West Coast Sportsman drag racers finally got the news many have hoped for: the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is making a long-awaited return to the legendary In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in 2026.

Officials announced the special Division 7 event, scheduled for March 12-15, 2026 to help kick off NHRA’s 75th-anniversary celebration. This race marks a rare occasion – Pomona hasn’t hosted a Lucas Oil Series divisional points meet since 2002, and this represents only the second one Pomona will host there in more than half a century.

The demand from racers was immense. In-N-Out Burger President Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, who also competes in Top Sportsman, confirmed, “The Sportsman racers have been wanting and begging for a divisional race in Pomona for a very long time, so I think I can say on behalf of all Sportsman competitors. This is a dream come true.”

The event carries the name “Snyder Family’s Salute to NHRA’s standout Sportsman racers,” reflecting the deep involvement of Snyder-Ellingson and her family with drag racing, which goes back generations.

Ellingson anticipates a strong turnout, expecting the race will have a high entry attendance and fill up quickly. NHRA Division 7 Director Matt DeYoung shared the enthusiasm, calling the event’s return “absolutely incredible,” given the racers’ appreciation for Pomona’s history.

The timing coincides nicely with recent accolades for the facility. Pomona Dragstrip received the fan-voted 2024 “Track of the Year” award from National Dragster magazine during the announcement weekend.

The track itself, entering its 65th year of racing in 2026, also benefits from significant facility upgrades made since In-N-Out Burger took over title sponsorship in late 2022. Walter Marquez, CEO of the Fairplex property housing the track, expressed excitement about welcoming this third major NHRA event.

While NHRA plans to announce further details about the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series later, the confirmation of Pomona’s return to the divisional map creates significant buzz. For hundreds of Sportsman competitors, March 2026 now represents a unique and highly anticipated opportunity to battle for points and potentially hoist a Wally trophy at one of the drag race’s most iconic venues during a milestone year for the NHRA.