The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will expand to 11 races in 2026, adding a highly anticipated stop at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, officials announced Thursday.
The series will return to Norwalk as part of the 20th annual NHRA Nationals on June 25–28, marking the first Pro Mod appearance at “America’s Racetrack” in several years. The Norwalk event will also serve as the kickoff for the new five-race “Road to the Championship” playoff format.
The 2026 schedule will feature six regular-season events before the playoffs begin at Summit Motorsports Park, followed by rounds at Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Las Vegas, with one venue still to be announced. The new structure adds extra emphasis to late-season points battles as Pro Mod drivers chase one of NHRA’s most unpredictable titles.
“Our fans are more than excited to have Pro Mod back in Norwalk for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals,” track owner Bill Bader Jr. said. “Our NHRA national event is a premier stop on the tour and our fans deserve to see all the stars of the NHRA Galaxy. I’m pretty excited, too!”
Norwalk’s inclusion underscores the popularity of the fan-favorite Pro Mod division, which continues to draw some of the most competitive and diverse fields in NHRA racing. The event is known for its packed grandstands, pyrotechnic displays, and $1 ice cream cones — a signature of the Bader family’s operation.
The 2026 campaign will open at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, March 5–8, and conclude with the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Oct. 29–Nov. 1.
Heading into the 2025 finale in Las Vegas next week, Billy Banaka leads the Pro Mod points standings as he seeks his first world championship. Michael Stavrinos trails by 11 points, with Derek Menholt 16 points back and J.R. Gray 24 behind in fourth, setting up a four-way fight for the crown.
2026 NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE
Regular Season:
March 5–8: 57th annual NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla.
March 20–22: 41st annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Firebird Motorsports Park, Phoenix
April 24–26: 16th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte
May 1–3: NHRA Southern Nationals, South Georgia Motorsports Park, Adel, Ga.
May 14–17: 26th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago
June 12–14: 25th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn.
Pro Mod Road to the Championship:
June 25–28: 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio
Sept. 2–7: 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis
Sept. 25–27: TBD
Oct. 2–4: 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis
Oct. 29–Nov. 1: 26th annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
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