NitroFest will serve as official kickoff to the inaugural NHRA Nationals at The Rock

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – August 11, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The City of Rockingham, Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, the NHRA, and Rockingham Dragway have announced NitroFest, a free community celebration on Thursday, Sept. 24, in downtown Rockingham, N.C., in advance of the inaugural NHRA Nationals at The Rock.

The countdown is on for one of the biggest weekends in motorsports history in North Carolina, and it all begins in downtown Rockingham.

The City of Rockingham, Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, the NHRA, and Rockingham Dragway have announced NitroFest, a free community celebration on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6-9 p.m. around Harrington Square in downtown Rockingham.

NitroFest will officially kick off the inaugural NHRA Nationals at The Rock, marking the first-ever NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national points event to be contested at historic Rockingham Dragway. The three-day national event, scheduled for Sept. 25-27, will serve as the second of six races in NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs, bringing the stars of NHRA Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle to Rockingham as championship contenders battle for valuable playoff points.

Before engines roar down the quarter-mile, fans will have the opportunity to celebrate with an unforgettable evening in downtown Rockingham.

Country music trailblazer Colt Ford will headline the evening with a free concert beginning at 7:45 p.m., following autograph and meet-and-greet sessions with some of NHRA’s biggest stars from 6:30 p.m. until 7:15 p.m.

NitroFest will also feature:

• NHRA driver autograph sessions and meet and greets
• Motorsports and automotive vendors and displays
• Race cars on display
• A free Kids Zone featuring bounce houses, inflatable slides, a rock climbing wall, and face painting
• Food trucks serving a variety of local favorites
• A beer garden hosted by Rockingham Dragway
• NHRA, team, and event merchandise
• A drag racing practice Tree competition
• Family-friendly activities and interactive experiences celebrating the return of nitro-powered racing to The Rock

Admission is free, making NitroFest the perfect opportunity for families, race fans, and visitors to experience the excitement of NHRA while enjoying an evening of entertainment, food, and community fellowship in the heart of downtown Rockingham.

The NHRA Nationals at The Rock are expected to attract thousands of competitors, crewmembers, and fans from across the country, generating a significant economic impact for Richmond County while showcasing the area’s hospitality, attractions, and vibrant downtown.

Whether you’re a lifelong drag racing enthusiast or experiencing NHRA for the first time, NitroFest offers something for everyone.

For event information, lodging opportunities, and everything happening throughout NHRA Nationals weekend, visit VisitRichmondCounty.com and RockinghamDragway.com.

Secure your seats here: https://nhra.evenue.net/list/RN1

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 presented by Hoosier 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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