2026 Schedule

[z28]

I’m a little disappointed that Vegas 1 is gone but I’m happy to see a couple of less 4 wides on the schedule. The TBD date is the weekend prior to St. Louis so let’s not rule out Flying H. Wishful thinking that maybe Bandimere could be up and running by that point but I don’t see that happening for 2026. I don’t think they have touched the new land as of yet.

I would guess Bandimere would go back to around Seattle and Sonoma when it comes back

 

[Polish Hammer]

That’s too bad, I really liked my trips there. Also prepaid for 2026, wonder how long it will be until NHRA provides a refund.

To answer my own question here, I asked NHRA and got this:

“We are still waiting on confirmation to know if we will be returning or not. If we are not, we will refund you your money.”

 

[Chili]

I would guess Bandimere would go back to around Seattle and Sonoma when it comes back

For sure once it is built. Just thinking that it would give them two additional months to get on the schedule in 26. I don’t think it happens for 26 but I’m hoping. Whenever there is a TBD on the schedule, my thought is a brand new track.

 

[Chili]

I wonder if VMP and Flying H will consider joining the IHRA to get a national event? Flying H spent a fortune and haven’t even got a divisional race.

Not saying that VMP wouldn’t go IHRA, but it was their decision not to have a national event. Flying H had issues during there divisional race in 2024.

 

[Chili]

What's the chances the NHRA went opposite dates of the 3 IHRA races to deliberately try and squash that new organization?
But last I saw IHRA only set dates but not locations.

They are at Darana.

 

[z28]

For sure once it is built. Just thinking that it would give them two additional months to get on the schedule in 26. I don’t think it happens for 26 but I’m hoping. Whenever there is a TBD on the schedule, my thought is a brand new track.

VMP may come back in for the TBD

 

[J]

VMP may come back in for the TBD

If so should be great weather temps. Also travel wise right from maple grove

 

[jgrigz]

The long and short of the 2026 Schedule.

Out - Vegas 1, VMP, Charlotte 2
In - SGMP, MIR, TBD?

Pomona the only track with 2 races.

Guessing the SGMP and possibly MIR, will not run all 4 Pro Classes.

3 dates overlap with the IHRA. Gainesville, Charlotte, Chicago.

I think the IHRA is carving out their own niche like PDRA. Their top stars and fan base is going to be in the Pro Mod and MMPS classes. I would love to see them cough up enough prize money to be a must for Top Alcohol racers.

 

[handsome]

MIR's going to require some track upgrades before this race...guard walls and sand trap come to mind.

Mir has a sand trap. at the end of the very long shut down area. . and I'm sure any upgrades were agreed on before a contract for the race could be signed

 

[mick]

i read that there is a possibility that the EDC light and music festival at vegas is more than likely the reason, or part of the reason behind
vegas1 going away. something about multi year contract EDC has with vegas complex: the setup and overall financial picture.
this last spring EDC took place approx. one month after nhra vegas1

 

[Joe]

I think the IHRA is carving out their own niche like PDRA. Their top stars and fan base is going to be in the Pro Mod and MMPS classes. I would love to see them cough up enough prize money to be a must for Top Alcohol racers.

You are correct, they will have their own nitro stars as well. IHRA can still move locations around as dates are set. Looking forward to Columbus entry list. Looks like 2 seat TF car will be there, somebody's gonna have a great experience

 

[LoPony]

I’m a little disappointed that Vegas 1 is gone but I’m happy to see a couple of less 4 wides on the schedule. The TBD date is the weekend prior to St. Louis so let’s not rule out Flying H. Wishful thinking that maybe Bandimere could be up and running by that point but I don’t see that happening for 2026. I don’t think they have touched the new land as of yet.

I can’t remember, was the Vegas 1 race weak in attendance? Wonder why they did away with that?

 

[mick]

I can’t remember, was the Vegas 1 race weak in attendance? Wonder why they did away with that?

weak attendance coupled with the ginormous annual EDC show held on the entire vegas speedway property. that event makes more money
for the speedway corp. than i think the nascar and nhra race combined. the EDC dates are just after the previous vegas1 dates. the vegas1 nhra race
i think cut into setup for the EDC show.

 

[mick]

8 race sponsors for 20 races in '26. seems about average at this time of season.
lucas oil is not listed with the winters and bir at this time. they've been the title sponsor at BIR since somewhere around
very early 2000's i think?

 

[texbuckeye]

Competition Plus reporting that the fall Vegas race next year (the only Vegas race next year) might be 4 wide. That would be something to have the penultimate race 4-wide.
https://competitionplus.com/rumor-mill-this-ought-to-make-the-four-wide-lovers-happy/

 

[aakar]

Competition Plus reporting that the fall Vegas race next year (the only Vegas race next year) might be 4 wide. That would be something to have the penultimate race 4-wide.
https://competitionplus.com/rumor-mill-this-ought-to-make-the-four-wide-lovers-happy/

No idea why they would do this, unless they have gone mad.
Pretty sure IHRA is loving this rumor!!

 

[GumbyWVU]

Competition Plus reporting that the fall Vegas race next year (the only Vegas race next year) might be 4 wide. That would be something to have the penultimate race 4-wide.
https://competitionplus.com/rumor-mill-this-ought-to-make-the-four-wide-lovers-happy/

That's interesting, especially with the TBD for the usual Charlotte date too.

We went this year to the fall 4-Wide at Charlotte. On Sunday, attendance sure seemed light - the east grandstands maybe had 150 people tops, all day. And the weather was awesome too. But the Panthers had a home game that day, so I wonder to what extent that affected attendance?

 

[drag racer]

Maybe I am missing the nuance behind the "uncertainty of the TBA track" as well ?

 

[Chili]

Maybe I am missing the nuance behind the "uncertainty of the TBA track" as well ?

I heard the rumor this weekend the TBA race is hopefully Great Bend Kansas. I thought it was a crazy idea. They have been closed the last two years over a track paving dispute. They will be ready for 2026 and are going to hold a double divisional next year. It was also the track of the first ever national event. Wouldn’t it make sense to go back on the 75th year? Now I’ve never been there or even know the size of the place. I do know it wasn’t a national event level track a few years ago but it could be possible for a one off event.

 

[Burnnitro1320]

I heard the rumor this weekend the TBA race is hopefully Great Bend Kansas. I thought it was a crazy idea. They have been closed the last two years over a track paving dispute. They will be ready for 2026 and are going to hold a double divisional next year. It was also the track of the first ever national event. Wouldn’t it make sense to go back on the 75th year? Now I’ve never been there or even know the size of the place. I do know it wasn’t a national event level track a few years ago but it could be possible for a one off event.

Whoever you heard that from has probably never been there either. Or has VERY high hopes.