Brian Inouye Will Make NHRA Top Fuel Debut

The driver will compete in the NHRA Midwest Nationals behind the wheel of a dragster owned by Luigi Novelli.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Motorsports

Expressionist illustration of a top fuel dragster accelerating at high speed on a drag strip with vibrant orange and silver paint. — Driver Brian Inouye will make his professional NHRA Top Fuel debut at the Midwest Nationals, piloting the dragster owned by Luigi Novelli. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Brian Inouye is set to make his NHRA Top Fuel racing debut at the upcoming NHRA Midwest Nationals. He will pilot the Natural Machine Repair dragster for team owner Luigi Novelli after successfully upgrading his license.

Why it matters

The move marks a significant professional transition for Inouye, who has spent years competing in the Nitro Chaos series and A/Fuel drag racing circuit. Securing a seat with the Luigi Novelli team provides him the opportunity to compete at the highest level of NHRA competition.

Inouye brings experience from five years of competition in the Nitro Chaos series to his new role. He has been involved in the sport since he was five or six years old, when he first began frequenting the Hirata Motorsports pit.

The players

Brian Inouye

He is a motorsports driver who is transitioning to the NHRA Top Fuel category after a career in the Nitro Chaos series.

Luigi Novelli

He is a professional racing team owner who invited Inouye to join his squad and operate the Natural Machine Repair dragster.

The details

Luigi Novelli and his team invited Inouye to obtain his license, facilitating his entry into the sport's premier category. The collaboration places Inouye in the cockpit of the Natural Machine Repair dragster for the Midwest Nationals event.

Late 1990s: Inouye began visiting the Hirata Motorsports pit.
2018: Inouye started driving A/Fuel race cars.
Last five years: Inouye competed in the Nitro Chaos racing series.

Season Trajectory

Inouye entering the Top Fuel field changes the competitive landscape for veteran teams at the NHRA Midwest Nationals. His transition signals a shift in the driver pool as newer talent moves up from the regional Nitro Chaos circuit to challenge established professionals.

Fans tracking the NHRA Midwest Nationals will see Inouye piloting the Natural Machine Repair dragster as he begins his professional career in the class. This debut impacts the entry list and overall driver competition levels for the event.

The takeaway

Advancing from regional series like Nitro Chaos to the Top Fuel class demonstrates the clear development pathway available for dedicated drivers in the NHRA. Aspiring racers often spend years building their resumes in lower-tier categories before securing professional-level sponsorship and rides.