NHRA officials are thrilled to announce Thunder Valley Dragways has joined the NHRA Member Track Network as part of the NHRA’s West Central Division (Division 5).
First opened in 1967 as an NHRA Member Track, Thunder Valley Dragways, which is located between Marion and Parker, S.D., is returning to its original roots in 2025. The track was built and is still owned and operated by Glen Rapp, while Cherrie Engbrecht has been with the track more than 20 years and is the office and track manager.
The facility plays host to a jam-packed schedule from April through September each season, offering a variety of events catered to every type of racer and fan.
“Thunder Valley Dragways is excited to returns to its roots of NHRA and join the West Central Division,” Rapp said. “Our original sanction in 1967 was with NHRA and we’re thrilled to go back in that direction and be part of all the benefits and support the NHRA offers to its member tracks. We’re looking forward to a great 2025 racing season and working with all the amazing racers, teams and fans in the area.”
By joining the NHRA Member Track Network, Thunder Valley Dragways will be eligible to offer racers in the area a variety of NHRA-sanctioned racing opportunities in the future, including the NHRA Summit Racing Series, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA Street Legal, NHRA Jr. Street and more. Additionally, the track will have the chance to host NHRA specialty events like the NHRA Summit King of the Track and more.
The track will also get access to NHRA’s extensive support programs, insurance benefits and national marketing platforms. Along with a great racing environment and a loaded event schedule, Thunder Valley Dragways is well-known in the area for its campground-like pit area setting, which includes more than 100 pit spaces with electricity.
“Thunder Valley Dragways is going to be a fantastic addition to the West Central family,” West Central Division Director Nick Duty said. “We are excited to bring their amazing facility and racers back into the NHRA Member Track network, and to work with Glen and Cherrie to continue building on their 58-year legacy of drag racing in South Dakota. We’re looking forward to hitting the ground running in 2025.”
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