NHRA’s 2025 season will be the lead-up to its 75th year of operation, which takes place in 2026, with special events and salutes to Wally Parks, who had the idea to bring drag racing off the streets and to dragstrips around the United States.
Officially begun in 1951, the National Hot Rod Association is issuing its 75th anniversary logo and rings, commemorative tickets and events to commemorate the occasion. The buildup to 2026 will begin with the start of the 2025 season opener, the 55th annual NHRA Gatornationals and continue through both the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Some of the items announced during the launch of the 75th anniversary campaign include 75th anniversary replica rings that will be given to fans renewing tickets for 2026 races; this will occur during the 2025 season. The replica rings will be given to Mission Foods Drag Racing Series world champions in 2026, along with their Wally winner’s trophies, the championship trophies and lanyard medals.
Commemorative tickets for 2026 events will celebrate the landmark season. Special and unique Wally trophies are being made for all 2026 race winners and will be exclusive for the Mission Foods anniversary season.
A special documentary, the first full-length film on the life and career of NHRA founder Wally Parks is being released during the anniversary season and, much like the Top 50 NHRA Driver List released on the occasion of NHRA’s 50th year of operation, a Top 75 Driver List will be named during this special season of racing. The Top 75 Drivers List is also going to be released in book form, with a high-quality hardcover coffee table book that relates the history of NHRA, from its humble beginnings to its current status.
During the PRI show in Indianapolis, these plans were made known, with Glen Cromwell, NHRA president, Evan Donat, senior vice president of national events and reigning, 2024 NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown on hand to ignite the celebration. During their discussion of the plans for 2026, both Cromwell and Donat noted they were among the final employees hired by Wally Parks, and have used that synergy to help elevate NHRA to its current status.
“The 75th anniversary of NHRA drag racing marks a landmark moment in our sports history. We’re excited to kick off the campaign for that historic season in 2026 throughout our upcoming, 2025 season,” Cromwell noted. “From a special logo and 75th anniversary rings, we’re thrilled to introduce several initiatives already for that celebratory season in 2026. We will have many more to announce throughout 2025 in this exciting year-long buildup.
“NHRA has an incredible history – as well as a bright future – and we look forward to celebrating that with our fans, race teams member tracks and partner,” Cromwell emphasized. Additional announcements and initiatives for this momentous anniversary will be announced during the upcoming weeks and months.
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