The BAKER Drags Are Back for 2026! Bert Baker is bringing back the legendary run what ya brung drag races to Sturgis. “You may have heard the exciting news about Thunder Road Raceway — formerly Sturgis Dragway — running again, and we are thrilled to officially announce that we are back at the strip for 2026. “Mark your calendars: Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
“This year, we’re shifting gears to turn this event into a dedicated benefit for the track and the motorcycle industry we all love,” says drivetrain engineer turned entrepreneur, “We live by one rule for this event: Powered by the industry, free for the people. Our goal is simple — keep the staging lanes open and the racing 100% free for everyone. There is no catch, and there are no entry fees for riders or spectators.” In a word: FREEdom.
“If you’ve never dumped the clutch on a drag strip, this is your chance to drop the excuses and finally make a pass down the track because every rider needs to experience that thrill at least once,” Baker ads. “There is nothing quite like the rush of dropping the hammer and seeing what your motorcycle can really do.” Just don’t make a couple dozen passes on the bike you have to ride home after the Rally (don’t ask us how we know that).
“How do we keep it completely free? Because the industry has our back. We’ve invited an incredible group of partners to join us in an effort that prioritizes the track and the community,” notes Baker. Joining in the fun are the 2026 sponsors:
Andrews Products
Brock’s Performance
D&D Exhaust
Law Tigers
Ramjet Racing
Trask Performance
Dream Rides Tennessee
ThunderMax EFI
Ward Performance
Zipper’s Performance
Cycle Source Magazine
Spectro Performance Oils
Drag Specialties
He notes that every single dollar raised will be donated directly to Thunder Road Raceway to help revamp and preserve the facility. “This is about the motorcycle community coming together to preserve the spirit of motorcycle drag racing and the facilities that make it possible. Dragstrips all over the country have been closing down, and we refuse to let another one fade away.”
