“The Rock” Joins NHRA’s 2026 Countdown to the Championship
There was a lot of conjecture when NHRA announced its 75th anniversary Mission Foods Drag Racing Series 2026 season schedule. There was a “TBA” for the second of six Countdown to the Championship playoff races. Which track would get the nod to host Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle championship contenders in the second race of the playoffs?
On Monday, November 10, that question was answered with historic Rockingham Dragway announced as an NHRA national event circuit. The track and sanctioning group made the announcement that The Rock would host a full NHRA national event for the first time in its history. The NHRA Nationals at The Rock takes place September 25-27, one week after the Countdown begins at its traditional Reading, PA location. It’s the second of six playoff contests.
Part of Rockingham Speedway, comprising an oval track and straight-line dragstrip, The Rock, in Rockingham, North Carolina has a grand history in motorsports. Its oval track hosted NASCAR’s Cup Series from 1965 through 2004 and currently holds NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series contests as well as NASCAR’s O’Reilley Auto Parts Series. Rockingham Dragway currently hosts a variety of straight-line activities for both four- and two-wheeled racers, including the SFG Super Bowl of Bracket Racing and a plethora of divisional contests.
While The Rock has never hosted a national NHRA event in its illustrious past, from 1989 through 1998 NHRA held all-star invitationals at the track, which was originally constructed in 1971. Flanked by reigning , six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson, Rockingham Dragway co-owner Dan VanHorn noted, “This is an exciting moment in Rockingham Dragway’s rich history, to host an NHRA national event during their 75th anniversary season.
“We could not be more thrilled to host all the stars of the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and provide our amazing fans with a show and event like this” he declared. “This is enormous for this facility and all of Richmond (N.C.) County, and we’re thankful for everyone who has supported us and helped make an event like this happen.”
After returning to the NHRA Member Track Network ten years ago The Rock has hosted divisional NHRA races. VanHorn and co-owner Al Gennarelli bought the track in 2022 and have made significant upgrades and renovations to the facility, working in concert with Richmond County Tourism, the City of Rockingham and the State of North Carolina.
Making these changes track owners VanHorn and Gennarelli breathed new life into The Rock. Their emphasis on producing new racing and pit-areas surfaces, procuring new timing and announcing systems, upgrading restroom facilities and concession stands, producing new scoreboards and equipment, as well as updating signage are just some of the improvements NHRA fans will experience next September.
“There’s been a lot of work and resources put into this facility” VanHorn stressed, “and we’re proud of what has been accomplished in such a short time. As we continue to move forward with new projects and improvements, we’re extremely excited about what the future holds.” He gave special credit to the city, county and state for being “great partners who believed in our vision to host an NHRA national event.”
The addition of Rockingham Dragway marks the third new venue for NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, joining South Georgia Motorsports Park and Maryland International Raceway. “As we celebrate NHRA’s 75th anniversary in 2026, it’s fitting we expand our reach to an historic track like Rockingham Dragway and the area’s passionate racing community,” said Glen Cromwell, NHRA president. “We’ve been thrilled to work with Dan and Al, and the entire team at Rockingham Dragway; they’ve shown tremendous dedication in elevating and improving their facility, and we can’t wait to showcase those efforts on a national stage.
“This [addition] also reflects our continued commitment of growing the sport, expanding to new areas and celebrating what has made NHRA so special for 75 years,” Cromwell concluded.