Competition Eliminator Racers Head to Finals at NHRA Event
The final showdown for the $20,000 prize takes place this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Motorsports
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Drag racers took to the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday as qualifying rounds and early eliminations wrapped up for the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals. Jeff Taylor and Taylor Chomiski now advance to the final round to compete for a $20,000 purse in the Competition Eliminator category.
Why it matters
The NHRA Las Vegas Nationals draw top-tier talent to the valley for marquee motorsport events, impacting traffic near the speedway and driving local tourism. The weekend competition highlights the technical precision required in high-stakes drag racing.
Competitors posted top qualifying times including a 6.163-second run at 238.05 mph by Kirk Lanz in Top Sportsman and 6.109 seconds by Aaron Steinkey in Top Dragster. The event culminates in a final $20,000 showdown between Jeff Taylor and Taylor Chomiski.
The players
Jeff Taylor
A finalist in the Competition Eliminator bracket at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals.
Taylor Chomiski
A finalist competing against Jeff Taylor for the $20,000 top prize.
Scott Libersher
The top qualifier in the Competition Eliminator class.
Kirk Lanz
The lead qualifier in the Top Sportsman category.
The details
Drivers delivered consistent performances relative to class indexes during Thursday sessions to secure their standing. Scott Libersher set the pace in Competition Eliminator with a 7.793-second run, while Jim Grossi Jr. and Daniel Williams topped the Super Stock and Stock Eliminator brackets respectively. Taylor punched his ticket to the finals after defeating Mike Dahl in the semifinals.
Timeline
Qualifying and early eliminations were held on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Beyond the Strip
The NHRA Las Vegas Nationals remains a cornerstone of the annual racing calendar at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This year's competition continues the long-standing tradition of bringing national-level motorsports to the valley.
Traffic around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will remain heavier than usual through the conclusion of the event weekend. Drivers heading north on I-15 toward the speedway should anticipate increased congestion during peak spectator arrival times.
The takeaway
Keep an eye on the Competition Eliminator final round to see if Jeff Taylor or Taylor Chomiski secures the $20,000 prize. Check the official speedway schedule for updated heat times throughout the remainder of the weekend.
Further reading
For more updates on local track events, visit our Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Competition Plus.
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