The 2026 National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) title chase reaches a critical point this weekend, led by six car fields in both BLAHST Top Fuel and XPRO Nitro Funny Car at Sydney Dragway’s Haltech East Coast Nationals.
The September 26-27 event will host the penultimate rounds of the championship for not only these 12 11,000hp/500kph nitro breathing monsters, but also for Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, and Pro Mod, alongside the third-last round of the year for the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship.
In BLAHST Top Fuel, former champ Phil Lamattina leads the way on 60 points, being chased by Kyle Putland on 46 and the Rapisarda Autosport International pair of Wayne Newby and Damien Harris, who are locked together on 44 ahead of Shane Olive (38) and Steve ‘The Pom’ Read (32).
“We are obviously very happy with the way our season has transpired, but it has not come about just by chance – we have been working very hard, and it is no fluke,” Lamattina said.
“It is exciting (to be leading at this point). I haven’t won one for a long time, and I have watched other people win and it gets you fired up. All of those emotions are really floating around, and it is hard to keep a lid on it and stay focused on the job that needs to be done. More than anything, that is what it will come down to – staying focused on the job at hand.
“Sydney, I would have said, is my least favourite track for winning – but the last time I went there I finally won after 20 years, so now I am saying I love that track! I love it! That is how quickly things can change. Hopefully it loves me back now!”
The XPRO Nitro Funny Car championship is just as tightly wound, with all six of the category’s regulars entered. Josh Leahy carries 64 points into Sydney, with reigning champion Morice McMillin on 54, Damon Paton on 52, and Justin Walshe on 48. Adam Murrihy (38) and Luke Shepherd (12) round out the field.
Leahy, who left Sydney Dragway with the runner-up trophy at the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs earlier this year, is doing his best to keep the championship out of his head.
“We are all excited to be back at this weekend’s East Coast Nationals. It has been three months since the Winternationals, so we are chomping at the bit to get back out there and burn some nitro,” Leahy said.
“Last time we raced at Sydney Dragway we left with the silver hardware, so our eyes are set on the gold this time round! We have taken each event race by race; we are really trying to not think too much about the championship, but we are proud to be leading it right now.
“If we think about it too much, we could really let the pressure get to us, so it is best we ignore how the points are stacking up for now. We won’t be changing our strategy – we just want to go out there and be fast!”
One of the biggest stories of the weekend will belong to Top Doorslammer’s Jeremy Callaghan, who lines up in a 14-strong field on his return to competition for the first time since a violent crash at the Winternationals in June, when the parachutes detached from his Luci Civil Camaro on a run that had just delivered a personal best.
“It has been a monumental effort from all parties to get us back to where we are, and after a successful test day on Sunday, we are really looking forward to this weekend,” Callaghan said.
“I want to send a big shout out to all of the companies and people who helped make this possible. The Moits Motorcars guys are so professional – other than the new colour scheme, the car is exactly as it was before the accident, to the degree that I was very comfortable hopping back in. It was still a relief to feel the chutes come out on that first run, though, that is for sure!
“I also want to say a big thank you to my wife and kids for standing by me through all of this, and to all of our sponsors. We aren’t really in points contention now after missing out on the racing at the Winters, but that won’t stop us.”
Pro Mod welcomes a new face to the category, with Kirsten Cannuli – wife of Pro Alcohol racer John Cannuli and a former Pro Stock competitor – making her return to the sport at Sydney Dragway as part of a 12-car Pro Mod field led by reigning champ, Zoran Gajic.
“After 13 years away from racing, I’m really excited to be back behind the wheel and making my Pro Mod debut,” Cannuli said.
“It is a big challenge, but I’m feeling confident and ready to get stuck into it. The focus for the weekend is to put some strong passes together, build confidence in the car and, most importantly, enjoy the opportunity to relive a dream I’ve had for a long time. I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and seeing what we can do.”
Pro Stock meanwhile arrives in Sydney with its championship freshly reshuffled. Robert Dekert left Willowbank Raceway with a narrow lead on 44 points, two clear of Omar Sedmak on 42 – who had entered the event leading the points over Dekert by the same margin. Darryl Stephen (34) leads the chasing pack, with Pro Stock Nationals winner John Barbagallo and runner-up Thomas Leake both on 24 in the 12-car field which also features Tony Polito, Clint George, Nino Cavallo, Mario Polito, Brian Pursell, Chris Soldatos and Gina Bullians.
The Aeroflow Sportsman Championship also has plenty on the line, not least the Dennis Syrmis Trophy, awarded to the competitor who tops the overall national points standings. Performance Bike’s Ken Collin extended his advantage at Willowbank and leads on 390 points, with fellow Performance Bike racer Edge Mallis next on 340. Adriana Cartledge, Daniel ‘Batdan’ Carranza, Kobe Ashelford, and Lawrence Raschella are all tied on 320, with Warren Allen, Dean Jamieson, and Nevaeh McDougall a further step back on 300. With all of them entered for Sydney, the trophy race is certain to tighten further before the Grand Final.
Gates open at 8:00am on Saturday, September 26, with Aeroflow Sportsman Championship qualifying from 8:00am and Group 1 qualifying from 12:00pm. Sunday’s program opens at 8:00am, with the opening ceremony at 9:45am and Group 1 finals from 3:30pm. Kids aged 13 and under are admitted free.
For Haltech East Coast Nationals event information and tickets, visit https://nationaldragracing.com.au/event/east-coast-nationals/
To learn more about the NDRC, go to www.ndrc.tv
