NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Fortunately for newly crowned Right Trailers Top Dragster world champ Cody Webber, not everything that happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Webber, who hails from Kingman, Ariz., made the trip to Las Vegas three times in 2024 and was rewarded with two wins and a runner-up, and the valuable points he earned in those three events were key to his world championship drive.  

Webber had never previously posted a national event win or a top-10 finish, but he did have a respectable season in 2023, where he went to a pair of divisional final rounds and finished No. 21 in the nation. He also made the JEGS Allstars team in 2020 and has an extensive résumé in the Jr. Drag Racing League, including a win at the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals. 

All of that helped prepare him for what was to come this season. Webber began modestly when he won a few rounds at the Division 7 doubleheader at Firebird Motorsports Park. A few weeks later, his fortunes took a turn for the better when he won the national and divisional events back-to-back in Las Vegas. It was part of a wild weekend that also included wins by his father, Bill, and brother, Chad.  

“Las Vegas is my home track. It’s only two hours away, and we used to bracket race there every weekend, so I probably have a little more information than some of the out-of-towners,” said Webber. “When I won those two races back-to-back, I was just living in the moment and trying to process what happened. I’d never done anything like that.” 

Even then, Webber wasn’t thinking about a title, but his family had a differing opinion.  

“After the second [divisional] win, my brother said, ‘Dude, you’re going to win the world.’ I thought he was just talking big, but I’m glad he was right.”   

Webber boosted his chances with a runner-up finish at the Division 7 race at Famoso Dragstrip in Bakersfield and then added a semifinal at the Texas NHRA FallNationals in Dallas for good measure. 

Historically, few drivers are able to secure a championship without feeling at least some pressure, and Webber was no exception. Late in the season, he was among the top-four or -five leading contenders and made a return trip to Las Vegas for the final divisional event of the season. Needing another strong showing to fend off Dylan Hough and Mark Grame, who ultimately finished second and third, Webber got just what he needed. 

No one likes losing a final round, but when Webber fouled in the Las Vegas final against Hough, it likely didn’t hurt too much as he’d already accumulated enough points to nearly secure the title. At that point, his only threat was Grame, who passed on a chance to race in Pomona.  

“That race was tough, but with each round, I got more and more confident,” said Webber. “I was also battling Bradley Johnson for the Division 7 title, and he lost right in front of me, so the round I needed to take the lead was also for the division title. I was actually pretty calm, and I didn’t drive well but got the win anyway. I didn’t know it at the time, but all my friends and family came out to the starting line. I’m glad I didn’t see them.” 

Webber made a phone call to Grame just to confirm he wasn’t going to enter the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, and that’s when the celebration began. 

“I don’t know if I can put any of this into words, but I’m going to try. I never thought that I would ever be a world champion, but it happened,” Webber said. “It was truly a dream come true. None of this has sunk in the slightest. I’ve never had a top-10 finish before, and to put a No. 1 on the side of the car is unbelievable.” 

Webber, who works as a CNC machinist, gets a lot of support from his family as well as Hughes Converters, Joey Hessling at APD, Mike Judson at Mickey Thompson, Sureway Engine & Machine, and Kyle Fickler at ProCharger. He also thanked his co-workers at B&J Engineering and the Kowalski, Theobald, Vetter, and Motter families. 

“We had quite a year as a family,” Webber reflected. “My dad and brother both made the JEGS Allstars in Top Dragster and Super Comp. Dad won the Division 7 championship in Super Comp, and I finished No. 1. I’m not sure what will happen in 2025, but I’m definitely going to chase it and hopefully defend the title.” 

Read more 2024 NHRA world champion profiles