SOUTH GEORGIA MOTORSPORTS PARK, MARYLAND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY TALK THRILLS OF NHRA NATIONAL EVENT IN 2026
Both facilities will host NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series races for the
first time as part of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 8, 2025) – For the first time in a dozen years,
the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series will have new destinations during
its national event schedule, adding South Georgia Motorsports Park and
Maryland International Raceway to the 2026 season as part of NHRA’s
75th anniversary celebration.
The two new tracks were revealed during NHRA’s schedule announcement
leading into the world’s biggest drag race, the Cornwell Quality Tools
NHRA U.S. Nationals, and the two track owners put pen to paper during
the race while meeting with the media.
The NHRA Southern Nationals returns to Georgia, as the NHRA debuts at
South Georgia Motorsports Park just outside of Valdosta, Ga., on May 1-3
at the sixth event of the season. Four weeks later, NHRA will debut at
Maryland International Raceway, just outside of Washington, D.C., as the
storied track will play host to the NHRA Potomac Nationals on May 29-31.
For SGMP Owner Raul Torres and MIR Owner Royce Miller, the announcement
marked an exciting moment in each track’s illustrious history.
“This is monumental for South Georgia Motorsports Park and the
area,” Torres said. “This is going to be a historic race and we’re
very excited. We’re very passionate about drag racing and this
industry, and I’m extremely grateful and blessed for this opportunity.
We’re going to run with this and we’re going to give it all we’ve
got. The NHRA believes in me, my wife, our family, our team and this
facility, and we’re extremely excited for this opportunity and what
the future holds.”
Said Miller: “We’re bringing the premier show to our market and I
really believe our fans are ready for it. I’m proud to have taken the
track to a level where we can host an NHRA national event. I think the
fans are hungry for this and I’m excited for that purpose. We do have
some loyal, dedicated fans and we are thrilled to bring this show to our
fans. That’s what it’s all about – entertaining the fans.”
Reaching new markets and fanbases, and heading to facilities for the
first time was an important priority for NHRA heading into its historic
75th season. Both SGMP and MIR provide that, as the Southern Nationals
will help NHRA reach dynamic markets in Tallahassee, Atlanta and
Jacksonville, while the Potomac Nationals allows fans from Washington,
D.C. and Baltimore to experience the incredible thrill of 340-mph,
12,000-horsepower in person for the first time.
It represents a major opportunity for Torres and his family at SGMP,
with the race marking the fifth race during the 2026 campaign.
“For us to grow, we have to go to new markets and this is just the
beginning,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “For the Southern
Nationals, it starts with Raul, Jennifer and his great team, and this
gets us in a place where we haven’t been. It’s an exciting time
going into our 75th anniversary and we’re thrilled to share that with
Raul and his team. It’s going to be a big year next season, not only
for Raul and SGMP, but for all of our national event tracks. We’re in
a great place with great track owners, and it’s important to take our
superstars to new places.”
The track expansion marks the first time since 2013 NHRA has introduced
a new facility to the national event schedule. Maryland International
Raceway represents a great opportunity as well, with the area invited to
join NHRA’s 75th anniversary celebration in 2026, which is also the
250th anniversary of the United States.
The Miller family has owned and operated the track since 1989, building
a stellar facility and local fanbase. Now, Miller and the tremendous
fanbase in the area will get to experience all the thrills of an NHRA
national event with the Potomac Nationals, which will be the seventh of
20 events in 2026.
“This is an exciting time and it’s time for the NHRA to venture into
new markets,” Cromwell said. “Coming to Maryland International
Raceway, it’s going to be a tremendous event. It starts with Royce.
He’s a proven track promoter and we’re thrilled to be there and to
celebrate our 75th anniversary. It’s going to be an incredible
celebration as America celebrates its 250th anniversary next year, and I
know the entire NHRA community and fans are excited to come to this
event.”
All races during the 2026 NHRA season will be aired exclusively on FOX
Sports, with select events on the FOX broadcast network. The 2025
Countdown to the Championship playoffs open this weekend with the 40th
annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at historic Maple
Grove Raceway.
For more info on NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com [1].