Because the Nationwide Sizzling Rod Affiliation marks a major milestone—its Seventy fifth season—the NHRA introduced it can add two new tracks to its 2026 Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection. South Georgia Motorsports Park, close to Valdosta, Ga., and Maryland Worldwide Raceway (MIR), outdoors Washington, D.C., will debut on the nationwide schedule, the primary additions since 2013.
The expanded roster maintains a 20-race format, with the brand new stops changing one in all two earlier races held in Las Vegas and North Carolina. “The 2026 season can be probably the most thrilling years in NHRA historical past,” stated NHRA President Glen Cromwell. “As we rejoice our Seventy fifth anniversary, we’re embracing this milestone to evolve our NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection, guaranteeing a vibrant future for our sport whereas honoring our legacy with new venues and contemporary power.”
The NHRA’s nationwide sequence will launch its Georgia debut with the Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park from Could 1–3, 2026. The observe, already an NHRA member facility, just lately hosted the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals in 2025, demonstrating sturdy native help. SGMP proprietor Raul Torres referred to as the extension “a real testomony that goals do come true with exhausting work.”
In the meantime, Maryland Worldwide Raceway will host its inaugural nationwide occasion—that includes 12,000-horsepower nitro dragsters able to 340 mph—Could 29–31, 2026. Racer.com famous this can deliver main drag racing on to followers within the Mid-Atlantic for the primary time.
These additions are a centerpiece of NHRA’s year-long Seventy fifth anniversary marketing campaign, which additionally contains particular memorabilia—anniversary logos, commemorative tickets, and distinctive trophies—alongside a documentary on founder Wally Parks, and the discharge of a Prime 75 Drivers checklist and collectible coffee-table ebook.
The season opens March 5–8 with the enduring Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway and closes Nov. 12–15 at Pomona, the place champions throughout all classes can be topped. Futures for promotion embrace enhanced fan experiences comparable to multi-track exhibitions, legend appearances, and static shows, which can be detailed within the coming months.
Introducing two new venues not solely broadens NHRA’s geographic attain however faucets into promising markets. Georgia expands the game’s Southern presence, whereas Maryland provides a foothold within the populous Mid-Atlantic hall. NHRA can be bringing adrenaline-laden drag racing to each areas for the very first time.
These additions trace that the game is just not solely commemorating its heritage, but additionally constructing for future relevance, cultivating contemporary fan bases and creating new sponsor alternatives in beforehand untapped areas.
As race groups, sponsors, and followers gear up for a landmark season, anticipation is constructing past simply the motion on observe. Count on celebratory sidelined occasions honoring NHRA legends, fan giveaways, and particular commemorative merchandise that may amplify the Seventy fifth-season expertise.
By pairing historic reverence with strategic growth and fan experiences, the NHRA is sending a transparent sign: drag racing’s legacy is alive—and it is irreversible. The 2026 season guarantees to be each a tribute and a launch pad for NHRA’s future.
Past the speedy pleasure of the expanded schedule, business analysts say the NHRA’s strikes replicate a broader technique to safe drag racing’s place in an more and more aggressive motorsports panorama. NASCAR, Formulation 1, and IndyCar have all aggressively pursued new markets and worldwide expansions in recent times, whereas grassroots racing scenes proceed to develop by means of streaming and social media publicity. By focusing on Georgia and Maryland, the NHRA is staking a declare in areas with each sturdy automobile tradition and untapped occasion audiences, doubtlessly creating lasting pipelines for brand new expertise, sponsors, and regional fan golf equipment. Native financial impression research additionally undertaking vital boosts for host communities, with resorts, eating places, and small companies set to profit from the inflow of racing followers every spring.
Equally necessary, the Seventy fifth anniversary season arrives at a second when sustainability and know-how are reshaping motorsports worldwide. NHRA officers have signaled that a part of their imaginative and prescient contains investments in various fuels, improved security measures, and enhanced broadcast experiences for youthful followers accustomed to on-demand content material. With Fox Sports activities set to air each race and choose occasions featured on nationwide broadcasts, the league is positioned to succeed in extra viewers than ever earlier than. If 2026 proves profitable, it may set a precedent for additional growth into new territories, guaranteeing that the NHRA not solely honors its storied previous however continues to write down new chapters for many years to return.