For the first time since the pandemic reshaped drag racing’s calendar, NHRA is putting its season back where many believe it belongs.
After five consecutive years of opening the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series in Gainesville, Fla., NHRA announced Wednesday that the 2027 campaign will begin with the 67th annual NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Feb. 18-21. The move restores a tradition that dates back six decades while launching a season-long celebration honoring the 50-year NHRA career of 16-time Funny Car champion John Force.
The return to Pomona reconnects the series with one of its longest-standing traditions after the COVID-19 pandemic forced officials to move the season opener east in 2022, a format that remained in place through 2026.
Pomona had hosted the NHRA season opener for decades. While Gainesville took over the role during the pandemic era, many longtime racers and fans viewed the California opener as one of the sport’s traditions that needed to return.
NHRA’s announcement includes the first four events of its 76th season, creating a schedule that resembles the championship’s familiar rhythm before the pandemic disrupted the calendar.
“There is something special about beginning an NHRA season in Pomona,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “It’s one of the most iconic venues in our sport and a place where so much history has been made. Returning to this traditional schedule allows us to honor our roots as we begin to celebrate one of the most remarkable figures in motorsports at John’s home track in Pomona. We’re very excited about these first four races of 2027, which will be another special year in NHRA history.”
The Winternationals will also serve as the opening chapter of “50 Years of Force,” a yearlong tribute recognizing one of drag racing’s most influential competitors.
Force made his NHRA debut during the 1970s before transforming himself from an underfunded independent racer into the winningest driver in NHRA history. His career numbers include 157 national event victories, 16 Funny Car championships and a legacy that helped push drag racing into the mainstream of American motorsports.
It seems only fitting the Force tribute season begins at a place of historical significance to the winningest professional drag racer in NHRA history. The Southern California facility served as Force’s home track throughout much of his career, and he claimed 17 national event victories there while building a Hall of Fame resume.
NHRA plans to continue the anniversary celebration throughout every national event on the 2027 schedule. Officials said additional details surrounding the tribute will be announced in the coming weeks along with the complete series calendar.
“John Force’s impact on NHRA extends far beyond his championships and race wins,” Cromwell said. “For 50 years, he has been one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors, helping introduce generations of fans to NHRA Drag Racing. It will be a huge thrill to start the season at his home track to kick off 2027 in a big way.”
Once the Winternationals conclude, the series will head directly to Arizona for the second event of the season.
The 42nd annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park is scheduled for Feb. 26-28, restoring that event to an earlier spot on the calendar. The back-to-back West Coast swing gives teams two races before a scheduled weekend off. On that scheduled weekend, it is expected the Bakersfield March Meet will be contested with no conflicts.
Phoenix has become one of the series’ dependable early-season destinations, and the earlier date provides fans another opportunity to see nitro racing before temperatures begin climbing across the Southwest.
Following the off weekend, the tour shifts east for one of the sport’s marquee events.
The 58th annual NHRA Gatornationals returns March 11-14, reclaiming its traditional role as the East Coast opener while also marking the season debut for the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. Gainesville has long been considered one of drag racing’s crown-jewel events regardless of where it falls on the calendar.
The opening stretch concludes with another significant adjustment.
The 17th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte moves to April 2-4, approximately three weeks earlier than its recent placement on the schedule. The move creates a cleaner progression from Gainesville into one of the series’ most distinctive events, where four nitro-powered race cars compete side-by-side.
The revised opening schedule creates less of a hardship on touring teams as it presents back-to-back West Coast events before returning for two major East Coast races.
NHRA officials indicated the remaining 2027 schedule will be unveiled in the coming weeks, along with complete details surrounding the Force anniversary celebration.
FIRST FOUR: 2027 NHRA Mission Foods Racing Series Season
“50 Years of Force”
Feb. 18-21: 67th annual NHRA Winternationals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, Calif.
Feb. 26-28: 42nd annual FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs, Firebird Motorsports Park, Phoenix
March 11-14: 58th annual NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fl.
April 2-4: 17th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte
