NHRA continues to put some real muscle behind its 75th anniversary season, and one of the biggest additions for 2026 will come in the heart of the Midwest. U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, has officially been added to the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule, hosting the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals on September 18–20, 2026.
Even bigger than the new market is where the race lands on the calendar. The Great Lakes Nationals will serve as the opening round of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, marking the first of six races that will decide NHRA world championships next season. It will be the 15th of 20 national events during NHRA’s milestone 75th anniversary year.
Tickets for the inaugural national event at U.S. 131 go on sale February 1.
The announcement marks the first time NHRA will stage a national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, making it one of four new national event facilities added to the 2026 schedule. It’s a clear signal that NHRA isn’t just celebrating its history in 2026, it’s continuing to expand its national footprint.
For the Peterson family, who have owned and operated the track for more than two decades, hosting an NHRA national event has been a long-standing goal. U.S. 131 Motorsports Park has earned its reputation as “The Fastest Track in Michigan,” drawing racers and fans from Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and beyond.
“Hosting an NHRA national event underscores our continued commitment to excellence, safety, and delivering unforgettable motorsports entertainment,” said Jason Peterson, vice president of operations at U.S. 131. “We are honored to welcome the NHRA, its competitors, sponsors, and fans, and we look forward to showcasing our facility, our staff, and our passionate racing community that makes this region so special.”
The Great Lakes Nationals also plays a key role in reshaping the Countdown itself. The first two playoff races in 2026 will both be held at new Mission Foods Drag Racing Series venues. Following the Michigan event, the series heads to the historic Rockingham Dragway for the NHRA Nationals at The Rock. Those races come after additional first-time national event stops earlier in the season at South Georgia Motorsports Park on May 1–3 and Maryland International Raceway on May 29–31.
From a competition standpoint, opening the Countdown at a fresh venue adds another layer of unpredictability to the championship hunt, something drivers and teams will need to factor heavily into their playoff strategy.
NHRA President Glen Cromwell sees the Michigan addition as both a celebration and a statement about the sport’s future. “We are thrilled to welcome U.S. 131 Motorsports Park to the NHRA national event schedule in 2026,” Cromwell said. “It’s a historic milestone for the facility and another terrific way to celebrate our 75th anniversary season, bringing the incredible action of NHRA drag racing to the passionate fan base in Michigan.”
Cromwell added that launching the Countdown at U.S. 131 reflects NHRA’s broader commitment to growth. “The track’s dedication to its racers and fans, and its enthusiasm as a new NHRA Member Track, makes it an excellent addition to the national tour. We look forward to launching the Countdown there in 2026.”
With championship stakes, a first-time venue, and a Midwest fan base that’s long supported high-level drag racing, the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals is shaping up to be one of the most significant new events on the 2026 schedule.
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