Travis Shumake
Travis Shumake | |
|---|---|
 Shumake at the 2024 NHRA Arizona Nationals | |
| Born | August 10, 1984 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | NHRA Top Fuel driver, Team owner, LGBTQ+ advocate |
| Known for | First openly gay Top Fuel drag racer |
| Partner | Daryl (engaged) |
| Website | travisshumake.com[1] |
Travis Cody Shumake (born August 10, 1984) is an American drag racer, team owner, and LGBTQ+ advocate. He competes in the NHRA Top Fuel category and is recognized as the first openly gay driver to regularly compete in the top level of any global touring motorsports league. With a personal best speed of 330.88 MPH, he is known for his dual commitment to performance and inclusion as the "fastest gay in racing."[2] Shumake is building a motorsports legacy that honors his family's drag racing heritage while expanding representation on the racetrack.
Early life and education
[edit]Shumake was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the son of NHRA Funny Car legend Tripp Shumake and Susie Shumake, a skilled mechanic and member of the Arizona Drag Racing Hall of Fame. After his father's passing in 1999, Travis shifted his focus from racing to competitive cheerleading, eventually earning a collegiate scholarship at Northern Arizona University.[3]
While at NAU, he served as student body president and was active in Sigma Chi and athletics. Shumake earned the university's True Blue and Gold Award, was Homecoming King, and was named Greek Life Man of the Year.
Career
[edit]Non-profit work
[edit]Before returning to racing, Shumake built a successful career in nonprofit development. He held leadership roles at organizations such as one·n·ten, the Clinton Foundation, and currently at the Ali Forney Center, focusing on LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.[4] He has also served on multiple boards including Phoenix Suns Charities 88 and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona.
Return to racing
[edit]Inspired by his late father's legacy, Shumake returned to the dragstrip in 2021. He earned a series of 250 MPH+ NHRA license through training at Frank Hawley Drag Racing School and by completing licensing runs at major venues including Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Firebird Motorsports Park, Gainesville Raceway and the Texas Motorplex.[5]
In 2022, he made his Top Alcohol Dragster debut driving for Randy Meyer Racing at the Menards NHRA Nationals in Topeka, Kansas, where he became the target of a protest by the Westboro Baptist Church. He responded by leaning into his identity, debuting rainbow parachutes sponsored by Grindr.
In his second race in Top Alcohol, driving the Sheetz dragster, Shumake advanced to the semifinals of the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania on back-to-back hole shot wins.[6]
Top Fuel
[edit]Shumake earned his Top Fuel license in the fall 2023 behind the wheel of a dragster he purchased from Scrappers Racing - Mike Salinas.[7] He made his professional debut at the 2024 NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix. Shumake finished 23rd in the 2024 Top Fuel Points Championship.[8] In March 2025, Shumake set Top Speed of Eliminations at the Arizona Nationals with a 330.88 MPH pass in the first round against former world champion Doug Kalitta.[9]
While Shumake currently owns his race team, Shumake Racing is run as team car to Jasmine Salinas under the Scrappers Racing umbrella. He is currently pursuing sponsorship to run additional races in the 2025 season.
Personal life
[edit]Shumake is openly gay and has been a visible advocate for inclusion in motorsports. He was featured in the 2024 Out 100 list and was the 2024 Stonewall Columbus Champion of Pride.[10] In 2023, he was named Compete Magazine Professional Athlete of the Year.[11] Shumake regularly appears in publications such as The Advocate, Outsports, Queerty, and the Human Rights Campaign Magazine. Interestingly, almost two decades before his racing success, he appeared on the cover of a 2005 The Advocate issue as a Future Gay Leader of America.[12]
He became engaged to his partner, Daryl, on Christmas Night 2024 on the deck of New York City's Staten Island Ferry. Their engagement was covered by Outsports and several other LGBTQ+ media.[13]
NHRA Licenses & Performance Milestones
[edit]- Super Comp Dragster (2021)
- Nostalgia Funny Car/Top Alcohol Funny Car (2021)
- Nitro Funny Car - (2021) Not submitted passes (3.94 ET @319 MPH)
- Top Alcohol Dragster (2022)
- Top Fuel Dragster (2023)
- Top Speed - 330.88 MPH (March, 2025)
- Quickest ET - 3.71 Seconds (November, 2024)
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.travisshumake.com
- ^ "Meet the Fastest Gay on Earth". CBC.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 11, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ "The 2024 Out100: Travis Shumake". Out Magazine. November 2024.
- ^ "Travis Shumake: Original Drag Racer". Human Rights Campaign Magazine. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "Travis Shumake Takes 319-MPH Leap Toward NHRA Funny Car License". Dragzine. October 12, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "Travis Shumake Takes Sheetz TAD to Semifinals at Pep Boys Nationals". DragStory.com. DragStory. September 20, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ "Shumake will return to action in Fry's Food Stores dragster in Phoenix". NHRA. March 17, 2025.
- ^ "2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Standings". NHRA. 2024.
- ^ "Shumake Clocks Fastest Speed of Race Day, Proves He's Ready to Shake Things Up in NHRA Top Fuel". Racing Refresh. March 2025.
- ^ "Stonewall Columbus Celebrates Travis Shumake as the 2024 Champion of Pride". Stonewall Columbus. June 4, 2024.
- ^ "Top Fuel Driver Travis Shumake Given Award for LGBTQ+ Advocacy". Cycle Drag. October 24, 2024.
- ^ "Future Gay Leaders of America". The Advocate. June 6, 2005.
- ^ "Travis Shumake engaged to partner Daryl". Outsports. January 21, 2025.