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Meet the 4 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Stars Eyeing 2026 Rookie of the Year
Highlights
- Four drivers currently qualify for 2026 NHRA Rookie of the Year.
- Cody Anderson leads Pro Stock rookies with strong playoff showing.
- Maddi Gordon won NHRA Nationals, ranks eighth in Top Fuel points.
- Clay Howey reached multiple semifinals, ranks ninth in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
- Will Smith earned first runner-up finish, ranked fifth in Top Fuel.
- Dylan Winefsky becomes eligible at upcoming Las Vegas NHRA event.
NHRA officials name four drivers currently qualifying for the 2026 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Rookie of the Year, with Dylan Winefsky set to gain eligibility at Las Vegas.
The award uses a panel of auto racing journalists, weighing participation, performance, promotional involvement, and relationships with fans, sponsors, and media. NHRA announces the winner on November 16 at Pechanga.
Recent recipients include Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley, Chase Van Sant, Dallas Glenn, and Austin Prock. Spencer Hyde is the 2025 Funny Car Rookie of the Year.
Pro Stock rookie Cody Anderson delivers a composed debut. He reaches his first final at Rockingham, wins the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Indianapolis, and sits sixth after making the Countdown.
The son of six-time champion Greg Anderson continues to build consistency, strengthening Cody Anderson’s rookie bid as the season compresses.
Anderson sits sixth after Rockingham’s final and a #2Fast2Tasty victory at Indianapolis.
Top Fuel newcomer Maddi Gordon, guided by Ron Capps, opens with consecutive semifinals, then wins Norwalk over Antron Brown. She later finishes runner-up to Doug Kalitta in Brainerd.
Gordon is eighth and a Countdown qualifier, resetting her best speed to 340.65 mph in St. Louis. Her rise underscores the depth of drag racing women competing at nitro level.
Gordon’s Norwalk victory and 340.65 mph personal best anchor a rapid Top Fuel progression.
Pro Stock Motorcycle rookie Clay Howey starts with a Gainesville semifinal, repeats the feat in Charlotte and Maryland, and qualifies at every start. He holds ninth, with his best qualifying fifth at Maryland.
Top Fuel’s Will Smith, in Scag Racing’s Bluebird Turf dragster, makes a decisive step with a St. Louis runner-up and Rockingham semifinals. He enters the Countdown and climbs to fifth, helped by elite launches.
Smith surges to fifth in Top Fuel after a first career runner-up in St. Louis.
Funny Car rookie Dylan Winefsky gains eligibility at the MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals. He has four starts, including qualifying appearances at Phoenix and Pomona.
With motorcycles facing three remaining events and decisive rounds elsewhere, rookie positions can still pivot. For continuing context, follow the evolving 2026 NHRA rookie candidates picture through the final stretch.
Visual Summary
🏁
Will Smith
5th in points
🚗
Cody Anderson
6th
💨
Maddi Gordon
8th
🏍️
Clay Howey
9th
🔥
Dylan Winefsky
Debuts Vegas
Countdown Line
🏆
Nov 16
Winner Announced
Winner Announced
Who will be NHRA's next star?
Cody Anderson
Runner-up in Rockingham
Mission #2Fast2Tasty Winner 🇺🇸
Son of legend Greg Anderson
Runner-up in Rockingham
Mission #2Fast2Tasty Winner 🇺🇸
Son of legend Greg Anderson
Maddi Gordon
Beat 4x champ Antron Brown
Set PB: 340.65 mph 🚀
Guided by Ron Capps
Beat 4x champ Antron Brown
Set PB: 340.65 mph 🚀
Guided by Ron Capps
Clay Howey
Semifinals x3
Qualified every race
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Semifinals x3
Qualified every race
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Will Smith
St. Louis runner-up
Best starter in Top Fuel
Bluebird Turf / Scag Racing
St. Louis runner-up
Best starter in Top Fuel
Bluebird Turf / Scag Racing
🏆 Nov. 16
Winner
Announced
Announced
ROTY Criteria:
Performance • Playoffs • Fan & Sponsor Impact
Las Vegas
Winefsky
Debuts
Debuts
Meet the NHRA’s New Wave of Stars — Who gets your vote?
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.
