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Picillo's title-clinching Super Stock win highlights Vegas Sportsman action

Six Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series racers collected event wins at the Mopar NHRA Las Vegas Nationals presented by Dodge., including Justin Picillo, whose Super Stock win also clinched the world championship.
04 Nov 2026
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Sportsman

Six Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series racers collected event wins at the Mopar NHRA Las Vegas Nationals presented by Dodge. The final rounds in Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp, and Top Dragster will be completed at the West Region/Division 7 event the following weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Melanie Johnson, daughter of hall of fame nitro tuner Alan Johnson and niece of four-time Top Alcohol Dragster champ Blaine Johnson, added to the famed family’s legacy with her first national event win, driving her Rich McPhillips-tuned Speedmaster dragster to victory over veteran Jackie Fricke in the final.

In the most important final round of his career, Justin Picillo not only won the event but clinched the 2026 Lucas Oil Series Super Stock title with a final round win over Casey Youngstrom. Picillo excelled under pressure with a .012 light and a 9.526 on his 9.52 dial.

Jeff Adkinson remains in contention for the 2026 Stock title after a clutch victory in Las Vegas. The Gainesville champ drove to a 9.437 on his 9.42 dial to upend six-time world champ Justin Lamb, who dropped to a 9.625 on his 9.59 dial.

Toby Payne followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Brad Anderson; parents, Jay and Shelly Payne; and sister Madison Payne to become an NHRA national event champion. Payne, previously a three-time runner-up, collected his first Wally with a 9.08 to 9.19 final-round decision over Blu Hayball.

Five years after his breakthrough victory in this event in Super Street, Nick Alejandre was back in the winner’s circle in Super Gas after defeating world championship contender Jordan Pratt in the final, where Pratt broke out by .006-second.

Appearing in an historic 25th national event final, Ed Olpin cashed for the 12th time with a final-round win over Aaron Steinkey in Right Trailers Top Sportsman. Olpin gained a .01-second lead at the start and cruised to the win after Steinkey slowed.