THOMPSON, Ohio (Dec. 12, 2025) – NHRA officials are pleased to welcome Kuhnle Motorsports Park to the NHRA Member Track Network as part of the NHRA’s North Central Division (Division 3).
Originally opened in 1958, the historic quarter-mile facility has been a staple in Northeast Ohio motorsports for more than six decades. Known by many longtime racers as one of the region’s most tradition-rich dragstrips, Kuhnle Motorsports Park continues to evolve while staying true to its grassroots racing foundation.
The track was purchased in 2021 by brothers Tom and Kim Kuhnle. The Kuhnle family invested heavily in revitalizing the venue and expanding its offerings. Today, Kuhnle Motorsports Park hosts an eclectic mix of events ranging from nostalgia gasser races to the fan-favorite heavy-duty semi-truck racing, which has become one of the facility’s signature attractions.
“NHRA offers valuable benefits to racers as well as race programs that are exciting for both participants and spectators. This makes them a great fit for our commitment to our racing community and our vision for the future,” said Tom Kuhnle.
“When I got my driver’s license at 16, Thompson Drag Raceway, now Kuhnle Motorsports Park, was one of the first places I would go,” said Kim Kuhnle. “I loved to watch drag racing for hours with a big group of friends. Like so many others who have grown up in this area, a lot of my fondest memories were made at the track.
“Fast forward 40-plus years later and the tables have turned. I am now an owner of Kuhnle Motorsports Park and it’s a bit of a different view from this perspective. There are many moving parts involved with hosting events and it is my goal to continue creating a place for all to enjoy.”
As part of the NHRA Member Track Network, Kuhnle Motorsports Park will also have access to NHRA’s extensive and robust support programs, insurance benefits and national marketing platforms. With this new partnership, the facility will play a key role in promoting grassroots NHRA drag racing and fostering a strong community of racers and fans in the area.
“The NHRA North Central Division is proud to work alongside Kuhnle Motorsports Park as they continue building on their impressive progress,” said William Tharpe, NHRA North Central Division Director. “Under Tom Kuhnle’s leadership and with the strong support of his family and friends, the facility has made tremendous strides in a short time. Their vision and commitment to the sport are clear, and we look forward to seeing that dedication grow within the North Central Division. With opportunities that many tracks can only dream of, Kuhnle Motorsports Park is poised to capitalize in a big way.”
For more information on Kuhnle Motorsports Park, visit https://www.kuhnlemotorsports.com/. For more information on NHRA, including the 2026 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.
About NHRA
NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
