NHRA 4-Wide Nationals Roars into Charlotte during NHRA’s Thrilling 75th Anniversary Season

CONCORD, NC – March 27, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – As NHRA continues to celebrate its 75th anniversary season in 2026, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to zMAX Dragway for one of the most thrilling spectacles in all of motorsports with the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals on April 24-26.

Dubbed the “Bellagio of Dragstrips,” zMAX Dragway provides the perfect stage for a massive sensory overload of nitro-fueled thrills. Fans will witness four nitro-burning machines racing simultaneously, showcasing nearly 50,000-horsepower at once while reaching speeds of more than 340 mph. This can’t-miss experience is a highlight for racing enthusiasts – and the only four-wide event of the year – delivering thrilling racing and one of the most unique experiences in the sport.

The jam-packed schedule at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals will keep fans busy all weekend, starting with two rounds of qualifying, including a must-see night session with pyrotechnics, on Friday. Saturday showcases the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge before eliminations on Sunday, while fans in Charlotte also get to see the debut of the Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series, which features some of the major names from the famous Street Outlaws franchise, including Shawn Ellington, Ryan Martin, Scott Taylor and Jeff Lutz.

This year’s annual visit to Charlotte will continue the season-long celebration of NHRA’s 75th anniversary. As part of the celebration, fans can expect multiple highlights at zMAX Dragway, including:

• An appearance from NHRA’s four-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan, as well as NHRA legends Darryl Gwynn and Frank Manzo.
• Hagan’s historic run at zMAX Dragway in 2011, making the first 3-second run in Funny Car history, will be celebrated as the race’s historic moment, a theme that will take place at all races in 2026. Hagan will be featured on the unique commemorative ticket for the race. Fans can scan the onsite signs at the track to purchase the commemorative ticket, which will be distinctive to each event.
• On Sunday, a free, limited-edition NHRA schedule magnet will be given to the first 5,000 fans in attendance to take in eliminations.
• A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and 75th anniversary stage in Nitro Alley.

Last season, Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed victories at the famed facility. This season’s race will once again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 26.

Langdon added his name to the history books last season when he won NHRA’s 1,000th Top Fuel race. He defeated a star-studded quad that included four-time world champion Antron Brown, standout Justin Ashley and motorsports legend Tony Stewart. Langdon is off to a solid start in 2026 after winning in Phoenix, while others to watch include Tony Schumacher, Leah Pruett, Josh Hart and rookie sensation Maddi Gordon.

Two-time reigning Funny Car champ Austin Prock has four Charlotte wins, including last season when he defeated a quad featuring multi-time world champions Ron Capps and Hagan, along with standout Alexis DeJoria. Prock finished with nine wins, but the two-time champ is still looking to get his footing after moving from John Force Racing to Tasca Racing in the off-season. He’ll take on the likes of Gainesville winner Chad Green, 2025 Rookie of the Year Spencer Hyde and Jordan Vandergriff.

Glenn powered his way to his first Pro Stock world championship in 2025 and won last season’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals when he defeated KB Titan Racing teammate and six-time champ Greg Anderson, 2026 Gainesville winner Matt Hartford and Eric Latino. Their Elite Motorsports rivals include six-time world champ Erica Enders, along with five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Aaron Stanfield.

Pro Stock Motorcycle returns in Charlotte after last racing at the season opener in Gainesville. Six-time world champ Smith won at his home track last season when he defeated reigning world champ Richard Gadson, two-time champ Gaige Herrera and veteran Steve Johnson. Gadson opened 2026 with a win and will face off against Angie Smith, Jianna Evaristo, John Hall and Chase Van Sant.

The NHRA 4-Wide 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 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown.

The NHRA 4-Wide Nationals will see the debut of the new Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series is an exciting new showcase for 2026 and will feature 10 drivers, with three rounds of qualifying over the course of Friday and Saturday in Charlotte, followed by semifinals and finals on Sunday at zMAX Dragway.

Fans will be invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, which hosts Nitro School, meet and greets, autograph sessions and much more. Race fans in Charlotte can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. Fans 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 4:15 and 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 25 at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 26. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and 11:00 a.m. ET on Sunday with eliminations action at 7 p.m. ET to follow.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, please visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 800-455-3267. For more information about 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, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock 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, X and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association 

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