ADEL, GA – April 29, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – After an eventful event in Charlotte, past Funny Car world champion J.R. Todd and the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series travel to South Georgia Motorsports Park for the facility’s first NHRA national event for this weekend’s NHRA Southern Nationals.
It’s the first back-to-back race of the year, and Todd and his DHL GR Supra Funny Car team continue to build momentum with two semifinal finishes this season, including last weekend in Charlotte. Todd advanced to the final quad, but it was a wild ride to get there, as he took an unexpected trip to the sand trap at the end of the track.
The team went to the spare car in the final quad, but the primary car will return at SGMP and Todd feels confident the team is on the verge of a victory.
“That was unfortunate,” said Todd. “We brought out our spare car for the final (in Charlotte). I feel like if we didn’t have that issue in the semis with the primary car, I really think that we had a really good shot at winning. But we’ll go out there in Georgia and try and get it done this weekend.”
This weekend’s NHRA Southern Nationals marks NHRA’s historic first visit to South Georgia Motorsports Park and the first of the four new facilities added to the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
It marks a memorable moment during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season and Todd knows being the first-ever winner at the facility during a milestone year would make for a special moment.
“We don’t have any notes to go off of from there, but at the same time, it’d be nice to be the first Funny Car winner, since it’s the first time we’re competing there,” said Todd. “I’ve been there about 15 years ago to race a Pro Mod, but I’m looking forward to getting to a new venue and hopefully we draw on some new fans to the area.”
Winners in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will be the first to win the highly coveted NHRA 75th anniversary diamond Wally at SGMP, making it a must-see event for every fan.
From two rounds of qualifying on Friday, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge bonus race on Saturday – as well as two more rounds of qualifying – and eliminations on Sunday, it’s a jam-packed weekend at SGMP, bringing back the Southern Nationals name to the NHRA circuit. It’s the first of four visits to new facilities for NHRA in 2026 and this one will feature a host of 75th anniversary events, including:
- An appearance from NHRA legend and three-time Top Fuel world champion “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, as well as NHRA legend Darryl Gwynn.
- A celebration of Garlits’ historic career and his passion for innovation, engineering and advancing the sport of drag racing.
- On Friday, a free, limited-edition NHRA pennant will be given to the first 3,500 fans in attendance.
- A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and 75th anniversary stage in Nitro Alley.
A win won’t come easy, as Funny Car continues to be an ultra-competitive class. Three-time world champ Ron Capps has two wins on the season and is the points leader, while four-time champ Matt Hagan earned the historic 1,000th Funny Car race win in Pomona. Chad Green won at the season opener in Gainesville for the second consecutive year, while others to watch include back-to-back world champ Austin Prock, Cruz Pedregon and Daniel Wilkerson.
With his semifinal finish in Charlotte, Todd and his team will be slated into this weekend’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. He’ll rematch with Capps while Hagan will take on Jack Beckman, and Todd can sense the momentum his team continues to build this season.
“The confidence is definitely high in our camp,” Todd said. “I feel like team morale has definitely changed this year with all the changes that we’ve made between the race cars, the tune-up, bringing Todd Smith back to work with (crew chief) Dickie Venables. Everybody’s outlook has changed and the results have shown that.
“We’ve made the right changes and improvements to the team, so confidence, I’d say, is definitely high. I feel like this is the best race car that we’ve had in a long time, going back to probably 2018. With the way that it’s going up and down the track, the majority of the time with no issues, you feel good going into the busy part of the year.”
Currently leading the Top Fuel division is reigning world champion Doug Kalitta, following his win in Charlotte. His teammate and Phoenix winner Shawn Langdon is second, while Leah Pruett is third after returning to full-time racing this season. Tony Stewart is fourth after his win in Pomona.
Reigning Pro Stock champion Dallas Glenn currently leads the points over his KB Titan Racing teammate and six-time world champion Greg Anderson. The two have wins on the season, while Matt Hartford has two wins from Gainesville and Charlotte.
Once again, this season is a battle between Vance & Hines teammates with reigning champion Richard Gadson leading the way after winning in Gainesville. Charlotte winner and two-time world champ Gaige Herrea is second. Others to watch will be John Hall, Chase Van Sant, and six-time world champion Matt Smith.
The race festivities kick off at 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, with a “Rev & Rally” race weekend preparty and fanfest from Visit Valdosta at the Rainwater Conference Center. Fans can meet a host of their favorite NHRA drivers, enjoy live music, enter a free raffle with prizes including a pair of tickets to the NHRA Southern Nationals and much more.
The NHRA Southern Nationals will also feature the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and the Summit Racing Equipment Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout.
Race fans at South Georgia Motorsports Park can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. They are also invited to congratulate the event winners at the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday.
As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2 and 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, May 1 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 2 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 3. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday and 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, with eliminations action to follow at 7 p.m.
To purchase tickets to the 2026 NHRA Southern Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information about the NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
About Mission Foods
MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/
About NHRA
NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Source: National Hot Rod Association
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