BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 27, 2026) – Josh Hart sees the second of four inaugural events on the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule, the May 29-31 NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS, as the perfect opportunity to showcase the championship-caliber talent his John Force Racing Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster team is made of.
With Maryland International Raceway hosting its first NHRA national event comes the opportunity for Hart and the balance of the Top Fuel entries to compete on a level playing field as it relates to track history … because there is none. Track data, so critical in getting these 12,000-horsepower cars down the track successfully, will be at a bare minimum for all nitro teams until Friday afternoon’s first round of qualifying.
The Dave Grubnic / John Collins-led Speedmaster program proved their mettle at the season-opening Gatornationals by grabbing the No. 1 qualifying spot, posting Hart’s first official run in excess of 340 mph and, ultimately, his career third national event victory. The team’s overall performance dipped over the next few races but bounced back two weeks ago at Route 66 Raceway, Hart’s 100th Top Fuel start, with a semifinal finish and career-best run of 341.25 mph, the first and only 340-mph run in the track’s history.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after six of 20 races are: 1. Shawn Langdon, 594; 2. Doug Kalitta, 540; 3. Leah Pruett, 429; 4. Tony Stewart, 388; 5. Josh Hart, 376; 6. Maddi Gordon, 358; 7. Antron Brown, 313; 8. Justin Ashley, 311; 9. Billy Torrence, 282; 10. Clay Millican, 252.
Quotes
How are you preparing for the Potomac Nationals?
“At this stage, about one-third of the way through the 2026 season, the Speedmaster Top Fuel team is focused on one round at a time, both in qualifying and eliminations. There’s so much at stake every time you roll up to the line that you can’t take anything for granted and can’t look past one round to the next.”
What are your thoughts on competing in an inaugural NHRA event?
“I love the new venues because it levels the playing field. Dave Grubnic and John Collins (crew chiefs) have decades of knowledge to pull from and, with track guru Lanny Miglizzi providing information to all the John Force Racing teams, I have every confidence our Speedmaster team will end up in the winner’s circle at the end of the day Sunday.”
Assess where the team is six races into the season?
“The Speedmaster team has come together nicely. We’re six races in and getting our feet firmly planted as we go. We’ve proven what we’re capable of but now it’s time to show everybody we are a championship-caliber combination. It’s time to turn on more win lights each weekend and set some records.”
Weekend Appearances
Thurs., March 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET, NHRA Fan Fest at The Barns at New Market, 29133 Thompson Corner Road, Mechanicsville, MD, 20659; Sat., March 30, 9:30-10 a.m. ET, autograph session at Mission Foods display, NHRA Midway; Sat., March 30, 10-10:30 a.m. ET, autograph session at Cornwell Tools display, NHRA Midway.
Track Schedule
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5 p.m. ET on Fri., May 29, with the final two rounds Sat., May 30, at 12:30 and 3 p.m. ET. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 31, at 11 a.m. ET.
TV Schedule
Television coverage on FS1 includes a qualifying show Fri., May 29, from 7 – 8 p.m. ET, a second qualifying show Sat., May 30, from 7 – 8 p.m. ET, and the eliminations broadcast Sunday, May 31, from 3 – 6 p.m. ET.
2026 Results
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With Maryland International Raceway hosting its first NHRA national event comes the opportunity for Hart and the balance of the Top Fuel entries to compete on a level playing field as it relates to track history … because there is none. Track data, so critical in getting these 12,000-horsepower cars down the track successfully, will be at a bare minimum for all nitro teams until Friday afternoon’s first round of qualifying.
The Dave Grubnic / John Collins-led Speedmaster program proved their mettle at the season-opening Gatornationals by grabbing the No. 1 qualifying spot, posting Hart’s first official run in excess of 340 mph and, ultimately, his career third national event victory. The team’s overall performance dipped over the next few races but bounced back two weeks ago at Route 66 Raceway, Hart’s 100th Top Fuel start, with a semifinal finish and career-best run of 341.25 mph, the first and only 340-mph run in the track’s history.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after six of 20 races are: 1. Shawn Langdon, 594; 2. Doug Kalitta, 540; 3. Leah Pruett, 429; 4. Tony Stewart, 388; 5. Josh Hart, 376; 6. Maddi Gordon, 358; 7. Antron Brown, 313; 8. Justin Ashley, 311; 9. Billy Torrence, 282; 10. Clay Millican, 252.
Quotes
How are you preparing for the Potomac Nationals?
“At this stage, about one-third of the way through the 2026 season, the Speedmaster Top Fuel team is focused on one round at a time, both in qualifying and eliminations. There’s so much at stake every time you roll up to the line that you can’t take anything for granted and can’t look past one round to the next.”
What are your thoughts on competing in an inaugural NHRA event?
“I love the new venues because it levels the playing field. Dave Grubnic and John Collins (crew chiefs) have decades of knowledge to pull from and, with track guru Lanny Miglizzi providing information to all the John Force Racing teams, I have every confidence our Speedmaster team will end up in the winner’s circle at the end of the day Sunday.”
Assess where the team is six races into the season?
“The Speedmaster team has come together nicely. We’re six races in and getting our feet firmly planted as we go. We’ve proven what we’re capable of but now it’s time to show everybody we are a championship-caliber combination. It’s time to turn on more win lights each weekend and set some records.”
Weekend Appearances
Thurs., March 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET, NHRA Fan Fest at The Barns at New Market, 29133 Thompson Corner Road, Mechanicsville, MD, 20659; Sat., March 30, 9:30-10 a.m. ET, autograph session at Mission Foods display, NHRA Midway; Sat., March 30, 10-10:30 a.m. ET, autograph session at Cornwell Tools display, NHRA Midway.
Track Schedule
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5 p.m. ET on Fri., May 29, with the final two rounds Sat., May 30, at 12:30 and 3 p.m. ET. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 31, at 11 a.m. ET.
TV Schedule
Television coverage on FS1 includes a qualifying show Fri., May 29, from 7 – 8 p.m. ET, a second qualifying show Sat., May 30, from 7 – 8 p.m. ET, and the eliminations broadcast Sunday, May 31, from 3 – 6 p.m. ET.
2026 Results
| Event | Qualify | Round by Round | Round Record | Points Position |
| Gainesville | 1 | Beat Dan Mercier, Tripp Tatum, Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta | 4-0 | 1 |
| Phoenix | 10 | Beat Justin Ashley, lost to Leah Pruett | 5-1 | 2 |
| Pomona1 | 2 | Beat Cameron Ferre, lost to Tony Stewart | 6-2 | 4 |
| Charlotte | 4 | Lost in 1st quad | 6-3 | 5 |
| Valdosta | 9 | Lost to Leah Pruett | 6-4 | 5 |
| Chicago | 4 | Beat Justin Ashley, Tony Stewart, lost to Shawn Langdon | 8-5 | 5 |
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