NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte traded the State House for the starting line Friday as she visited New England Dragway during the opening day of the 2026 NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto. 

Accompanied by NHRA President Glen Cromwell, Bob Tasca III and Austin Prock, Ayotte received a behind-the-scenes tour of New Hampshire's premier annual sporting events, getting an up-close look at the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and the teams that compete at speeds exceeding 330 mph. Ayotte spent time on the starting line during qualifying, where she witnessed firsthand the intensity and precision required to launch Funny Cars down the historic track. 

She also met with members of Team Tasca, including Bob Tasca III and the Ford-backed Funny Car organization that calls New England home. The visit provided an opportunity for Ayotte to learn more about the economic and tourism impact generated by the New England Nationals, which annually attracts thousands of fans, racers, and crew members to southern New Hampshire. The event serves as one of the state's largest motorsports attractions and has been a fixture on the NHRA national event schedule for decades. 

Team Tasca, long one of New England's most recognizable motorsports organizations, welcomed the governor as part of her tour. The Rhode Island-based team has deep roots in the region and remains one of Ford Performance's flagship NHRA operations. For Ayotte, the visit offered a unique perspective on the technology, teamwork, and dedication that drive professional drag racing, while highlighting the importance of New England Dragway and the NHRA New England Nationals to the region's motorsports community.