After two false starts to the 2026 Australian season the NDRC will be hoping for better luck when the series resumes with the Riverbend Nationals at The Bend, March 28-29. Round One of Nitro Funny Car and Pro Alcohol at Willowbank Raceway in January was cut short by rain. A month later the opening round of Top Fuel at Sunset Strip, Mildura suffered the same soggy fate. This weekend also brings the long awaited first round for Doorslammer and Pro Mod while Top Alcohol returns after the Willowbank washout.
TOP FUEL
Rapisarda Autosport International will be making their first appearance this season after electing to skip the opening round.
The team will field two entries for reigning champion Wayne Newby and three-time champion Damien Harris.
The South Australia venue, 100 kms east of Adelaide, has been a happy hunting ground for the team in the past.
In April 2025 Harris set a new Australian record of 3.68,331 mph in qualifying when paired with Newby, who ran a 3.73,325 mph in what many claim was the best side-by-side pass in the history of Aussie Top Fuel.
Both cars made it to the final round with the win going to Newby.
However, four months since they clinched the 2025 NDRC championship at Sydney Dragway in November team owner Santo Rapisarda acknowledges the unpredictability of a new season after a long break from racing.
“Last year is history and is no indicator of what 2026 will be like,” said Rapisarda. “It’s been four months since we last raced and you can never be sure how you will stack up against the other teams. We have done well at the track in the past and if we can repeat those results that would be a great way to kick off our 2026 season.”
Lamattina Top Fuel Racing team owner-driver Phil Lamattina is chasing his first win since April 2024 that also came at the venue. A drought far too long for a team of their caliber.
“Not getting to race at our home track Mildura was disappointing,” said Lamattina. “However, we have put that in the past and are looking forward to racing at The Bend. Towards the end of last season there were some very promising signs that the team was tracking in the right direction and I’m confident of putting on a good show and maybe taking the win this weekend.”
Western Australian Kyle Putland, now in his third year, continues his pursuit of a breakthrough NDRC victory. Fresh off a career best second in qualifying at Mildura the West Australian showed he has the speed and composure to trouble the established frontrunners.
NITRO FUNNY CAR
Two-time champion Morice McMillin will be the pace setter for the 2026 season after a stellar 2025 campaign that included four consecutive wins and setting an Aussie record of 3.92,317 mph.
“We have made some minor changes to the clutch setup on my car,” said McMillin. “It will probably mean we will have more control over the power and can get into it a bit earlier in the run. When the Willowbank round in January was washed out after qualifying it means we haven’t really raced since November and that levels the playing field. Anyone of the five cars entered can win on the day.”
His nearest rival is likely to be his teammate, Josh Leahy. The third-generation racer scored two wins last season and closed out the year in style with victory over teammate Damon Paton in the final.
All eyes will be on Paton. Making only his fifth start in the Pro ranks he upstaged his more experienced rivals by topping the qualifying sheets at Mildura only to see the weather deny him a shot at a maiden victory.
2023 champion Justin Walshe will be looking to rebound after a below expectation 2025 campaign where runner-up to McMillin at the Nitro Championships in May was his best result.
Adam Murrihy returns after being sidelined after round one of last season due to injury.
TOP ALCOHOL
The battle for honors between third generation titleholder Daniel Reed and Cheyne Phillips, son of legendary Gary Phillips, for the 2026 championship is shaping up as a highlight of the NDRC Pro Series.
Their scorecard last season was a win apiece in final rounds.
Reed will have his hands full also overseeing his daughters Makayla and Abigail racing in Junior Dragster.
“It will be a busy weekend for the family,” said Reed. “I’m looking forward to racing at the Bend; we won there last year and that gives the team a leg up and confidence for this meeting. We will probably start with the same combination that has worked in the past when we’ve raced at the track and depending how that goes take it from there.”
PRO MOD
Pro Mod regularly attracts double-digit entries when the series races at Sydney Dragway and Willowbank Raceway, but the opening round of their 2026 season this weekend has only five entries including 2025 champion Zoran Gajic.
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