Improving on her third place points finish in 2018 in the Top Alcohol Dragster category of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Rachel Meyer closes out her third year in the class with a second place points finish in the Central Region.

 

Rachel competed in 9 NHRA events in 2019, including the Jegs AllStars event where she posted a runner-up finish. She also made appearances at two other NHRA National events, the Heartland Nationals and the U.S. Nationals.

 

“I’ve always wanted to compete in the prestigious Jegs AllStars, and I finally earned my spot this year,” said Rachel. “It was a tie between Dean Dubbin and I to represent the Central Region and I had won the tie breaker to save my spot; that’s why this race stands out the most to me this year. Also, it was the very first time my new car from Chase Copeland had been down the track and it performed amazing. I made it all the way to the finals and raced one of the best drivers in our class, Joey Severance, and lost by .001 of a second. He is the defending AllStars champion, as well as the defending National points leader, and I had almost beat him. First round of the Route 66 Chicago Nationals I was up against the only car faster than me and lost. It sucks I didn’t go any rounds in the National race, but the dragster performed beyond my expectations.

 

 

“The U.S. Nationals also stand out to me because I have always wanted to race Indy after watching my dad race at the biggest drag race for years. I know how much this race means to my family and how much it means to me, so I did not want to pass up this race this year. It was really special for me to be a part of it this year, especially getting the chance to race against my sister. Hopefully I will be able to continue to compete at Indy and one day I will win it.”

 

3 months after the season had started, the Randy Meyer Racing Team announced their partnership with Menards and Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels for Rachel Meyer and Julie Nataas, and brought out Rachel’s new A/Fuel Dragster for the girls to display their new title sponsor. The team has worked with Menards for the past couple of years and was happy to continue their partnership and bring a new product into the stores to promote. This is also the first time that Dot’s Pretzels was introduced to drag racing, and it has been a huge hit at the race tracks between spectators and race teams.

 

 

Rachel clinched two top qualifiers at Belle Rose and Indianapolis Regional events this year, and made her way to 5 final rounds, winning the Belle Rose race in Louisiana. The Randy Meyer Racing Team, with four other drivers, has been the low qualifier 12 times this year, and has won over 10 NHRA events this year.

 

“I think this year we were so successful because of the efficient program we have with our guys. All the data we’ve gathered from past years, along with the amazing crew members we have, has helped us make it to the finals at almost every race this year. It helps that we have the ability to take our cars to almost every NHRA race, putting more runs on them and collecting more data. Without my dad, Adrian, or the crew, I do not think we would be as successful as we are.”

 

 

In 2018, Rachel raced in only 7 NHRA events made up of one National race and 6 Regionals. She made it totwo final rounds and won her first Top Alcohol Dragster race at her home track in Topeka, Kansas, earning enough points to place in the top three of the Lucas Oil Central Regional Series. This year, she only competed in 5 Regional races, but earned enough points to clinch the number two position, only 63 points behind her sister, Megan Meyer.

 

“I am happy I have placed second in Regional points this year, that was an improvement from last year. I hope next year that I can win the Region and knock out Megan from being the defending Regional champion.”

 

Since Rachel is a full-time product engineer at Leggett & Platt Automotive Group, she isn’t able to compete on a full-time schedule following the NHRA circuit. However, she still competes down the strip almost every weekend at her local bracket races with her Super Comp dragster, and new S10 pickup truck.

 

“I started out this year strong in my Super Comp dragster; I won the first race of the year and was doing good going rounds. However, I have got in a slump recently and have been struggling to make it past second round. I have an amazing car I just need to perform better as a driver. I only have one points race left this year, and I hope to finish in the top 15 out of 40 drivers in our class.

 

“My goals for 2020 would be to finally win a NHRA National event. I also would like to win the Regional championship and place top ten in the National level. As far as bracket racing goes, I plan to get my bracket truck going and switch up from the dragster to foot-break drag racing. But, if I don’t get it finished over the winter I will stick with my dragster and hopefully place top 5 at my local track.”