The 2026 season of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series opened with major storylines at the legendary Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The sold-out crowds at Gainesville Raceway were treated to great racing as the NHRA’s 75th anniversary season roared to life. Josh Hart picked up the win in Top Fuel, Chad Green in Funny Car, Matt Hartford in Pro Stock, and Richard Gadson in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Hart Scores Hometown Top Fuel Win
This was a special win for Hart. After joining John Force Racing in the offseason, Hart delivered an immediate payoff by qualifying No. 1 for the first time in his career and backing it up with a dominant performance on race day. Driving the Burnyzz/Speedmaster Top Fuel dragster, Hart laid down a 3.733-second run at 337.83 mph in the final round to defeat Kalitta, who slowed to a 3.877 at 319.60 mph.
The victory marked Hart’s third career Top Fuel win and his first in nearly five years. His road to the final included wins over Dan Mercier, Tripp Tatum, and four-time champion Antron Brown.
For Hart, the moment was overwhelming.
“I’m so grateful for everybody,” Hart said. “I got the crap kicked out of me for four years, and I’m having a hard time believing this is happening. I have so many people to thank, and there was so much energy from these fans today. John Force, thank you for picking me.
“It was just awesome. It was a storybook. We crushed every record that I have had in my career, all in the first weekend with John Force Racing. Those guys are absolutely awesome. The most professional team I’ve ever been a part of, and communication is second to none. I just want to say thank you to John Force and Brittany Force for even considering me, let alone picking me to take that seat, and I’ll get more comfortable, and we’ll win more races.”
Chad Green Goes Back-To-Back In Funny Car
In Funny Car, Green continued his dominance at Gainesville Raceway.
Driving the Bond-Coat, Inc. Ford Mustang, Green powered to a 3.959-second run at 329.91 mph in the final round to defeat Alexis DeJoria. The win gave Green back-to-back victories at the Gatornationals and marked the third win of his career, two of which have come at Gainesville.
Green’s path to the final included victories over Terry Haddock, four-time champion Matt Hagan, and John Force Racing’s Jordan Vandergriff, who was making his Funny Car debut.
“Last year was actually so special to win the Gatornationals for the first time, and during the last couple of months here I’ve been thinking how awesome it’d be to win the race again,” Green said. “It’s so hard to win any race, especially for somebody like me. It all came together, and it’s so great to go back-to-back. I was also thinking, how nice it would be to win a Diamond Wally. To get it done on the first race, that’s just really awesome.
“It makes it so much easier as a driver when you’re not thinking about what this car is going to do. We qualified well, but that first round is always so nerve-racking to me. After we got past that, I really felt very confident in the car all day, and as each run went by, the car just made it down the track and that definitely helps you as a driver.”
DeJoria reached her 17th career final round thanks to wins over Cruz Pedregon, Spencer Hyde, and J.R. Todd.
Matt Hartford Ends Long Drought In Pro Stock
The NHRA Pro Stock final also featured a long-awaited return to the winner’s circle. Hartford snapped a 40-race winless streak, defeating six-time champion Greg Anderson with a 6.530-second pass at 210.41 mph in his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro. The victory was Hartford’s ninth career win and his first since 2023.
To reach the final, Hartford defeated Kenny Delco, Aaron Stanfield, and reigning world champion Dallas Glenn.
“We were sitting having dinner the other night, and we were saying we need to get one of these Diamond Wallys and not one of them, we need to stack them up, and the best way to do that is to start with the first one,” Hartford said. “To get the first one in Pro Stock is incredible.
“This is going to be the most grueling Pro Stock season that I think you guys in the media have ever seen. The caliber of the drivers who are out there right now are over the top. It’s just so competitive from all the camps right now. You make one mistake, you’re not qualifying.”
Anderson reached the 192nd final round of his career, defeating Deric Kramer, his son Cody Anderson, and longtime rival Erica Enders earlier in eliminations.
Richard Gadson Opens Title Defense With A Win
Reigning NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Richard Gadson began his title defense in dominant fashion. Riding his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki, Gadson defeated John Hall in the final round with a 6.753-second run at 200.05 mph. The win, which came on Gadson’s birthday, marked the fifth victory of his career and his first at the Gatornationals.
Gadson’s day included wins over Geno Scali, Chase Van Sant, and Clayton Howey.
“I’d say this is a pretty resounding statement to open the season,” Gadson said. “You know, I like to say it was a long winter. I kind of still felt like I had something to prove.
“Matt Hines [team member] told me before we left the shop. He said, ‘Don’t race like you’re the world champion. Race the same way that got you the championship. Don’t let up.’ So, that was what I did and it worked out for me this weekend.”
Hall advanced to the eighth final round of his career after defeating Brayden Davis, Gaige Herrera, and Steve Johnson.
With the season-opening event complete, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads west for the NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs. The second stop of the 2026 season takes place March 20–22 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Phoenix.
Top Fuel — Josh Hart, 3.733 seconds, 337.83 mph def. Doug Kalitta, 3.877 seconds, 319.60 mph.
Funny Car — Chad Green, Ford Mustang, 3.959, 329.91 def. Alexis DeJoria, Chevy Camaro, 5.003, 167.59.
Pro Stock — Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.530, 210.41 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.562, 209.72.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.753, 200.05 def. John Hall, Beull, 6.799, 198.38.
Top Alcohol Dragster — Jamie Noonan, 5.249, 273.22 def. Anthony Troyer, 5.259, 276.92.
Top Alcohol Funny Car — Sean Bellemeur, Chevy Camaro, 5.439, 268.28 def. Chris Foster, Camaro, 5.484, 267.06.
Competition Eliminator — Peter D`Agnolo, Chevy Cobalt, 8.415, 158.86 def. Matthew Alvey, Cobalt, 8.581, 157.61.
Super Stock — Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 9.558, 129.13 def. Kent Hanley, Chevy Cavalier, 9.274, 138.58.
Stock Eliminator — Jeff Adkinson, Chevy Camaro, 9.138, 138.91 def. Jim Marshall, Chevy Malibu Wagon, 11.243, 113.72.
Super Comp — Kelly Kundratic, Dragster, 8.879, 173.23 def. Tim Millwood, Dodge Daytona, Foul – Red Light.
Super Gas — Jason Dewitt, Chevy Corvette, 9.875, 166.58 def. Steve Furr, Chevy Camaro, 9.872, 173.76.
Top Sportsman — James Hinkle, Pontiac Grand Am, 7.301, 182.80 def. Bruce Thaxton, Ford Mustang, 7.393, 186.12.
Top Dragster — Jackie Bennett, Dragster, 6.132, 223.80 def. Holden Laris, Dragster, 6.092, 229.08.
Pro Modified — Derek Menholt, Chevy Camaro, 5.690, 251.02 def. Lyle Barnett, Camaro, Foul – Red Light.
Factory Stock Showdown — Ricky Hord, Chevy Camaro, 7.735, 178.28 def. David Janac, Ford Mustang, 7.792, 180.69.
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