NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Tom Bayer’s School of Drag Racing coming to Indianapolis and Bakersfield

The weekend after the world’s biggest drag race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Tom Bayer’s School of Drag Racing will host a special two-day licensing class in Indianapolis on Sept. 11-12.
04 Aug 2026
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Tom Bayer

The weekend after the world’s biggest drag race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Tom Bayer’s School of Drag Racing will host a special two-day licensing class in Indianapolis on Sept. 11-12.

The well-renowned school, which started more than 25 years ago, will also hold a two-day licensing class at Famoso Dragstrip on Oct. 15-16 in Bakersfield, Calif., offering participants a marquee opportunity to earn their NHRA competition license.

The two-day class in Indy takes place just after the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals on Sept. 2-7, giving students a chance to license and learn the sport of NHRA Drag Racing just after the most prestigious race in the sport.

The classes are designed for everyone, from beginners in the sport to established racers, helping experienced drivers improve and giving newcomers the chance to become NHRA licensed racers and competitive drivers.

The two-day program at Tom Bayer’s School of Drag Racing includes detailed and comprehensive classroom training to learn drag racing fundamentals and safety, as well as one-on-one instruction. Participants will also get to drive and license in a 150-mph dragster, building up to an eight-second run over the course of six passes to earn their license under expert supervision from Bayer and his team.

Bayer and his team have extensive experience in NHRA Drag Racing, bringing more than four decades of expertise to the track. He has enjoyed impressive success on the track, too, as a multitime NHRA event winner in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, while his students have had significant accomplishments over the years as well.

The two-day event at Famoso Dragstrip takes place the weekend before another major event, with the California Hot Rod Reunion — featuring the thrilling Nitro Revival — taking place at the standout facility on Oct. 23-25.