The Randy Meyer Racing Team wrapped up the NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas with Australian driver Cheyne Phillips making his long-awaited debut in the United States behind the wheel of the GUNK Top Alcohol Dragster, while Canadian driver McKenna Bold continued her rookie campaign in the Diezel Excavating Dragster.
Phillips impressed in his first-ever NHRA race, qualifying No. 4 with a stellar 5.221-second pass at 274.27 mph, marking a new personal best. In the opening round of eliminations, he faced veteran Mike Austin in one of the closest races of the weekend. Phillips ran a 5.285 at 269.51 mph to Austin’s 5.292 at 270.97 mph, with the margin of victory just 0.0053 seconds—approximately two feet at the finish line.
“Las Vegas went well for my first outing in the Gunk / Randy Meyer Racing dragster,” said Phillips. “I felt comfortable straight away and came away with new personal bests of 5.22 at 274 mph. As always, I’m ready to go quicker, faster, and hopefully turn on some win lights. Pomona is such an iconic track that I’ve dreamed of racing at for a long time, and with 23 cars going after just 16 spots in the field — plus the potential for weather interruptions — it’s going to be an exciting event and extremely tough to qualify for. Whoever wins this one is going to have to work for it.”
Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals
McKenna Bold qualified No. 12 with a 5.303 at 271.90 mph and matched up against Jackie Fricke in the first round. Bold had the starting line advantage, but Fricke powered ahead just past the Christmas Tree and held the lead to the stripe. Bold’s 5.338 at 266.95 mph fell short to Fricke’s 5.280 at 267.27 mph.
“Heading into Pomona, I can’t believe we were here eight months ago for my debut, and now we’re back for my last race of my rookie year,” said Bold. “It has flown by. We haven’t had the performance we had hoped for toward the end of the season, but I am confident we can end the year on a high note and hopefully park the Diezel Excavating dragster in the winner’s circle one more time this year.”
The Randy Meyer Racing team will now head to Pomona, California, for the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, marking the final event of the 2025 season. With a stacked 22-car Top Alcohol Dragster field and the sport’s biggest stage on deck, both Phillips and Bold are ready to close out the year with strong performances.
The team has a proven record of success at Pomona, having won this event in 2024 with Julie Nataas and again in 2023 with Hunter Green, and they’re eager to defend their title and finish the season on top.
Randy Meyer Racing’s main drivers, McKenna Bold and Matt Cummings, are both on track to finish the season inside the Top 10 of the national standings. Cummings has already secured his points total for the year and currently sits 2nd, while Bold still has the opportunity to gain more, with her sights set firmly on breaking into the Top 5 to cap off an impressive rookie season.
