The Southeast Gassers Association (SEGA) is ready to bring the thunder back to grassroots drag racing in 2026, and it all starts at one of the most iconic venues in nostalgia racing. SEGA kicks off its 10-race championship season at Shadyside Dragway in Shelby, North Carolina, with The First Drag Race presented by Robbins Repairables on April 10–11.
Shadyside Dragway, a facility steeped in drag racing history, serves as the perfect backdrop to launch the season. The historic strip will serve as the only two-stop venue on the 2026 schedule, hosting both the season opener and the championship finale. That bookend format adds an extra layer of significance, with Shadyside playing a pivotal role in both the beginning and the culmination of the title chase.
The 2026 SEGA season will feature a full slate of competitive categories, including:
- A/Gas
- B/Gas
- C/Gas
- Super Stock
In addition, fans at Shadyside will be treated to exhibition runs from A/FX and H/Gas machines, adding even more variety and nostalgia to the weekend.
Nearly every reigning champion will return to defend their titles, setting the stage for intense early-season battles:
- A/Gas Champion: Chase Howard
- B/Gas Champion: Ken Rainwater
- C/Gas Champion: Jerren Perdue
- Super Stock Champion: Jerry Dean
One of the biggest offseason shakeups comes from Ken Rainwater, who moves up from B/Gas to compete in the highly competitive A/Gas ranks. That move alone adds intrigue to a class already expected to be one of the most stacked in SEGA competition.
The A/Gas category is shaping up to be a focal point of the 2026 season. Internal SEGA buzz suggests the class is growing in both depth and competitiveness. Notable returns include Barry Adler in the Iron Eagle Corvette and Leslie Horne in the Chick Magnet Chevrolet, both back in action after recovering from on-track incidents and offseason rebuilds. With Rainwater entering the mix and established competitors returning, A/Gas could quickly become a contested class in the series.
Beyond A/Gas, several key storylines are developing across the SEGA landscape:
- B/Gas: Watch for Daniel Haynes and The Patriot Falcon to make an impact after limited appearances in 2025.
- C/Gas: Rumors are circulating about a strong A/Gas car being reconfigured specifically for C/Gas competition, potentially shaking up the class.
- Super Stock: The big question remains, who can stop Jerry Dean? After a dominant 2025 season, Dean enters 2026 as the driver to beat.
The 2026 Southeast Gassers Association schedule spans some of the most historic and fan-favorite tracks in the Southeast:
- April 10–11: Shadyside Dragway – Shelby, NC
- May 2: Holiday Raceway – Woodstock, AL
- May 30: Brainerd Motorsports Park – Ringgold, GA
- June 27: Knoxville Dragway – Knoxville, TN
- August 1: Rockingham Dragway – Rockingham, NC
- August 22: Farmington Dragway – Mocksville, NC
- September 12: Greer Dragway – Greer, SC
- October 9–10: Gulfport Dragway – Gulfport, MS (Double Feature)
- October 31: Shadyside Dragway – Shelby, NC (Finale)
With stacked fields, compelling storylines, and one of the most iconic venues in drag racing hosting the opener, the Southeast Gassers Association is poised for another standout season.
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