Thu, 12 Feb 2026, 14:40 PM 75th Anniversary Celebration Kickoff at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2026 NHRA/National Dragster Features Garlits Swamp Rat Alley

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – To start the 75th anniversary celebration, NHRA will open the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season in grand style at famed Gainesville Raceway for the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on March 5-8.

NHRA will pay homage to some of its legendary names during the milestone year, starting in Gainesville with appearances from icons like Kenny Bernstein, Joe Amato, Don Prudhomme, Shirley Muldowney, Darrell Gwynn and drag racing pioneer “Big Daddy” Don Garlits at the famed venue. Along with that, Garlits’ popular “Swamp Rat Alley” will return for the weekend, featuring a trio of historic Garlits cars (Swamp Rat 1-B, Swamp Rat 8 and Swamp Rat 28A).

2025 Swamp Rat Alley Photo copyright 2026 Auto Imagery, Inc.

Each played a big role in NHRA’s 75 years, including these memorable highlights:

• Swamp Rat 1-B:
• Swamp Rat 1-B set a new speed record of 182.54 mph in Houston on June 10, 1959. Garlits had a massive fire in the car just 10 days later, but it was repaired and continued to set speed marks.
• Top speed: 204.54 mph
• Low elapsed time: 8.23-seconds

• Swamp Rat 8:
• This legendary dragster debuted at Bakersfield in one of the largest Top Fuel fields in history (120 entries). After some initial struggle, the car impressed during the 1965 season, posting big numbers after Garlits made some tuning adjustments.
• Top Speed: 208.32 mph
• Low elapsed time: 7.55

• Swamp Rat 28 A:
• Built as a lightweight, high-gear-only Top Fuel car, Garlits never found much success with it. He saved all the parts and pieces from the original car and recreated it, with a running model now at the Motorsports Hall of Fame in Daytona Beach.
• Top Speed: 255.54 mph
• Low elapsed time: 5.92

All the current stars of the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will make their 2026 debut at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals for the chance to win the coveted NHRA 75th anniversary Diamond Wally. Sportsman drivers in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will also be competing for their chance at a Diamond Wally, as well as competitors in the NHRA Pro Mod Series and Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown.

Top Fuel drivers will have a chance at a double-up with the return of the NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout. The top eight drivers from last season’s qualifying efforts will compete in the unique callout-style race, with reigning champion Doug Kalitta taking his pick of the field as he looks for a second straight Callout win as well.

Gaige Herrera, Dallas Glenn, Antron Brown and Chad Green celebrate last season wins at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals

Last year, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Chad Green (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won on the hallowed grounds of Gainesville Raceway to open the year. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8.

Brown, a four-time Top Fuel world champ, collected his second Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals win last season when he defeated Shawn Langdon in the final round. Throughout a competitive season, it was Top Fuel veteran Kalitta who secured his second world title at the conclusion of 2025. Others to watch in Gainesville will be Justin Ashley, Clay Millican and motorsports legend Tony Stewart, as well as the return of his wife, 12-time race winner Leah Pruett.

Chad Green won his second career Funny Car race last season, beating three-time world champion Ron Capps. Two-time reigning champion Austin Prock, who earned nine wins throughout the year, dominated the year and will be looking for his first win in Gainesville. After Prock’s dramatic offseason departure from John Force Racing, multi-time champions Matt Hagan, Jack Beckman and Cruz Pedregon, as well as Daniel Wilkerson and Jordan Vandergriff, will be eager to challenge the reigning champ.

Dallas Glenn defeated Greg Anderson in 2025 Gainesville final. Photo copyright 2026 Auto Imagery, Inc.

The 2025 Pro Stock season was dominated by KB Titan Racing, with standout star Dallas Glenn earning his first world title. His championship campaign kicked off when he defeated teammate and six-time champ Greg Anderson in Gainesville. Glenn and Anderson traded event wins all year, as Glenn finished with eight victories. Glenn and Anderson will be up against their longtime rivals at Elite Motorsports, led by six-time world champ Erica Enders, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Aaron Stanfield.

Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera has never lost a round at Gainesville. Last year, he earned his third straight Gatornationals win, defeating rival Matt Smith. Herrera won seven races in 2025, but it was Vance & Hines teammate Richard Gadson who earned his first world championship. Gadson and Herrera will once again battle it out, taking on the likes of Steve Johnson, Jianna Evaristo, Angie Smith and Chase Van Sant.

Kenny Bernstein

This year promises to be one of the biggest races in Gatornationals history. Along with a full slate of racing, fans can expect a multitude of events to celebrate the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and NHRA’s 75th anniversary, including:

• A celebration of Bernstein’s historic 300-mph run from 1992.
• A free, limited-edition NHRA 2026 season poster to the first 6,500 fans in attendance on Sunday.
• A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and a 75th anniversary stage in Nitro Alley.

Upgraded experiences in the Gainesville Top Eliminator Club – which features a premium experience and a number of exclusive benefits at one of the biggest races of the season – are also available for purchase. Fans are encouraged to purchase early as TEC tickets will sell out.

Before the race, fans are invited to a special “Gatornationals Kickoff Party and Fanfest” at Josh Hart’s Burnyzz Speedshop in Ocala. In what’s become an exciting pre-event tradition, the event will take place on Wednesday, March 4. The fun-filled kickoff event will include driver appearances and autographs at the state-of-the-art facility and more.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 NHRA Gatornationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket.

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