2026 National Drag Racing Championship calendar unveiled
The National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) has today released its 2026 Championship calendar, confirming a packed national program for both Professional and Aeroflow Sportsman categories and a shift to a calendar year format.
Launched in 2023, the NDRC set out to create one unified championship for Australian drag racing under the banner “One Way. Forward.” Now entering its third season, the series continues to deliver racers a clear pathway to championship success competing in front of thousands of fans across Australia.
Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Bike, and the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship will all feature, with live and free broadcast coverage from seven rounds on 7PLUS.
“Season Three of the National Drag Racing Championship is shaping up as our strongest yet,” said NDRC promoter Andy Lopez.
“We’ve worked closely with tracks, sponsors, promoters, and racer groups to put together a calendar that is sustainable, exciting and inclusive. The season is full of incredible events fans already know and love at great venues around Australia. There are so many highlights to look forward to. Top Fuel back in the Top End, the unified Grand Final at The Bend, six flame throwing double headers with Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Cars, and if the Aeroflow Sportsman racing next season is as awesome as it was this year, watch out.”
However, there is one event in the calendar still to be announced. With Perth Motorplex announcing a much-anticipated track upgrade, the long running Westernationals is taking a hiatus in 2026, creating a “Mystery Round” in the NDRC calendar.
Lopez continued, “We’re not going to rush a decision on the Mystery Round, because if we can get the outcome we want, it will be worth the wait. In that, we’ve chosen to release the rest of the calendar now so that racers and fans can start planning Season Three. No matter what, the Mystery Round will not mean any changes to dates already announced. If we can’t get the outcome we want for the Mystery Round, the first event at Willowbank will include additional categories.
“Racers put their heart, soul, and finances into this sport. Our responsibility is to respect that investment and showcase their efforts to the biggest possible audience, and nothing beats the experience of watching drag racing live,” Lopez said.
In Season Two, Pro Alcohol, Pro Mod, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Bike were grouped under the PDRC brand in standalone events as part of the NDRC.
Jason Hedges and the PDRC team delivered outstanding events showcasing these categories in Season Two, but with Hedges taking on a management role with Dragway at The Bend, Season Three will return all categories under a single NDRC banner.
However, Season Two is not run and done yet with two massive rounds still to come! The upcoming Spring Nationals across October 3-5 gets an early taste of Grand Final action with Pro Mod, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Bike national championships to be awarded. With Top Fuel running with the sole objective to break records, the Spring Nationals will be a fantastic event.
The final round of NDRC Season Two is the Grand Final for the Top Fuel Championship and the XPRO Nitro Funny Cars championship at Sydney on November 8 in a one-day festival of nitro alongside the best sportsman racers in Australia.
SEASON THREE CALENDAR – EVENT-BY-EVENT – click here to download the calendar graphic.
January 24–25 – Pro Alcohol Nationals, Willowbank Raceway
Season Three launches in Queensland with the Pro Alcohol Nationals on the Australia Day long weekend, a showcase for Pro Alcohol drivers, competing alongside Aeroflow Sportsman racers, kicking off their championship chase in style.
Mystery Round
The Mystery Round will feature Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, and the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship.
March 28–29 – Riverbend Nationals, Dragway at The Bend
South Australia roars to life with Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol, and the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship at the Riverbend Nationals, a proven crowd favourite.
May 1–3 – Nitro Champs, Sydney Dragway
Sydney hosts one of the biggest shows of the season, with an epic Group One lineup: Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Bike, and the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship.
June 4–7 – Winternationals, Willowbank Raceway
Australia’s largest drag racing event returns to Queensland for four days of championship action. Every major category will be on track as titles start to take shape, and the action comes thick and fast at one of Australia’s most iconic drag racing events.
August 14-15 – Nitro Up North, Hidden Valley, Darwin
Top Fuel returns to the Territory with a winter nitro blast! They combine with Top Doorslammer and the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Drag Strip. Nitro Up North will also be a round of the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship.
September 12 – Pro Stock Nationals, Willowbank Raceway
Pro Stock takes centre stage in Queensland starring Pro Stock and Pro Stock Bike, joined by Sportsman racers chasing valuable late-season points in their quest for a national title.
September 26-27 – East Coast Nationals, Sydney Dragway
Sydney again hosts the best in the country with Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer and Pro Mod together with the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship in a high-energy spring weekend.
October 10 – All Bike Nationals, Dragway at The Bend
One action-packed day on two wheels featuring Top Fuel Motorcycle and Pro Stock Bike
October 22–25 – Spring Nationals Grand Final, Dragway at The Bend
The season concludes in South Australia with the Spring Nationals — the official Grand Final for all categories. Champions will be crowned in all categories after a thrilling year of racing.
