NHRA Gatornationals Launch NHRA’s 75th Anniversary March 5-8

The NHRA’s 75th anniversary season will launch at Gainesville Raceway with the 57th annual Gatornationals, running from March 5 to 8, 2026. This Florida event is a major fixture in drag racing.

Fans always mark their calendars for this race, and the anniversary year will bring even more excitement. Officials have revealed that tickets go on sale starting August 25, 2025.

The entire 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule will follow soon after. Gatornationals has a rich tradition, shaping the careers of drivers for more than five decades.

Gainesville’s track is where legends and up-and-comers have delivered memorable moments.

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This year, Antron Brown won in Top Fuel, Chad Green took the Funny Car trophy, Dallas Glenn finished first in Pro Stock, and Gaige Herrera came out on top in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Their victories opened up the 2025 season and kept the spotlight on Gainesville as the place where stars shine. John Force leads all Funny Car drivers with eight Gatornationals wins, a record that testifies to his dominance at this venue.

In Pro Stock, Warren Johnson holds the record with nine wins. Tony Schumacher, known for his Top Fuel success, and six-time Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson each have five victories at this historic race.

Ron Capps, another multi-time NHRA champion, has celebrated at Gainesville four times.

Gainesville Raceway has also seen wins from Brittany Force, Erica Enders, Matt Hagan, Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, J.R. Todd, Cruz Pedregon, Steve Torrence, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Matt Smith, and Gaige Herrera.

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The Gatornationals will also be the starting point for a season-long celebration of the NHRA’s milestones. Organizers have promised special features, appearances by racing legends, and one-of-a-kind displays to mark the anniversary.

Details on these unique events will come out over the next few months. Longtime fans can expect a mix of nostalgia and memorable moments that are unique to this anniversary season.

Trackside activities during the Gatornationals are expected to highlight the NHRA’s heritage while also looking ahead to the future. The event has always played a key role in the NHRA calendar, and its placement as the opening event of the 75th season puts the spotlight squarely on Gainesville.

For many current drivers, a win here means joining a list of the sport’s best. Race fans are set for a memorable start to the 2026 drag racing season with this event.

With so many standout names returning to compete and special festivities planned, the Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway will carry extra importance this year. More specifics about the race weekend, including special events and guest appearances, will be announced as the date approaches.

The 57th annual NHRA Gatornationals will highlight the sport’s history and celebrate everything that makes NHRA drag racing unique. As anticipation builds, drivers, teams, and fans all look forward to an unforgettable kickoff for the 75th anniversary season in March 2026. For more updates on major motorsports events, visit this detailed coverage page.

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.