NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

 NHRA has announced the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule for the upcoming 75th anniversary season in 2026.

The category, which showcases the best and most decorated Sportsman drivers in drag racing, will compete at standout facilities across the United States and Canada, and the schedule features several exciting highlights for the 2026 season, including:

• 47 divisional events, including 14 double-divisional events
• Three SPORTSnationals events, up from two last year and featuring stops at Mission Raceway Park in Canada, which will hold the first-ever Canadian SPORTSnationals, No Problem Raceway for the Laris Motorsports Insurance Cajun NHRA SPORTSnationals, and the JEGS SPORTSnationals at Beech Bend Raceway.
• The 2026 Snyder Family NHRA Sportsman event at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip divisional event as part of NHRA’s 75th anniversary celebration.
• SRCA Dragstrip in Great Bend, Kan., returns to the West Central Division schedule, and Sonoma Raceway returns to the Pacific Division schedule.
• Maryland International Raceway returns to the LODRS schedule and is set to host a double-divisional event.
• 24 Top Alcohol (Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car) events, featuring a new format for the 2026 season that includes a combination of national and regional events.
• The annual Stampede of Speed at the Texas Motorplex will kick off with a Top Alcohol-only event.

“As we look ahead to another outstanding season in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series during the NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, we remain appreciative of the tremendous support Lucas Oil has provided for so many years,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “It’s been instrumental in the continued success and growth of this fantastic series, which continues to grow and thrive. The 2026 season will be a special one for NHRA, and we’re eager to showcase a schedule that has several exciting additions. The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series features incredible competition from some of the most talented drivers in the world, and we look forward to a huge 2026.”

The 2026 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season is set to start Feb. 21-22 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Phoenix and will also include 24 regional events, with the season finale taking place Nov. 5-8 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and then Nov. 12-15 at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals.

The 14 double-divisional races will take place at South Georgia Motorsports Park (April 9-12), The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (April 16-19), Texas Motorplex (May 14-17), Summit Motorsports Park (June 18-21), Maryland International Raceway (June 18-21), Yellowstone Drag Strip (June 25-28), SRCA Dragstrip (July 9-12), Numidia Dragway (July 23-26), Woodburn Dragstrip (July 30-Aug. 2), Brainerd International Raceway (Aug. 13-16), Osage Casino Tulsa Raceway Park (Sept. 17-20), Famoso Dragstrip (Sept. 24-27), World Wide Technology Raceway (Oct. 7-10), and Rockingham Dragway (Oct. 22-25).

As part of the doubleheader divisional events, NHRA is set to return to historic SRCA Dragstrip, which hosted the first NHRA national event in 1955.

Several divisional events, including the return of Sonoma to the divisional schedule, as well as races in Gainesville, Brainerd, Norwalk, St. Louis, the fall Dallas race, and Las Vegas, will occur either the weekend before or after an NHRA national event to help with racer travel and scheduling efficiencies.

The Laris Motorsports Insurance Cajun NHRA SPORTSnationals has enjoyed a thrilling return to No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La., and takes place March 27-29, with a divisional event on March 25-26.

The JEGS SPORTSnationals, which has been a longtime staple on the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series circuit, will take place on May 21-24 as part of a massive weekend at Beech Bend Raceway. Making a first-time appearance in Canada, the SPORTSnationals kicks off a big week at Mission Raceway Park, taking place June 11-12 before a divisional event on June 13-14.

The 24 regional events during the 2026 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will showcase the exciting racing in the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes, giving fans a chance to watch cars running in excess of 250 mph.

Like previous years, NHRA will stream several Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional races on either NHRA.tv or the NHRA YouTube page for free during the 2026 campaign, including action from all seven NHRA divisions. A full broadcast schedule will be released in the coming weeks.