Steve Zeuner VP Racing Lubricants 2025 Sportsman Champion

Last Updated on February 27, 2026 by WWTR

By Jeremy Rosenstengel

Photos by Keke Lipford

Every racer who dreams of competing starts somewhere. At most tracks across the country, including World Wide Technology Raceway, that dream begins in the Sportsman class, unless you’re in the Jr. Dragster or high school programs. Sportsman is designed as the entry-level class: street cars, no trans-brake, and ET cutoffs around 11.60 in the quarter mile for safety. It’s where the heart races, friendships form, and drivers learn the techniques they’ll need to succeed. Two cars side by side, adrenaline pumping—that’s where it all begins.

That’s exactly how Steve Zeuner started back in 2003. His brother had been racing at WWTR for a couple of years in an S-10. One night, his brother had a battery failure, and Steve and his dad jumped into Steve’s brand-new Dodge Dakota to help. When Steve arrived, he was hooked—the sights, the sounds, the excitement. And then he learned WWTR had a weekly racing program. Before long, Steve was making passes in that same Dakota. Fast forward 23 years, and Steve is still here, racing nearly every week.

Over the years, Steve’s truck got faster, and his skills sharper. He began double-entering Sportsman and Pro classes weekly. He joined Luke Bogacki’s This Is Bracket Racing Elite and climbed the ranks—top 15, then top 10, then top 5 in points. He became a regular on Team Gateway and now Team WWTR at the NHRA North Central Division 3 Summit E.T. Finals. Competitors noticed his progress, especially after Steve landed in the winner’s circle at the ET Finals Friday night gamblers race last year. Everyone knew big things were coming for Steve.

The 2025 season didn’t start perfectly. Four-time Sportsman Champion Craig Powell won the first two races. No surprise there, but Steve managed a runner-up in one of those events. Then came race three: Steve broke through and took the win. Suddenly, Craig’s lead was shrinking, and Steve was in the hunt. Add in third generation racer and last year’s champion, young Luke Beach, and Sportsman now became a battleground.

It all came down to the final weekend. Zeuner, Powell, and Beach were locked in a fierce fight for the championship. Saturday night’s final, paired Steve against Luke Beach—and Steve took the win. That victory sealed the deal. Sunday’s race was rained out, and Steve captured the title by 11 points over Powell and 19 over Beach.

When asked about his winning formula, Steve quoted his mentor Ron Hendrickson: “You usually need two wins in a season to take the championship.” And that’s exactly what Steve delivered.

Steve credits his success to his incredible wife, Sheril. Without her support—tracking points, managing things at home, feeding him, and caring for the dogs—this wouldn’t have been possible. He also thanks Ron Hendrickson, engine builder Doug Albeitz of AMT, Mid Coast Performance for engine swaps, and Luke Bogacki and This Is Bracket Racing Elite for their guidance.

On behalf of WWTR, congratulations to our 2025 Sportsman Class Champion, Steve Zeuner, on an outstanding season!