If you’re an IHRA member, the latest issue of the sanctioning body’s “Drag Review” came with a surprise: the tentative 2026 IHRA schedule. While simply seeing track locations added to the dates released earlier this year was exciting, it’s the addition of new facilities, and the potential resurrection of closed facilities that has raised some eyebrows.
Since PRI in 2024, the IHRA has been moving at a rapid pace under new owner Darryl Cuttell. The organization purchased and revitalized multiple facilities throughout 2025. If that wasn’t enough, the IHRA also pulled off a short but successful slate of events.
Now, with the 2026 racing season on the horizon, Cuttell and the IHRA have fired another shot across the drag-racing landscape. The 2026 schedule includes most of the tracks the IHRA acquired in 2025, but also features some big additions. Virginia Motorsports Park, Empire Dragway, and Montgomery Motorsports Park ran full slates of events in 2025 but are listed as “In Contract” for the coming season.
What really stands out on this schedule, though, are the former locations of Atlanta Dragway and Memphis Motorsports Park. Both facilities have been closed for several years, but if the IHRA can bring them back to life, it will be a game-changer for its rapidly expanding portfolio of properties.
Tentative 2026 IHRA Schedule
- March 19–21: Darana Motorsports Park (Formerly GALOT Motorsports Park)
- April 9–11: Darana Motorsports Park (Formerly Virginia Motorsports Park; in contract)
- June 18–20: Darana Raceway (Formerly Empire Dragway; in contract)
- July 9–11: Darana Dragway (Formerly Milan Dragway)
- August 13–15: Darana Dragway (Formerly Dragway 42)
- September 10–12: Darana Motorsports Park (Formerly Montgomery Motorsports Park; in contract)
- October 8–10: Darana Dragway (Formerly Atlanta Dragway; in contract)
- October 29–31: Darana Motorsports Park (Formerly GALOT Motorsports Park)
- November 5–7: Darana Motorsports Park (Formerly Memphis Motorsports Park; in contract)
It’s safe to say we can expect some big announcements at PRI from the IHRA, and Dragzine will be there to cover every one of them.
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