South Georgia Motorsports Park
South Georgia Motorsports Park Names Don O’Neal General Manager
Valdosta, GA – South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP) would like to welcome Don O’Neal as its General Manager. Don will be overseeing 
facility operations, racer and fan experiences, partner development, and event planning.
A U.S. Army veteran with broad experience in motorsports and business, O’Neal will also guide SGMP’s shift into a multi-use facility while maintaining drag racing as its core focus. SGMP is gearing up for the return of the NHRA Southern Nationals (May 2026).
A main goal is to position SGMP as a regional economic hub for South Georgia and North Florida—boosting tourism, education, and economic growth through year-round events and partnerships.
“SGMP is a special place for racers and fans,” said Don O’Neal, General Manager of SGMP. “Our goal is simple: run efficient shows, improve the racer and fan experience, and build strong community and sponsor partnerships.” Continue reading
NHRA Announces South Georgia Motorsports Park to Host Southern Nationals in 2026
INDIANAPOLIS – The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) today released their highly anticipated 2026 national event schedule, 
celebrating their 75th anniversary as the gold standard of drag racing sanctioning bodies. The 20-event schedule will include two new venues including South Georgia Motorsports Park, located just outside Valdosta, Georgia. The track owned and operated for the past two years by Raul and Jennifer Torres has a long history of successful and popular events. The NHRA Southern Nationals will be contested May 1-3, 2026.
“This is a dream come true,” said Raul Torres. “When my wife, Jennifer, and I bought the track two years ago we wanted to build a community for drag racers and fans to enjoy quality family entertainment. We have put in a lot of blood, sweat and some tears to get to this point. We are dedicated to hosting premiere events at every level and adding the NHRA Southern Nationals next season will be a great opportunity and challenge. We are up to the task, and we can’t wait to roll out the red carpet for thousands of fans from across the country.”
The track was slated to host an NHRA Showcase event in October but the opportunity to step up and host an NHRA national event in 2026 took precedent. The last time the NHRA hosted a Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national event in the state of Georgia was in 2021 for the NHRA Southern Nationals at the now defunct Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia. It also marks the first time since 2013 NHRA has introduced a new track to its national event schedule. Continue reading
South Georgia Motorsports Park Announces Legacy Lane Wall Capital Improvement Project
ADEL, GA – Fans, racers and businesses have a new way to show their support for South Georgia Motorsports Park by purchasing a limited-
edition Legacy Lane Wall brick. Proceeds from the revenue generated will go towards capital improvements at the fan-friendly facility outside of Valdosta, Georgia. The Legacy Lane Wall will be adorned with personalized bricks and will be a focal point for specialty events and fan celebratory moments. Fans, racers and businesses have two options to support the track. They can purchase terracotta bricks for $200, or they can purchase black granite tiles for $250 here. Each brick is 8” x 8” and will be a tremendous addition to the atmosphere of South Georgia Motorsports Park.
“We have been blessed to have great supporters, and we wanted to provide an opportunity for everyone to own a small piece of the South Georgia Motorsports Park,” said Raul Torres, South Georgia Motorsports Park owner. “Our goal is to continue to make permanent improvements that will make everyone’s experience even more enjoyable. We have major plans for South Georgia Motorsports Park and the Legacy Lane Wall bricks and plaques will be a major part of our future projects.”
When Raul and his wife, Jennifer, bought South Georgia Motorsports Park in 2023, it wasn’t just a business decision for them. They wanted to play a part in drag racing history and keep the spirit of their local track alive. Continue reading
NHRA ANNOUNCES PEACH STATE NHRA SHOWCASE OF SPEED AT SOUTH GEORGIA MOTORPSORTS PARK
Special exhibition first of new NHRA Showcase events featuring top NHRA drivers, nitro racing and competitors from all four pro classes
INDIANAPOLIS – NHRA officials today announced the creation of a special two-day exhibition showcase race, a new event featuring big-
name NHRA stars racing at an NHRA Member Track. The first showcase event, the Peach State NHRA Showcase of Speed, will take place Oct. 24-25, 2025, at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Ga.
The exciting two-day exhibition showcase, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, will feature two drivers each from the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, as well as four competitors in both Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, giving fans at SGMP the unique opportunity to see 330-mph, 11,000-horsepower nitro cars up close, as well as some of the biggest names and world champions in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
Tickets for the first-ever Peach State NHRA Showcase of Speed are on sale now, and fans can purchase single-day or two-day tickets, as well as VIP options that offer an exclusive experience, and camping. The exhibition showcase is set to bring the feel of a national event to an NHRA Member Track, offering all the thrills and excitement of side-by-side 330-mph nitro action. Continue reading
South Georgia Motorsports Park joins IHRA
Norwalk, OH – IRG Sports + Entertainment™ and the International Hot Rod Association™ (IHRA) are proud to 
announce South Georgia Motorsports Park has signed a multi-year sanctioning agreement to join the IHRA as a member track.
Located on U.S. 41 in Cecil, Georgia, South Georgia Motorsports Park (www.goracesgmp.com) is under new ownership. Ozzy Moya, of Orlando, Florida, also owns IHRA-sanctioned Lakeland Dragstrip in Lakeland, Florida and Orlando Speedworld Dragway in Orlando, Florida. Moya purchased South Georgia Motorsports Park earlier this month.
