NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Tony Schumacher, Robert Hight, Erica Enders, Andrew Hines, and Peter Biondo have been announced as the first new members of NHRA’s Top 75 Drivers list. Five new additions to the prestigious list will be unveiled each Monday through Feb. 2.

As part of NHRA’s 75th Anniversary celebration in 2026, a panel of drag racing experts was convened to expand the Top 50 Drivers list from NHRA’s 2001 50th Anniversary season to a roster of the Top 75 Drivers from the NHRA’s first three-quarters of a century. These are the first five of 25 additions.

Schumacher’s extraordinary success, which included eight Top Fuel world championships and 88 race wins — a record 10 of which came at the NHRA U.S. Nationals — was just one part of the dominance of the Don Schumacher Racing dynasty founded by his late father, Don, which amassed a total of 367 NHRA national event wins and 19 season championships.

“I’m proud as hell to be recognized on this list,” said Schumacher. “I think I have been blessed with having teams that are capable, at any given time, of putting me in record books, and I'm going to be able to look back at this with pride. It's little moments like this that remind me how much fun the sport is.”

For three decades, Hight helped define John Force Racing, rising from clutch specialist to three-time Funny Car world champion. Raised in Northern California, Hight learned nitro racing as a crewmember before debuting as a driver in 2005. He earned 65 NHRA wins, three season titles, and lasting fan admiration across multiple eras of drag racing before retiring at the end of the 2023 season.

"This is really cool," said Hight. "I'm a big fan and still love the history of the sport, and to be named alongside some of the historic and current people on this list is very cool. I'm honored."

Enders began racing at age 8 and quickly rose through the ranks, making history as the first woman to reach a Pro Stock final in 2005. After her first Pro Stock win in 2012, she became a dominant force, capturing six world titles and 50 national event wins. Enders’ 2022 season was especially impressive, with 10 wins in 13 finals.

"This is a huge honor," she said. "I/we have dedicated our whole lives to the sport, and to see the success that we've had, especially over the last 10 to 12 years at Elite, is nothing short of amazing. I'm honored to be added to the list with some of my childhood heroes, including Bob Glidden, with whom I had the honor of working during my career. I've come a long way from Jr. Dragster back in the early '90s to getting ready to start my 22nd year in Pro Stock, and being able to work with a legend like Bob Glidden, and to join him and the greats of all time, is pretty surreal."

Hines followed the family’s legacy of Pro Stock Motorcycle success established by his father, Byron, and older brother Matt, and established himself as a dominant force, earning six championships and becoming the class’ winningest rider with 56 victories. Hines won his first race at the 2004 NHRA Gatornationals and followed it up with three consecutive championships and in 2005, he made history by running the first six-second elapsed time in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

“Starting off, I never thought I’d do something like this," said Hines. "It all goes back to the day my dad said, ‘This [racing] would probably be a good career move for you.' Obviously, that has paid off in spades. Early on, I got to chase some of the greats of the class, including Dave [Schultz], John [Myers], and my brother, Matt. Tying Dave with six championships was pretty special. I also remember NHRA’s 50th anniversary and seeing all the legends. That was cool, and it's cool to see it come full circle and be here 25 years later.”

Biondo, the fiercely competitive “Terminator” from Maspeth, N.Y., is among NHRA’s most accomplished Sportsman racers. Introduced to drag racing by his family, he earned seven world championships across multiple classes and 52 national event wins. Dominating divisions nationwide, Biondo built a legacy of versatility, consistency, and elite performance unmatched in Sportsman racing history.

“I haven’t raced for a bit since I started a family but this is a great surprise," said Biondo. "I feel privileged and honored. I would say that I did all I wanted to do. I put forth the dedication and commitment, and, luckily, the results followed. I still have the itch, and there’s a good chance you’ll see me out there again soon.”

The original Top 50 Drivers remain a foundational part of the new Top 75 Drivers list, with historical figures such as Don Garlits, John Force, Don Prudhomme, and Shirley Muldowney celebrated alongside current stars, with the full list showcasing NHRA’s best across all eras.

The 25 new additions were selected for their excellence over the last 25 years and include the best from NHRA’s Professional and Sportsman classes.

When the list is completely revealed, fans can purchase a commemorative book saluting the Top 75 Drivers, a keepsake packed with photos and profiles of each of the 75 drivers.

Original  Top 50  Racers (2001)
Joe Amato	Brad Anderson	Dale Armstrong	Pat Austin	Raymond Beadle
Gary Beck	Kenny Bernstein	Willie Borsch	Art Chrisman	Jack Chrisman
Jim Dunn	Malcolm Durham	John Force	Don Garlits	Bob Glidden
Darrell Gwynn	Frank Hawley	Eddie Hill	Tommy Ivo	Bill Jenkins
Blaine Johnson	Warren Johnson	Connie Kalitta	Chris Karamesines	Dick LaHaie
Jim Liberman	Frank Manzo	Ed McCulloch	Tom McEwen	Billy Meyer
George Montgomery	Shirley Muldowney	John Mulligan	Don Nicholson	Danny Ongais
Don Prudhomme	David Rampy	Edmond Richardson	Scotty Richardson	Pete Robinson
Dave Schultz	Lee Shepherd	Gene Snow	Ronnie Sox	Richard Tharp
Mickey Thompson	Elmer Trett	Terry Vance	Ken Veney	James Warren