Coles County Dragway

08/25/2026

‼️ THIS WEEKEND‼️

We’ve listened to the racers and added a No Box Bonus to the 4th Annual Jim Hooper Memorial Jr. Drag Race!

🏁FRIDAY
King of Illinois Shootout
$100 Entry — Winner Take All
$20 Test-N-Tune — Open to all cars

🏁SATURDAY
JUNIORS — $3,000 to Win
Box/No Box — $2,500 to Win
$500 No Box Bonus

Midwest Carts Golf Cart Race
$1,000 to Win
$300 Runner-Up
$100 Semi
$20 Entry / $10 Buyback

🏁SUNDAY
JUNIORS — $1,500 to Win
Box/No Box — $1,500 to Win
$250 No Box Bonus

BOX / NO BOX ENTRIES
$250 Weekend Double
$130 Weekend Single
Saturday $80 Single Day
Sunday $60 Single Day
$30 Buyback Both Days

We want to make this a great weekend for everyone who comes out to support the race. Your feedback matters, and we’re doing what we can to put more money back into the racers’ hands!

Come race, come watch, and help us make the 4th Annual Jim Hooper Memorial Jr. Drag Race one to remember!

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

NITRO AT NIGHT COMING UP!

08/22/2026

The lanes are filling up as we’re underway at Thunder on the Prairie!

Big show action starts this evening at 4PM!

Be there!

08/22/2026

TODAY at the drags:

Thunder on the Prairie returns to Coles County Dragway!

Don’t miss:

Nitro fuel altereds!
Heads up quick 8 drag racing!
Nostalgia gassers!
And more!

Event Schedule:
​
Saturday, August 22:
​
9 AM: Gates Open / Tech opens
11 AM: Box/No Box combo E1
Run through bracket program. Gasser test runs between rounds.
3:30 PM - Exhibition car parade
4:00 PM - Gasser Shootout TT1
4:30 PM - NITRO warmup
4:45 PM - Quick 8 Q1
5:15 PM - Gasser Shootout E1
5:30 PM - Opening ceremonies
5:35 PM - NITRO match racing
5:45 PM - Quick 8 Q2
6:15 PM - Gasser shootout E2
6:30 PM - Crowd activity
7:00PM - Quick 8 E1
7:15 PM - Gasser shootout E3
7:35 PM - Bracket 1/4s
7:50 PM - Quick 8 E2
8:05 PM - Gasser shootout E4
8:20 PM - Bracket semis
8:30 PM - Quick 8 Final
8:35 PM - Gasser Shootout Final
8:40 PM - Bracket Final
8:45 PM - NITRO match race Final
Complete program
​
Bracket racers:

Gates open at 9AM, time runs at 11AM
75% payback
$60 entry
$30 BB
$100 last no box car standing bonus

Notice on the schedule, we plan on running the 1/4 finals and on as part of the big show!

See you soon!

08/22/2026

Racers:

In the event that we have a large car count, we have access roads marked off to park along the back of the field, which has been mowed and rolled this spring and summer! Please mind the road markers as you’re parking tonight or Saturday morning!

Gates open at 9, Juniors on track at 10:30 AM!

08/22/2026

This is just a taste of what’s coming tomorrow! Thunder on the Prairie! BE THERE!

08/21/2026

Nostalgia gassers are getting warmed up for on track action tonight and tomorrow and Thunder on the Prairie!

Don’t forget about Pete Dove’s Fuel Altered cackle tonight at 7:30!

Gassers! NITRO! Heads up drag racing! And MORE!

Gates open at 5, racing starts at 6pm tonight!

Full event schedule and details on:

www.wastingfuelpromotions.com

08/21/2026

Pete Dove is in the house!

08/21/2026

THIS WEEKEND:

Thunder on the Prairie returns!

Weekend info:

Spectator pricing:

Friday: $10
Saturday: $20 OR $50/carload
Kids 12 and under FREE

Event Schedule:

Friday, August 21:
​
5:00 PM - Gates open
6:00 PM - TNT / Nostalgia Gasser testing begins
7:30 PM - NITRO altered cackle
10:00 PM - TNT concludes
​
Saturday, August 22:
​
9 AM: Gates Open / Tech opens
11 AM: Box/No Box combo E1
Run through bracket program. Gasser test runs between rounds.
3:30 PM - Exhibition car parade
4:00 PM - Gasser Shootout TT1
4:30 PM - NITRO warmup
4:45 PM - Quick 8 Q1
5:15 PM - Gasser Shootout E1
5:30 PM - Opening ceremonies
5:35 PM - NITRO match racing
5:45 PM - Quick 8 Q2
6:15 PM - Gasser shootout E2
6:30 PM - Crowd activity
7:00PM - Quick 8 E1
7:15 PM - Gasser shootout E3
7:35 PM - Bracket 1/4s
7:50 PM - Quick 8 E2
8:05 PM - Gasser shootout E4
8:20 PM - Bracket semis
8:30 PM - Quick 8 Final
8:35 PM - Gasser Shootout Final
8:40 PM - Bracket Final
8:45 PM - NITRO match race Final
Complete program

Don’t miss the event of the year at Coles County Dragway! BE THERE!