(Photos by Darr Hawthorne and Kim Fuller) • NHRA has finally rolled out the 2026 Hot Rod Heritage Series schedule, and it’s a lineup that’s just right for vintage nitro drag racing fans. With NHRA celebrating its 75th Anniversary, the series once again puts classic nitro cars on legendary tracks, stretching from the desert Southwest to the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and all the way into Alberta Canada.
Overheard at the PRI Show this week in Indy, that there are negotiations underway to bring Heritage Series Nitro Funny Cars back to Qlispé Raceway Park in Spokane, WA for July ’26. Shades of Bill Doner!
The kick-off begins on Feb. 13–14 at Tucson Dragway with the Tucson Dragway Reunion, where Group 1 and 2 racecars open the season. From there, the series heads straight to hallowed ground, as the Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet returns to Famoso Dragstrip in Bakersfield, Calif., March 5–8. As always, the March Meet brings everyone to the party, with all Heritage Series classes on track and over fifty nitro cars at the “Patch”.
Spring keeps the momentum going April 24–26 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., for the Cactus Clash, featuring Group 1 and 2 competition. May is a busy with the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by The Blower Shop at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho on May 15–17, where Funny Cars are the show. Days later, the action shifts back to California for Funny Car Fever at Redding Motorsports Park, May 22–23, again showcasing Group 1 and 2.
Summer starts the big push, beginning June 18–20 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky., for the National Hot Rod Reunion, where Top Fuel cars headline the show. Top Fuel also takes center stage July 3–4 at the Americana at Great Bend at SRCA Dragstrip in Great Bend, Kan., before Funny Cars roar north of the border for the Rocky Mountain Nationals at RAD Torque Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, July 10–11. Don’t forget to pack a couple extra racks of pistons!
August is packed with the Nightfire Nationals presented by Bi-Mart returning to Firebird Raceway in Boise Aug. 7–9, featuring both Top Fuel, Funny Car, AA/Fuel Altereds and Pro Mods. Then the Nostalgia Summer Nationals take over Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Ore., Aug. 28–30, with Funny Cars on track and a double hit of Group 1 and 2 competition.
As the calendar flips toward fall, Top Fuel Thunder Under the Lites lights up Redding Motorsports Park Sept. 11–12 Groups 1 and 2 racing. The season wraps up back at back at Famoso Dragstrip, where so much drag racing history lives, with the California Hot Rod Reunion, Oct. 23–25, bringing Top Fuel, Funny Car, Fuel Altereds with Group 1 and 2 together to close out the 2026 Heritage Series.
It’s a schedule built on tradition, nitro, hot rods and iconic racetracks, and a fitting way to celebrate 75 years of NHRA drag racing.
