Cory Costin Wins $68,000 Dragster in Spring Fling Million Shootout

Alabama racer delivers a clinic at the starting line to take home the grand prize.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:12am

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In a pressure-packed 32-car shootout at the Spring Fling Million event in Las Vegas, Cory Costin from Alabama emerged victorious, winning a brand-new $68,000 dragster. Costin's impressive string of reaction times, including a near-perfect .001 in the semifinals, proved to be the difference as he defeated Nacho Rivera in the final round.

Why it matters

The Spring Fling Million is one of the biggest bracket racing events of the year, drawing top competitors from across the country who compete for life-changing prizes like a new race car. Costin's victory showcases the intense level of skill and precision required to win such a high-stakes event.

The details

The 32-Car Shootout was the highlight of Advanced Product Design Tuesday at the Spring Fling Million, with the winner taking home a brand-new American Race Cars dragster equipped with a Riggeal's Performance Fiberglass carbon body. Over the final four rounds, Costin posted a combined reaction time of just .017, including a near-perfect .001 in the semifinals to defeat Bug McCarty. In the final, Costin faced off against Nacho Rivera from Mexico, who ran a perfect dial-in but couldn't overcome Costin's starting line advantage, with the Alabama racer taking the win.

  • The 32-Car Shootout took place on Advanced Product Design Tuesday at the Spring Fling Million event.
  • The main events of the Spring Fling Million week will continue throughout the week, with Biondo Racing Products Wednesday featuring a 401-car field battling for a $30,000 payout.

The players

Cory Costin

The Alabama racer who won the $68,000 dragster in the 32-Car Shootout at the Spring Fling Million event.

Nacho Rivera

The runner-up in the 32-Car Shootout, hailing from Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico.

Will Holloman

A semifinalist in the 32-Car Shootout, narrowly losing to Nacho Rivera.

Bug McCarty

A semifinalist in the 32-Car Shootout, losing to Cory Costin.

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

The venue that hosted the Spring Fling Million event.

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What they’re saying

“Bracket racing is often decided by thousandths of a second, and Costin put on a clinic when it mattered most.”

— Brian Wagner, Author

What’s next

The focus now shifts to the main events of the Spring Fling Million week, with Biondo Racing Products Wednesday featuring a massive 401-car field battling for a $30,000 payout.

The takeaway

Cory Costin's dominant performance in the 32-Car Shootout, highlighted by his near-perfect reaction times, showcases the incredible skill and precision required to win big-money bracket racing events like the Spring Fling Million. His victory underscores the intense competition and high stakes that make these events so thrilling for both racers and fans.