SEMA 2025: Hoosier DR3 Drag Radial Shakes Up No-Prep

The arrival of the brand-new Hoosier DR3 drag radial was probably the worst-kept secret on the street and in the pits, but it is undeniably a serious piece of rubber. It has already claimed a trophy, being credited for Jimmy Dale’s recent victory at War in the Woods during its very first competitive outing. That win alone is enough to make people rethink the old rule that drag radials don’t belong in no-prep racing.

The conventional thinking has always been that you need the wrinkling, soft sidewall of a bias-ply slick to survive on virgin concrete or “backside” track surfaces. But everyone knows that, generally speaking, a radial is the faster tire down the track — if you can get it to stick. Hoosier Racing Tires set out to prove that radials could conquer limited-prep surfaces by taking a specific compound used in “other applications” (they wouldn’t spill the beans on exactly what) and applying it to drag racing. The result is a DOT-legal tire that requires just a brief burnout to come alive. That specific heating characteristic should tell you everything you need to know about the chemistry at work here.

We got a look at the tire at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where it was displayed on Pitbull’s Hellion twin-turbo Challenger. Unlike so many SEMA debuts that are months away from production, the DR3 is actually available right now. The launch size is the ubiquitous 275/60R15, priced at $338 a pop, though you can expect the size range to grow. This tire serves as the evolution of the popular DR2, which remains available in a wider range of sizes.

A word of warning for class racers: Check your specific rules before purchasing the DR3 to ensure it’s legal. Given its potential performance advantage, governing bodies might try to put a leash on this formidable new tire. Thankfully, in the no-prep world, the only rule is usually a size limit. Whether you are running a dedicated race car or a street-strip late model, Hoosier has matching front skinnies to complete the look.