NHRA will open the 2026 Countdown to the Championship with a first-time national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, accelerating what was originally planned as a 2027 project following IHRA’s purchase of Maple Grove Raceway, the longtime site of a Countdown playoff event.
Despite being offered the opportunity to utilize Maple Grove after the ownership change, NHRA elected to move forward with its newest signing, placing the playoff opener at the Michigan facility.
The inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals will be held Sept. 18–20, serving as the opening race of the six-event Countdown and the 15th of 20 races during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.
The decision places U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in a pivotal championship role while providing early clarity on how NHRA intends to reshape its postseason schedule.
NHRA officials confirmed the Great Lakes Nationals will launch the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series playoffs, giving the facility immediate significance in the title chase.
Tickets for the event will go on sale Feb. 1, with the race expected to draw fans from multiple Midwest markets.
The move follows speculation generated after IHRA announced its acquisition of Maple Grove Raceway, a facility that had served as an annual Countdown stop and a cornerstone of NHRA’s playoff footprint.
Rather than maintaining that legacy placement, NHRA’s decision reflects a preference for expanding into markets with long-term growth potential.
U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, located in Martin, Mich., becomes one of four new national event facilities on the 2026 NHRA schedule. The additions come during a milestone season that will feature national events in 19 markets across the country.
The Great Lakes Nationals will mark the first NHRA national event contested at U.S. 131, a facility long regarded as one of the Midwest’s premier drag racing venues. Known as “The Fastest Track in Michigan,” the track routinely draws competitors and fans from Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo.
Operated by the Peterson family for more than two decades, U.S. 131 has steadily modernized while maintaining a racer-focused identity. That consistency positioned the track as a strong candidate when NHRA evaluated future national and playoff venues.
Opening the Countdown at a first-time national event host represents a shift in how NHRA is approaching its postseason structure. The first two races of the 2026 Countdown will both be held at new Mission Foods Drag Racing Series venues, with the Great Lakes Nationals followed by a playoff stop at Rockingham Dragway.
Those back-to-back debuts introduce new variables into the championship equation at the most critical point of the season. The 2026 schedule will also feature first-time national events at South Georgia Motorsports Park on May 1–3 and Maryland International Raceway on May 29–31.
Together, the additions underscore NHRA’s effort to broaden its national footprint while maintaining competitive consistency.
For U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, the Great Lakes Nationals represents the culmination of years of investment in infrastructure, staffing and track preparation. The facility’s readiness to host large-scale events was a key factor in its selection.
“Hosting an NHRA national event underscores our continued commitment to excellence, safety, and delivering unforgettable motorsports entertainment,” U.S. 131 Motorsports Vice President of Operations Jason Peterson said. “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.”
NHRA President Glen Cromwell said the playoff opener aligns with the organization’s long-term vision during its anniversary season.
“We are thrilled to welcome U.S. 131 Motorsports Park to the NHRA national event schedule in 2026. It’s a historic milestone for the facility and it’s another terrific way to celebrate our 75th anniversary season,” Cromwell said.
“Opening the Countdown to the Championship at U.S. 131 will be extremely meaningful, and we look forward to launching the Countdown there in 2026,” he added.
