Story By: ELON WERNER / DRAG RACE BRACKET BONANZA – DALLAS, TX – Prior to the 2023 edition of the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals Werner Communications LLC launched Drag Race Bracket Bonanza, the first free online drag racing bracket fantasy game.
One year later Drag Race Bracket Bonanza has grown into one of the most popular fantasy games in motorsports with event winners coming from 34 different states and four countries around the world.
Recognized as an NHRA marketing partner, Drag Race Bracket Bonanza, has also worked with several companies to further enhance the game experience with extra prizes and recognition.
“I have been blown away by the global response and interest to Drag Race Bracket Bonanza,” said Elon Werner, president of Werner Communications. “We offered seven brackets at the end of 2023 and in 2024 we are wrapping up the regular season and about to go into the Countdown for the second time. The number of players has increased during every national event since we launched DRBB. We continue to get positive responses on social media and our email marketing from players who love picking their drivers and winning prizes.”
Throughout the development of DRBB one of the hallmarks has been the driver signed national event plaques. To date 28 different drivers have signed plaques for category and overall winners. In addition to the plaques, companies like Summit Racing Equipment have provided gift certificates, PEAK Antifreeze offered John Force Racing signed items during their sponsorship of the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals in Chicago and Hagan Cattle Company, who sponsored the Virginia Nationals, provided the top five winners with premium beef as a bonus.
“The support we have received from the drivers willing to sign and personalize the winner’s plaques has been tremendous. Antron Brown has added signed items in addition to signing plaques. And drivers like Bob Tasca III and Angie Smith have created leagues and promoted the platform via their social media content,” said Werner. “Having companies like PEAK, Summit Racing Equipment and Hagan Cattle Company also support the game shows that we are a viable marketing tool in the NHRA. We are talking with additional companies about continuing to grow our prize options and help get the word out to more players. I want more than just the diehard NHRA fan playing. DRBB is easy and fun and anyone who likes sports will love making picks and following their brackets on NHRA.TV or the FOX networks.”
As DRBB heads into the Countdown for the second time players making picks during the six race playoff series will be vying for one of three DRBB championship belts as well as individual national event plaques. For the overall season series, a one-of-a-kind autographed Impact helmet awaits the overall winner and the top 20 finishers will receive Summit Racing Equipment gift certificates.
Midway through the 2024 season Werner Communications LLC, transferred ownership of DRBB to the newly formed company, Werner G+E LLC, to further grow the property as well align with other game and entertainment initiatives such as new TV show Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull and additional entertainment opportunities. The move also allowed for the hiring of Forward Sports Marketing to facilitate the addition of new sponsors and marketing partners.
“We want to make sure Drag Race Bracket Bonanza moves into its second full year and the 2025 NHRA drag racing season in a strong position to continue to grow with more players around the world, more series inside the season and more prizes,” added Werner.