After a weather-forced 2025 withdrawal, Dubbin Motorsports returns to Gainesville hungry for an early-season statement win.

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (March 2, 2026) — Dubbin Motorsports is set to open the 2026 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season this weekend at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA GatorNationals at Gainesville Raceway, with driver Kirk Wolf returning behind the wheel of the team’s A/Fuel Dragster.

The Minnesota-based operation enters 2026 with momentum built over several seasons of development, directed by team owner Dean Dubbin alongside tuners Clay and Chase Copeland and clutch specialist Trevor Jelinski. The Chase Copeland-built machine has demonstrated the capability to easily run in the 5.15–5.25-second range at 270–280 mph—performance the team expects to experience at Gainesville’s near-sea-level conditions this weekend.

“We’ve had a good and businesslike off-season,” said team owner Dean Dubbin. “It’s the little things that have gotten in our way the past few years, and we have worked hard to eliminate those bugs that cause inconsistencies. This car is fast, the crew is one of the most experienced in Alcohol Racing, and Kirk is motivated and focused. We are capable of winning at any track on the schedule, and Gainesville is where we want to make that statement.”

The GatorNationals carries significant weight on the NHRA calendar, ranking behind only the U.S. Nationals in drag racing prestige. For Wolf, a national event winner with the Dubbin program, the race represents an early-season proving ground.

“I’m really excited to start a fresh season,” said Wolf. “We didn’t change a whole lot in the off-season, just the normal maintenance. We ended 2025 running really well, and I think we have the car and setup to win races this year. I have never been so hungry for a win.”

The sting of last season’s Gatornationals is still fresh in the minds of everyone on the Dubbin team. Rain and cold temperatures at Gainesville Raceway derailed their Gatornationals. Kirk Wolf was qualified ninth after an electrical fault in Q1 and clutch-induced tire shake in Q2 ended both qualifying runs early. With Q3 cancelled, Saturday’s eliminations rained out, and no firm completion timeline from race officials on Sunday, the team was forced to withdraw from the race.

“We are professionals at this, but we also have other full-time jobs,” said Dubbin. When the weather in 2025 caused delays, it created an uncertain race schedule that conflicted with our ability to get home to our primary jobs — so we had to withdraw. We all still feel the sting from that and would love to go out and blister this track and get some redemption.”

Wolf agreed, stating, “It’s important for us to get things going early and be successful right out of the box. We’re not here to feel things out—we’re here to compete and win.”

Dean Dubbin and his wife Karen, will not make the trip to Gainesville, with Dean sidelined by a recent medical procedure.

“I’m very lucky to have a team with a lot of depth; each person can step in and take over when someone is gone, so I’m confident that Team DMP / Kentex will do an outstanding job in Gainesville,” said Dubbin. “Karen and I will be attending the 4-wide race at Z-Max if everything keeps moving in the current direction.”

The GatorNationals are scheduled for March 5th-8th at Gainesville Raceway near Gainesville, Florida. Qualifying for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begins Thursday and continues through Friday, with eliminations starting Saturday and concluding on Sunday.

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (March 02, 2026) – Elite Motorsports, NHRA’s largest professional team in the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series, will field a seven car professional team heading into the 75th Anniversary season of the NHRA.

For the first time, Elite Motorsports will have a Top Fuel dragster compete in the full 20-race season with motorsports icon Tony Stewart at the wheel and R+L Carriers as the primary sponsor. Veteran crew chiefs Mike Green and Joe Barlom will lead the Top Fuel program.

“It’s been an interesting and busy few months getting ready for NHRA’s 2026 season. I think everyone’s pretty anxious, it’s a new Top Fuel program for Elite which means a new crew trying to get their bearings, new parts, new programs and then the added factor that I’m racing against my own team. It took some getting used to, my trailer and gear being at the Elite shop down the street,” said Stewart who owns Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) and fields Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett and Funny Car driver Matt Hagan. “Mike Green and Joe Barlam really took advantage of testing, not just to figure out the car, but to figure out our routine, get the guys all on the same page and make sure we’re as ready as possible for the season opener. I won’t say we’re going to be perfect but if we can replicate some of what we did at testing we’ll definitely be ready to hold our own.

“It’s going to be an exciting season with all the NHRA 75th Anniversary fanfare,” continued Stewart who finished 2025 with two victories and the regular season championship. “I feel privileged to be part of it. I’m looking forward to competing, going rounds and putting on a good show for R+L, all our partners and the fans. Can’t wait to get started.

Six-time world champion and winningest female in motorsports history Erica Enders returns to the seat of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / R+L Carriers machine. The future Hall of Famer is coming off her 50th national event victory in 2025. She picked up the milestone win at the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Enders’ classic red machine will be tuned by Mike Ingersoll and Chase B. Freeman.

“Everyone at Elite Motorsports is excited to get the 2026 NHRA season started. Last year did not go the way any of us wanted but that only motivated us to work harder. There have been a lot of changes, a lot of testing and a lot of progress. Things are coming together and we are looking forward to seeing where we stand, when the scoreboard lights up,” said Enders who ended the 2025 season sixth in points. “The most important thing to me is the health of my boys. I think it’s safe to say, with all hands on deck, we will rise like we always do. We kept busy in the winter, running the Drag Illustrated Winter Series and testing regularly, so I’m ready to chase some trophies. I have full faith in this team, last year was an anomaly, but there’s no challenge too great for us. We are Elite for a reason. We will come back stronger and give the fans something worth watching in the NHRA 75th anniversary season.”

Aaron Stanfield led the Elite Motorsports stable of Pro Stock cars in 2025 coming in fourth in the championship points standings thanks to two runner-up finishes. The multifaceted driver will continue to handle driving duties of the JHG / Melling Performance / Janac Brothers machine with Mark Ingersoll and Chase B. Freeman as crew chiefs.

“I’ve been ready to get back to competing in Pro Stock since Vegas in the fall. The season coming to an abrupt end because of the weather was unfortunate but I’m excited for 2026. Elite has been working hard this off season. After testing, we can see that the hard work is starting to pay off. It was a long week and everyone really just put their heads down and kept grinding. It was great to be back out with everyone,” said Stanfiled who is fresh off a Pro Mod victory in Drag Illustrated’s Winter Series World Series of Pro Mod event at Bradenton Motorsports Park. “I was lucky to get to drive in the Drag Illustrated Winter Series in Pro Mod this off season. Crazy experience, something new, a challenge but it also kept me on my toes. Hoping there’s no rust to brush off and we’re ready to go right from the season opener.”

Jeg Coughlin Jr., a five-time Pro Stock world champion, is back for more in 2026. This will be Jeg Jr.’s 24th full professional season and marks a return to his family roots. He’ll be sporting the yellow and black of JEGS on his hot rod alongside nephew Troy Coughlin Jr. Jeg Jr., who will have Mark Ingersoll and Chase B. Freeman as crew chiefs, ended 2025 with a runner-up finish and three semifinal appearances for an eighth place finish in the points.

“The 2026 season is here and I couldn’t be more excited for the season opener. Team Elite has put in a lot of hours over the winter and our early season testing has shown to be promising. I’ll be back in the yellow and black colors of JEGS and I can’t wait to pull up for that first run of the season in those familiar hues. It would be great to strike right out of the gate for all the efforts that have brought this back together.” Jeg Jr. said. “The entire 2026 year will be a celebration for NHRA and all of us competitors for the 75th season. Special events, purses and activities will be common not only for the racers, but the fans alike. It will also be fun joining fellow teammate Erica Enders and the remaining Top 75 drivers of all-time in special events throughout the year. It’s going to be fun.”

Joining Jeg Jr. representing the yellow and black of JEGS is Troy Coughlin Jr. who will be in the predominantly black Pro Stock hot rod. Troy Jr., a third-generation versatile racer, finished 2025 10th in the points standings after a semi-final appearance at St. Louis in the Countdown to the Championship. Troy Jr. and his midnight edition JEGS hot rod will be crew chiefed by Mark Ingersoll and Chase B. Freeman.

“My guys, Kyle Bates, Kelley Murphy, Steve-O, and Alex Laine and all the Elite Motorsports crew have worked tirelessly on getting this JEGS Camaro fresh this winter, they have every square inch of the car as great as it can be. Testing showed us some great opportunities and progress that we plan to continue,” Troy Jr. said. “Having two JEGS cars and me being a driver in one is a dream I’ve been dreaming of since my dad and Uncle Jeg were teammates in the early 2000s. I’m beyond honored to be next to Uncle Jeg. We get to represent the most wonderful brand in high performance automotive with the best people.”

Veteran racer Greg Stanfiled returns for his second season with Elite Motorsports. The five-time Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champion will continue to represent Janac Brothers Racing for the full 2026 season. He picked up a memorable victory in 2025 at Sonoma Raceway when he defeated his son, Aaron, in the finals. Stanfield ended the season 12th in points.

“It’s been a busy off season. Not sure calling it an ‘off’ season is even really fair. Elite has been working hard on the Pro Stock program, trying some new things, lots of testing. After we had everyone out at the PRO test last week, I think we’re looking good, or at least headed in the right direction,” Stanfield said. “It’s hard not to be excited about the start of the season. Janac Brothers, a long time supporter, is back stronger than ever with us and I’m hoping we can get them a few more Wallys. But we won’t really know how we stack up until that first race. It should be exciting, it won’t be easy, but I’m optimistic.”

Entering his sophomore season behind the wheel of a Pro Stock car, Stephen Bell will once again run a partial season under the Elite Motorsports banner. The seven-time Factory Stock Showdown winner laid down his career best speed of 211.20 mph and elapsed time, 6.518-seconds, at the Seattle Northwest Nationals in 2025. He’ll look for more success under crew chief Anthony Lum in 2026.

“I got my first taste of Pro Stock last year and I’m hooked. It’s hard not to be, the competition, the crowds, the team. Working with everyone at Elite has been something special,” Bell said. “Last year might have been a little rough, but everyone kept working hard trying to find solutions. That mentality has been maintained through these last few months and after testing a few weeks ago, I’m more excited than ever. You’ll see me at more races this season, that’s for sure.”

Elite Motorsports will also field a Pro Mod program with Mason Wright as the driver of the ProFlow Plumbing Solutions Camaro as well as two Competition Eliminator entries run by Royce Lee Freeman and, the newest addition to the Elite family, Mike Lomas who will feature The Financial Guys on the side of his car. Beyond the professional categories, Elite will continue supporting a broad roster of sportsman racers throughout the Lucas Oil NHRA Racing Series, reinforcing the team’s commitment to developing talent and strengthening the sport from the ground up.

NHRA’s 75th Anniversary season kicks off with race one of the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series-20 event schedule, the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway March 6-8 in Florida.

Orange, CA — March 2, 2026, After a productive PRO test session in Gainesville last month, Del Worsham and Julie Nataas head into this weekend’s Gatornationals carrying strong momentum into the start of the 2026 season.

During testing, the duo made several successful passes, highlighted by Nataas’s new personal-best 3.94-second run. The milestone marks a significant step forward as she continues gaining experience in Nitro Funny Car competition.

“We made some solid runs in testing,” said Worsham. “I really enjoy having Julie in the car and watching her get more and more comfortable. Every time she straps in, she processes more. She’s always been strong on feedback, but now she’s giving us insight that sometimes goes beyond what the computer is telling us about what the car is doing.”

For Nataas, the progression has been tangible. Still, she knows the learning curve in Funny Car never levels off.

“With every lap, I feel more confident,” Nataas said. “But this class demands that you never get comfortable. I’m constantly trying to stay ahead of the car, anticipate it, feel it, and learn from every run. Testing was encouraging, but I know there’s still more in me and more in the car.”

This weekend marks a single-race opportunity for Nataas as she continues pursuing the funding necessary to compete more consistently this season. While performance progress has been clear, securing the partners required to keep the car on track remains the critical next step.

Primary support for this event comes from Hedinger’s Equipment and J&A Service, two companies with deep ties to performance and perseverance in motorsports.

Hedinger’s previously backed Worsham and supported Nataas during her Top Alcohol Dragster campaign, continuing a relationship built on trust and long-term belief in the team. J&A Service, known throughout the sport for standing behind grassroots racers and emerging talent, brings its namesake work ethic to the Funny Car stage this weekend.

Also continuing its support is Richmond Gear, which has expanded its relationship with Worsham into a broader multirace program in 2026.

“Richmond Gear is proud to sponsor Del Worsham’s Funny Car for the 2026 season. Racing has always been at the core of the Richmond brand, and this partnership reflects our deep roots in the sport,” said Steve Filipiak, Director of Marketing at Richmond Gear. We’re thrilled to be working with Del and his team. Winners Run Richmond!”

INDIANAPOLIS (March 2, 2026) – NHRA announced today that the thrilling new Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series, which features some of the major names from the famous Street Outlaws franchise, will debut on April 24-26 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte as part of NHRA’s 4-Wide Nationals.

The exciting new showcase for 2026 will feature 10 drivers, with three rounds of qualifying over the course of Friday and Saturday in Charlotte, followed by semifinals and finals on Sunday at zMAX Dragway.

The loaded field for the debut and the four-race series will include the biggest names and the legendary figures from Street Outlaws, including Shawn Ellington, Ryan Martin, Scott Taylor, Jeff Lutz and more. The full field for the first race in Charlotte will be revealed in the coming weeks, but the excitement level is high for the group set to make their NHRA debut during the 75th anniversary season.

“I think this is an incredible opportunity for NHRA and our outlaw group to work together,” Taylor said. “We are excited to come out and light the boards with our steel roof and quarter cars, as I truly believe it will shock the world to see how fast these cars are. We are looking forward to hanging out with new and current fans.”

The collaboration marks a major moment in NHRA’s milestone year, with the biggest names from Street Outlaws helping put on a show for fans during the four-race campaign this season.

The debut takes place at the Bellagio of Dragstrips in Charlotte, giving fans a marquee opportunity to watch the new Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series – along with the high-octane, intense action of four-wide racing in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series – all at one monumental race.

It also marks the only four-wide race of the season in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, as fans get to witness one of the wildest spectacles in motorsports. Add in the stars from Street Outlaws in this debut showcase and it has the makings of an epic weekend.

“The Right Trailers’ Outlaw Street series is sure to bring a new fan base to NHRA and bring those fans to the existing NHRA teams,” Right Trailers President Michael Scott said. “I have been a fan of many of the racers that will compete in the Outlaw Street series and am excited to see how big this deal gets.”

Added Taylor: “Outlaw Street is about bringing a new audience to NHRA while giving longtime fans something exciting and different. These are racers that fans already know and follow. Now, they’ll see them compete on one of the biggest stages in drag racing.”

Ellington, who drives the famed “Murder Nova,” is a fan favorite known for his black Chevy Nova and fierce racing style. Ellington has long been a key figure in the Street Outlaws scene, as has Martin, who is the reigning powerhouse and a multiple-time champ on the No Prep Kings circuit with his Fireball Camaro.

Martin is also hugely popular in the series, showcasing a strong blend of speed and consistency to build his impressive standing in the sport.

Taylor is another veteran in the Street Outlaws racing community, bringing a wealth of experience and a reputation as a fearless competitor.

To see the debut of the Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series in action on April 24-26 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, fans can purchase tickets at www.zmaxdragway.com. For more information about the NHRA, including the 2026 schedule, please 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 NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series 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.