The Midwest Drag Racing Series has adjusted its 2026 event schedule at US 131 Motorsports Park and announced increased payouts across multiple categories in a move aimed at supporting the track and the NHRA national event slated for September.
MWDRS officials said the decision reflects a long-standing commitment to racers and a recognition of the importance US 131 holds within the broader drag racing community. The organization emphasized that schedule coordination benefits competitors, track partners and sanctioning bodies alike.
Series leadership said MWDRS racers, along with competitors from other series, have consistently shown strong loyalty to the Martin, Michigan facility. That support factored heavily into the decision to move the MWDRS event to July 31–Aug. 1.
MWDRS stated that the schedule change was made specifically to support US 131 Motorsports Park and the NHRA event scheduled for September. Officials believe spacing the events allows both organizations to maximize participation and operational focus.
As part of the schedule adjustment, MWDRS announced additional prize money funded in partnership with US 131 Motorsports Park. The added purse money is designed to directly benefit competitors across multiple headline categories.
Pro Mod Slammers will receive an additional $2,000 added to the purse. Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will each see $1,000 added to their respective payouts.
MWDRS will also add an extra $250 to the purse for both the Pro Junior Dragster and Sportsman Junior Dragster classes. The series said the junior additions reflect its continued emphasis on grassroots development and family-based racing.
Series officials described the purse increases as part of a broader effort to reinforce stability and cooperation within the sport. The added money is intended to reward loyalty while encouraging strong car counts at both MWDRS and NHRA events.
MWDRS also cited its long-standing relationship with the Peterson family, operators of US 131 Motorsports Park, as a key factor in the decision. The Northern Nationals tradition was referenced as a cornerstone event that aligns closely with the series’ values.
While MWDRS has not hosted a race in July or August during the past three seasons, officials said the schedule shift was intentional. The series elected to move its event to avoid conflicts and to help build momentum around the NHRA race at the facility.
MWDRS leadership framed the move as an example of cooperation rather than competition. The series said aligning schedules allows racers to plan more efficiently while strengthening the overall calendar at a venue that holds national significance.
The organization reiterated that its primary focus remains racer support and long-term health of the sport. Officials said schedule flexibility and targeted purse increases are tools to reinforce that commitment.
MWDRS officials said the adjustments underscore a belief that collaboration between independent series, track operators and national sanctioning bodies benefits drag racing as a whole. The changes are intended to create a more cohesive racing environment rather than fragmenting participation.
The series said it will continue to evaluate scheduling and payout structures with racer input in mind. Officials concluded that the US 131 adjustments represent a practical step toward sustaining strong events and preserving relationships that have defined the series’ growth.
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