NHRA U.S. Nationals at the famed Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is September 2-7 as NHRA continues its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration in 2026.
This is a press release from NHRA…
As NHRA continues its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration in 2026, the spotlight turns to the world’s biggest drag race, the 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at famed Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on September 2-7.
The sport’s grandest stage will feature hundreds of racers competing for drag racing glory and the sport’s biggest prize: a U.S. Nationals victory. From the 12,000-horsepower, 340-mph nitro-fueled Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars to the standouts in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, there’s nothing like winning at the Big Go, and there’s no event as prestigious as the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.
For more than seven decades, the race has shaped legacies and careers as the peak of every NHRA season. That holds true in 2026, as NHRA celebrates its 75th anniversary in a major way in Indy, including these special highlights:
- Appearances from NHRA legends, including Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, Joe Amato, Shirley Muldowney, and Darrell Gwynn.
- A celebration of NHRA’s 75-year history with exhibition runs on Friday and Sunday from the classic Rat Trap and Bradford’s Fiat nitro Fuel Altereds.
- Plus, push-start cackle cars on Friday and Sunday driven by NHRA legends.
- A new-look Nitro Mall, special apparel, displays, and more.
On the track, the event is jammed with excitement, as all the top stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle compete for the special 75th anniversary diamond Wally on the sport’s biggest stage. From Friday qualifying under the lights, to the final Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge of the year on Saturday to the thrilling Funny Car All-Star Callout on Sunday and eliminations on Labor Day Monday, there’s no weekend quite like Indy.
Other major items include the following:
- The Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge returns as the longest-running continuous specialty race in NHRA history, featuring exciting heads-up, wheelstanding, and side-by-side racing of Hemi-powered ’68 Super Stock Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas competing in the NHRA SS/AH class.
- An unforgettable Top Eliminator Club experience, including NHRA driver appearances, food and drink, TEC gift bag, starting-line seats, and much more
- Free parking for all fans in attendance for the entire weekend
- SealMaster NHRA Track Walk before Monday’s eliminations
- Multiple autograph sessions throughout the weekend
- A can’t-miss Hot Rod Junction
- A special Sportsman appreciation dinner from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday of the race in Top Eliminator Club
- Children 12-and-under get in free to an event offering all-day entertainment.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will again crown its four regular-season champions in Indy, with nearly $400,000 on the line.
Last year’s Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals saw Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) win the world’s biggest drag race. This year’s event will once again be broadcast on FS1. Monday’s eliminations will be broadcast on FOX beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
Two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champ Gaige Herrera rolled to his second straight win at the Big Go by defeating Brayden Davis. Herrera earned the regular-season championship, but it was his Vance & Hines teammate Richard Gadson who took home the world title. Others to watch include Matt and Angie Smith, Steve Johnson, Ryan Oehler, Jianna Evaristo, John Hall, and Chase Van Sant.
Indy race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremony that introduces and celebrates each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Monday and includes the fan-favorite SealMaster NHRA Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Monday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate event winners.
As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 4, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7.
Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 and 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.
To purchase tickets to the 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult.
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