- SELLOUT CROWD TO OPEN NHRA'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON IN GAINESVILLE
- JONATHAN ALLEGRUCCI RUNS TO GATORNATIONALS NO. 1 QUALIFIER
- NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES POWERED BY FUELTECH TO OPEN 2026 SEASON IN GAINESVILLE
- Ron Capps Leads Funny Car Field with Provisional Pole at Season-Opening NHRA Gatornationals
- HART GRABS GATORS PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFIER
- Josh Hart Blasts to Provisional No. 1 in Top Fuel as 2026 NHRA Season Roars to Life at Gatornationals
- Angie Smith Grabs Provisional No. 1 in Pro Stock Motorcycle at 2026 NHRA Gatornationals Season Opener
ProCharger Joins World Series of Pro Mod as Associate Sponsor
BRADENTON, FL – ProCharger, manufacturers of high-performance centrifugal superchargers, will serve as an associate sponsor of the 
upcoming Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil, race officials announced today. With more than 70 drivers competing for the $150,000 winner-take-all prize, the World Series of Pro Mod is the ultimate proving ground for eighth-mile Pro Modified racers, including those relying on ProCharger superchargers for power. Set to take place Feb 26-28 at Bradenton Motorsports Park, it’s the final race of the three-race 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service.
“The folks at ProCharger are no strangers to the Winter Series and the World Series of Pro Mod, but having them jump on board as an associate sponsor is special,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder and Winter Series promoter. “The Winter Series is many things for many people, but it’s evolved into a platform where the industry’s engine builders, chassis builders, power adders, and other manufacturers can battle it out and put their products to the test. Our drivers and teams are showing what these products can do in the most competitive eighth-mile Pro Mod fields of all time. We’re thrilled that ProCharger sees the value in that and wanted to be a bigger part of the World Series of Pro Mod.” Continue reading
KEY PARTNERS CONTINUE SUPPORT OF ELITE MOTORSPORTS IN 2026
WYNNEWOOD, OK – As Elite Motorsports continues to solidify its standing as the largest professional team in the Mission Foods NHRA 
Drag Racing Series, the organization has stayed dedicated to maintaining and building relationships with its longtime partners.
Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, the very best in custom cars, trucks and crate engines, Melling Performance Parts, a top manufacturer of the newest cutting edge performance parts, CTech Manufacturing, a leader in premium aluminum carts cabinets and drawers, Outlaw Light Beer, the fastest growing domestic light beer in the U.S., and Competition Trailers, a manufacturer of custom specialty trailers, have renewed their partnerships with the team, continuing their role as significant contributors through the 2026 season.
“There’s been a lot of expansion at Elite Motorsports, we’re growing, it’s a good thing. The best part is that our already amazing partners are choosing to grow with us,” said Richard Freeman, owner and President of Elite Motorsports. “We have some of the best partners who happen to have some of the best people in this sport. JHG, Melling, CTech, they’re all either family businesses, or know how to treat their employees and partners like family, just like Elite. Having them onboard isn’t great just because they are quality brands with exceptional products, but because they get it and they want to be part of what we’re doing.” Continue reading
75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION KICKOFF AT AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS FEATURES GARLITS’ SWAMP RAT ALLEY
GAINESVILLE, FL – To start the 75th anniversary celebration, NHRA will open the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season in 
grand style at famed Gainesville Raceway for the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on March 5-8.
NHRA will pay homage to some of its legendary names during the milestone year, starting in Gainesville with appearances from icons like Kenny Bernstein, Joe Amato, Don Prudhomme, Shirley Muldowney, Darrell Gwynn and drag racing pioneer “Big Daddy” Don Garlits at the famed venue. Along with that, Garlits’ popular “Swamp Rat Alley” will return for the weekend, featuring a trio of historic Garlits cars (Swamp Rat 1-B, Swamp Rat 8 and Swamp Rat 28A).
Each played a big role in NHRA’s 75 years, including these memorable highlights:
- Swamp Rat 1-B:
- Swamp Rat 1-B set a new speed record of 182.54 mph in Houston on June 10, 1959. Garlits had a massive fire in the car just 10 days later, but it was repaired and continued to set speed marks.
- Top speed: 204.54 mph
- Low elapsed time: 8.23-seconds
- Swamp Rat 8:
- This legendary dragster debuted at Bakersfield in one of the largest Top Fuel fields in history (120 entries). After some initial struggle, the car impressed during the 1965 season, posting big numbers after Garlits made some tuning adjustments.
- Top Speed: 208.32 mph
- Low elapsed time: 7.55
- Swamp Rat 28 A:
- Built as a lightweight, high-gear-only Top Fuel car, Garlits never found much success with it. He saved all the parts and pieces from the original car and recreated it, with a running model now at the Motorsports Hall of Fame in Daytona Beach.
- Top Speed: 255.54 mph
- Low elapsed time: 5.92
WALLY PARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY APPRECIATION FUND PART OF $27 MILLION OVERALL PURSE FOR NHRA RACERS DURING MILESTONE YEAR
INDIANAPOLIS – NHRA announced the introduction of the Wally Parks 75th Anniversary Appreciation Fund for 2026’s milestone season, a 
special initiative that will pay out $500,000 over the course of the celebratory year and recognize teams in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series who continue to carry forward Parks’ illustrious legacy.
In all, more than $27 million in purse and payouts will be awarded to teams during the 20-race schedule for 2026’s 75th anniversary season.
The multi-million dollar payout, which is also an increase from 2025, includes the event purse for drivers in the Mission Foods and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series on the national event tour, as well as the year-end championship purse for the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, payouts for the All-Star Callout races in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in the four professional categories and other incentive programs.
It also includes payouts for the regular season championship, which was introduced last season in the four professional categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle) and will continue in 2026. Continue reading
March Meet and Famoso Dragstrip Etched in American Hot Rod History
BAKERSFIELD, CA – When Famoso Dragstrip opened in 1954 the converted POSO airstrip was a place for hot rodders to flex their tuning 
skills and for racers to establish bragging rights. No one knew five years later that the track nicknamed “The Patch” would start one of the of most storied races in drag racing and motorsports history. In 1959 the first Smokers March Meet was contested and over the next nearly 70 years every significant racer or crew chief in drag racing history etched their name into the history books at Famoso Dragstrip. The track has held true to ¼ mile drag racing and burning nitro. When the use of nitro was banned in 1957 due to safety concerns regarding extreme engine explosions and high speeds, Famoso Dragstrip continued to push the envelope of speed and performance ignoring the ban which ended in 1964.
In 1962 at 20 years old Don “The Snake” Prudhomme won the March Meet launching his career as one of the most significant drag racers of all-time. The multi-time Funny Car world champion built a Hall of Fame career over the next four decades but the early days at Famoso Dragstrip were pivotal to the success of his career.
“The first time I was there, it was in 1959 and then in 1962 I was driving a fuel car for Zeuschel and Fuller and won the race,” said Prudhomme. “That was a big deal and people got to know me. You have to remember NHRA was not running nitro back then, so everybody wanted to run Nitro and you had to go to Bakersfield.” Continue reading
NHRA SUMMIT RACING JR. DRAG RACING LEAGUE RELEASES 2026 SCHEDULE
INDIANAPOLIS – NHRA announced the season schedule for the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, featuring a host of special 
events in 2026 as Summit Racing Equipment returns as the title sponsor of the popular racing league for youth ages 5-17.
Now in its 34th year entering the NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League provides an impressive platform for young racers to perform at a high level and will feature eight-car shootouts that take place at eight different NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national events, as well as the popular Right Trailers NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals at the Texas Motorplex on June 12-13 and the Right Trailers NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals on July 16-18 at Bristol Dragway. The Jr. Drag Racing League will also compete in the divisional finals across the seven NHRA divisions.
The eight-car shootouts debuted four years ago and the eight races will take place at NHRA national events across all seven divisions, including both stops at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. As part of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, winners of the shootout will receive a diamond 75th anniversary Wally.
“NHRA is excited to incorporate the Summit Racing Equipment Jr. Drag Racing league into its 75th anniversary in 2026,” NHRA Sportsman Manager Jason Galvin said. “For as much as this season will be about celebrating where we’ve come from, it is equally important to set the tone for the next 75 years and beyond. The stars of the Jr. Drag Racing league will continue to push the sport to higher levels well into the future. Continue reading
Red Line Oil Named Presenting Sponsor of World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Red Line Oil, producers of high-performance motor oil and lubricants, has been named the presenting sponsor of the 
Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, race officials announced today. Set for Feb. 26-28 at Bradenton Motorsports Park, the $150,000-to-win Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil serves as the grand finale for the 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service following the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals and the U.S. Street Nationals.
“Red Line Oil has proven time and time again that they’re deeply invested in Pro Modified racing, and we’re excited to elevate that partnership with Red Line stepping in as the presenting sponsor of the World Series of Pro Mod,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder and series promoter. “We’re intentional about aligning with partners who share our vision for where this series and the sport are headed, and Red Line absolutely fits that mold. Their commitment goes far beyond branding. They support racers at every level, and their products are trusted by the top engine builders and teams in drag racing worldwide.” Continue reading
First Look: Tony Stewart Racing Drivers Pruett, Hagan
Share Sneak Peek of New Dodge Livery
Auburn Hills, MI – Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) NHRA Dodge nitro drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan are turning up the heat this off-
season, dropping a sneak peek of their new Dodge race car graphics as they chomp at the bit to hit the strip in less than 30 days at the 2026 season-opening NHRA Gatornationals, scheduled for March 5-8 in Gainesville, Florida.
After a two-year hiatus for the birth of her and husband Tony Stewart’s son Dominic, Pruett returns to drag-racing competition with a new Dodge livery and an all-new TSR Dodge Top Fuel Dragster after the 12-time NHRA Top Fuel event winner just missed capturing the 2023 NHRA Mission Top Fuel championship.
“I’m very excited to get back in the car for the 2026 season,” said California native Pruett. “Last 
year, I wanted to make sure I still had a passion to race after sitting out two years. After giving birth to Dominic and then being a mom for a year, I really wasn’t sure if I had the competitive level or should I sit out another year. So, we had a handful of tests. It was really the first time I was out of a race car since I began Junior Dragsters at age 8. But I’m ready to go.”
Stewart, the motorsports legend with series titles in NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC, replaced Pruett in the TSR Dodge dragster in 2024-2025, winning two events and capturing the 2025 Top Fuel regular season points championship. Stewart, the TSR team owner, will also be competing in the Top Fuel class in 2026, driving for Elite Motorsports. Continue reading
Motorcycle Drag Racer Dystany Spurlock Aims for Historic NASCAR ARCA Series Bid
As she continues her pursuit of stock car racing’s highest levels, Spurlock would become the first Black woman to compete in NASCAR’s top feeder series
DETROIT — Professional motorcycle drag racer Dystany Spurlock is beginning the journey to fulfill a lifelong dream of racing in NASCAR’s 
Cup Series, taking the first steps on that path as she prepares to compete in the ARCA Menards Series during the 2026 season.
Instead of a one-time debut, Spurlock will take a step-by-step approach, starting with late model racing and, once approved by NASCAR’s competition committee, entering ARCA competition as she pursues stock car racing’s highest stage. Each phase brings her closer to a season-long campaign in NASCAR’s top feeder series, where she’ll compete against experienced racers at some of the sport’s toughest and most iconic tracks.
Her journey starts at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina, where Spurlock will compete in a late model series to gain valuable seat time on paved ovals. She then plans to enter the ARCA Menards Series East event at Hickory in late March, a critical step toward national-level competition, with the goal of advancing into a spring ARCA Menards Series national event and racing regularly throughout the season. Continue reading
HUGE LIST OF LEGENDS SET TO APPEAR AT AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS
List includes Bernstein, Garlits, Muldowney, Prudhomme, Amato, Gwynn and Frey to open NHRA’s milestone 75th anniversary season
GAINESVILLE, FL – An incredible list of NHRA legends will help kick off NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, as some of the biggest names in 
NHRA history will be appearing at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on March 5-8 at famed Gainesville Raceway.
Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, Shirley Muldowney, Joe Amato, Darrell Gwynn and Bob Frey are all slated to appear in Gainesville, a spectacular contingent of NHRA legends to open the milestone year in style.
Throughout the weekend, fans will have the chance to meet and interact with each legend, who each played instrumental and iconic roles in NHRA’s 75-year history. A full list of weekend appearances by the impressive group of legends will be released soon, while a comprehensive list of legends appearing at all 20 national events will be released in the coming weeks.
In Gainesville, it won’t get much bigger than the seven scheduled to appear to ring in NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.
