INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 28, 2025) – The NHRA revealed its 2026 racing calendar as part of its NHRA 75th Anniversary Racing celebrations, introducing two new venues to the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. This milestone season will mark 75 years of thrilling drag racing, with 20 events scheduled at prominent tracks across the United States.
The highlight of this historic schedule is the inclusion of South Georgia Motorsports Park near Valdosta, Georgia, and Maryland International Raceway just outside Washington, D.C., both hosting NHRA national races for the first time. These additions are key elements of the season-long celebration starting from the NHRA Gatornationals and concluding with the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, California.
New Venues Enhance NHRA’s National Reach
South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP) will host the NHRA Southern Nationals from May 1-3, marking the sixth race of the 2026 season and bringing drag racing back to Georgia with renewed energy. Following this, Maryland International Raceway (MIR) will welcome the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series for the first time ever from May 29-31, showcasing 12,000-horsepower nitro-fueled dragsters reaching speeds of 340 mph.
These new tracks represent NHRA’s first expansion of the national event schedule since 2013, adding fresh venues to a calendar that honors legacy while embracing growth. The 2026 season will launch at Gainesville Raceway with the 57th annual Gatornationals, reinforcing NHRA’s connection to its historic roots before traveling nationwide.
Leadership Reflects on Exciting Changes
NHRA President Glen Cromwell expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming season. He stated,
The 2026 season will be one of the most exciting years in NHRA history,
emphasizing the initiative to connect with diverse audiences through new venues and markets. He continued,
“As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we’re embracing this milestone to evolve our NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, ensuring a vibrant future for our sport while honoring our legacy with new venues and fresh energy. We’re thrilled to debut at two incredible new facilities — bringing the sport to fans in dynamic markets like Washington, D.C., and Baltimore at MIR, and Atlanta and Tallahassee at SGMP.”
He also highlighted the season-long nature of the celebrations:
From the season opener in Gainesville to the championship finale in Pomona, the 2026 season will be a non-stop celebration of the drivers, fans and moments that have shaped NHRA for 75 years. We’re incredibly grateful to our track partners, race teams and sponsors for their continued support in helping us make this milestone season something truly special, and we can’t wait to share his historic season with everyone.
Detailed Look at the 2026 Race Calendar
The 2026 championship opens March 5-8 at Gainesville Raceway in Florida, where the Gatornationals will kick off the campaign. The early spring will then see a western swing: the 41st NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park in March and the 66th Winternationals in Pomona, California, in April.
April will also feature a unique four-wide race at zMAX Dragway, hosting the 16th NHRA 4-Wide Nationals on April 24-26. The following weekend marks the debut of South Georgia Motorsports Park on the NHRA calendar, a significant milestone for the organization and the venue.
Raul Torres, owner of SGMP, shared his pride in this achievement:
Immediately after purchasing SGMP, we had a vision to host an NHRA national event at our facility,
he said, adding,
Today, that vision is coming to fruition by signing a multi-year agreement to bring back the Southern Nationals to Georgia. Our fans, city, county and state will reap the benefits for many years to come. This is a true testament that dreams do come true with hard work and our family cannot be more grateful for the opportunity.
Mid-Season Events and Maryland International Raceway’s Debut
The 26th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals will take place May 14-17 at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, before the event shifts to Maryland International Raceway for the first NHRA nationals event from May 29-31.
MIR owner Royce Miller expressed excitement about joining the NHRA circuit:
We are thrilled to be hosting an NHRA national event for the first time here at Maryland International Raceway,
Miller said. He noted,
After 36 years at the helm of MIR, I am excited to showcase the stars of our sport and incredible nitro racing to our dedicated and loyal MIR fans. I am also looking forward to the NHRA touring racers and crews experiencing Southern Maryland’s culture. With its location between the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, it features great seafood restaurants, a large Amish community, a very rural lifestyle and many historic places to see and visit.
Following the May races at MIR, the summer stretches into June with three consecutive weekends of racing, beginning with the 13th annual New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire, then continuing to the 25th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, and concluding with the 20th Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
Summer and Playoff Races Build Momentum
July marks the traditional Western Swing with the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals in California from July 17-19, followed by the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways near Seattle, Washington, from July 24-26. Fans can then experience the 44th annual NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota from August 20-23, known for its distinct and immersive fan atmosphere.
September hosts the much-anticipated Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park from September 2-7, often regarded as the world’s biggest drag race. This event will also celebrate 75 years of NHRA history on the sport’s grandest platform.
The NHRA playoffs, known as the Countdown to the Championship, begin shortly after with three consecutive weekends of racing. It starts with the Reading Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania from September 17-20, followed by a yet-to-be-announced venue, and concluding the three-week stretch at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, for the 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals from October 2-4.
Closing the Season with Intense Championship Battles
The latter half of October sees the return of the high-powered Stampede of Speed at Texas Motorplex from October 14-18, which includes the 41st Texas NHRA FallNationals. Following this, the 26th annual NHRA Nevada Nationals take place October 29-November 1 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The season culminates at the iconic In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip from November 12-15 with the 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. This event will crown champions in several professional categories including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, offering a thrilling conclusion to the 75th anniversary racing season.
Broadcast Information and Future Enthusiasm
All 2026 NHRA races will be broadcast exclusively on FOX Sports, with select marquee events featured on the FOX broadcast network, making it easier for fans nationwide to follow the excitement. The NHRA plans to release a detailed lineup of 75th anniversary celebrations accompanying the racing schedule in the weeks ahead.
With its mix of historic venues, novel locations, and celebration of seven and a half decades of drag racing, the NHRA 75th Anniversary Racing season promises to be one of the most memorable in the organization’s history, cultivating a legacy while propelling the sport toward a dynamic future.
