NHRA Roars into Chicago at Fan-Favorite Route 66 Raceway for Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals

CHICAGO, IL – April 18, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – As NHRA continues the yearlong celebration of its 75th anniversary, the stars of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series return to Route 66 Raceway for the fan-favorite Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK on May 14-17.

Route 66 Raceway and its stadium-style facility have been a must-see stop on the NHRA tour since the series’ return in 2023. The venue has produced several memorable moments, and this year’s 26th annual event promises to again deliver an epic show from NHRA’s biggest stars and their 340-mph, 12,000-horsepower nitro machines.

This year’s annual visit to Chicago – serving as the sixth of 20 races in 2026 – will continue the season-long celebration of NHRA’s 75th anniversary. As part of the celebration, fans can expect a variety of highlights at Route 66 Raceway, including:

• An appearance from NHRA legend and Chicago native “The Greek,” Chris Karamesines, as NHRA honors his long career and accomplishments.
• Karamesines will also be featured on the unique commemorative ticket for the race. Fans can scan the on-site signs at the track to purchase the commemorative ticket, which will be distinctive to each event.
• On Sunday, the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a free, limited-edition NHRA can cooler.
• A new-look Nitro Mall, special 75th anniversary displays and more.

Last season, Tony Stewart (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed wins at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK. This year’s race will again feature the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday, offering competitive racing for fans during qualifying. This year’s event will again be broadcast on FS1, with final elimination coverage on Sunday, May 17, beginning at 5 p.m. ET.

Motorsports legend Tony Stewart won his second career NHRA Top Fuel race last season, defeating Justin Ashley in the final round. Stewart claimed NHRA’s first regular season title last year and is off to a hot start in 2026 after winning in Pomona. Other winners this season include Josh Hart and Shawn Langdon, while reigning world champ Doug Kalitta has three wins from Route 66 Raceway. Chicago native and eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher has five.

Last season, Jack Beckman took his PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car for John Force Racing to the winner’s circle at his sponsor’s race. It was Beckman’s second win at Route 66 Raceway, defeating back-to-back Car world champion Austin Prock. The category has again been very competitive in 2026, with multi-time champs Ron Capps and Matt Hagan getting early wins, and Chad Green winning his second consecutive Gatornationals.

Pro Stock returns to Chicago in 2026 during NHRA’s milestone year. Reigning champ Dallas Glenn and KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson continue to dominate, along with Gainesville winner Matt Hartford. Others to watch include Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield and Greg Stanfield.

Two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Gaige Herrera has yet to lose a round at Route 66 Raceway. Last season, he won his third consecutive race, defeating rival Matt Smith. Herrera won seven races last season, but it was his teammate, Richard Gadson, who earned the world title. Gadson opened 2026 with a win, while other marquee names include Angie Smith, Steve Johnson, Chase Van Sant and John Hall.

The event will also feature competition in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, along with the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown.

Race fans in Chicago can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. Fans are also invited to congratulate the event winners at the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will feature two rounds of qualifying at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 16 at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Eliminations will begin at 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, May 17. Television coverage includes qualifying action at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday at 11:30 p.m. before eliminations coverage at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK on May 14-17 at Route 66 Raceway, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, including the full 2026 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association 

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