NHRA Brings Back National Hot Rod Reunion Name at Beech Bend for 2026
The National Hot Rod Association is going old school in 2026, bringing back the National Hot Rod Reunion name for its annual stop at Beech Bend Raceway. The event is set for June 18–20 and lands right in the middle of NHRA’s 75th anniversary celebration.
This marks a reset for one of the most nostalgic events on the calendar, with a renewed focus on heritage, roots racing, and the atmosphere that made the Reunion a fan favorite in the first place.
Track owner Broc Porter will take the lead in running the event alongside his wife, Rebecca, continuing a family legacy at Beech Bend dating back to the 1980s. The move also strengthens ties with the NHRA Motorsports Museum, which will benefit from proceeds generated during the weekend.
The National Hot Rod Reunion is part of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series and delivers three full days of nostalgia racing, show cars, hot rods, and a packed swap meet. Expect a strong mix of on-track action and off-track energy, including cacklefests, show-and-shine displays, and plenty of old-school iron.
On track, the headline is nostalgia racing at its best, with nitro-burning Top Fuel dragsters ripping past at over 240 mph. Eliminations wrap up on Sunday, closing out a weekend that’s equal parts racing, history lesson, and celebration of the legends who built the sport.
With the return of the National Hot Rod Reunion name and the added spotlight of NHRA’s 75th anniversary, this year’s event is shaping up to be a big one for racers and fans who still live for the golden era of drag racing.