TB Promotions Caps Inaugural Members Only Program with Grand Prize Awarded to Illinois Racer Eric Pavesich

Program reaches 866 members across 43 states and generates 19,874 Grand Prize entries before a $100 Base Member is selected as the inaugural winner.

LOUISVILLE, KY. – What began as one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by TB Promotions officially reached its conclusion this week when Eric Pavesich of Polo, Illinois, was named the winner of the inaugural 2026 TB Promotions Members Only Grand Prize.

Pavesich entered the program as a Base Member with a $100 membership, giving him 10 entries into the Grand Prize drawing. Out of 19,874 total entries, his membership represented approximately a 0.05% chance of winning.

And he won.

His prize is a complete, purpose-built UltraTech Race Fab dragster, powered by an SDPC Raceshop engine and finished by Todd’s Extreme Paint – a combination built to deliver approximately 1,300 horsepower and create the type of prize TB Promotions envisioned when the Members Only concept was first developed.

“Behind marrying my wife and having our son, this may have been one of the most nervous and rewarding moments I’ve ever experienced,” Whitworth said. “We took a leap to make this program happen. There were people who questioned whether it could work, and to see everything come together and provide a life-changing moment for such a deserving young man in our sport is something I’m incredibly proud of.”

More Than a Sweepstakes

Launched for the 2026 racing season, TB Promotions Members Only was designed as a season-long membership platform connecting racers and supporters more closely with TB Promotions while creating additional benefits and opportunities throughout the year.

Membership levels included Base – $100 (10 entries), Silver – $250 (25 entries), Gold – $500 (50 entries), and Platinum -$1,000 (100 entries). Members could also purchase additional entry packages throughout the season, with a published maximum of 2,500 entries per individual.

Membership benefits extended beyond the Grand Prize drawing and included a Members Only T-shirt and decals, digital membership card, exclusive email communications, early-access opportunities, eligibility for the UltraTech Championship Points Series, and special programs such as the Mickey Thompson Try & Buy program.

866 MEMBERS. 43 STATE REPRESENTED. 19,874 GRAND PRIZE ENTRIES.

A Grand Prize Built By the Industry

The Members Only Grand Prize was made possible through the involvement of companies and individuals throughout the sportsman drag racing industry.

At the center of the project was UltraTech Race Fab, led by John Parkes, which supplied the dragster chassis and played an integral role in bringing the project to life. The car was paired with an SDPC Raceshop powerplant and custom finish from Todd’s Extreme Paint, along with support and components from an extensive group of industry partners.

“This wasn’t something Tyler and I did by ourselves,” Whitworth said. “John Parkes, UltraTech, our sponsors, our staff, Shawna and everyone who supported the program played a role. There is a long list of people and companies who believed in what we were trying to accomplish, and they deserve a tremendous amount of credit.”

One $100 Membership

Perhaps the most fitting conclusion to the inaugural season was how the winning entry was ultimately selected.

Pavesich did not accumulate hundreds or thousands of entries. He purchased a Base Membership for $100. That membership provided just 10 of the program’s nearly 20,000 entries. When the winner was selected on September 8, those 10 entries were enough.

“Eric won with a Base Membership,” Whitworth said. “A $100 membership and roughly a five-hundredths-of-one-percent chance – and he won. That’s what makes this so incredible.”

Building Toward 2027

While the 2026 Grand Prize has now been awarded, TB Promotions views the inaugural Members Only season as the foundation for something larger.

The organization has already begun planning the next evolution of the Members Only program for 2027, with the goal of expanding membership participation, member experiences and integration throughout the TB Promotions race season.

If 2026 proved the concept, 2027 is the opportunity to build on it. Additional details will be announced in the coming months.

Project & Program Partners

UltraTech Race Fab, SDPC Raceshop, Todd’s Extreme Paint, Mark Williams, TBM Brakes, Rife Sensors, Holley, Racepak, Simpson, DragRace Solutions, GO Lithium, Mickey Thompson, FTI Transmissions and Converters, Brodix, Get’M, Wiseco, Callies, Jesel, Moroso, House of Payne Performance, WELD Racing, R2R Suspension, JEGS, Lincoln Electric, RTD, MAC Tools, United Garage Door Company, Fuel Factory, RBZ Billet, MRCOOL, Burromax, Paige Pro Products, Dialed In Details, Hero Covers, BAM Lifters, COMP Cams, K&R; Performance, Maxima Racing Oil, Motion Raceworks, MSD, Innovate Glass Works, Extreme Custom Designs, This Is Bracket Racing and Accelerated Graphics.

BIG MONEY. BIG STAGES. BIGGER MOMENTS. 2027 COMING SOON.

For more information about TB Promotions, click here and to see more news from DragChamp, tap here.