MOTORSPORT AMERICA PHOTOS OF FRIDAY AT THE NRHA NATIONALS AT THE ROCK

Tony Stewart prepares for his run at Rockingham

Photos by Fred Hanyon, Doug Lewis and John Knittel 

 

by Derek Jackson

The inaugural NHRA Nationals at The Rock brought NHRA Championship Drag Racing back to Rockingham Dragway for the first time since 1998.

NHRA and Rockingham Dragway announced that the historic track hosted a full NHRA national event for the first time in track history as part of NHRA’s 75th Anniversary celebration in 2026.

NHRA Championship Drag Racing returned to Rockingham for the first time since the final Winston Invitational in 1998 and for the first time with points on the line, and the fans showed up in droves to welcome the tour back to The Rock.

When track owners Dan VanHorn and Al Gennarelli took the stage during the pre-race ceremony, they were wildly cheered by the fans. NHRA National Dragster also presented a commemorative cover to them on Saturday to celebrate the return of nitro to The Rock.