The biggest weekend in drag racing is almost here. From November 12 to 15, 2026, thousands of fans will pack into In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, California, for the grand finale of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. This is not just another race. It is where world champions are crowned, records are broken, and legends are made. Whether you are a seasoned fan or attending for the first time, this guide has everything you need to know.
The Significance of the 2026 Season Finale
The 2026 season is one of the most historic in the sport’s history. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the National Hot Rod Association, and the calendar has been built to celebrate that milestone from start to finish. The season opened in Gainesville, Florida, and it now heads to Pomona for the dramatic conclusion. This finale is officially called the 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, making it one of the longest-running events in motorsport.
Four professional championships are on the line at once. Titles will be decided in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Therefore, the tension on race day is unlike anything else in the sport. One good run at the right moment can change everything.
Event Dates and Daily Schedule
The event runs across four days: Thursday, November 12, through Sunday, November 15, 2026. Each day serves a distinct purpose in the race weekend structure.
Thursday is the opening day. Sportsman qualifying begins, and fans get their first look at the track in action. Gates open early, giving attendees plenty of time to explore the venue before the first cars roll to the line.
Friday brings the first round of professional qualifying. The nitro classes take center stage. Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars make their opening passes under the Southern California sky. The action continues with additional sportsman eliminations throughout the day.
Saturday is qualifying day two. This is when the field locks in and professional eliminations begin for some classes. The atmosphere builds as championship positions start to crystallize. Additionally, Saturday evenings at Pomona are famous for spectacular header flames lighting up the sky under the lights, a visual experience that every fan should see at least once.
Sunday is championship day. Final eliminations run across all four professional classes. By the end of the afternoon, four new world champions will have been crowned. It is the most intense day of the entire NHRA season.
Venue: In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip
The race takes place at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, located at 2780 Fairplex Drive in Pomona, California. The venue occupies the Fairplex grounds, which people formerly called the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds. It has been home to drag racing since the early 1950s and holds a seating capacity of 40,000 spectators.
The dragstrip is a concrete quarter-mile track. It is one of the few facilities in the country operated directly by the NHRA. Over the decades, it has hosted some of the most memorable moments the sport has ever produced. Its iconic timing tower and classic Southern California setting make it a true bucket-list destination for any motorsport fan.
The venue is accessible from multiple freeway routes, including the 10 and 57 freeways. Arriving early is strongly recommended. Parking fills up quickly, especially on Saturday and Sunday. Ear protection is essential. The sound produced by nitro-powered vehicles reaches levels that can cause hearing damage without proper protection.
Tickets: Prices and Where to Buy
Tickets for the event are available through the official NHRA website at nhra.com and through authorized third-party ticketing platforms. Daily ticket prices vary depending on the session. Thursday entry starts from around $52. Friday tickets begin at approximately $64. Saturday and Sunday, which carry the biggest races, are priced from around $98 per day.
Every general admission ticket includes a pit pass. This is one of the most valuable aspects of attending an NHRA event. A pit pass lets you walk directly into the team garages, watch mechanics work on cars between rounds, and get within feet of the vehicles that are about to run over 300 miles per hour. Very few motorsports offer this level of access.
Multi-day packages and premium seating options are also available. If you want to secure starting-line seats or guaranteed access to specific areas, booking in advance is the best approach. Seats in high-demand sections tend to sell out several weeks before race day.
Drivers to Watch at Pomona
The championship picture heading into the Pomona finale will depend on how the final Countdown events play out. However, several names are expected to be in the hunt across each class.
In Top Fuel, Shawn Langdon has had a strong 2026 campaign. Representing Kalitta Motorsports, Langdon has been consistently quick and reliable throughout the season. Doug Kalitta, one of the sport’s most decorated veterans, is also in the mix. Top Fuel races come down to fine margins, and Pomona has a history of delivering last-round drama.
In Funny Car, the battle between Ron Capps and Austin Prock has been one of the defining storylines of the 2026 season. Capps, a three-time world champion, brings experience and composure to every round. Prock, driving for John Force Racing, has delivered a remarkable season with multiple wins. Both drivers will arrive at Pomona knowing what is at stake.
In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn have been the two dominant forces all year. Anderson is a six-time world champion and has won at Pomona more times than any other driver in the class. Glenn, his teammate at KB Titan Racing, earned a significant win in Las Vegas heading into the finale. Their head-to-head rivalry is set to deliver a gripping conclusion to the season.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Richard Gadson has had a breakout campaign. His rivalry with Gaige Herrera is expected to reach its peak at Pomona, where every round win carries critical championship points.
TV Coverage: How to Watch From Home
All 20 events in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series are broadcast exclusively on FOX Sports. Coverage is split between the main FOX broadcast network and FS1. Select Countdown events air on the FOX network, often placed alongside NFL programming to maximize viewership.
For the Pomona finale, qualifying sessions are typically covered in tape-delayed or live format on FS1, running approximately 90 minutes to two hours per session. Sunday eliminations receive the most comprehensive coverage, with championship rounds often broadcast live on the main FOX network to reach the widest possible audience.
The NHRA also offers live timing, commentary, and streaming options through its NHRA.tv platform. Downloading the app before the event weekend allows fans at home to follow qualifying positions, round-by-round results, and driver statistics in real time. For fans outside the United States, the NHRA.tv app provides streaming access to races that may not be available through local broadcast partners.
Results: How the Countdown to the Championship Works
The Countdown to the Championship is the six-race playoff format that determines who wins each professional class title. After the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend, the top ten drivers in each class have their points reset to a compressed range. This gives every driver in the top ten a realistic shot at the title over the final six events.
A regular-season points advantage of more than 200 points converts to approximately a 20-point head start in the Countdown, which is roughly equivalent to one round of racing. That means no lead is truly safe, and no deficit is truly fatal until the last round on Sunday afternoon in Pomona.
The 2026 Countdown began at the U.S. Nationals and runs through events in Texas, Las Vegas, and finally Pomona. Championships rarely wrap up before the final race, which is exactly what makes the Pomona finale so compelling year after year. Television audiences for Countdown events consistently outperform regular-season ratings, reflecting how much the format concentrates drama into the final stretch.
Results from all rounds will be posted in real time on the official NHRA app and website. Fans can also follow live updates through the NHRA social media channels across Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Your Pomona Visitor Guide
Planning a trip to Pomona for the race weekend requires some preparation. Here are the key things to know before you go.
Getting there:
The venue is located at 2780 Fairplex Drive, Pomona, California. From central Los Angeles, the drive is approximately 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. The 10 East and 57 North freeways are the most direct routes. Arriving at least an hour before gates open is recommended to secure good parking.
Parking:
On-site parking is available at the Fairplex complex. You can purchase parking passes in advance through the NHRA website or at the gate on the day. Prices and availability vary by day, with weekends naturally busier than Thursday and Friday.
What to bring:
Ear protection is essential. Foam earplugs or noise-canceling earmuffs are both effective. Comfortable walking shoes matter too, as the venue grounds are extensive. Sunscreen is advisable, particularly for daytime sessions. A small backpack with snacks and water will also serve you well during long days on the grounds.
Food and drink:
The venue has multiple food vendors and concession stands throughout the grounds. Additionally, the race falls during In-N-Out Burger’s official sponsorship of the event, so branded food experiences are part of the atmosphere. There are also fan experience areas, a merchandise midway, and interactive displays.
Where to stay:
Several hotels are located near the Fairplex. The Sheraton Fairplex Suites and Conference Center is the closest full-service option, situated just around the corner from the main entrance on McKinley Avenue. Other options in the Pomona and Ontario area include a range of budget and mid-range hotels. Booking accommodation well in advance is essential, as event weekends fill up fast.
Meet the drivers:
One of the most beloved traditions at NHRA events is the driver autograph session. These sessions take place at various points during the weekend on the Nitro Alley stage and in the pit areas. Check the official event guide when it is published in the weeks leading up to race day for a full schedule of meet-and-greet opportunities.
Conclusion
The 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, running from November 12 to 15, 2026, at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, California, represents the crown jewel of the NHRA’s historic 75th anniversary season. Across four thrilling days, fans will watch Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle champions be decided in real time. Key drivers including Shawn Langdon, Ron Capps, Austin Prock, Greg Anderson, and Dallas Glenn will compete for titles that could come down to a single round. Every session is broadcast on FOX Sports and FS1, with live streaming available through NHRA.tv. Tickets start from $52 per day and include a pit pass for unmatched access. Whether you are sitting in the grandstands or watching from home, this is the must-see event that closes out a season like no other in the sport’s long history.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly does the NHRA Finals 2026 take place?
The event runs from Thursday, November 12, through Sunday, November 15, 2026. Thursday and Friday host qualifying rounds, Saturday features additional qualifying and early eliminations, and Sunday decides the world titles through championship eliminations.
Where is the venue and how do I get there?
The event is held at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, located at 2780 Fairplex Drive in Pomona, California. The venue is accessible via the 10 East and 57 North freeways. Arriving at least one hour before gates open is strongly recommended to allow time for parking and entry.
How much do tickets cost and where can I buy them?
Daily tickets start from approximately $52 on Thursday, $64 on Friday, and $98 on Saturday and Sunday. All general admission tickets include a pit pass. Tickets are available through the official NHRA website at nhra.com and through authorized ticketing partners such as SeatGeek and Vivid Seats.
What TV channel will broadcast the NHRA Finals 2026?
All races in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series air exclusively on FOX Sports. Coverage is split between the FOX broadcast network and FS1. Qualifying sessions typically air on FS1, while Sunday championship eliminations may air on the main FOX network. Live streaming is also available through the NHRA.tv app.
Which professional classes compete at the NHRA Finals?
Four professional classes compete for world championships: Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Each class fields its top ten Countdown drivers, all of whom still have a mathematical chance at the title heading into the final event of the season.
