2026

[jgrigz]

There’s a new IHRA schedule for 2026 that’s been floating around that may or may not be legit. The list includes the old Southern Nationals site in Commerce Georgia and Memphis Motorsports Park as venues late next year. These would have to be completely rebuilt from the ground up within a year if this is true. The track in Lecister NY is also on the list as well. Your thoughts?

 

[TSK]

I'm only about 1.5 hours west of Memphis. If the track was to reopen that would be great, just as long as guns are issued to all attendees as soon as you enter Millington.

 

[jgrigz]

I'm only about 1.5 hours west of Memphis. If the track was to reopen that would be great, just as long as guns are issued to all attendees as soon as you enter Millington.

The same could be said for East St. Louis from what I’ve heard.

 

[Paul]

The same could be said for East St. Louis from what I’ve heard.

Just don't stop until you get to the track. Honestly, where I usually stay for that race the GPS dumps you off in East St. Louis and you have to drive through to get to the tack. It's not bad at all.

 

[luxexpress]

Empire Dragway has done a lot to the track in the last few years and if the old Empire Nationals was any indication will be very well attended.

 

[Quesadilla]

Wouldn’t be surprised if the Northern Nationals at US-131 became a national event

 

[mick]

Wouldn’t be surprised if the Northern Nationals at US-131 became a national event

would be a great location to host one, and that 131 is top notch.

 

[Butch]

Would love to see a return of something similar to the Popular Hotrod meet of yesterday.
That was an awesome venue.

 

[luxexpress]

All events and classes will run eighth mile in 2026. Probably a good move for the racers.

 

[Nunz]

Empire Dragway is my home track. Not sure if that's a done deal or not. I'm kind of disappointed that IHRA has decided to go all 1/8 mile. I know it makes sense for many tracks, but there are plenty that can still successfully run 1/4 mile in addition to 1000 ft. fuel cars.

 

[Joe]

All events and classes will run eighth mile in 2026. Probably a good move for the racers.

Yes, maybe going to smaller tracks now those areas will get to see nitro. More opportunities. IHRA doing its own thing. Over 20 different TF drivers and 19 FC drivers at the events this year. We heard lots more coming in26. $50000 is $50000,

 

[Steve Wayne]

I know a lot of people don’t care for 1/8 mile racing but it makes sense for IHRA, most of the struggles with the nitro cars getting down the track were issues past the 1/8th. Probably really good for the lower budget teams, shortening the wick should save some parts as well.

 

[mick]

never really been a fan of 1/8 mile racing until i started paying attention to the pro mods. those things are so wound up
on the starting line, and then see what can happen in such a short distance. good and bad. the great runs are a thing of beauty.

one of the things i noticed watching the galot race, was how many classes were running essentially the same e.t.
TAFC, PM, outlaw PM, and pro NITROUS are all running around 3.60 - 3.70 et's

Fuel Altered 10 entries
MMPS, 23 entries for 16 car field
Pro Mod, 24 entries all run

 

[Butch]

Might as well call it RT racing. Because it's over at the 100' mark

 

[J]

Well crap,i liked watchn ihra this year,they had to ruin it....

 

[Chili]

The main reason that the NHRA pro mod class never gets much more than 20 entries is they are the only place you can run quarter mile. Now that’s also the case for all racing classes. IHRA got 40+ pro mods in the last couple of races. I wonder how much this is going to hurt PDRA and MWDRS? I could see one of them if not both of them see smaller car counts in 2026 if their purse isn’t close to what IHRA is offering.

 

[justafan]

I wonder how much this is going to hurt PDRA and MWDRS? I could see one of them if not both of them see smaller car counts in 2026 if their purse isn’t close to what IHRA is offering.

Chris, I totally agree with you on this. The car counts for the PDRA & MWDRS were already down a bit this year. I believe that the IHRA will definitely have an impact on them. The IHRA was wise to release their 2026 schedule as early as they did. The same for Mountain Motor Pro Stock, which started with the IHRA (correct me if I am wrong), which had over 20 cars at the last event, will make difficult for the NHRA and PDRA to get full fields for the class.

 

[Joe]

The main reason that the NHRA pro mod class never gets much more than 20 entries is they are the only place you can run quarter mile. Now that’s also the case for all racing classes. IHRA got 40+ pro mods in the last couple of races. I wonder how much this is going to hurt PDRA and MWDRS? I could see one of them if not both of them see smaller car counts in 2026 if their purse isn’t close to what IHRA is offering.

How much does NHRA pay in Pro Mod? I believe it's $30000 in IHRA?

 

[luxexpress]

On her YouTube channel, Clay Millican's sister says that it looks like Memphis is going to happen. Good to see a track rescued. Hopefully it's true.

 

[Chili]

On her YouTube channel, Clay Millican's sister says that it looks like Memphis is going to happen. Good to see a track rescued. Hopefully it's true.

Anytime we can get a track back from the dead it’s a good thing. I screenshot those pics from Instagram. These were fairly recent from Memphis. The place is going to need a lot of work.