are taking over.

They’ve now won Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, putting together an impressive run heading into the biggest race of the year.

Three straight days. Three young guns in the winner’s circle.

31st Annual Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels Million Dollar Race

Cory Gulitti captured the 31st Annual Mickey Thompson Million Dollar Race win, picking up the final-round win over Lee Zane. If you would like to see the full recap click here.

Summit Racing Equipment Saturday $50K

Jason Grams and his Vega have been turning on win lights around this area for a long, long time. But Saturday night, at his home track, Grams finally turned on the one that earned him his first-ever big-money victory AND his first Million event win.

Two local warriors squared up in the all door-car final round with Grams defeating Dan Smith to capture the final Summit Racing Equipment $50K of the weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway.

After years of racing and winning right here in his own backyard, getting his first big one — and his first Million event victory — at home made this one that much sweeter.

“Just glad to be here right now,” Grams said in the winner’s circle.

$50,000. First big-money win. First Million event win. At home. Talk about a full-circle moment.

And with that final win light, the 31st annual Mickey Thompson Million Dollar Drag Race is officially in the books!

Congratulations to all winners and finalists from the 31st Anniversary of the Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels Million Dollar Race at World Wide Technology Raceway.

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