DRC Staff
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series has entered its championship stretch. Six playoff events will determine the 2026 champions during NHRA’s 75th-anniversary season.
Top Fuel begins with Kalitta Motorsports teammates Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon at the front, while Leah Pruett, Tony Stewart and several established contenders remain within striking distance. Funny Car may be even tighter, with Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman and Jordan Vandergriff leading a deep field.
Pro Stock again features Dallas Glenn and Greg Anderson near the top, but Matt Hartford, Greg Stanfield and multiple younger challengers have made the field increasingly competitive. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Richard Gadson begins his title defense against Gaige Herrera, Matt Smith, Angie Smith and the rest of the two-wheel field.
The road to Pomona
The Countdown includes first-time national-event stops along with races in St. Louis, Dallas and Las Vegas. The championship concludes at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, November 12–15.
Read NHRA’s full championship analysis →
Source: NHRA. This article is an original summary prepared by DRC Staff.