Next year the NHRA – National Hot Rod Association – will celebrate 75 years of drag racing. And with the release of the 2026 schedule, the NHRA has added two new tracks – the first additions in over 10 years; however, the schedule will maintain its 20 race schedule with Georgia and Maryland replacing Las Vegas and North Carolina.
NHRA President Glen Cromwell spoke on the new season saying, “the 2026 season will be one of the most exciting years in NHRA history. 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 added, “from the season opener in Gainesville to the championship finale in Pomona, the 2026 season will be a nonstop 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 this historic season with everyone.”
The Gatornationals will open the season again next year the first week in March and will in in California for Championship weekend in November.
May will feature the two new tracks with at South Georgia Motorsports Park near Valdosta and at Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville.
The NHRA will announce the anniversary celebrations in the coming months.
FOX Sports will have exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2026 NHRA Season.
2026 NHRA MISSION FOODS DRAG RACING SERIES SEASON SCHEDULE
March 5-8: 57th annual NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla.
March 20-22: 41st annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Firebird Motorsports Park, Phoenix
April 9-12: 66th annual NHRA Winternationals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, Calif.
April 24-26: 16th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte
May 1-May 3: NHRA Southern Nationals, South Georgia Motorsports Park, Adel, Ga.
May 14-17: 26th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago
May 29-May 31: Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, Maryland International Raceway, Mechanicsville, Md.
June 5-June 7: 13th annual NHRA New England Nationals, New England Dragway, Epping, N.H.
June 12-14: 25th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn.
June 25-28: 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio
July 17-19: 38th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.
July 24-26: 37th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals, Pacific Raceways, Seattle
Aug. 20-23: 44th annual NHRA Nationals, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.
Sept. 2-7: 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis
NHRA COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 17-20: 41st annual NHRA Reading Nationals, Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pa.
Sept. 25-27: TBD
Oct. 2-4: 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis
Oct. 14-18: 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, Texas Motorplex, Dallas
Oct. 29-Nov. 1: 26th annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
Nov. 12-15: 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, Calif.