- IHRA AND SPEED SPORT ANNOUNCE 2026 BROADCAST PLANS AND SCHEDULE FOR OUTLAW NITRO SERIES
- NHRA AND FIREBIRD MOTORSPORTS PARK ANNOUNCE TIME CHANGES FOR FMP NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS
- IHRA Announcer Lineup for the 2026 Season
- Quarter-Max Racing Components Named Title Sponsor of the 2026 IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series - Outlaw Pro Mod Class
- JBS EQUIPMENT NAMED 2026 NHRA PRO MOD SERIES TITLE SPONSOR; ELITE MOTORSPORTS NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR
- ScottRod Racing Records Career-Best Speed at Gatornationals
- Derek Menholt Claims Dramatic Victory in Pro Mod Season Opener at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
IHRA AND SPEED SPORT ANNOUNCE 2026 BROADCAST PLANS AND SCHEDULE FOR OUTLAW NITRO SERIES
MOORESVILLE, NC — In its inaugural year under the new ownership of Darryl Cuttell last year, the IHRA recorded explosive growth of its 
audience across multiple broadcast platforms. With a multi-year agreement with SPEED SPORT and world-class production, the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series set a high bar for engaging fans both at the track, at home and on the go — and is raising the bar even higher in 2026.
IHRA IS ON THE MOVE — The IHRA has been on the move during the off-season, acquiring and investing in multiple racetracks including Virginia Motorsports Park, Maple Grove Raceway, Atlanta Dragway, Memphis Motorsports Park, Heartland Park, and more. In all, IHRA sanctions more than 110 drag racing facilities in the U.S. and around the globe.
IHRA has expanded beyond the Outlaw Nitro Series — launching the IHRA Offshore Powerboat Series, the IHRA Sportsman Bracket Racing Series, the Small Tire BRATZ Series, the IHRA F1 Powerboat Series, the IHRA Stock Car Series, the IHRA Drag Boat Series, the IHRA Professional Watercraft Series and IHRA Pro Pulling League. Broadcast schedules for each series will be announced soon. Continue reading
NHRA AND FIREBIRD MOTORSPORTS PARK ANNOUNCE TIME CHANGES FOR FMP NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS
PHOENIX – NHRA and Firebird Motorsports Park officials announced time changes for the upcoming FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals 
presented by NGK Spark Plugs, which takes place March 20-22.
Taking an abundance of caution for the expected heat in the weekend forecast, racing in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will shift to earlier in the morning on each day, setting up a “Coffee and Nitro” weekend at the “Duel in the Desert.”
Friday qualifying will begin at 9:30 a.m. local time on Friday with Pro Stock, followed by Funny Car and Top Fuel. The second session is slated to start at 12 p.m.
On Saturday, Top Fuel will open the day at 10 a.m., followed by Funny Car and Pro Stock. The final qualifying session – as well as the finals of the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge bonus race of the season – is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. with Top Fuel. Continue reading
IHRA Announcer Lineup for the 2026 Season
FAIRFIELD, OH – Some of the most familiar voices in motorsports are joining IHRA this season.
We’re excited to welcome Al Tucci, Brent Carver, Mike English, and Alan Reinhart to the microphone for the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series events throughout the 2026 season.
These respected announcers will rotate throughout the year, bringing decades of experience, energy, and storytelling to race fans across the country. From the staging lanes to the winner’s circle, they’ll help guide fans through every moment of the action.
Now it’s time to fire those engines!
Get your tickets and join us trackside: https://ihra.com/tickets
Quarter-Max Racing Components Named Title Sponsor of the 2026 IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series – Outlaw Pro Mod Class
FAIRFIELD, OH – The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is thrilled to announce that Quarter-Max has officially signed on as the title 
sponsor for the 2026 IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series – Outlaw Pro Mod Class. This powerhouse partnership unites one of drag racing’s most storied sanctioning bodies with a brand built on 43 world championships and a legacy of dominance.
Founded in 1987 and currently led by Pro Mod Champion Clyde Scott, Quarter-Max has become the industry gold standard for hardcore chassis components. Operating out of a massive 30,000-square-foot facility, Quarter-Max produces everything from championship-winning chassis to ultra-light carbon fiber components and heavy-duty 4-link systems. The decision to name Quarter-Max as the title sponsor was a natural fit, as the brand’s philosophy perfectly mirrors the intensity of the Outlaw Pro Mod circuit.
“Our philosophy is simple: If it’s tough enough for a 5,000-horsepower Pro Mod, it’s the highest quality you can put on your car. We live and breathe this sport. Supporting the Outlaw Pro Mod Class allows us to give back to the racers who rely on our gear every single weekend.” Continue reading
JBS EQUIPMENT NAMED 2026 NHRA PRO MOD SERIES TITLE SPONSOR; ELITE MOTORSPORTS NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR
Indianapolis, IN – NHRA officials announced today that JBS Equipment will serve as the official series sponsor for the 2026 NHRA Pro Mod 
season, while Elite Motorsports will add to the partnership as the presenting sponsor for the upcoming season.
Justin Bond, a longtime competitor and supporter of the NHRA Pro Mod class and owner of JBS Equipment, has stepped forward to support the category in a major way by becoming the series sponsor for the 2026 campaign. Bond has also played an active role in helping grow the class over the years and continues that commitment through this partnership.
“We are proud to be a part of the NHRA Pro Mod class and are looking forward to a great season,” said Bond. “This category continues to deliver incredible competition and excitement for fans, and we’re excited to support its continued growth.” Continue reading
ScottRod Racing Records Career-Best Speed at Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, FL – ScottRod Racing opened the 2026 NHRA Top Fuel season with a career-best 298.73-mph run during qualifying at the 
historic 57th Annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
The event marked the season opener of NHRA’s 75th anniversary year and drew a sold-out crowd to the legendary Florida facility.
The independent Connecticut-based team, owned by managing partner Michelle Torromeo and driver/crew chief Scott Farley, continues to build its Top Fuel program while competing part-time against full-season teams. Torromeo has taken on an expanded role overseeing the team’s operations and race-weekend management as the program continues to grow, while Car Chief Tim Dillon has stepped further into the technical leadership of the team. Continue reading
Derek Menholt Claims Dramatic Victory in Pro Mod Season Opener at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, FL – Derek Menholt powered to an exciting win in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports on Sunday at the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, kicking off the category’s milestone 25th season at Gainesville Raceway.
Menholt, driving his ’69 Chevrolet Camaro and qualifying ninth, navigated a tough bracket with consistent runs before capitalizing on a red-light foul by runner-up Lyle Barnett in the final round. Menholt’s winning pass clocked a blistering 5.690 seconds at 251.02 mph, securing his second career NHRA Pro Mod victory and his first at the iconic Gainesville venue. The triumph marks the first diamond Wally of the NHRA’s 75th anniversary season for the Pro Mod class.
Pruett Takes TSR Dodge Top Fuel Dragster to Quarterfinals in NHRA Return, Hagan Posts Impressive Runs with TSR Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car
Auburn Hills, MI – Veteran drag racer Leah Pruett made her return to NHRA drag racing competition Sunday at the NHRA Gatornationals 
when she drove her Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Dodge Top Fuel dragster to a quarterfinals finish at Gainesville Raceway, while TSR Dodge teammate Matt Hagan debuted his Dodge//SRT Funny Car with a quarterfinals placing.
Pruett, who nearly won the NHRA Mission world championship two years ago in the 2023 final race at Pomona, came back from a two-year hiatus after starting a family with husband Tony Stewart and immediately made her presence felt with a superb 3.690 qualifying performance on Friday night in front of a big crowd. The 3.690 placed the Arizona racer third in the 16-car field for Sunday’s final eliminations.
The 12-time NHRA Top Fuel race winner also recorded low elapsed time (E.T.) in the opening round of Top Fuel competition Sunday with a 3.713 in defeating Jasmine Salinas. In the quarterfinals, Pruett faced reigning Top Fuel champion Doug Kalitta, who scored the round win at 3.764 to Leah’s 3.871 in hot, humid conditions. Continue reading
Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan Deliver Strong Showings in TSR Dodge Return at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, FL – Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan kicked off the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing 
Series’ 75th anniversary season with competitive performances at the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, showcasing the team’s potential despite challenging conditions at Gainesville Raceway.
In Top Fuel, Leah Pruett made a highly anticipated return to competition after a two-year hiatus to start a family. The 12-time NHRA national event winner, who finished as 2023 points runner-up, qualified No. 3 with a best of 3.690 seconds at 329.10 mph in Q2 (earning 1 bonus point) and advanced to the second round. Pruett defeated Jasmine Salinas in round one with a solid 3.713 at 333.41 mph but fell to eventual finalist Doug Kalitta (3.764/332.34) in round two with a 3.871/318.47.
Pruett reflected on the weekend: “There were a lot of elements to the weekend. Reflecting on what I would consider the Florida marathon, and then the Gatornationals Gazoo, it was a hell of an effort by this Dodge team. Lack of effort was definitely not in the equation this weekend. The performance in qualifying, when it counted in Q2, definitely showed and it seated us third. … Continue reading
HART WINS, DEJORIA RUNNER-UP IN JFR DEBUT
Vandergriff reaches semis, Beckman on the unfortunate end of an all-JFR first-round pairing
GAINESVILLE, FL – Josh Hart and Alexis DeJoria are both newcomers to the 24-time NHRA Championship winning John Force Racing 
organization but both made incredibly strong statements at Sunday’s 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season-opening Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, with Hart earning the Top Fuel title and DeJoria finishing runner-up in Funny Car.
Hart and the Burnyzz / Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster team, led by crew chiefs Dave Grubnic and John Collins, defeated two-time and defending Top Fuel Champion Doug Kalitta in the final round, running 3.733 seconds at 337.83 mph to Kalitta’s 3.877 seconds at 319.60 mph. It was the Florida transplant’s second Gatornationals victory, and third overall in six final-round appearances. Hart’s previous victories came at the 2021 Gatornationals in his Top Fuel debut and the 2021 fall race at zMax Dragway when he defeated Brittany Force.
DeJoria and her Bandero Premium Tequila Chevrolet SS Funny Car, led by crew chiefs Mike Neff and Jonni Lindberg, left the starting line strong but lost traction at 300 feet and slowed to a run of 5.003 seconds at 167.59 mph while Chad Green streaked across the finish line at 3.959 seconds at 329.91 mph. It was DeJoria’s 17th career Funny Car final-round appearance. Continue reading
